The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-12-09
NO. 623.

.,;red a proposal offering to refund one-third of
Lot amount. (forty-two thousand eight hundred
and seyenty-eight dollars and forty-one cents, }
Int without interest, if we would accept this in
tn satisfaction. The offer is also accompanied
10 a declaration that this naturalization is not
e3nnded on any reason of strict justice, but is
made as a special favor.
One alleged cause for representation in the
examination and adjustment of our claims
crises from an obstacle which it is the duty of
,Ie Spansh Government to remove. Whilst
H.. CAPTAIN General of Cuba is invested with
,enerai despotic authority in the Government
5frhat island, the power is withheld from him
70 examine and redress wrongs committed by
,t6rials under bis control, on citizens of the
Tniied States. Instead of making our COM
,,aints directly to him at Havana, we are
lJliord to present them through our Minister
., Madrid. These are then referred back to
,bs (laptain General for information and much
time IS thus consumed in preliminary investiga-
mons and OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Madrid and
Cula. before the Spanish Government will con-
sant 10 proceed to negotiation. Many of the
Ea;eulties between the two Governments would
h. obviated, and long train of negotiation
avoided. if the Captain General were invested
with authority to settle questions of easy solu-
ton on the spot, where all the facts are fresh,
and could be promptly and satisfactorily ascer-
taincd We have hitherto in vain urged upon
the Spanish Government to confer this power
mon the Captain General, and our Minister to
Spain will again be instructed to urge this sub
;rct on their notice In this respect, we occupy
a different position from the Powers of Europe.
Cul,a is almost within sight of our shores our
commerce with it is far greater than that of any
,aher nation, including Spain itself, and our
-. "a no hts of do. IL, nd a. tapdab MR.
.onal Intercourse with every part Of the island.
II IS therefore 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, espe
cially when the very first step to be taken there
+, To refer it back to Cuba.
The truth is that Cuba, in its existing colo
NAL condition, is constant source of in ury
and ANNOYANCE TO the American people. 1t is
the only spot I'm the civilized world where the AT
aran slave trade is tolerated and we are bound
BIZ treaty with Great Britain to maintain naval
force on the coast of Africa, at much expense
10Th of life and treasure solely for the purpose
oi arresting slavers bound to that island. The
he serious difficulties between the United
States and Great Britain respecting the right
Of search, now so happily terminated, could
never have arisen if 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 benighted Africa. Whilst the
demand for slaves continues In Cuba, wars will
br waged among the petty and barbarous chiefs
in Africa, for the purpose of Selling subjects to
supply this trade. In such condition of af-
fairs. it is impossible that the light of civiiza-
ton and religion can ever penetrate these dark
abodes
i / A
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
aud Mexico, or by the free and voluntary act
Of the independent State of Texas, in blending
her destinies with our own This course we
shall ever pursue unless circumstances should
occur, which we do not now anticipate, render
in1 departure from it clearly justifable, under
the imperative and overriding law of selfpres
cryaiOn.
The island of Cuba, from its geographical
position, commands the mouth of the MISSISSIPPI
p. and the immense and ahnually-increasing
trade, foreign and coastwise, from the valley of
that noble river, now embracing half the SOW
eregn States of the Union. With that island
under the dominion OF "A distant foreign Power,
this trade, of vital Importance to these States,
exposed to the danger of being destroyed i'll
time Of war, and it has hitherto been subjected
ID perpetual injury and annoyance in time of
peace. Our relations with Spain, which ought
TO be- of the most friendly character, must al
Eays be placed in jeopardy, whilst the existing
colonial government over the island shall remain
~ rs present condition.
Whilst the possession of the island would be
Of vast Importance to the United States, its
value 10 Spain is comparatively uninportant.
Such was the relative situation of the parties,
when the great Napoleon transferred Louisiana.
iothr United States. Jealous, as he ever was. of
the national honor and interests of France, no
person throughout the world has imputed blame
10 Inn for accepting a pecuniary equivalent
ir thi, cession
The publicity which has been given to our
bonner negotiations upon this subject, and the
large appropriation which may be required to
elect the purpose, render it expedient, before
making another attempt to renew the negotia-
uon' that should lay the whole subject before
Congress. This Is especially necessary, as it
may become indispensable to success that |
should be lnrusted with the means of making
ah advance to the Spanish Government imme-
uia'els after the signing of the treaty, without
awaiting the ratification of it by the Senate. |
AN encouraged to make this suggestion by the
FSAlnplt OF Mr. Jefferson, previous to the pur-
chase OF Louisiana from France, and by that
Mr. Polk, in view of the acquisition of ter
riory from Mexico. | refer the whole subject
" Congress, and commend it to their careful
Consideration
repeat the recommendation made in my
message OF December last, in favor of an APP
FopfHlion ito be paid to the Spanish Govern
%en'' Tor the purpose of distribution among
Ge claimants in the Amistad case" Presi-
ueh' FOLK first made similar recommended
Ion III December, lS47, and it was repeated
~ my immediate predecessor in December,
80 entertain no doubt that indemnity is
'AlN due 10 these claimants, under our treaty
N,'n Span Of the 9th October 1895 and
SH'St demanding Justice, we ought to do JUS
~ NJ An appropriation, promptly made for
"9 purpose, could not fail to exert a favorable
'n1uelce on our negotiations with Spain.
Vn position in relation to the independent
'a,'> south OF us on this Continent, and es-
f'''SiH those within the limits of North Amer
peculiar character. The northern
1'undary Of Mexico is coincidept with our own
sontherr boundary from OCEAN to ocean and
Tho, "'''s' necessarily feel deep interest in all
uai concerns the well-bein0 and the fate of so
ha "a neishbor We have always cherished
I al'lest wishes for the success of that Re-
nigb, ana have INDUCED the hope that it
All at last, after all It's trials enjoy peace
PROSPERITY under a free and stable Gov
5;- -i.n'- We have never hitherto interfered,
AMI or indirectly, with its internal affairs,
T-o, Is duty which We owe to ourselves, to
,s, the integrity of its territory against the
geolr e interference of any other Power. Our
fbs, '"pheal position, our direct interest in all
lhat eOncerns Mn,.;l.a ii - Lii = I.l.l II