White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-12-30
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
fCnncluded frOn last ,uesk. J

With Spain our IclatlOhs feundln IN ai
.,,,;.iactory condition. In my message
e nscsmber last, 1 informed you TIT
~ sDyoy extraordinary and min 81
OOis,iDOtsntiary to Madrid had askedsfol
e. recall and it was my purpose to se7e
ant new minister to that court, AR
,Dacisl instructions on all questioe zen.
Inc between the two governments, and
III determination to have them speed
Sv,ud smicably adjusted, if that werr
rossibls. This purpose has been hitherto
5.l.s.ed by causes which l need not emu.
merste.
The mission to Spain has been intrus-
tdtoadistinguished citizen Of Kentucky,
who will proceed to Madrid without de-
Law anil make another and final attempt
10 obtain Justice from that government.
spanish officials, under the direct con.
troll Of the Captain General of Cuba, have
i,sulted our national flag. and, in repeat
a instances, have, from time to time, in
eicted injuries on the persons and prop
,sy of our citizens. These have given
Gfh to numerous claims against the
Spanish government, the merits of which
have been ably discussed for a series OF
wears, BY our successive diplomatic rep
rssentatives. Notwithstanding this, we
have net arrived at a practical result in
auy single instance, unless we may except
the case of the Black Warrior, under the
late administration and that presented
an outrage of such character as wonld
have justified an immediate resort to war.
All our attempts to obtain redress have
been baffied and defeated. The frequent
aad 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 min
lister shall have had time to investigate
the Justice of our demands.
Even what have been denominated
'fhs Cuban claims" in which more than
ahundred Of our citizens are directly in
tsrested. have furnished no exception.
These claims were for the Shnding Of
duties unjustly exacted from American
vessels at different custom houses in Cuba,
50 long ago as the year 1874. The
principles upon which they rest are so
maniiestly equitable and Just, that after a
period of nearly ten years. in 1854, they
were recognized by the Spanish govern
nent. Proceedings were afterwards in
situted to ascertain their amount, and
this was finally fixed according to their
own statement with which we were sat
is6ed) at the sum of one hundred and
tWenty-eight thousand six hundred and
6iTy-6ve dollars and fifty-four cents
Just at the moment, after a delay of
fourteen years, when we had reason to
expect that this sum would be repaid with
interest, we have received a proposal Of
ierng to refund one third of the amount,
liorty-two thousand eight hundred and
seTenty-eight dollars and forty-one cents, }
nnt without interest, if we would accept
this in full satisfaction. The offer is also
accompanied by declaration that this
naturalization is not founded on any
reason of strict justice, but is made as a
special favor.
One alleged cause for procrastination
n the examination and adjustment of our
Claims. arises from an obstacle which is
TIE duty Of the Spanish government to
remove Whilst the captain general of
OaSa Is invested with general despotic
a'9orty IN the government of that is
"na the power is withheld from him to
Examine and redress wrongs committed
W 0'helals under his control, on citizens
" me United States Instead of making
Ouf complaints directly to him at Havana,
We are obliged to present them through
Oaf minister at Madrid. These are then
;esr'ea back to the captaia-general for
ulpr@atlon; and much time is thus con-
.umea IN preliminary Investigations and
Jurisprudence between Madrid and Cuba,
.au before the Spanish government will
oS .sent 70 proceed to negotiation. Many
" 'ae difficulties between the two govern
Isas would be obviated, and a long
va, van Of negotiation avoided, if the cap
tassneral were invested with authority
s'. se''le questions of easy solution on the
, pOi Thers all the facts are fresh, and
. ."L'a Oe promptly and satisfactorily as
me-" .@1aed' We have hitherto in vain
So 81 upon the Spanish government to
% tas power upon the captain gener-
h ~; aua our minister to Spain will again
oo,; Instructed to urge this subject on their
E,.ss In this respect, we occupy diff
nm. ~ position from the powers of Eu-
d., V1Oais almost within sight of our
en-, our commerce with it is far great
Din. 9 mat OF any other nation, inclu-
hail. 'psin ITSELF and our citizens are in
.-. ,S Of daily and extended personal in
Ii, I with every part of the island.
Hb.o ste,ore' a great grievance, that,
eoimnA uithculty occurs, no matter how
III ! U1ant' which might be readily set
70 ,.so. .ne moment, we should beobliged
,.T ~. 70 Madrid, especially when the
hck !. p % be taken there is to refer it
eloo; n; ruth is that Cuba, in its existing
iior y, =. condition, is constant source Of
kopis annoyance to the American
bsi vo., II IS the only spot in the civil
ilOls,O.,tul, where the African slave trade
sia G,a.. ! and we are bound by treaty
htc. =. ~ Britain, to maintain a naval
pen,, Tue coast of Africa of nnurb NV
Ss purOo No. Oh life and treasure, solely for
tat az rOse Of arresting slavers bound to
Setvssn n The late serious difficulties
Britain me sne United States and Great
soS o he ,oapecting the right of search,
pplly terminated, could never