Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-06-09
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
MoJr,d E.Lruayo 81 1894


Madrid, february 81, 1864.
FIR The subject a suppressing the inhuman African
slave trade has been OF deep anxiety to the Govern
ment OF the United States from the time of foundation
The United States been among the first Of natl ms,
not the first that have denounced this thfc 10 human
benRs as piracy and have visited their citizens mp-
Gated it with the seVerest penalties At very heavy Pc
cuniary sacrifices and at the risk Of the lives Of their own
naval officers and seamen they have for more than twenty
years supported squadron the western coast OF Africa,
in most destructive climate, order to prevent the sue
cessiu carrying OF this nefarous trade They have,
with like view entered into spuatons with her Britain.
mic Majesty in the year 1872 contained in what IS called
the treaty of Washington, the 9Th article OF which Is Us
fJlows
(Here follows the article entire)
The attention of the President If the United States has
lately been directed to certain dcHltes which have pre-
sened III. msrves, and which sppear to prevent com-
pets 81 the slave trade in the colonial posses
sons of her Catholic Majesty sud more especially IN the
island Of Cuba, which difficulties do not arise from any de.
sire the Spanish colonial authorities to favor the said
trade Ii we'll known that the efforts made by the Cap.
tain General Of that island correspond entire to the wise
and humane policy which the home Government 81 her
Catholic Msesty has adopted In regard 10 the subject IN
question: which is thoroughly appreciated By the Pre-
.ldrn. and the people Of the United states
The difficulties spoken Of seem to be nherantin the laws
aud regulations in existence WHICH supposed to give
10 Interpretations by which their force may be
evaded.
In view Of the general policy Of the United States which
looks The African slave trade osnce against
the public law o nations and has denounced plracy
IN view aso, Of the treaty spuatons existing between
them and the government Of her Britannia Majesty, the
President Of the United States has instructed to
spectfuy call the attention Of her Catholic Maesys Gov
sgnment 10 this subject aid to suggest such REVISION of
the existing laws aud regulations ncernng the unlaw u
ctou Of slaves into the island Of CUBA will best
accomplish the obj which her Mjes ys Government had
ia view when those laws and regulations enacted
1t 10 hardly necessary for the undersigned to
your Excrlency that these suggestions arise from the
pures ves and would not have been made unless the
President bad considered the very friendly and cordial
istons existing between the United States and Spain
ustyinQ ths application and had he not been bound to
another friendly by engagements which it is his duty
| as well AZ his pleasure to carry out faithfully.
1T is almost quay unnecessary for me TO inform your
Erceency that 1t would afford the utmost satisfaction to
the President and the people Of the United States If any
ob-tcles existing island Of Cub. to the compete sup
precision Ac.n ,ave trade should be removed by
toe consdeate action Of the Government Of her Catholic
Majesty
Ibe undersigned takes great pleasure to assure &c
| &C. sc. GUSrAVUS K0EkNER
Ills Excellency Senior Don L. ARhhZJLA,
Minister OF State Of her Catholic Majesty