The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-01-27

a.. i
the United States for the sale aud purchase OF Louisiana
The seventh and eighth articles the first of these con
yentons ought, possible to be omitted STILL if this
should be indispensable TO the accomplishment OF the
object, articles similar TO them may be retained
Mr. Everett, in his celebrated letter Of December ,
1904 TO The Conpte dc Sartiges rejecting the joint
proposition of the French and British governments
trpaftte convention with the United States discai-
ing severaly and collectively all intention obtain pos
session OF the island OF Cuba and respectively binding
themselves TO dscountenance all attempts TO that effect
on the part OF any power or individuals whatever said
'Span ineanne has retained Of her extensive domn-
ions In this hemisphere but the islands of Cula and
Porto lco respectful sympathy with the fortunes of
an ancient ally and gallant people, with whom the
United States have maintained the friendly re-
lations, would If no other existed make ii our
duty to leave her in the undsturbed possession of this
little remnant of her mighty transatlantic empire The
President desires TO do No word deed of his will
ever question her title shake her possession But
il be expected to last very longa Can it resist this
mighty current in the fortunes of the world Is IL de-
sirabe that it should do SO il be for the interest
OF Spain TO cling 10 possession that only be main
tanned by garrison of twenty-five thirty thousand
troops, powerful naval force and an annual expndi-
turc for both of the service of ut least twelve mill
Lions Of dollars Cuba, this moment costs more to
spain than the entire naval and military establishment Of
the United States costs the federal government SO from
being ay injured by the loss of this island there is no
doubt that were 1T peacefully transferred 70 the United
STATES prosperous commerce between Cub. and Spain
resulting from ancient associations and common language
eontvod system OF colonial taxation Sleh notoously
has been the result 10 Great Britain of the establishment
OF the Independence Of tbs United States The decline of
spain from the position which she held in the time of
Charles the Fifth Is coeval with the foundation OF her
colonial system while within twenty-five years and
since the loss OF most of her colonies she has entered
upon course OF rapid improvement unknown since the al
dication OF that emperor
MIR sInroy, in his despatch OF July 81 1853 TO Mr.
Pierre Soulc, says:
SIN There circumstances in the affairs Of SPAIN
having connection with this country, which give
sual Importance at this time to the mission to that gov
enmen The proximity of her remaining possessions in
this hemisphere the islands OF Cuba and Porto Rico
the United States the present condition of the former
and the runos OF contemplated changes in its internal
affairs, compicatc our relations with Spain. The island
of Cuba account of its magnitude, sation fine eli
mate and rich productions far superior in all respects to
any IN the West India group, is very desirable posses
sion to Spain and for the reasons very difficult for
her to retain in its present state Of dependence The
opinion generally prevails among the European nations
that the Spanish dominion it Is insecure This was
clearly evincod by the aaorty with which both England
and France, ON occasion Of the late disturbances IN Cuba
their aid to sustain the Spanish rnc over it,
and by their recent proposition to the United States for
trprtc convention to guaranty its possession Spain
Without an essential change in her present policy such
change as she will most likely be unwilling to make,
she cannot it is confidently believed long sustain un-
aided, her present connexon with that island
What will be its destiny after il shall to be
dependency of Spain is question with which some of
the principal powers of Europe have fit to
and in which the United States have deep
and direct interest ~ ~ ~ 5srr .ssfs . |.es. efE
~ had occasion recently in preparing instructions for
dent in relation to the interference Of tGat Bifa,
well as of France in Go % q Cuban affairs. !
To spare myself the labor OF again going the same
ground herewith furnish you with extract from
those instructions. #rs
sIhe policy of the government of the United States
in regard to Cuba in any contingency calling for our in
will depend in great degree, upon the pc
cuar circumstances of the case and cannot therefore,
be presented with much precision beyond what is
indicated in the instructions before referred to- Nothing
will be done part to disturb its present connection
with Span unless the character of that connexion should
be changed to affect present prospective Sc
curty. While the United States would resist at every
hazd the ranserence of Cuba to any European nation
they would exceedingly regret to Spain resorting to
any power for assistance to uphold her rule over It,
Such dependence foreign aid would in effect invest
the auxiliary with the character of protectors and give
it pretext TO interfere in affairs and also generally
in those of the North American continent In case OF
collision with the United States such protecting power
would be in u condition to make nearly the same use of
that island to annoy il could do if were the absolute
possessor Of it.
Our minister at Mat,id during the administration of
President Polk instructed ascertain if Spain was
disposed to transfer Cuba TO the United States for lib
cra pecunary consideration do not understand, how
ever that it that time the policy of this govern
ment to acquire that island unless its inhabitants were
very generally disposed to in the transfer Under
certain conditions the United States might bc willing TO
purchase II but IL is scarcely expected that you VIII
find Spain should you attempt to ascertain her views
upon the subject at all inclined to enter into such nc
rotiatio, There is to believe that she is under
obligations Great Britain and France not to transfer
this island to The United States. We're there nothing
else justify this belief but the prompness with which
these two powers their naval forces to her aid in the
late Cuban disturbances the proposition for rpartie
convention to guaranty Cuba to Spain, and what is
significant than either of the above facts the sort OF
Joint protest by England and Franco, to which advert
ed in Inv instructions to Mr. Buchanan against of
tho views presented in Mr. Eyerets letter of the I'd of
December Inst to Mr. Sutiges, the French minister
would alone be satisfactory proof OF such an arrange
inen Independent Of any embarrassment of this ma
ture there nany other Tosons for believing that
Spain will portinacously hold TO Cuba and That the
separation whenever IL takes place, win be the work Of
violence
From these aud othor extracts that might be presented
il is innnicsi that the ultimate acquisition of Cuba has
long been rusaried as the fixed policy of tho United
States necessary TO The progressive development Of our
system. All agree that te ond is not only desirable, but
inevitable The only difference OF opinion is as 10 the
time mode, and conditions Of obtaining it.
The law of our national existence is growth. We
not il would, dsobey il. While should do moth
ing TO stimulate it unnaturaly should be careful not
impose upon ourselves regimen strict as TO prevent
its beathfu development The tendency of the age is
the expansion OF the great powers of the world England
France and Russia all demonstrate the existence of this
porvnng principle Their growth is true only oper
atcs by the absorption partial total, of weaker pow
crs generay of inferior races. So long this extern
sion territory the result of geographical position,
higher civilization aud greater aptitude for government,
and pursued in direction TO endangcr safety
or impede our progress we have neither the right the
disposition to find fault with It. let England pursue her
march conquest and annexation in India France ex-
t. b,r tonini,,s ON the sol I'm shores of the Mcdi