The Morning herald., 1876-01-22
CONCERNING CUBA,
MR., FIsR's LETTER.
The President Transmits a Letter 70
the e20use 4 II GNb sn COrrrspOn'
dence B"'ween Mint$t r Cusn-
Ing and IN Secretary OF
stat Relations He.
tween the sW0
>Nsr wi
BY American Press As4ociatton.


tween inc swo
Countries.
| BY American Press Association.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2I.-The President
| To-day inclosed letter of Mr.. Fish and
copies of correspondence to the House Of
| Representatives In response TO a resolution
of that body calling for copies Of cores
| pondence in relation to the Cuban questions.
| The documents are vclumnous and compose
muchsthat has been heretofore published.
It appears that on the 5th Of November
last The Secretary Of the State addressed
two lengthy letters to Minister Gushing at
Madrid, the first of which referred to the
neglect of Spain to comply with the stipu-
lation Of the proctol of November, 1878,
and particularly In relation to the trade OF
Buriel according to the terms of said proc
| oil.
It appears that no steps had been taken to
that end by the Spanish Government, but
that Il was then discussing certain abstract
questions when 1t should be making the in
vestigation without waiting for any commun-
cation from the Tni'ed States. The Secre-
tary says it has been and is our desire to ad-
lust this and every other question, and In
this respect we have been pressed almost to
the limit of endurance. In the same spirit
we have again been Instructed to represent
to Spain the injury that the mat,et which
refers to Gen. Buriel involves botN coun-
tries, and on account Of its effects upon our
relations, he hopei these represen 'ations
would he considered ju the same spirit.
Whether this question shall be prece-
dent or follow tho treaty question or the con
ascation case is left to your discretion.
On the 10Th of November telegram was
sent by Mr.. Gushing to Mr.. Fish s.atins,
that the Spanish note had come \
It repats the assurance Of the trial Of
Burilel On the samo date
Nov. 5th, 1855, the Secretary of State, de.
ceased addressed another communication tc
Mr.. Gushing which is as follows: depart.
ment of State, Washington, Nov. 5th, 1875
,, Caleb Gushing, Esq, &c. Sir: Pursuant to
, the intimation conveyed In my No. 24s
peem 1t necessary to recur TO tho genera
j, question of our relations with Spain, and tt
: consider the progress which has bean made
' In disgosing Of the Outstanding questions
= which for sometime past has threatened
serious trouble bbetween the two countries
At the time of your departure for Medrid
/ apart from the general question of the un
= satisfactory conditions Of affairs In Cubs
!
several prominent questions remained un
y adjusted, the settlement of which was deem
:. ed necessary before any satisfactor,
relation with Spain could b,
- established or maintained upon all Of th'
- - rules. The most prominent among then
= :, were the questions arising from the embar
. !. 20 and confscatton of estates of American
!, Citizens In Cuba. Those relating to tn
}, trial of American citizens on the Island, Il
, | violation Of the treaty and claims arisin
out Of the capture of the VtrgIHixs, inciud
ing the trial and punishment Of Genera
Buriel.
After the expiration Of more than eigh
'een months, It seems advisable to examin
what progress has been made, and to cor
slider our present relations with Spain.
,t1 Its refeie ence to the arbitrary seizure an
r with holding of the estates and property {
a The citizens Of the Uni ed States in Cub
: under proceedings OF confscation or en-
barge so-caSS4d, = separate instruction VIZ
e addressed L you, and under date Of Febrr
- ary 9th, prior to your departure for you
~ post referred therein to the general fac
! surrounding these cases to the arbitlar
action of the authority by which the pr
5l oerty Of American citizena had been seize
in violation of the treaty provisions IN th
absence of judicial proceeding withot
hearing and under such circumstances az I
call for vigorous protest and demands Q
y behalf Of this Government.
The general facts surrounding these cast
are we'll known. It is not pretended, 10 Fl
as am aware, Of any legal justification fl
the wrongs attempted on the part ofths ~
thorties Of Spain, or that these proceed
,s ings in Cuba are defended or upset, on th
~ contrary pursuant to decree issued by til
e Government on the 18th Of July, 1873, tt
= illegality and indefencible character of thei
acts were admitted and the embargo'
were ordered to be removed and the prop
erty to be restored.
This decree was at first received in Cut
with calm indifference, not even pull
ished or adverted to. The prt
ceedings of the authorities were in I
notable respect change thereby. AT the tin
of the visit Of Senor Folcr Y. Pla, minist'
:3 of Urtramar, the decree was In some insta1
ces recognized, and some magnificent stel
taken In individual cases to comply ther
with In general, however, 1t was elaine
either that inaum bra,c ces existed, making
no complaint Herewith Impossible ii the deli
II cry was offered burdcned bylsases or incur
- brances, and coupled with unfair condition
.