The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1858-12-16

except that of Spain, continue to bo Of the
most friendly character.
With Spain our relations remain in an
unsatisfactory condition. In my mes
sage of December last, | informed you
that our Envoy Extraordinary, and Min.
lister Plenipotentiary to Madrid had asked
for his recall; and it was my purpose to
send out a new Minister to that Court, with
special instructions on all questions pend
ing betwes2Athe two governments, and
with deteS ition to have them speed
lily and d lbly adjusted, if that were
possible. Mis purpose has been hitherto
defeated by causes which | need not emu
merate.
The mission to Spain has been entrust'
ed 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 con"
troll Of the captain-general Of Cuba, have
insulted our national flag, and in repeated
instances, have, from time to time, infict-
ed injuries on the persons and property Of
our citizens. These have given birth to
numerous claims against the Spanish gov
ernment, the merits of which have been
ably discussed for series of years, by
our successive diplomatic representatives.
Notwithstanding this, we have not ar
rived at prsclical result in any single
instance, unless we may except the case
Ct the Black Warrior under the late ad-
minislralion; and that presented an out
rage Of suoh character ss would have
justified On immediate resort 10 war. All
our attempts 10 obtain redress have been
bafled and defeated. The frequent and
oit-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 lime to investigate
, the justice Of our demands.
+, Even what nave been denominatsd
the Cuban claims, in which more thsn a
hundred Of our citizens are directly ~
, terested, have furnished no exceptio 2
! These claims we're for the refunding Of d
!. ties unjuslIy exsctcd from Ameriq
vessels at different Custom. houses in
y ba, SO long ago as the year 1855. Z
+ principles upon which they rest ara
. naniieslly equitable and just that ate
: period Of nearly ten years in 1854, they
II were Recognized by the Spanish govern.
% ment.
~ Proceedings were afterwards institu
n ted 10 ascertain their amount, and this
"a was fixed according to their own state
h ment with which we were satisfed) a
,f the sum OF one hundred and twenty. eighI
= thousand six hundred aud thirty five
:. dollars and ffly.lour cents. Just at the
r. moment, after delay Of fourteen years
~ when we had reason 10 expect that this
10 sum would be repaid with interest, VIZ
N have received proposal offering 10 re
fund one.third Of that amount (torty.lwt
. thousand eight hundred and seventy
~ eight dollars and forty-one cents, bu
n without interest, if We would accept thiI
- in full satisfaction. The offer is also &C
companied by q declaration that this IN
l. Identification is not founded on any res
- son Of strict justice, bet is made as so
:; cial favor.
i One alledgsd cause for procrasiin aliol
- in the examination and adjustment OF ou
g claims arises from all obstacle which il j
NJ ~ the duty Of the Spanish government Il
Il remove. While the csPlain-general O
Cuba is invested with general despolit
! authority in the government of thstis
land, the power is withheld from Iii
examine aud redress wrongs G.
of by officials under his control
- Of the United States. Instet
~ our complaints directly =
vsna, we are obliged
- through our minister at
These are then referredN
\ captain-generalfo for informEncs
~ time is thus consumed in prelF
= vestigstions and correspondence
- tween Madrid and Cuba. before the Spa
= - ish government will consent TO proc
n TO negotiation. Many OF the dIfiieGl
20 20 between the two governments would
~ obviated. and along train of negotiate
~ ~ avoided, il the captain general were i
r vested with authority 10 settle question
- of easy solution on the spot, where a
Of nt the facts are fresh, and could be promp
~ ly and satisfactorily ascertained.
~ ~ We have hitherto in vain urged upo
70 20 the Spanish government 10 confer thi
W power upon the Captain General, an
70 our minister to Spain will again be il
:; slructed TO urge this subject on their ne
oo NJ tice. In this respect We occupy differ
= ent position from The powers of Europe
~ ~ Cuba is almost within sight of our shores
- ~ our commerce with il is far greater ha
=. = that Of any other nation, including Spai
~ ~ itself, and our piiizens are in habits {
" daily and eStsaded personal intercours
~ !. with everypart oil the island. lli
~ therefore = = aaaaence that. WI
!, ! ! ; : :