Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-10-27
ORIGIN OF TIE MONROE DOCTRINE
The Cuited states and Cuba-A Bif Of
secret History.

curious bit OF secret history showing the origin
Of ~hAt - called the Monroe Doctrine 1t
will be seen hv this letter that under the most
irving circumstances and the seyerest iempia
tions the American fiovern mens acted with the
most sincere good faith towards friendly p0V-
er-Spair-aud With the most open and frank
coarsesy towards tao otier power ~h., ~ete AZ
the time our rivals for The possession of Cuba.
II will be seen. too. that the agreement against
European intervention ia American affairs. which
Afterwards took shape and was formally al
nounced az a policy by Mr. Monroe. in one OF his
annual messages-whence the name of Monroe
Doctrine"--had ia origin In suggestion or
proposition made BY the British Government to
our own; so that Englishmen may claim the
credit of originating the celebrated Monroe
Doctrine"
QuIScY, Aug. IL, 1897.
"Reu William E. Claiming. d. D.. Nerport.
Rhode Island:
MY DEAR SlR-s II was in Sentem
ber 500 that the events to which | al aded in
nv speech in the House Of Representatives Ut the
2oth of Nav, 1896. took place IL was the time
when the Spanish gov ernnen. of th Cortes WIS
OyerthrOsn by the French invasion under the
Duke ID Angouleme Great Britain became
alarmed lest under the shelter Of the revolution
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 a squadron and
take possession of the Island. The people of
Havana. divided into parties between the Corie-
ani the King. were terrified by premOnitory
symptoms OF negro instruction and looking
round for protector. There was party TOR re
sorting To Great Britain, party for adhering to
Spain, and a party for seeking admission TO the
North American Union-the last of which was
the strongest. A proposition was then made by
secret agent from them To Mr. Monroe TO this
ehect-ihat they. 10y populr movement OF the
success of which :hey hid no doubt, would de
clare the island independent Of Spain if the gov
eminent of the United States would promise
them protection and admit them into their Union
under u State constitution, on the model OF those
of our Southern States. aud with the under stand
ing that n the population of the island should in
E 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 "A the inducement to the American
government To pledge their protection, they we're
assured that the alternative would probably bs
the prevalence of the party in the island tor the
colonial connection with Great Britain, and re
sort to her for protection While this PROPOSE
ton under consideration of Mr.. Monroe and
his Cabinet, the French Minister 1T W Washington
by verbal. irresponsible communications not &c
the Secretary of State, the only medium of Off
cial intercourse between Foreign Ministers in The
government OF the United States but to Mr
Crawford. the Secretary OF the Treasury sssev
Grated that the French government had secre
but positive information that the British govern
ment had deliberately determined TO take posses
sion Of Cuba
The answer of Mr. Monroe TO the proposition
from the Havana was that the friendly relation.
existing between the Uuited States and Spain Die
not permit them 20 promise countenance pro
lection 10 Any insuFrecilonai movement agains
her authority Their advice To the people o
Cub. 10 adhere rs long possible tn thei
allegiance 10 Spain; that Nh attempt of eithe
Great Britain France occupy the islsnC
would present the proposal from the Havana un
der different point OF view, concerning whcl
the President WIS not authorized To- plelge pros
pectiyey the acton of the United States, bu
that the people of the Havana ght be assure,
of the deep interest which, under all the circum
stances that might occur, the American Govern
ment would take i'm their welfare and their wishes
cit was the opinion OF at least one member o
Mr. Monroe's Administration that the Occupation
of the Island of Cuba by Great Britain should b,
resisted even at the cost of a war. Their unani
nous opinion was that very explicit though
confidential communication should be made {,
Mr. Canning, that the United States could no
with Indifference the occupation of Cuba b.
any European power other than Spain, and tina
that such an intention entertained by tn,
British Cabinet, which made il necessary to ash
an explanation OF their views
Mr.. Rush was instructed accordingly: Mr.
Canning distvowel emphaticalv alt intention oi
the part OF Great Britain to take possession o
the island. but avove Ell her determination not I,
see with indifference its occupation either b,
France or by the United States: and he told M
Rush of the squadron dispatched BY Louis XVIII
fha ~
expedition. aud of the schooling he had orlere,
the British Ambassador at Paris TO give th,
French Cabinet for that SIN of omission. Mr.
Canning then proposed that, bv a mutual under
standing between the British, French and Amer
Can Governments, without any formal treaty a
convention. Cuba should be left in the quiet pos
session of Spain. without interference in th,
government Of the island This was precisel,
the policy which Mr. Monroe believed to be bes
adapted 10 the interests and the duties OF III,
United States. and he cheerluliy asseDted to it
There was no further communication beta eel
him nd the French Government on the subject
- FAC "a France was concerned The arrangement
was left 10 be concerted between her and Grea
Britain. The people OF the Island of Cubs sub
United 20 the Government of Ferdinand restore,
by the Duke q Angouleme and received a Vice
roy and Captain General in the person OF Gen
Wives who had been Minister from Soan to IN,
United States-one of the most upright an,
honorable men with whom il has ever been m
fortune 10 hold political relations He was pre-
cisely the man To trAnquilize and cOnciIiate ih,
submission OF the people of the island to thei
old Government. and he so elfectuay sccom
plished that the Government of the United State
heard nothing further OF intended Instruction il
Cuba during the remainder OF Mr Monroes Ad
mnstration and the whole of mine
All these transactions were at the time pro
foundry secret
Il am, Of course, your unalterahle friend.
- q. ADAMS"
To. Wright CopPcrhead.
10. Wright was at one time Democrat-or a