Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-11-02
ORIGIN or THE MONROE DOCTRINE
The Uuited states and Gu uba-A Bit of
secret History.

/
Secret History.
The Providence Journal prints letter, never
before made public, from John Quincy Adams
to Rev. DR.. Charming, in which is contained
curious bit of secret history showing the origin
of what is called the Monroe Doctrine I" 1t
will be seen by this letter that under the most
trying circumstances and the severest tempta-
tions the American Government acted with the
most sincere good faith towards friendly pow
er-Spair-and with the most open and frank
courtesy towards two other powers, who were at
the time rivals for the possession of Cuba.
1t will be seen, too, that the agreement against
European intervention in American affairs. which
afterwards took shape and was formally an
nounced as policy by Mr.. Monroe, in one Of his
annual messages-whence the name of Monroe
Doctrine"-had its origin in a suggestion or
proposition made by the British Government to
our own; SO that Englishmen may claim the
credit of originating the celebrated Monroe
Doctrine"
QUINCY, Aug. IL, 1887.
"Rep- william e. Claiming. d. d., NercpOrt.
| Rhode Island:
"MY DEAn Sun 1t was in Septeu
Der, 1922. that the events to which alluded in
nv speech in the House of Representatives of the
25th of May. 1886, took place. 1t was the time
when the Spanish government of tn Cortes was
overthrow by the French invasion under the
|
alarmed lest unier the shelter of the reYolntion
the island of Cuba should pass into the possession
Of France The French government fabricated
or was imposed 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 between the Cortes
AMI the King, terrified by premonitory
symptoms OF negro insurrection and looking
round for protector. There was party for re-
IN Rrsfa arfr for Al 70
Spain, and party for seeking admission to the
North American Union-the last of which was
| the strongest - proposition was then made bv
a secret agent from them To Dir Monroe to this
elfect-tlIat they, by popular movement OF the
success OF which they had no doubt, would de
clare the island independent of Spain if the gov
ernmen. of the United States would promise
them protection and admit them into their Union
under State constitution. on the model of those
of our Southern States. aud with the understand
ing that IA the population of the island should in.
crease they should be at liberty TO divide them
selves into two States aud have that portion of
representation in the Congress OF the United
States. As the inducement TO the American
government 70 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 Britain. and a re
sort to her for protection. While this PROPOSE
ton was under consideration of Mr. Monroe and
his Cabinet, the French Minister at Washington,
| by verbal, irresponsible communication, not to
the Secretary of State, the only medium of Off
eial intercourse between Foreign Ministers in the
government of the United States, but to Mr.
/ Crawford, the Secretary of the Treasury, assev
Grated that the French government had secret
but positive information that the British govern
ment had deliberately determined to take posses
sion oS Cuba.
"The answer of Mr. Monroe to the proposition
| from the Havana that the friendly relations
existing between the Uuited States and Spain did
not permit them TO promise countenance or pro-
lection to any insurrectonal movement against
her authority. Their advice to the people of
Cuba. was to adhere as long as possible to their
allegiance to Spain; that an attempt of either
| Great Britain France to occupy the island
would present the proposal from the Havana IN
der IA different point of view, concerning which
| the President was not authorized to pledge pros
pectively the action of the United States, but
that the people of the Havana might be assured
of the deep interest which, under all the circum-
stances that might occur, the American Govern
ment would take in their welfare and their wishes.
at was the opinion of at least one member of
Mr. Monroes Administration that the occupation
| of the Island of Cuba by Great Britain should be
resisted even at the cost of war. Their unani-
nous opinion that a very explicit though
confidential communication should be made to
see with Indifference the occupation Of Cuba BY
any European power other than Spain, and that
rumOrs had reached the American Government
that such intention was entertained by the
| British Cabinet; which made il necessary to ask
an explanation Of their views.
"Mr. Rush instructed accordingly; Mr..
| Canning disavowed emlhaticallv all intention on
the part of Great Britain to take possession of
the island, but avowed her determination not to
| see with indfei ence its occupation either by
France or by the United States: and he told Mr..
Rush Of the 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 the
French Cabinet for that sin of omission. Mr..
Canning then proposed that, by a mutual under
standing between the British, French and Ameri
can Governments, without any formal treaty or
convention, Cuba should be left in the quiet pos
session Of Spain, without interference in the
government of the island This precisely
the pplicy which Mr. Monroe believed to be best
adapted TO the interests and the duties of the
Uniici States, and he cheerfuly asseuted to it.
The further communication between
! him and the French Government the subject.
So far France concerned the arrangement
was left to be concerted between her and Great
| Britain. The people of the island of Cuba sub
mitted To the Government of Ferdinand, restored
by the Duke d. d'ADgouleme. and received Vice
ROY and Captain General in the person of Gen.
Wives. who bad been Minister from Spain to the
United States-one of the most upright and
honorable men with whom il has ever been my
fortune to hold political relations. He was pre-
cisely the man to tranquize and conciliate the
submission of the people of the island to their
| old Government and he effectually accom-
plished that the Government of the United States
heard nothing further of intended insurrecton in
Cuba during the remainder of Mr.. Monroe's Ad
| ministration and the whole of mine.
"All these transactions were ut the time pro-
foundly secret
81 am, of course, your unalterable friend.
~. @. ADAMS"