, 1859-01-14


TO negOtOn. Many Of the difficulties between the tive
governments would be oDSlated, and long train o
negotiation avoided, II the captalngeueru were IN
vested with authority TO settle questions Of easy solu
tion on the spot. wnere all the facts fresh, ant
could be promptly and satisfactorily asceItained. ",
have hitherto in vain urged upon the Spanish govern
ment to confer this power upon the cupian-general
and our minister 10 Spain will again be Instructed Il
urge this subject tuCir notice. In this respect.
occupy different position from the powers of Europe
Cuba is almost within sight Of our shOres our com
merce with is far greater than that Of any other
ton including Spain itself, aud our citizens are ii
habits Of daily and extended personal intercourse
with every part of the island. 1t Is therefore, grea
grievance that when any difficulty occurs no matter
now unnportant, which might be readily settled al
the moment, should be obliged resort to Madrid
especially when the very irst step " be taken there
is to refer it back to Cuba.
The truth is that Cuba in its existing colonial con.
ditOn, is constant OF injury and annoyance ~
the American people, 1t is the only spot in the civil
lied world where the African sayctade is tolerated;
and we are bound by treaty with Great Britain to
maintain naval force on the coast Of Africa ut much
expense both OF life aud treasure solely for the pur
pose OF arrestng sayers bound to that island. The
late sernus difficulties between the United States and
Great Britain respecting the right Of search
happily terminated, could never have arisen If Cuba
mad not afforded market for slaves. As long this
market shall remain open, there can be no hope for
the civilization OF benighted Africa Whilst the de-
mand ior slaves continues in Cuba, wars will be waged
among the petty and barbarous chiefs in Africa ior
The purpose OF seizng subjects TO supply this trade.
In such condition of affairs il is impossible that the
light OF civilization and religion can ever penetrate
these dark abodes.
The Acquisition OF Cuba.
1t has been made known to the world by my pre-
uecessors that the United States have on several oc
cssions, endeayored to acquire Cuba from Spain by
honorable negotiation. II this were accomplished The
last relic oil Lne African slayetrade would instantly
disappear. We would not, II we could, acquire Cuba
N any olher manner. This Is due to our national
chaiacter' All the territory which We have acquired
SINCE the origin Of the government has been BY fair
purchase irOin france, spain and Mexico, or BY the
IIee ana voluntary act OF the independent State Of
aeAas' III oehdlng her destlnes with our own. This
course we shall ever pursue, unless circumstances
should occur, which we do not now anticipate, rem
aeTlng departure nom 1t clearly justihabe, under
the imperative and overrulng law VI selEpreseIvn-
non'
The Island Of Cuba, from It's geographical position,
commands the mouth o. the Mississippi, aud the i'm
wise, from ne valley of that nabe riSsr nav an.
bracing half the sovereign States Of the Union With
that island under the dominion Of a distant foreign
power this trade of vital iportanee ID these Stat
Is exposed 10 The danger of en0 detoved IN time oi
war; and 1t has hitherto been subjected 10 perpetual
injury and annoyance In time Of peare O,r relations
with SPAIN which ought 10 he Of the most friendly
character must always be placed in ieonanly. whist
the existing colonial Government over az island shall
remain in its present condition.
importance TO the United States, It's value 70 Spain Is,
comparatively, unimportant. such was the relative
ssrrsS III ts ~ ~ Tnen te geas N9poean Trans
ever vas ~ r. ato,. 49, = ~ ~
Trpc ~ ,a.soo ,h1 ason 1VIor ~ my iu,eiess ~
blame 70 him far aeeeYt,5 for
,his c,-,i- - 4ePe-.e . PoeeA'eiJ etAif aiHAtA AeA
The nnIiici,v vrbieb has h.or ,,.r A., o,, fo,,o.r
neaotatons nson fhis subiect AMI the large ammo
priston which mav be re,rirad III ets., ~ nre
render II expedient bei,re MAXIM another attemnt
10 renew M negotiatInn thst s6ond lsv tbe ,bae
subject before CONGRESS This i esnei,Iy
a. II NAV becon,s indisnsns,tls r. s,sycess thst
should he entrusted with IN means of msng an aA
vance 70 the Spansh royernment immediatelv afterI
signing the treaty witboof a1aIfno M rtiscstion
of il Nv Ire Sente an, enronras,sS a. male tbis
sng0psflon bv fhe exannie sS ar 1s,rso ,,,evions
70 the purc6ase Of Loaisiana nom France and bv
that Of Mr. Polk In view Of the ACQUISITION Of territory
from Mexico. refer the vhole rahest II Congrsss
and commend II To tbeir carsS
SP@hAsh Ahoemhit|s
repeat the Recommendation made in my message
OF December last in favor Of an appropriation to be
paid 10 the Spanish government ior the porpose Of
distribution among The claimants In M kmistad
CASE President Polk frst made A similar recon-
mendatiOn In December ISA7 and IL was reDeated hv
my Immediate predecessor IN December. is5s. i en-
tertaln no doubt that an Indemnity 4 airv dine 10
these claimants under our treaty with Spain n the
27th October 1876; and whilst demandinr Iustce We
ought 10 do instice An approDriation nromutlv
made for this purpose could ngt ioi 10 exeri fivo
able influence on oar Negotiations with spain.
o.. u.,.,,.-.. - 49,
ONr A@eA-',o"' VIZ" A-eAAeo.
Our position In relation 10 the Independent States
south o. US on this continent, and especially those
within the limits OF North America, Is Of peculiar
character The northern boundary Of Mexico Is c0ili
cident with our own southern boundary from ocean 70
ocean, and we must necessarily feel deep interest 10
all that concerns the well beng and the iaic of 50
near neighbor We have always cherished the
kndest wishes Tor the success Of that republic and
have indoged the hope that j. might al last after all
lis trials enjoy peace and prosperity under rce and
stable government We have never hitherto inier-
iered directly or indirectly, with ~ internal Affairs,
and Il Is duty which We owe 70 ourselves, 70 protect
the integrity Of its territory aganst the hostile inter
ference OF any other power. Our geographical posi-
ton, our direct Interest 10 all that concerns Mexico,
aud our Wellsettled policy 10 regard - the North
American continent, render this an Indispensable
duty.
Mexico has been 10 state Of constant revolution,
almost ever since u achieved its Independence One
military leader after another has nsurped the govern
ment ~ rapid snccessoni and the various cOnsttu-
tons irom time TO time adopted, have been 80 at
naught almost rs soon as they were proclaimed. The
successive governments have afforded no adequate
protection, either 20 Mexican ci1ens Or foreign resi-
dents against aEless violence: Heretofore seizure