Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-12-16

his control, on citizens of the United
States. Instead of making our COM
plants directly to him at Havana, we
are obliged to present them through our
minister at Madrid. Z
These arc then referred back to the
captain general for informationf and
much time is thus consumed in, prelim,
mary Investigations and correspondence
between Madrid and Cuba, before the
Spanish government will consent to
proceed to Negotiations. Many of the
difficulties between the two governments
would be obviated, aud a long train OF
negotiation avoided, if the captain gen
eral we're invested with authority to set
tlc ;auestious Of Easy solution on the
sp 4. where al tho facts are fresh, and
could be promptly and satisfactorily as
certained.
We have hitherto in vain urged upon
the Spanish government to confer this
power upon the captain-general, and
our minister to Spain will again be in
9 structed to urge this subject on their
notice. In this respect We occupy a
different position from the powers OF
Eu nc. Cuba is almost within sight
of our shores; our commerce with 1t is
far greater than that of any other ma
ton, including Spain itself, and III
ritixcns are in habits Of daily aud cx-
tended personal intercourse with every
NtkSnf1he island &Itsis3harSfora
Bteat grfe .ance that, when any dithcul
ty occurs, no matter how unimportant,
which might be readily settled at the
moment we should be obliged to resort
to Madrid-especially when the very
first step to be taken there is to refer 1t
back to Cuba.
The truth is that Cuba, in its existing
colonial condition, Is a scource of inju-
nv and annoyance to the American peo-
pie. 1t is the only spot in the civilized
world where the African slave trade is
TOLERATED, and We are bound by treaty
with Great Britain to maintain a naval
force on tho coast of Africa, at much
expense both of fife and treasure, solely
for tho purpose of arresting slavers
bound to that island. The late serious
difficulties between the United States
all Great Britain respecting the right
of search, now so happily terminated,
neyer could have arisen if Cuba had not
afordel a m1rket for slaves.
As long as this market shall rem1in
open, there can be no hope for the civ
ilization of ~benishted Africa. While
the demand for slaves continues in Gu
bI, wars will be wagcd among the petty
and barbarous chiefs in Africa, for the
purpose ofseizius slhjocts to supply
This trade. In such 4 condition of at
fairs, it is impossible that the light OF
civilization and religion can ever pene-
trate these dark abodes.
It has been made known to the world
by my predecessors, that the United
States have, on several occasions, en-
deavored to acquire Cuba from SPUN
by honorable negotiation. IF this were
plishcd, the last relic of he Afri-
can slave trade would instantly disap-
pear. We would not, if we could, &C
quire Cuba, in any other manner. This
is dae te-our-nation2C eharacter-Al
the territory which we have acquired
since the origin of the government, has
heen by purchase from France, Spain
an | Mexico, or by the free an1 volua-
ttry act of the Independent State of
Texas, in blending her de5tinics with
our own. This coarse We shall ever
pursue, unless circumstances should
occur, which we d3 not now anticipate,
rendering a departure clearly justi6able,
un Ter the Imperative and overriding
law of self preservation.
The island of Cuba, from its geogra-
. phical position, commands the mouth oil
tho Mississippi, and the immense and
annually Increasing trade foreign and
c~oastwisc, from the valley Of that noble
river, now embracing half the sovereign
States of the Union. With that island
under the dominion of a distant foreign
power, the trade, of vital Importance tc
these tatcs, is exr osed to the danger o
being destroyed in time OF war, and i
has hitherto been exposed to perpetua
injury and annoyance in time of peace
Our relations with Spain which ought
to be of the most friendly character
must always be placed in jeopardy
whilst the existing colonial government
over tho Island shall remain in its pre-
sent condition.
While the possession of the Island
would be of vast importance to the
United States, the value to Spain is
comparatively, unimportant. Such was
the relative position of the parties when
the great Napoleon transferred Louisi
ana 10 Ino. lnltPC DIaIeS. OcdiOus3 u
he ever was, of the national honor and
Interests of France, no person through
out the world has imputed blame to him
for accepting a pecunsary equiyaientfo for
the same.
The publicity which has been given
to our former negotiations upon this
subject, and the large appropriations
which may be required to effect the
purpose. render it e~xpedient, before ma
King another attempt to renew the ne
gotiation, that ]. should lay the whole
subject before congress. This is espe-
efally necessary, as it may become in
dispensable to success that [ should be
Entrusted with the means of making an
advance to the Spanish government i'm
mcdiately after the signing of the treaty,
wfthout awaiting ratification of it by the
Senate. I AN encouraged to make this
suggestion by the example of Mr.. JEFF
ferson previous to the purchase of Lou
isiana from France, and by that of Mr..
Polk in vicw Of the acquisition of terri
rftery from Mexico. l refer the. whole