The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-03-28
Origin of the Monroe Doctrine.

PiiH1eu d lctJer never DelOre nlaue pubic.
from John Quincy Adams, to Rev. DR.. Chan
ming, in which is contained curious bit of
secret history showing the origin of what is
called the "Monroe Doctrine" 1t will be
seen by this letter that under the most trying
circumstances and the severest temptations +,
the American government acted with the
most sincere faith towards friendly power
-Spain-and with the most open and frank
courtesy towards the two other powers, who
were as the time our rivals for Cuba 1t
will be seen too that the arguments against
European Intervention in American affairs,
which afterwards took shape and was formal
ly announced at policy by Mr.. Monroe, in
one ofhis annual messages-whence the name
of"Monroe doctrine" had its origin in sug-
gestion or proposition made by the British
government to our own SO that Englishmen
can claim the credit of originating the cele-
brated Monroe doctrine"
QUINCY, Aug. l1th, 1887.
"ReU. IItAiam H. Claiming, d. ID. New
port Il. My Dear Sir: IL was
in September, 1922, that the events to which
l alluded in my speech in the house OF repre-
sentatives ofthe 25th of May, 1868, took place
1t was the time when the Spanish government
OF the Cortes was overthrown 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 pc; session of France. The French
government fabricated or was imposed upon
by report that the British cabinet had de-
termined to send squadron and take posses
sion of the Island. The people of Havana.
divided into parties between the Cortes and
the King, were terrified by the premonitory
symptoms OF negro insurrection andI looking
round for protection. There was a party for
resorting 10 Great Britain, party for adher-
ing to Spain, and aparty tor seeking admis-
sion TO the North American Union-the last
OF which was the strongest proposition
was then made to secret agent from them
to Mr.. Monroe to this efiect-that they by a
popular movement, of the success of which
they had no doubt, would declare the Island
independant of Spain, if the government of
the United States would promise them pro-
lection and admit them into their Union un-
der State Constitution, on the model OF
those OF our southern states, and with the un-
derstanding that as the population of the Is
land should lnctease they should be at liberty
to divide themselves into two states, and have
that proposition of representation in the Con-
gress OF the United States. As the induce
AhNAAe
their protection, they were assured that the
alternative would probably be the prevalence
of the party in the Island for the colonial con-
neetion with Great Britain, and resort to
her for protection. While this proposition
was under the consideration of Mr.. Monroe
and his cabinet, the French minister at Wash
ington, by verbal, irresponsible communi-
cation, not the secretary of state, the only
medium Of official intercourse between for
afer min futa n 81,
United States, but Mr.. Crawford the secretary
of the treasury, asserverted that the French
Government had secret but positive infor-
nation that the British government had de-
liberately determined to take possession of
Cuba.
"The answer of Mr.. Monroe TO the propo-
sition from the Havana was that the friendly
relations existing between the United States
and Spain did not permit them to promise
countenance or protection to any insurrection-
airy 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 or
France TO occupy the island would present
the proposal from Havana under different
point of view. concerning which the presi-
dent was not authorized to pledge prospecti-
yely the action of the United States, but that
the people Of the Havana might be assured of
the deep interest which, under all the cir
cumstances which might occur, the American
government would take in their welfare and
their wishes.
"It was the opinion of at least one member.
of Mr.. Monroe's administration that the oc-
cupation of the island of Cuba by Great
Britain should be resisted even at the cost OF
war. Their unanimous opinion was that
very explicit though confidential communi-
cation should be made to Mr. Canning that
the United States could not see with indiffer-
ence the occupation of Cuba by any European
power other than Spain, and that rumors had
reached the American government that such
an intention was entertained 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 intention
on the part of Great Britain to take possess
sion of the island; but avowed her intention
not to see with Indifference its occupation,
either by France orby the United States, and
he told Mr.. Rush Of the squadron dispatched
by King 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.. Can
ming then proposed that, by a mutual under
standing between the British French and
American governments, without any formal
treaty or convention, Cuba should be left in
the quiet possession of Spain, without inter-
ference in the government of the island.
This was precisely the policy which Mr.
Monroe believed to be best adapted to the in
terest and the duties of the United States.
and he cheerlully assented to it. There was
no further communication between him and
the French government on the subject. So
far as France was concerned, the arrange
ment was left to be concerted between her
and Great Britain. The people of the island
of Cuba submitted to the government of
Ferdinand, restored by the Duke d'Augou-
leme, and received a viceroy and captain
general in the person of General Wives, who
had been minister from Spain to the United
States one OF the most upright and honorable
men with whom it has ever been my fortune
to hold political relations He was precisely
the laan to tranquilize and conciiate the SUBJ
mission Of the people Of the island to their
old government, and he so efectually accom-
plished that purpose that the government of
the United States heard nothing further of
intended resurrection in Cuba during the re-
mainder OF Mr.. Monroe's administration and
the whole of mine.
"All these transactions were at the time
profoundly secret.
II am, OF course, your unalterable friend,
j. Q. ADAMS"