, 1860-12-06

-Our relations with Spain are now OF moro
complicated. though less dangerous character
than they have been for ,isa:sy years. Our
citizcnsthavc long llcLf, and continue to hold,
numerous claims against the Spani.l, govern
ncnt. These have been ally urged for So
Ties Of years by our successive diplomatic
representatives 1T Madrid, but without oh,
tanning redress. The Spanish Government
finally agreed to institute joint commission
for the adjustment Of tl,sse claims, and
on the litth day Of March, 1850, concluded
a convention for that purpose with our
present Minister at Madrid. Cndcr this
Convention, *Nhat have been slenomuat"l
in which more than ono hundred nf our fellow
citizens are interested. were recognized. and
the Spanish Government awrccd to l:,y one
hundred thousand dollars nf this amount
within three months following the exchange
Of ratifications. The payment Of the remain
ing SIS ,G35 Il WAS TO await the decision nf the
commissioners for o1 nGalnst the Aulistad
claim, bnt in any event, the balance was to be
Iraid to the claimants, either by Spain or the
United States. Those terms, l have every
reason to know, arc highly satisfactory to the
holders OF the Cuban claims. Indeed, thcy
hare made a formal offer, authorizing tt,
State Department 10 settle their claims. and
10 deduct the amount Of the A1istad claims
from the sums which they are entitled to re-
ccive from Spain. This offer, cfcoursc, ana not
be accepted. All other claims OF cit
liens Of the United States against Spain,
or Of subjects Of the Queen Of Spain
against the United States, including the
tioc referred to d Board Of Commissioners in
the usual form. Neither the validity of the
-Amistcd claitn, nor any other claim against
either party, with the single exception uf the
Cuban claims, was recognized by the Convcn-
tion. Indeed, the Spanish Government did moi
insist tina: the validity Of the Arnfsted claim
should be ethus recognized notwithstanding its
payment had been recommended to Congress
by two Of my predecessors, as we'll as By my
sell, and an aprropristfon for that purpose bad
passed the Senate ofthc United States. They
were content that It should be submitted to
the Board for examination aud decision like
the other claims Both Governments were
bound respectively to pay the amounts
awarded to the several claimants, at such times
and places as may be fixed by and according
to tho tenor Of said awards, aud transmitted
by this Convention to the Stnate for their con-
stitutional action. On the Sd Of May, 1850, and
on the eth Of the succeeding June, they de-
tcrmincd that they would not advise and con-
sent to Its ratification. These proceedings
place our relations with Spain In an awkward
and embarrassing position. 1t Is more than
probable that q final adjustment Of these
Claims viii devolvc upon my successor. / re-
iterate the Recommendation contained in my
annual message ol December, ,1S5S, and repeated
In that Of December. 1859, in favor Of the acqui-
sition OF Cuba from Spain By fair purchase I
firmly believe that such IN acquisition would
contribute essentially to the Well-ceing and
prosperity Of both countries, In all future
time, as well as prove the certain means ofiu1-
mediately abolishing the African slave trade,
throughout the world. ! would not repeat
this Recommendation upon the present ucca-
sion, If believed that the transfer of Cuba 10
the United States, upon conditions highly n
rorablc to Spain, could justly tarnish tt1c n,.-
uonal honor Of the proud and ancient Spanish
monarchy. Surely no person ever attributed