Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-01-26
The Aouisition OF Cuba.

the Committe on Foreign Relations, prcscn-
ted report and accompanying bill relative
to the acquisition of the island of Cuba. The
terms of the bill are already known 10 the
readcr:-
Mr.. Mason briefly remarked upon the con-
tents of the report by which the bill was re-
commended to the Senate. While agreeing
t. the presentation of the latter, he did not
concur in all the arguments OF the former,
and was understood to express his special
dissent from the assumption that the extern
sion of our borders was the settled policy OF
the Confeleracv. He believed that Cuba was
destined to form IL part ii the lmtcd States
of North America, but a yet reserved his
opinion in regard to the merits Of the pending
bill.
Mr.. Seward presented ii bill, on behalf of
Mr.. Foot and himself, embodyIng the views OF
a minority of the committee. This bill pro
vidcs that the President of the United States
snail report to the Senate ut the next regular
session of Congress, a statement OF the reia-
tons between the United States and Spain,
and the progress of any negotiations between
them, as also the condition of the army and
navy OF the United States. So far rs their SER
vices may be needed 10 meet any compiled
tons growing out Of ourrclations with SPAN.
The bill also provides for an extraordinary
session Of Congress during the approaching
recess. in case the same should he made ne
cessarv in the Judgment of the President, by
the state of our negotiations with the Span
ish Government.
Mr.. Seward then proceeded to criticlsc the
terms of the majority report and bill. The
PROPOSITIONS they contained seemed to HIM
utterly impracticable. if not ridiculous, III
view Of the recent declarations of the Span.
ish Government. dcnouncing is an insult the
LANGUAGE of the Presidents message III re
gard 10 the purchase of Cuba. This blll
tended to make Congress party to that IN
suit and was moreover urged ut Il time when
our own citizens were called to critically
scan its provisions. In view OF the low
state of the Treasury, the present moment
WA, not the most oppurtune to the cOnSldcra-
ton of such Il measure, and for himself. be-
fore ADVOCATING his function AS Il, part OF the
treaty maxim. power, he desired To he IN
formed respecting the status which the IRE"
white, the free colored and the slave popula-
ton Of Cuba were expected to hold on Their
admission into our Union under the terms OF
Il treaty to be- negotiated by the Executive.
Mr. Bavard briefly sustained the majority
report and Mr.. Foot as briefly expressed ms
concurrence in the views of Mr.. Seward.
Mr.. Toombs replied to the arguments OF
Mr.. Seward. No abncgatlon OF Senatorial
perocativc was involved in the passage "i I'll"
bill. which merely riSkcd thirty millions OF
dollars upon the success Of the negotiations.
leaving the Senate free To ratify or reject amy
treaty that might be formed. For himself.
he thought Cuba 50 essential 10 the country
that he was willing to run the risk Tor tn"
purpose Of procuring the island. II" desired
10 raise no questions in advance respecting
the status of the inhabitants Of Cuba in ease
il should beannexcd To the Union. Nccould
settle such questions among ourselves. and III
negotiating with foreign countries the Prcsi-
den; should not be embarrassed by our sec
tionul uuurrels. He wanted the Congress ot
the United States to declare to the world IT.
policy with reference To Cuba, and if France
or England. or both combined, should inter
pose objections, he was willing t. meet til"
consequences of asserting our independent
nationality. Cuba was not on y politically,
but commercially necessary to the agSran-
dizcment Of the Republic. Wenow feed and
we should have all that was necessary to car
~ on natural exchange between tn" pro
ducts of the South and of the North. 1t was
the duty Of the United States to make of the
waters Of the Gulf Of Mexico and Of the Carlb-
bean Sea Il mare cIduSum.
Mr. Hale pleasantly remarked on the sub
stitution Of political Necessity for "Nlan-
ifest Destiny" both of which characters, he
regretted TO say, uniformly travelled south
ward, in fulfilling their mission. y part OF
Maine and a part of Oregon between 400 and
80 -i0| had been given away to Great Bril-
tain. On the South we constantly cnlargr
our borders. From the North we Top oil
slice after slice. 1t might be accidental, but
the coincidence was none the less rclmarka-
be After cloQucntly abiding to the loyalty
Of Spain, as our earliest ally, Mr.. Hale ex-
pressed his belief that We could best pro
mote the prosperity of the Republic by me
proring our present territorial possessions.
At the close If the discussion, the Scnat"
proceeded TO hold an Executive session.
.NGt. iGi.