The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-16

in the House OF Representatives on the
pending resolution suggesting belligeren.
recognition and the State Department was
free 10 pursue Its Alabama negotiations.
Senator Cameron. in the recent minority
report OF the Senate on foreign
affairs. alluded TO a rumor Of a belligerency
dent Grant 1t IS true that in the summer Of
1853. and while the prefer of mediation
suggested to the President by Paul s.
Forbes. as coming from General Prim, was
perding at Madrid. the State Department
had. on the request OF the President. pre-
pared a draft OF a proclamation OF belliger-
ency.
GRANTS LETTER TO FISH.
Some time after the President signed it
he went on a journey to the West. and on
the way wrote the following letter:
Kane, Pa. Aug. IA, 1863.
"Hon. hamilton Fish, Secretary of State:
Ny Dear Sir-On reflection / think IL adj
visaole TO complete the neutrality proclama-
ton which l signed before leaving Wash
ington. and 10 issue it II General Sickles has
not received any entirely satisfactory re-
ply 10 his proposition to mediate be-
tween Spain and Cubans; I'm fact, / am not
entirely satisfied that We would not be justi-
he'd In intiu5ting to spain that we would
look With some alarm on her proposition TO
send 1000 more troops TO Cuba TO put down,
IS americans oelieys. the right OF self-gov-
eminent On this continent Not that Spain
has not a perfect right 60 prosecute as Wig
orous a war as she pleases on her own soil,
OBSERVING the rules OF civilized warfare, but
that the rights OF our citizens have been so
Uantonly invaded by Spanish troops, or vol
unteers, that SUCH a course would arouse the
sympatn1es OF our citizens in favor OF the
Cubans to such a degree as 70 require all
our vigilance TO keep them from giving ma
teriai aiS. The question might we'll be
asked whether Spain would not be weaker
with 1900 more trooDs i'm Cuba; and also, by
W, whether We would be justified by our
people TO let them do so without at least
with their adversaries first. Except the is
suing OF the D~loclamation. / do not give
this as instruction, but as something to
think OF whether IL IL not sound III deemed
90, the policy OF action on il will DE dis
cussed afterwards. / will be in New York
city on Thursday next on my way to New
port; will be at Mr.. Corbin's a few hours be-
~. S. GRANT"
On the 10th OF July, 1870. in a conversation
an which Mr.. Fish had expressed TO the
President his desire to retire from the Office
which he had accepted on the understanding
that ne was TO hold IL only till the President
could perfect other plans in regard TO Ii,
Mr. Fish was strongly urged by the Presi-
dent TO remain through his term, and as
sured him that his course was not only en-
tirely satisfactory to him, but gave satisfac-
ton and confidence to the country. These
are the words of the diary on the subject:
The President said: Without referring to
other instances, on two important occasions,
at least, your steadiness and wisdom have
kept me from mistakes into which / would
have fallen. On one OF those occasions you
led me. against my judgment at the time
you almost forced me-in the matter OF sign
Ing the Cuban message. l now see how right
you were. and / desire most sincerely TO
thank you. The measure was right, and the
whole country acquiesced in it, He repeat
ed that he wished 10 thank me especially
for these two siOns. They were: First,
preventing the issuing, last August and Sep
TENDER, OF the. proclamation OF Cuban bel
Igerency. which he had signed, and which
he wrote me a note instructing me IL sign
(Which | did. and TO issue (Which | did not);
end. second. the Cuban message of June