The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-11-06
ORIGIN OF THE MONROE DOC
THINE.
The Z nttcd states aud Cuba-Amer
tcan Good Faith

showing the origin of what is called the
Monroe Doctrine.'' 1t will be seen by
this letter that under the most trying cir
cums'ances and the severess temptations.
the American Government acted with the
most sincere good faith toward a friendly
power-Spain and the most open and
frank courtesy towards the other powers,
who were At the time our rivals for the pos.
session Of Cuba. 1t will be seen, too, that
the agreement against European inierven-
ton IN American affairs, which sfterward
took shape and was formally announced as
pofcy by Mr.. Monroe, ia one of his an
nuai messase-whence the name of Mon.
roe Doctrine bad its origin in a sugges-
tioa or proposition made by the British
Government to our own SO that English
men may claim the credi. of origin sting the
celebrated Monroe Doctrine" The fol-
lowing is :hs letter:
Quincy. Aug. IL. 1887.
Reu. YIN. E. Claiming, d. d., Nerpoyt.
RI
Ny DEAR Sra: 1t was 10
September. 1922, that the event. to which
l alluded in my speech in the House of
Representatives of the 25ih Of May. 1886,
took place. 1t was the time when The
Spanish Government OF the Ccrtez was
overihrown by the French invasion 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 FraLce. The
French Government fabricated or was i'm
posed upon by report that the British
Cabinet had determined to send . squadron
and take possession Of the Island. The
people Of Havana, divided into parties be-
tween the Cortez and the King, were terri
fed by premoni,ory symptoms of negro in-
surrection and looked around for protec-
tor. There was . party for resortlng to
Great Britain. party for adhering TO Spain
and party for seeking admission to the
was the strongest. proposition was then
read by secret agent from them to Mr.
Monroe to this effeet-,hat they BY popu-
lar movement, of the success Of which they
had no doubs, would declare the Island in
dependent of Spain, If the Government of
the United States would promise them pro-
lection and admit them into their Union
under a State Constitution, on the model OF
those of our Southern States, and with the
understanding that rs the population OF the
Island should increase they should be al
liberty to divide themselves into two States.
and have that proportion of representation
! in the Congress Of the United States. AS
the Inducements to the American Govern
ment to pledge their protection. they were
assured that the alternative would probably
be the prevalence of the party in the Island
! for the colonial connection with Great Brit
ain and a resort to her for protection. While
this proposition was under consideration OF
Mr. Monroe and his Cabinet, the French
Minister at Washington, by verbal, ire
sponsibIe communication. not to the Secre-
tary of State, the only medium of official
! inte, course between foreign Ministers and
the Governments OF the United States. bat
to Mr. Crawford, the Secretary Of the Trea
sury, asseverated that the French Govern
meut had secret but positive information
that the British Government had deliber-
ately determined to take possession OF
Cuba.
The answer of Mr.. Monroe to the propo-
si,ion from the Havana was that the friend
| ly relations existing between the United
States and Spain did not permit them to
promise countenance and protection to any
insurrectional movement against her author.
! ity. Their advice to the people of Cuba
was to adhere. as long as possible, to their
allegiance to Spsin-that an attempt Of Ell
Their Great Britain or France to occupy the
! Island would present the proposal from the
| W,
| concerning which the President was not
authorized to pledge prospectively the &C
ton Of the United States, but that the PEG.
pie Of the Havana might be assured OF the
deep interest which under all circumstances
which might occur, the American Govern
ment would take in their welfare and their
wishes.
/ 1t was the opinion of At least one mem
Der Of Mr.. Monroe's Administration that
! the occupation Of the Island of Cuba by
Great Britain should be resisted even at the
cost Of war Their unanimous opinion was
that a very explicit though confidential COM
municaton should be made to Mr.. Canning.
that the United States could not seq with
! Indifference the occupation of Cuba by Al,
European power other than Spain, and that
rumors had reached the American Govern
ment that such an intention was enter
tanned by the British Cabinet, which made
it necessary to ask an explanation Of their
| views.
Mr.. Rush was instructed accordingly. Mr..
Canning disavowed emphatically all inten-
ton on the part Of Great Britain to take
4. determination not to see with indifference
its occupation. either by France or by the
United STATES, and he told Mr.. Rush of the
squadron dispatched by Louis XVIII to
West Indies. without notifying him of the
expedition. and Of the scolding he had or
dered the British Embsssador at Paris to
give The French Cabinet for that sin OF
omission. Mr.. Canning then proposed tina.
By a mutual understanding between the
| British. French and American Governments.
without any formal treaty or convention,
Cuba should be left in the quiet possession
OF Spain. without Interference 10 the Gov
eminent OF the Island. This was. precisely
the policy which Mr. Monroe believed to be
best adapted to the interests end the duties
of the United States, aud he chserfuiIy as
sented to It, There Was no further commu-
ncAiion between MIN and the French Gov.
ernment on the subject. So far as France
vas concerned. the arrangement vas lefs 70
+. be concerted between her and Great Brit,
ain. The people of the Island of Cuba
submitted to the Government of Ferdinand