Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1858-12-18

e this market shall remain open, there can b
j no hope for the civilization of benighted AFR
D ca. Whilst the demand for slaves continue
: in Cuba, wars will be wageel among the petty
and barbarOus chiefs in Africa, for the pur
! pose Of scizing subjects to supply this trade
2 In such condition of affairs, it il impossibl,
J that the light of civilization and religion Cal
ever penetrate these dark abodes. 5lte..
1t has been made known to the world by
my predecessors, that the United States have
!, on several occasions. endeayored to acquire
Cuba from Spain by honorable negotiation
If this were accomplished, the last relic of the
: African slave trade would instantly disappear
We would not, if we could, acquire Cuba in
. any other manner. This is due to our nation.
al character All the territory which we
have acquired since the origin of the govern
ment, has been by fair purchase from France,
Spain and Mexico or by the free and eolunta-
ry act Of the Independent State of Texes, in
blending her destinies with our own. This
course we shall ever pursue, unless circum-
stances shoul occur, which we do not now
anticipate, rendering departure from it clear
yjustiliable, under the imperative and over
ruling law of representation.
l. The Island Of Cuba, from its geographical
position, commands the mouth of the Mississ-
trade, foreign and coastwise, from the valley
of that noble river, now embracing half the
sovereign States of the Union. With that
island under the dominion of distant foreign
power, this trade, ofvital Importance to these
States, is exposed to the danger of being des-
trOyed in time of war, and it has hitherto been
sujected to perpetual injury and annoyance in
time of peace. Our relations with Spain,
which ought to be of the most friendly charac-
ter, must always be placed in jeopardy, whilst
the existing colonial government over the
island shall remain in its present condition.
Whilst the possession of the island would
be of vast Importance to the U. S., its value
to Spain is comparatively unimportant. Such
was the relative situation of the parties when
the great Napoleon transferred Louisiana to
the U. S. Jealous, as he ever was, of the
national honor and interests of France, no
person throughout the world has imputed
blame to him, for accepting pecuniary cqui-
valent for this cession.
The publicity which has been given to our
former negotiations upon this subject, and the
large appropriation which may be required to
effect the purpose, render it expedient, before
making another attempt to renew the negotia-
ton, that should lay the whole subject be-
fore Congress. This is especially necessary,
as it may become indispensable to success,
that | should be intrusted with the means of
making an advance to the Spanish govern
ment Immediately after the signing of the
treaty, without awaiting the ratification of it
by the Senate. | am encouraged to make
this suggestion by the example of Mr. Jeffer-
son previous to the purchase of louisiana
from France and by that of MIR Polk in view
of the acquisition of territory of Mexico. |
| ,of, ,1,<,l<,
commend it to their careful consideration.
repeat the recommendation made in my
message of December last, in favor Of al ap-
preparation /" to be paid to the Spanish gov
ernment for the purpose of distribution among
the claimants in the Amistad case" Presi-
dent Polk first made similar recommends
tion in December, l847, and it was repeated
by my immediate predecessor in December
1853. entertain no doubt that indemnity
is fairly due to these claimants under our trea-
ty with Spain Of the 9th October, 1795 3
and whilst demanding justice we ought to do
justice. An appropriation promptly made
for this purpose, could not fail to exact fa
vurable influence on our negotiations with
Spain.
MEXICO.
Our position in relation to the independent
|
pecially those within the limits of North
America, is of a peculiar character. The
northern boundary of Mexico is coincidcnt
with our own southern boundary from ocean
to ocean and we must necessarily feel deep
interest in all that concerns the well being
ond the fate of so near neighbor We have
always cherished the kindest wishes for the
success of that republic, and have INDUCED
| tho bnno thof II ,oirht Of IaSt aftQr oil itc
trials, njoy peace and prosperity under
free and Stable government. We have never
hitherto interfeied, directly or indirectly, with
its internal affairs, and it is duty which We
owe to ourselves, to protect the integrity Of
its territory, against the hostile interference
of any other power. Our geographical posi-
tion, our direct interest in all that concerns
Mexico. and our we'll settled policy in regard
| TO the North American continent, render this
an indispensable duty.
Mexico has been in state of constant rcvO-
luton, almost ever since it achieved it's indc-
pcndcnce. One military leader after another
has usurped the government in rapid success
| sion, and the various constitutions from time
to time adopted have been set at naught al
most as soon as proclaimed. The successive
governments have afforded no adequate pro-
lection, either to Mexican citizens or foreign
residents, against lawless violence. Hereto
| fore a seizure of the capital by military
chieftain has been followed by at least the no
minal submission of the country to his rule
for brief period, but not so at the present
| crisis of Mexican affairs civil war has
| been raging for some time throughout the
| republic between the central government at
the city of Mexico, which has endeavored to
subvert the constitution last framed by mill
tary power, and those who maintain the au-
thority of that constitution. The antagonist
parties each held possession of different States
of the republic, and the fortunes Of war are
constantly changing. Meanwhile the most
reprehensble means have been employed by
both parties to extort money from foreigners,
as well as natives, to carry ON this ruinous
contest. The truth is, that this fine country,
blessed with a productive soil and a benign
climate, has been reduced by civil dissension
to condition of almost hopeless anarchy and
imbecility 1t would be vain for this govern
ment to enforce payment in money OF the
claims of American citizens, now amounting
to more than ten million dollars against Mex
leo, because she is destitute of all pecuniary
means to satisfy these demands.
Our late minister was furnished with am
pie powers and instructions for the adjust
ment OF all pend1ng queSuOIS WIFI the ceutiai
government of Mexico, and he performed his
duty with zeal and ability. The claims OF
our citizens, some of them arising out of the
violation of an express provision of the treaty
of Guadalupe Hidalgo and others from gross
injuries to persons as well as property, have
remained unredressed and even unnoticed.
Remonstrances against these grievances have
been addressed without effect to that govern
ment. Meantime in various parts of thelrepublic
instances have been numerous of the murder,
imprisonment and plunder of our citizens bv
diffent parties claiming and exercising loca!
Jurisdiction but the central government, al
though repeatedly urged thereto, have made
no effort either to punish the authors of these
outrages, or to prevent their recurrence: No
American citizen can now visit Mexico on
lawful business without imminent danger to
his person and property. There is no ade-