New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-12-04
The Presidents y1essagr


In the matter of Spanish Cuban affairs the
President speaks as follows:
In compliance with the request Of Con-
gress | transmitted TO the
AMERICAN MINISTER AT MADRID.
with instructions to present il TO the Spanish
Government, the Joint resolution approved
on the Sd Of March last, rendering to the
people Of Spain, in the name and on the be-
half of the American people, the conSratula-
tons Of Congress upon the efforts to CONSOLE
date in Spain tho principles OF universal
liberty in a republican form OF Government.
The existence of this new Republic was
inaugurated by striking the fetters from the
slaves in Porto Rico. THIS benefcent meas
sure was followed by the release Of several
thousand persons illegally held as slaves in
Cuba. Next, the Captain General of that
colony was deprived OF the power to set aside !
the orders of his superiors at Madrid, which /
had pertained TO the Office since 1895. The
sequestered estates of American citizens,
which had been the cause of long and fruit
less correspondence, were ordered to be re-
stored to their owners. All these liberal
steps were taken in the face of n violent OPP
position directed by the rcactiOnary slave
holders of Havana, who are vainly striving
to STAY the march of ideas which has ter
minated slavery in Christeudom, Cuba only
excepted
Unhappilv, however, this baneful influence
has thus far succeeded in defeating the efforts
of all liberal-mndcd men in spain to
ABOLISH SLAVERY IN CUBA,
and in preventing the promised reform in
that island.
The struggle for political supremacy con-
tinues there.
The pro-slavery and arstocratic party in
Cuba is gradually arraiSning itself in more
and more open hostility and defiance of the
Home Government, while it still maintains
n political connection with the Republic IN
the Peninsula, and although usurping and
defying the authority of the Home Govern
mcnt whenever such usurpatOn or defiance
tends in the direction of oppression or of the
maintenance of abuses, it is still power in
Madrid, and is recognized 10y the Govern
ment. Thus, an element more dangerous 70
continual colonial relations between Cuba
and Spain than that which inspired the i'll
surrectfon ut Yara--an element opposed to
granting any relief from n.rule and abuse,
with no aspirations after freedom, command
ing no sympathies in generous breasts, aim
ing to rivet still stronger the shackles of
slavery and oppression--has seized many
OF the
EMBLEMS CT POWER IN CUBA,
and under professions oflOyalty to the mother
country is eXhausting the resources of the
island, and is doing acts which are at vari-
ance with those principles Of justice, Of lib
erality, and Of right, which give nobility Of
character To a republic. In the interests of
humanity, Of civilization, and of progress, it
is to be hoped that this evil influence may he
soon averted.
THE STEAMER NIRGINICS
was on the Goth day of September, 1870, duly
registered at the port of New York as part
of the commercial marine OF the United
States. On the 18th of October, 1870, having
received the certificate of her register in the
usual legal form she sailed from the port of
New York, and has not since been within
the territorial jurisdiction Of the United
States.
On the 3lst day of October last while sail
ing under the flag OF the United States on the
high seas she
WAS FOECIBLY SEIZED
by the Spanish gunboat Tornado, and was
carried into the port of Santiago de Cuba,
where many Of her passengers and crew were
inhumanly, and, so far at least as relates to
those who were citizens ofthe United States,
were without due process Oflaw put to death
1t is well established principle asserted
by the United States from the beginning of
thCii AotiNiii ItCOolllLtu Db
Great Britain and other maritime Powers,
and stated by the Senate in resolution pass
ed unanimously on the 10th of June, 1853,
that American vessels on the high seas in
time of peace, bearing the American flag, re-
main under the jurisdiction of the country to
which they belong, and, therefore, anv viola
ton, mOlestation, or detention, of such YES
sci by force or by the exhibition of force on
the part of 4 foreign Power, is in derogation
OF THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE UNITED
STATES"
In accordance with this principle the r
storatlOn of the Nirginius aud the surrender
OF the survivors OF her passengers and crew.
and u due reparation to the flag, and the
punishment OF the authorities who had been
guilty Of the illegal acts of violence were de-
manded. The Spanish Government has re-
coguized the justice of the demand, and has
arranged for the immediate delivery of the
vessel, and for the surrender ofthe survivors
OF the passengers and crew, and for salute
To the flag, and Tor the proceedings looking
to the punishment ofthose who may be PROV
ed to have been guilty of Illegal acts of vio-
lence toward citizens Of the United States,
and ALSO toward indcmnilying those who NAV
be shown to be entitled To indemnity.
a COPY OF \ PROTOCOL
OF conference between the Secretary OfStale
and the Spanish Minister, in which the term,
OF this arrangement were agreed to, is trans
mitted here with.
The correspondence on this subject with
the Legation Of the United States in Madrid
was conducted i'll cypher, and by cable, and
needs the verliicatiOn of the actual text of
| the correspondence. IL has seemed t. me
To be due To the Importance of the case not
to submit this correspondence until the accti-
rate text can be received by mail. 1t is cx-
pectcd shortly, aud will be submitted when
received.
In taking leave of this subject for the pre-
sent, wish to renew the expression OF nv
conviction that the existence Of
AFRICAN SLAVERY IN CUBA
is prime pal cause of the lamcntablc condi-
/ ton OF the island. | do not doubt that Con-
gress shares with me the hope that it will
soon be made TO disappear, and that peace
and prosperity may follow its abolition.
The embargOng Of American estates in
/ Cuba; cruelty To American citizens detected
III no act OF hostility to the spanish Govern
ment the numbering OF prisoners taken with
arms in their hands and finally, the cap
! ture upon the high seas OF vessel sailing
under the United States nag and bearing
/ United States registry ha. eliminated in an
oUTBURsT OF INDIGNATION
/ that has seemed for "a time to threaten war.