The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-07

government for this purpose, friendly spirit which
cordially rccip ocated III, proposal was 10 withdraw
these questions from direct negotiation between the two
govern nients; but 10 accomplish the object, by
n,poDton between the Brhfh governm N, and each o
the G. nt al Amcr republics whose ter r,or a interests
are Immediately Involved. The settlement was " be
made dance with the general OF the inter
preaton placed upon the Clayton and pn~ev treaty by
the United States, With certain mohicetons AS nego
tiaons sun 10 ndnr upon this bass woad not be
Iroper Tor me now 70 communicate t''r present cona
tiun. final settlement Of these qucsto@ greatly u be
desired this would wipe out the last remaining subject
Of dispute between the two countries.
Our relations with the great empires II France and
Russia well as with all other governn ns the
tnent Europe except that of span continue 70 be Of
the NEST friendly character
pIr1crLlIEs WITH SPAIN.
With Spain relations remain IN unsatisfactory
CONDITION In my message of December last informed
YOU that Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Peupo
tcntaIy to MADRID had asked for his recall and il was
nv pu pose a that court with
special instructions on all questions pending between the
two &C. ernments ana with determination to have them
speedily and amicaby adjusted, If that were possible
This purpose has been hitherto defeated by which
| need not enUmerate.
The mission 10 Spain has been entrusted to dstin.
gugbed citizen Of Kentucky who will proeeed TO Madrid
without delay and make another and Anal attempt to
obtain justice fl ON that government
Spanish officials under the direct control OF the Captain
General of Cuba have nsulted cur national flag and, in
rep, ated Instances, have from time to inflicted
ures on the persons and property oi our citizens These
have gwen birth 10 numerous claims nst the Spanish
government the merits OF which have been ably discussed
a series Of years, by successive diplomatic repre-
sen,atives Notwithstanding this, we have not arrived
at practical result IN any single instance, unless may
except the Of the Black Warrior under the late ad
mntI alton; and that presented outrage OF such
char would have justified immediate resort
war All our atts mpts to obtain redress have baf
fed and defeated The frequent aud Oft recurring changes
in the Spanish ministry have been employed
for delay We have been compelled TO wait, again and
again untl the minister shall have had time TO in
yesugatc the justice Of our demands.
Even what have been denominated I" the Cuban
claims in which more than hundred Of citzans
directly interested, have furnished no exception
These claims for the rcopdng Of duties uninty
acted vessels at different custom houses
Cuba long ago the year 1874 The principles upon
which they msnestiy equitable and just that
after period Of nearly ten years. IN 1854 ihcy were
cognized by the Spanish government Proceedings
afterwards instituted TO ascertain their amount and this
finally nxed according TO their own statement with
which satisfed) a the sum OF hundred and
twenty eight thousand six hundred and thirty five dol
lars aid fifty -four cents. just at the moment, after a
DELAY OF fourteen years when we had reason to expect
that this would be repaid with interest have
proposal Offering 30 refund third Of that
amount, Qortytw thousand eight hundred and seventy
eight dollars and forty cents but without interest If
we would accept thus in fun satisfaction. The offer is,
also accompanied by declaration that this ndcmnGca-
ton founded any reason OF strict JUSTICE but s
| The WAY rHKy SHOULD RK SETTLED
One alleged cause for procrastnation IN the examina
ton and adjustment OF claims obstacle
which il is the duty Of the Spanish government 10
move. Whilst the Captain Gen raj OF Cuba IL invested
with general despotc authority N the government Of
that island, the power withheld from HIM examine
and redress wrongs committed by officials under his
troll Of the United States Insteac OF making
our complaints directly to him at Havana obliged
TO present them through Minister at Madrid. These
then referred back to the Captain General norma
i uon and much time Is thus consumed in preliminary
Investigations and correspondence between Madrid and
Cuba before the Spanish Will consent 10 pro-
ceed to negotiation. Many Of the difficulties between tho
two governments would be obvated, aud long train Of
negotiation avoided If the Captain General invested
with authority 10 settle questions OF easy solution the
spot where all the facts are fresh and could be promptly
and satisfactorily ascerained We have hitherto vain
urged upon the Spanish TO confer this power
upon the Captain General and our Minister 10 Spain will
again be instruct urge this subject their notice
In this respect occupy different position from the
Powers OF Europe. Cuba Is almost within signt OF our
shores; our commerce with far grcater than that
any other nation including Spain itself and our cit,zm
In habits Of daily and extended personal intercourse
with every part Of the island II ", therefore, grea
grievance that, when any difficulty occurs, matte
how unmportant which might be readily settled At tn
moment should be obliged 10 TO Madrid, espc
csy when The very FIRST step 70 be taken there rs 70 re
rsosuos OF crM rn osIr pyncruAL WAT 10 sFor I'M
/ TRADE
The truth is that Cuba, in lis existing colonial cond
tion constant Of injury and annoyance 10 the
American people. IL the only SPOT In the civilized
world the African slave trade tolerated. and
bound by treaty with Great Britain 10 MAINTAIN
force the coast of Africa, al much expense both oi
he and treasure, solely for the purpsc u arrestins
saye,s bound 10 that island. The late serious difcu
ties between the United States ani Great Britain respect
Inc the right q search, now so happily terminated, could
never have Cuba had not afforded market for
slaves Az long this market shall remain open, there
be hope for the civilization of benishted Africa.
Il Whilst the demand slaves continues Cuba,
will be waecd among the petty and barbarous chcfs IN
Africa the purpose Of seizrg subjects 10 supply this
trade In such condition OF affairs imf.rsibo that
the light OF civilization and religion can penetrate
| these dark sboiss.
/ W wASI orpA w rrRcHArx uSpEa IMPERATIVE AM
oynRriIxG Law oy sEty PRESERVATION.
II has been made known 10 the world by my prcdcccs
sors, that the United states have, several occasions
cndeavoed ~ acquire Cuba from spain BY honorable
goaton n this accomplished the last relic of the
Acan slave trade would instantly disappear We would
not We could, acquire Cuba in any other manner. TINS
s batous character All the territory which
have acquired since the origin Of the government has
been by purchase from France SPAN and Mexico
by the free and voluntary act u the independent state Of
| Texas, in blending her destines with THIS
course shall pursue unless circumstances should
occur, wh,h we do not now anticipate rendering de
| pariurc from clearly tusthabe, under the imperative
| and oycrrulng law ~ self preservation.
csocEsfoAl AND OTHKR ADVANTAGES 90 cRs 10 rE rSEr
4 STATES
1 The Island a Cuba from its geographical position
the mouth q the Mississippi, aud the Imneuss
aud annually increasing trade, foreign and cuastwise
from the valley of that noble river embracing hall
the sovereign states of the Union with that sani under
the dommrn " distant foreign Power this trade, q
ortsnce 10 these states exposed 70 the danger
OF being destroyed in time Of war, and has hitherto
been SUBJECTED perpetual injury aud annoy time
of peace relations with spain, witch ought 70 be
q the most friendly character always be placed in
jeopardy. whilst the existing colonial government
| the island shall remain IN lis present condition.
Whilst tho possession Of The island would be of vast
Importance 20 the United States It's value spain IT,
comparatively, unimportsnt Such the relative sl-
alton Of the parties when the great Napoleon transferred
Il LOUISIANA
uf the honor and interests Of France person
thruugheut the world has imputed blame him tor ac.
| ceptine pccuniary equivalent for this ccssion.
4 NEGOTIATIONS FcR rrr PURCHASE
i The pubfcty which has been given our former
goatons upon this subect and the large appropr alton
which may be required u effect the purpose render ],
expcd.ut, before making another attempt the
negotiation that should lay the whole subject before
Congress tbs especially necessary, il may become
Indispensable that should be ns.rusted with
the means Of making advance the Spanish govern
Immediately after the signing of the treaty, wtho
awaiting the ratification ~ n by the Senate am en-
couraged make this suggctu by Se example ~ Mr.
jefferson previous TO the purchase Ioussna from
France by that Of Mr.. Polk IN view OF the acqns
tiun n territory from Mcxco refer tho whole subject
n Congress and commend 10 their careful cpns dera
/ ton.
cssx
repeat the recommendation made In my message u
Dcccmbcr as IN favor of an appropriation to bc pad
Spanish government for the purpose of distribution
among the claimants in the Amistsd case President
Iolk first made similar recommendation Ia December
isiT and II repeated by my mmcdia'c prciccesr
in December 1888. ! entertain doubt that inteul.
nty fairly due 20 theee claimants under treaty with
SJain NJ the 27h October, 1926 and whilst demaniing