The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1858-12-15

| With Spain our relations remain in an un-
satisfactory condition. In my message Of
December last, informed you that our en-
voy extraordinary and minister penipoenli.
AIRY 10 Madrid had asked for his recall and
it was my purpose 10 send out a new minis
ter 10 that court, with special instructions OIL
all questions pending between the two
governments, and with determination TO
have them speedily and amicably adjusted,
if that were possible. This purpose has
been hitherto defeated by causes which
need not enumerate.
The mission 10 Spain has been intrusted
to distinguished citizen of Kentucky, who
will proceed to Madrid without delay, and
make another and final attempt to obtain
justice from that government.
Spanish officials, under the direct control
of the captaingeneral OF Cuba, have insul-
ted our national flag, and, in repeated
instances have from time 10 time inflicted
injuries on the persons and property of our
citizens. These have given birth 10 numer.
GUS claims against the Spanish government,
the merits of which have been ably discus
sed for series OF years, by our successive
diplomatic representatives. Notwithstand
ing this, we have not arrived at practical
result in any single instance, unless we may
expect the case of the Black Warrior under
|
an outrage of such character as would
have justified an immediate resort to war.
All our attempts TO obtain redress haveIbeen
baffled 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 10 investigate the justice of our de-.
mands.
Even what have been denominated "the
Cuban claims,' in which more than hun.
dred OF our citizens are directly interested,
have furnished no exception. These claims
were for the reiuuding of duties unjusty
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 lust
that after period of nearly ten years, in
1854, they were recognised by the Spanish
government. Proceedings were afterwards
instituted to ascertain their amount, and
this was finally fixed according TO their own
statement with which we were satisfied)
at the sum of one hundred and twenty eight
thousand six hundred and .hirly-five dollars
and fifty four cents. Just at the moment
after delay of fourteen years, when we
had reason TO expect that this sum would
be repaid with interest, we have received a
proposal Offering to refund one-third of
that amount, Qorty-two thousand eight hun
dred and seventy eight dollars and forty one
cents,) but without interest, if we would
accept this in full satisfaction The offer is,
also, accompanied by declaration that this
indemnifcation is not founded on any reason
OF strict justice but is made as special
favor.
One alleged cause for procrastination in
the examination and adjustment of our
claims. arises from an obstacle which il is
the duty of the Spanish Government 10
remove. Whilst the captain-general of
Cuba is invested with general despotic au-
thorily in The government of that island,
the power is withheld from him 10 examine
and redress wrongs committed by officials
under his control, on citizens of the United
States. Instead of making our complaints
directly TO him at Havana, we are Obliged 10
present them through our minister at Mad.
rid. These are then referred back TO the
captain general for information and much
time is thus consumed in preliminary inves-
tlgatlons and correspondence between Mad.
rid and Cuba, bciore the Spanish govern.
ment will consent 10 proceed TO negotiation
Many of the difficulties between the two
governments would be obviated, aud a long
train OF negotiation avoided, if the captain.
general were invested with authority to set.
lie questions of easy solution on the spot.
! where all the facts are fresh, and could be
promptly and satisfactorily ascertained. We
have hitherto in vain urged upon the Span
ish government, TO confer this power upon
the captain general, and our minister 10
Spain will again be instructed 10 urge This
subject on their notice. In this respect we
occupy different position from the powers
OF EurOpa Cuha iS almost within ciubt oF
our shores; our commerce with it is far
greater than that of any other nation, incu.
ding Spain itself, and our citizens are in
habits OF daily and extended personal inter.
course with every par of the island. Ii is,
therefore, great grievance that, when any
dlfhculty occurs, no matter how unimport-
ant, which might be readily settled at the
moment, we should be obliged 10 resort TO
Madrid especially when the very first step to
be taken there is TO refer il back to Cuba.
The truth is that Cuba, in its existing col
onial condition, is a constant source of in
jury and annoyance TO the American people.
It's the only spot in the civilized world
where the African slave trade is tolerated;
and we are bonnd by treaty with Great
Britain, TO maintain a naval force on the
coast of Africa, at much expense both of
life ant treasure, solely for the purpose of
dIIcStiUS oldNtfS lOI tildt loldiu. lHe
late serious difficulties between the United
States and Great Britain respecting the right
of search, now so happily terminated, could
never have arisen il Cuba had not afforded
a market for slaves. As long as this market
shall remain open, there can be no hope for
the civilization of benishted Africa. Whilst
the demand for slaves continues in Cuba,
wars will be waged among the petty and
barbarous chiefs in Africa, for the purpose
of selzing subjects 10 supply this trade. In
such condition of affairs, it is impossible
that the light of civilization 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 ne.
collation.. Ii this were accomplished, the
last relic of the African slave-trade would
instantly disappear, We would not, il 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 ani Mex
leo, or by the free aud voluntary act of the
independent State of Texas, in blending her
destinles with her own. This course we
shall ever pursue, unless circumstances
should occur which We do moi now antici-
pate, rendering departure from it clearly
justfiable, under the imperative and over
ruling law of self preservation.
mn HI