Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-12-06

Cuba before the Spanish government will consent TO pro
coed to negotiation Many OF the difficulties between the
two governments would I've Obyated, and long tram o
negotiation avoided the captain genera! were invested
with authority to settle questions of solution on the
spot where all the facts fresh. and could ec prompt!
and satisfactorily asceainea We have hitherto III VAN
urged upon the spanish government to confer ms power
upon the captain general and minister 20 Spain VIII
again he instructed to urge this subject on Their notice
In this respect we occupy different position from Tie
powers of Europe. Cuba is almost within sight {" our
shores our commerce with il is far greater than tat {"
other nation including Spain itself, and onr cltM'S
are il habits daily and extended personal intercourse
with every part Of the island II is, therefore, great
grievance that. when any difficulty occurs, Ii" matter
how unmportant which might be readily settled at the
moment should be obliged to resort to Madrid, e>pe
cilly when the very first step o I've taken there I" To-
! fer it back t. Cuba.
The truth !, that Cubo in its existing colonial cond
ton is constant source of injury AMI annoyance to the
! American people. IL i, the only spot in the civilized
world where the African slaycrair is tolerated and We
are bound by treaty with Great Britain To maintain naval
force on the coast OF Africa at much expense both OF
life and treasure solely for the purpose OF arreStng
Slsvers bound to that ISLAND The late serious dttt!cN
ties between the United Stats and Great Britain respect
ing the right Of search happily terminated coGld
never have arisen il Cuba had not aori. market for
slaves As lon. this market shall remain open. there
can he 40 hope for the civilization OF bcnghtel Africa
Whilst the demand for slaves continues in Cuba, WARS
will bc wagrd among the petty ani hrbr"u chiefs in
Africa, the purpose OF Selling subjects t. supply tins
trade In such condition OF affairs, it Impossible that
the light or civilization and religion can ever p'TV"tc
| these dark ahOdes
Ii has been made known to the world ~, my pcIcc1S
sos that the United States have. several occasions
ereavorrd to acquire Cuba from Spain by honorable ne
gotiaton If this accomplished the last ielIc OF
the African slave trade would instantly disappear We
would not, if could, acquire Cuba In ANY other
manner This is due tn our nationa! character All the
territory which have acquired since the origin OF the
government, has been by TAIL purchase from Frame
Spain and Mexico 10y the free and voluntary act OF
the independent State OF Texas IL blending her de'thes
with orr This shall ever pursue unless
Circumstance. should occur which do not anCi-
pat rendering departure from it c.ay iu!tihare,
under ta imperative AMI 0'FiulnE lIT OF s'lt-greS.rTA
ton.
The Island Of Cuba, from it. geographical! position,
commands tic mouth Of the Mississippi and the immense
aud annually increasing trade, foreign and c)Ist"re
from the valley Of that noble river embracing halt
the sovereign States OF the Union With that Island IN.
der the dominion Of distant foreign power, TINS tv"
OF vital importance 0 these states Is exposed 10 the dan
gr M Lcny destroy ed IL time Of and it has hitherto
been subjected to perpetual injury and annoyance in time
OF pcare Our relations with spain, which ought t. he
Of the most friendly character, always he placed III
ieopary whilst the existing colonial government over
the Island shall remain in it. present condition.
Whilst the possession Of thr Island would b" Of vat
importance to the United Stt.s it value 10 Spain d.
,pmpuativeiy uuimporta such wtS the relative ssu-
alton ct the parties when the great Napoleon transferred
puisi,. to the United states Jealous. rs he ever was,
of the national honor and nacts of France no person
throughout the world has imputed blame to him. for &C
c:ptins a pccIniuy equivalent tur this ccSsion.
The publicity which has been given t. our former NJ.
goltion5 upon this SUBJECT and Ill" lars: appropriation
wiy. NAV he required tn effect the puro5 render it
ryp"lhut before mnkin. another attempt 10 renew the
urs collation. that should lay the whole subject before
Congress This i esp cAlly w"s-ry. ~ it !aly become
indspnsti, t. Success that should br intrH:tc'l "lt
the ln.,ns of making advance t, til. Spanish govern
ucrt Immediately after the signing Of the treaty without
a.atii.. the ratification %. it by tn senate ALI en-
corrageI to mae this suggestion. 10y the example ol Nj
Jefferson previous to the prIGhnsc II Louisiana lrna
France and by ,t Of Mr.. POLK IN view oi IA" acGnisi
ton OF territory from Mexico. rrrr til" whole subject
TO Congress aud commend it 10 their 9tr"l! "onSl!era
ton
repeat the recommendation made in my message Of
December last in favor appropriation ITO b. pal" 10
the Splnisl government for the purpo|' IT distribute"
among til, claimants in tn Anistad c.'e. President
Polk first made Il similar recommendation III December
ISL and it WI; repeated by my immediate predecessor
in December. lSj:i | crrrt'in doubt that in'cm
nity is fairly u" tlc>, claimants under treaty witt
Spain of the 9th OctyCcr, 1875 and whilst deInandIng
ustc: we ought to do justice. I'm appropriation prompt
" made or this purpose. could not fail I" exert favor
able influence on c:,,tittiOns with spain.
Our position in relation to the independent States south
of us on this continent and especially those within tn
limits Of North America. is OF peculiar character lht
northern boundary OF Mexico is c"Incdcn with our own
southern boundary from ocean t. ocean and WE must
necessarily feel deep interest in All that concerns tt
well being aud the fate OF neiShhor We liv,
ALWAYS cherished the kiucst wishes for tn. success Z"
that ar and have inulScd the hope that il might
At last after a its trials enjoy peace and prosperity un
dr free and Sta-c government We have never hIthcr
To- intcrcrc directly Indirectly. with it, internal al
fairs and il i. Il duty which o ourselves, to pro-
ec the integrity It's territory. against the hostile in
reference OF any other power. cur geographical posi-