The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-12-14
HILLSDALE, MICH, TUESDAY, DEC. Id, 1858.

property of our citizens. These have given brtI
to numerous claims aginst the Spanish govern
ment, the merits of which have been ably discus
sed Tor series OF years, by our successive diplo
matte representatives. Notwithstanding this, w,
have not arrived at practical result in any sin
gle instance, unless we may except the case of tho
Black Warrior under the late Administration
and that presented an outrage Of snch charac
ter as would have justified an immediate resort
to war. All our attempts to obtain redress have
been bafiied and defeated. The frequent and
oft-recurring changes in the Spanish Ministry,
have been employed as reasons for delay. We
have been compelled to wait, again and again.
until the new Minister shall have had time to in.
vestigate the justice of our claims.
THE CUBAN CLAIMS
Even what have been denominated ''the Cuban
claims" in which more than hundred of our cit
izens are directly interested, have furnished no
exception These claims were for the refunding
oil duties unjustly exacted from American vessels
at different custom houses in Cuba, so long ago
as the year 1874. The principles upon which
they rest are so manifestly equitable and just that
after period Of nearly ten years, in 1854. they
were recognized by tho Spanish government
proceedings were afterwards instituted to ascer-
tain their amount, and this was finally fixed ac.
cording to their own statement with which we
were satisfed) at the sum sI2s, ,635 81. just at
,he moment, after delay of IA years, when we
had reason to expect that this sum would be re:
paid with interest, we have received a prono,al
Offering onethird of that amount, but without in.
terest, we would accept this as full satisfaction.
Inc ofer Is accompanied by declaration that
TINS lndemnlhcation is not founded on any reason
oi strict justice, but is made as a special favor.
THE WAY THEY SHOULD BE SETTLED
ohe alleged cause for procrastinaton in the cx-
srn snlnatloh ana adjustment of our claims, arises
;s an obstacle which 1T is the duty of the Span
ish government to remove. Whilst the Captain
Generai OF Cuba is invested with general despotic
authority IN the government Of that island, the
power is withheld from him to examine and re.
aress t wrongs committed by officials under his con-
troll, on citizens of the United States Instead of
making our complaints directly to him at Havana,
we are Obliged to present them through our Minis
Yer at Madrid. These are then referred back TO
.ne Oaptain General for information and much
.ime is thus consumed in preliminary investipa-
tions and correspondence between Madrid and Cu.
pa, before the Spanish government will consent 10
proceed to negotiation. Many of the difficulties
between the TWO governments wonld be obviated,
ana long train of negotiation avoided il the Can
tam General were invested with authority 10 settle
questions OF easy solution, on the spot where al
the acts are fresh, and could be promptly and sat
aseertained; We have hitherto in vain
urged upon the Spanish government TO confer This
power upon the Captain General, and our Minister
70 Spain will again be instructed to urge this sub
@ @ect on their notice. In this respect we occupv ,
ilnerent position from the Powers OF Europe Gu. |
pa is almost within sight of our shores !. orr com,
nerce with il is far greater than that of sny other
iation. including Spain ITSELF and our citizens are
n habits OF daily and extended personal inter
curse with every part of the island II is, there
ore, great grievance that when any difficulty
occurs no matter how unimportant which might
'e readily settled at the moment we should he
obliged to resort to Madrid especially when the
ery first step to be taken there is to refer il back
o Cuba. - '"'A
'UR POSSESSION OF CUBA THE ONLY EFFEcrUAL WAY |
n, TO STOP THE SLAVE TRADE.
The truth is, that Cuba in its existing colonial
ouuition, Is a constant source of injury and an |
oyanee 10 the American people. Ii is the only
pot IN the civilized world where the African slave
rade is tolerated and we are bound by treaty
'ith Great Britain to maintain naval force on
ne coast OF Africa, at much expense both of life
nd treasure, solely for the purpose of arresting
ayers bound to that island. The late serious diff
cuties between the United States and ct britain |
espectlng the right of search now so bappily ter
llnated, could never havs arisen if Cuba had not |
horded market for slaves. As long as this mar |
et snail remain open, there can be no hone for |
ne civilization Of benighted Africa. Whilst the
emand for slaves continues in Cuba, war, will he |
age1 among the petty and barbarous chiefs in Af-
ca, for the purpose Of seizing subjects TO supply
us trade In such condition of affairs, it is i'm
ossibie that the light of civilization and religion
IN never penetrate these dark abodes
z WANT CUBA BY PURCHASE OR UNDER THE ruprn,.
I'VE AND ovERRULING LAW OF REPRESENTATIONS
III mas been made known to the world by NV pre.
'cessors, that the United States have, on several
: o"slons, endeavored to acquire Cuba from Spain
honorable negotiation If this were accom-
lshed, the last relic of the African slave trade
Ouid instantly disappear. We would not, if we ,
ulu, acquire Cuba IN any other manner. This
que 10 our national character. All the territory
men we have acquired since the origin of the . .
Neihmeni, has been by fair purchase from Spain !
anee, and Mexico, or by the free and voluntary 5
OF the independent State of Texas, in blending r
y destlnles with our own. This course we shall
er pursue, unless circumstances should occnr !
lich we do not now an ticipate yenderinV a do .
fture from ~ clearly justfable, under the inner
I've and overruling law of self preservation. I
o'RAPhicAL AND OTHER ADVANTAGES OF cUBA TO >
THE UNITED STATES.
The island Of Cuba, from its geographical posi- y
n, commands the mouth of the Mississippi, aud ;, =
immense and annually increasing trade, for. u
'n ana coastwise, from the valley of that noble c
er, now embracing half the sovereign States of C
Union. with that island under the dominion r.
ulslaht foreign Power, this trade, of vital i'm ri
rance TO these States, is exposed TO the danger g
pelhg destroyed in time of war; and il has hith- =
% oeen subjected TO perpetual injury and annoy =,
&c IN time OF peace. Our relations with Spain. u
nch m ought to be OF the most friendly character o
ISL always be placed in jeopardy, whilst the ex- m
Ing colonial government over the island shall re.
IN IN It's present condition
" hilst the possession of the island would be of =,
y Importance to the u States, its value to Spain
comparatively, unimportant. Such was the re- al
I've siuation Of the parties when the great Napo- d,
a transferred Louisiana to the United States- gi
nous, as lie ever was, Of the national honor and In
e,ests OF france, no person throughout the re-
rid mas imputed blame to him for accepting a | ~
uniary equiv alent for this cesson. "
iorIATIoSs FOR THE PURCHASE op THE ISLAND. - :.
he publicity which has been given TO our for q,
T negotiations upon this subject, and the large " "
which may be required TO effect the P'
pose, render il expedient, before making an Ia
er attempt TO renew the negotiation, that | CO
uld lay the whole subject before Congress. This A
specially necessary, rs il may become indis- ou
sable TO success that should be intrusted le
h the means ofmaking an advance 10 the Span- +,
government Immediately after the signing of :.
treaty, without awaiting the ratification of il H :.
the senate. ! am encouraged TO make this cn
gestion by the example of Mr. Jefferson nre so
rs to the purchase of Louisiana from France tic
by that OF Mr.. Polk inview of the ACQUISITION Of an
rtory from Mexico, I refer the whole subject al,
congress, aud commend 10 their careful consid. wo
lion. wa
the AMIsrAD CASE. up
repeat the Recommendation made in nv mess " wv
OF December last, in favor of an approximation an
be paid to the Spanish Government for the 10
pose OF distribution among the claimants of ler
Amistad case" President Polk first made n rel
liar recommendation in December, ls47, and il Law
repeated by my immediate predecessor in tie
ember, 1858. | entertain no doubt that indem 20
IL fairly due TO these claimants under onr
W wlth Spain OF the 9th October, 1895 and W 70
ISL demanding justice We ought to do Justice. 70 70,
appropriation promptly made for this pur- TN
not laa - Var