The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1863-12-31
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lVNVIt"roWn ny no; .rfencn lnYnsloM
under the Duke D'Angouleme. Great
Britain became alarmed lest under the
shelter of that revolution the Island Of
Cuba should pass into the possession OF
France. The French government fab
ricatcd or was imposed upon by q rc-
port that the British Cabinet lad de.
terniiHed te send a squadron and take
possession ofthc Island. The people
of Havana. divided into parties be-
tween Cortes and the King, terrified
by prcmonitory symptoms of negro
insurrection, and looking round for a
protector. There was 4 party for re-
sorting to Great Britain, a party for
adhering to Spain, and q party for
seeking admission to the North Ameri.
can Uniou-the last Of which was tho
strongest. 7'Ni'F5 i.''@ -''.'7.'H ~
/ A proposition was then made BY q
tsecret agont from them to MI. Monrov
to that ctfectL+tllat they, By popular
movement, OF the success OF which
they had no doubt, would declare tho
Island independent Of Spain If tho Go
vernmeht Of the United States would
promise them protection and admit
them into the Unionunder State con
stitution, ON the model Of those of our
Southern States, and with the under
Standing that as the population Of the
Island should increase they should ,be
at liberty to divide themselves into.
two States, and nave that proportion
Of representation in the Congress of
the United States. As the inducement
to the American government TO pledge
their protection, they were assured that
EtIle alternative would probably be the
prevalence OF tile party in the Island
/ for the colonial connection with Great
Brtsincand Il resort. to- her protection.
While this proposition was under
the consideration Of Mr., Monroe and
his Cabinet, the French Minister at
Washington BY. n fsp8bal, jrrespohsb-
/ bic communication, not the Secretary
Tof State, The only medium Of official
intercourse between foreign Ministers
and the GiOvornmrnt fthe United
States. but, Mr.. Crawford, the Secruta-
Try Of Treasury, ,asscveratcd that the
T French Government had q secret but
positive infnrmation that the British
Governmeut had deliberately deter.
mined to take possession of Cuba.
The answered. Mr. Monroe to the
proposition from the Havana was that
! the friendly relations existing between
the United States and Spain did not
permit them toproniise countenance or
/ protection to any insurrectional move
ment against erauthority. Their ad-
vice to the people Of Cuba was to ad-
here, as long as possible, to their ale
glance TO Spain-tiiat IN attempt Of
either Great Britain or France to oc.
cupy the Island would present tho
proposition. from the Havana under u
! different point Of view, concerning
which the President was not author
lied TO pledge prospectivcly the action
OF The. United States, but that the peo-
pie Of the Havana might be assured Of
the deep interest which under all the
circumstances which might occur, the
American gOrelnmcnt would take in
their welfare and. their wishes. ..r
1t was the opinien Of at least ono
member of Mr.. Monroc's admnistra-
ton chat the occupation Of Cuba by
Great Britain should be resisted even
at the cost Ola war. Their unanimous
opinion was that a very explicit though
confidential communication should be
made to Mr.. Charming, that the United
States could not sec with Indifference
the occupation Of Cuba by any other
European power than Spain, and that
rumors had reached tho American Co.
vernmcnt that such an intention was
entertained by the British Cabinet,
which made it Unnecessary to ask an ex.
PLANTATION Of their views.
Mr.. Rush was instructed according
| ly, Mr. Charming diSayowed emphati-
cally all intention on the part ofGreat
Britain to take possession of the Is
land: but avowed her determination
not to see with Indifference its occupa-
tion, either by France OF by the United
States, and he told Mr.. Rush of tho
squadron dispatched by Louis XVIII,
to the West Indies, without notifying
him of the expedition, and Of the
schooling he had ordered the British
Ambassador at Paris to give theFrench
Cabinet for that sin of omission. Mr..
Claiming then proposed that, by .
mutual understanding between the
British, French and American Govern.
ments, without any formal treaty or
convention, Cuba should be left in quiet
possession of Spain, without interfer-
ing in the government of tho Island.
This was precisely the policy which
Mr.. Monroe believed to be best adapted
to the interest and the duties of the
United States, and he cheerfully as
scnted TO it. There was no further
communication between him and the
French Government on the subject.
So far as France was concerned tho
arrangement was loft TO be concerted
between her and Great Britain. The
people of the Island of Cuba submitted
to the government of Ferdinand, re-
stored by the Duke of D'Angouleme,
and received aNieoroy and Captain
General in the person ofGeneral Wives,
who had been Minister from Spain to
the United States one of the most up-
right and honorable men with whom
ithas ever been my fortune to hold
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