Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-12-07

ed to present them through our Minister at
Madrid. These are then referred back to the
Captain General for information and much
time is thus consumed in preliminary investi-
cations and correspondence between Madrid
and Cuba, before the Spanish government will
consent to proceed to negotiation. Many Of
the difficulties between the two governments
would be obviated, and a long train Of negotia-
ton avoided, if the Captain General were in
vested with authority to settle questions Of easy
solution on the spot, where all the facts are
fresh and could be promptly and satisfactorily
asccrtained We have hitherto in vain urged
upon the Spanish government to confer this
power upon the Captain General, and our
Minister to Spain viii again be instructed to
urge this subject on their notice. In this re-
Spect we occupy a different position from the
Powers Of Europe. Cuba is almost within
sight Of our shores our commerce with it is
far greater than that Of any other nation. in
Guiding Spain itself, and our citizens are in
habits of daily and extended personal inter
course with every part Of the Island. 1t is,
therefore, a great grievance that, when any
difficulty occurs, no matter how UnimpOrtant,
which might be readily settled at the moment,
we should be obliged to resort to Madrid,
especially when the very first step to be taken
there is to refer it back to Cuba.
The truth is, that Cuba, in its existing colo
NAL condition, is constant source of injury
and annoyance to the American people. 1t is
the only spot in the civilized world where the
African slave trade is tolerated and we are
bound by treaty with Great Britain to maintain
a naval force on the coast of Africa, at much
expense both of life and treasure solely for the
purpose Of arTesting slavers bound to that is
land. The late serious difficulties between the
United States and Great Britain respecting the
right of search, now so happily terminated,
pttId nrtror hn,ro Tf,,I, ,,F
forded a a market for slaves. As long as this
market shall remain open, there can be no hope
for the civilization Of benighted Africa. Whilst
the demand for slaves continue in Cuba, wars
will be waged among the petty and barbarous
chiefs in Africa, for the purpose Of Selling sub
jects to supply his trade. In such a condition
Of affairs it is impossible that the light of civ
ilization and religion can ever penetrate these
dark abOdes
1t has been made known to the world by my
predecessors, that the United States have, on
several occasions endeavored 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 national
character. All the territory which we have
acquired since the origin of the government,
has been by fair purchase from France. Spain,
and Mexico, or by the free and voluntary act
Of the Independent State of Texas, in blend
ing her destinies with our own. This course
we shall ever pursue, unless circumstances
should occur, which we do not now anticipate,
rendering a departure from it clearly justifi-
able, under the imperative and oyerTuling law
of selfpreservatiOn.
The Island Of Cuba from its geographical
position, commands the mouth of the Missis-
sppi and its immense and annually increas-
ing trade, .foreign and c0astwise, from the val
ley Of that noble river, now embracing half
the sovereign States of the Union. With that
island under the dominion of a distant for
eign power, this trade Of vital importance to
these States, is exposed to the danger of being
destroyed in time of war; and it has hitherto
been subjected to perpetual injury and annoy
ance in time of peace. Our relations with
Spain, which ought to be of the most friendly
character, must always be placed in jeopardy,
while 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 United States its
value to Spain is comparatively, unimpOrtant
Such was the relative situation Of the parties
when the great Napoleon transferred louisa
ma to the United States. Jealous, as he ever
was, Of the national honor and interests of
France, no person throughout the world, has
Z
airy equivalent 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 negoca-
ton, that | should lay the whole subject before
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 govermenment i'm
mediately after the signing of the treaty, with
out awaiting the ratification of it by the SEN
ate. L am encouraged to make this suggestion.
by example of Mr.. Jefferson previous to the
purchase of Louisiana from France. and bv
that OF Mr.. Polk in view of the acquisition of
territory from MeXic. | refer the whole sub
Ject to Congress, and commend it to their care
full consideration
L repeat the recommendation made in nv
message Of December last, in favor of An an
preparation "to be paid to the Spanish govern
ment for the purpose of distribution among the
claimants III the Amistad case" President
FOLK nrst made similar recommendation in
december, lo47, and it was repeated by my
immediate predecessor in December. 1881.
| entertain no doubt that idemnity is fairly
due to these claimants under our treaty with =
SPAN OF the 9th October, 1885, and whilst
demanding justice we ought to do justice. An
appropriation promptly made for this purpose
could not fail to exert a favorable influence on
our negotiations with Spain.
Our position in relation to the independent
States south Of us on this continent and es
pecially those within the limits of North
America, is Of peculiar character. The
northern boundary Of Mexico is coincident
with our own southern boundary from ocean
to ocean, and we must necessarily feel deep
interest Ill all that concerns the well-being and
the late OF SO near neighbor. We have al
ways cherished the kindest wishes for the
success of that republic, and have INDUCED
the hope that it might at last, after all its trials
ENJOY peace and prosperity under a free and
stable government We have never hitherto
lnterfered, directly or indirectly, with its inter
nal allalrs, and 1t is duty which we owe to
ourselves, to protect the integrity of its ter
rltorp, against the hostile interference of arv
other power. Our geographical position. our
direct interest i'll all that concerns Mexico and
our well-settled policy in regard to the North
American continent, render this an iudispen-
sable dnty.
Mexico has been in a state of constant reyO-
ioton, almost ever since it achieved its indie
pendehce' One military leader after another
mas usurped the government in rapid success
sion, and the various constitutions from time to
time adopted have been set at nouybt almost
as soon as they were proclaimed The success
sive governments have afforded no adeouate
protection, either to Mexican citizens or foreign
residents, against lawless violence. Hereto
lofe, aseHure OF the capital by military chief
tam mas been generally followed byat least the
nominal submission of the country to his rule
for a brief period, but not so at the nresent
crisis of Mexican affairs. A civil war has been
raging for some time throughout the Republic.