, 1859-01-14

il had boon overruled by her own most eminent
iuriSts. This question was recently brought to
an issue, BY the repeated acts Of British cruisers
in boarding and searching orr merchant vessels
in the Gulf Of Mexico and the adjacent seas.
| I am truly sorry I cannot also inform you that
the complications between Great Britain and the
| United States, arising out Of the Clayton aud
Bulwer treaty of April, 1850, have been finally
adjusted.
4 final settlement Of these questions is greatly
to be desired, as this would wipe out the last
remaining subject Of dispute between the two
countries.
Our relations with the great empires Of France
and Russia. as well as with all other govern
ments on the continent Of Europe, except that
Of Spain, continue to be OF the most friendly
character.
With Spain our relations remain in an unsat-
isfactory condition. In my message Of Dccem-
Der last | informed you that our envoy extra.
ordinary and minister plenipOtentiary to Madrid
had asked for his recall and it was my purpose
TO send out new minister to that court, with
special instructions on all questions pending be-
tween the two governments, and with deter
minaton to have them speedily and amicably
adjusted, If that were possible. This purpose
Ehas been hitherto defeated BY causes which
need not enumerate.
The mission to Spain las been intrusted to q
distinguished citizen Of Kentucky, who will pro.
coed to Madrid without delay, and make another
and final attempt to obtain justice from that
government.
II has been made known 10 the world by my
predecessors, that the United States have, on
several occasions, endeayored to acquire Cuba
from Spain by honorable negotiation. II this
were accomplished, the last relic Of the African
slave-trade would instantly disappear We
would not, II we could, acquire Cuba in any
other manner This is due to our national char
acter. All the territory which we have acquired
since the origin Of the government, has been by
fair purchase from France, Spain, and Mexico,
or by the free and voluntary act Of the indepen-
dent State Of Texas, in blending her destinies
with our own. This course we shall ever pur-
sue, unless circumstances should occur, which
VIC do not now anticipate, rendering departure
from it clearly justifable, under the imperative
and overriding law Of sclEpreservation.
The Island Of Cuba, from its geographical
position, commands the mouth Of the Mississippi,
and the immense and annually increasing trade,
foreign and coastwise, from the valley Of that
noble river, now embracing half the sovereign
States Of the Union. With that Island under
the. dominion Of distant foreign power, this
trade, Of vital importance TO these States, is ex-
! posed 10 the danger Of being destroyed in time
Of war, and it has hitherto been subjected to
perpetuali1jury 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 the island shall remain in its
present condition.
Whilst the possession Of the island would be
Of vast importance 10 the United States, its value
to Spain Is comparatively uIimportant Such
was the relative situation Of the parties when the
great Napoleon transferred Louisiana to the
United States. Jealous, as he ever was, Of the
national honor and interests Of France, no person
throughout the world las imputed blame to him
for accepting necuniary equivalent for this
cession.
The pub,:city which has been given 10 our
former negotiations upon this subject, and the
large appropriation which may be required to
effect the purpose, render Il cxpedient, before
making another attempt to renew the negotia-
ton, that should lay the whole subject before
Congress. This is especially necessary, as il may
become indispensable to success that shjuld be
entrusted with the means Of making an advance
to the Spanish government Immediately after
signing the treaty, without awaiting the ratiica-
ton Of i by the Senate. I am encouraged to
Jefferson, previous 10 the purchase Of Louisiana
from France, and BY that Of Mr.. Polk in view Of
the acquisition Of territory from Mexico. Irefer
the whole subject to Cong 'ess, and commend 1t
to their careful consideration.
Onr position in relation to the independent
States south Of US on this continent, and eepe-
cially those within the limits Of North America,
Is Of peculiar character. The northern bound
ary Of Mexico Is coincident with our own SOUTH
ern boundary from ocean TO ocean; and we must
Unnecessarily feel deep interest in al that con-
Germs the well being and the fate Of so near u
neighbor We have always cherished the kind
est wishes for the success Of that republic, and
have induged the hope that II might at last, sfer
al its trials, enjoy peace and prosperity under .
free and stable government We have never
hitherto interfred directly or indirectly, with It's
internal affairs, and it Is duty which we owe TO
ourselves to protect the integrity Of its terTitc.y
against the hostile interference Of any other
power. Our geophrapical position, our direct
interest in all that concerns Mexico, and our
well-settled policy in regard TO the North Amer
lean continent render this an Indispensable
duty.
Abundant cause now undoubtedly exists for
resort to hOstiities against the government still
uoioint poosoeetou " Tue capltAL onouhA tney
succeed in subduing the constitutional forces, al
reasonable hope will then have expired Of .
peaceful settlement Of our difficulties.
On the other hand, should the constitutional
party prevail, and their authority be established
over the republic, there Is reason TO hope that
they will be animated BY less unfrienjly spirit,
and may grant that redress to American citizens
which Justice requires, so far as they may pos
sess the means. But for this expectation, I
should at once have recommended TO Congress
to grant the necessary power 70 the President,
to take possession Of sufficient portion Of the
remofe and unseftled terriforv of Maxiro 10 he