Year: 1876

United states Of their estates IN Cuba unoncumbered
and or securing TO them trial for offences according
to treaty provisions all other tights guaranteed by
treaty ana by public law should be complied with
Whether the spanish government appreciating the
iorbearance of this country viii speedly aud sa,sfac
tory adJus. tho pending questions not by the issue OF
effect in Cuba, but by eomn,ebepsiee and
hrm measures which shall everywhere be
Moreover, apart from these particular questions In the
opinion OF the President the time has arrived when he
interests Of this country the preservation or is com,
merce and the instincts Of humanity alike demand mar
some speedy and satisfactory ending be uade of the
strife which is still devastating Cuba disastrous
conflict of than years duration has demon
strated the inability OF Spain 20 peace in an
island lying at our door Desolaton and the destruc-
ton OF life and property have been the only results OF
this conflict The United States sympathize the tact
that this inability results, IN large degree from the
unhappy condition Of Spain at home, and TO some
extent from the distractions which are dividing her
people; but the fact remains Added 10 this are the
large expanse of separating the Peninsula from
tho island and the want OF harmony ana OF personal
sympathy by the inhabitants OF the territory OF the
home government and those or the colony the dis.
tincton Of class, and the laer between rulers ana
subjects the want Of adaptation Of the ancient colo
nial system Of Spain to the present tunes and to the
ideas which the events Of the past age have Impressed
upon the people Of every reading and thinking coun-
try.


Great Britain wisely has relaxed the old system OF
colonial dependence and is reapng the benefits IN the
contened and peaceful prosecution of the arts OF peace
and IN the channels OF commerce and OF industry IN
colonies which under restraint might have questioned
and resisted the power and control OF distant govern
ment and might have exhibited, as does Cuba,





beion In addition to all this cannot be questioned
that the continued maintenance the face CT decreos
and enactments 70 the contrary, OF compulsory sys
TEN OF slave labor OF dsquie and excitement
to large class IN the island and also In the United
States, which the government OF Spain has led u.s. by
very distinct assurances expect should be removed
and which the enlightened Christianity Of the age con-
demns


The contest and disorder in Cuba affect the United
States directly and nJurlousy by the presence in this
country OF parsans OF the revolt who have fed hther
in consequence OF the proximity Of territory as TO
md xVhn hxf thar fiinng
turbcrs OF the public peace The United States has
exerted itself the utmost for years epress
unlawful acts on the part Of these soliexied subjects
of Spain relying the promise OF Spain paciy the
island Seven years OF strain on the powers of tho
/ government to fulfil all that the most exacting
! demands of one government make under any
doctrine or claim of international obligation
upon another have not witnessed the much hoped for
pachcalion The United States feels itself entitled 10
be relieved OF this strain. The measures, in
furious to the United States, and often conflict with
public law, which the colonial officers have taken 10
subdue the insurrection the Indifference and Oft times
the people OF the United States and their government
which have characterized that portion Of the peninsu-
lar population of Havana which has sustained and up
held, If it has not controlled successive Governors
General, and which have led TO the dis
regard of orders and DEGREES which tho
more enlarged wisdom and the more friendly
councils of the home government had enacted; the
cruelty and inhumapity which characterized the con
test both the part OF the colonial government and Of
the revolt for years and the destruction OF vau
able properties and industries by arson and piage
which Spain appears unable, however desirous to pre-
vent and stop in island 600 miles distant from her
shores, but lying within sight OF coasts with which
trade and constant intercourse ore unavoidable are
causes Of annoyance and Of Injury TO the United
States which a people cannot be expected to
tolerate without the assumed prospect OF
than been solicited by the insurgents to extend
them its aid but has for years hitherto resisted such
good offices In the mediation advice and remonsrance
to bring to end great evil which has pressed sorey
upon the interests both Of the government and OF the
people Of the United States as also upon the CONNER
cal interests OF other nations A sincere friendship
for Spain and for her people whether peninsuar in
sular and equally sincere reluctance TO adopt any
measures which might injure or humble the ancient
ally OF the United States, has characterized the con-
duct of this government every step during these sad
and distressing years and the President is still animated
by the feelings and DESIRES above all things, to
ard her and her people TO enter more upon the path OF
safety and repose.


MEDIATION


II will be remembered that the President in the year
1SG9 rendered the good Offices OF the United States Tor
the purpose OF bringing to close the civil war in Cuba
This offer was made delcately, in good faith and in
friendship, to both parties TO the contest. General
Prim the representative of the Spanish government
while recognizing the good faith and friendship with
which this offer was made replied:-


We better proceed in the present situation Of things
without G even hs % .sndy ND & tine WIN o come $
useful bu, Indispensable in the hnal between
be eaSoyed snd couD. s Spon IN Z
ance.


The United States replied that its good Offices for that
obj ct would be at any time at the service of the parties
to the conflict This government has over since been
ready thus 10 aid in restoring peace and quiet Tho
government OF the United States has hcrcoor given
expression 10 policy IN reference TO the nsurrecon
in Cuba because 1t has honestly and sincerely hoped
that no declaration OF policy on It's part would be re-
qured The President feels that longer retcence would
be inconsistent with the interests both
Our relations with Spain are In that critical position
that another seizure similar to that Of tho
Virginius, other executions OF citizens OF
the United States other wrongs Of less Objectionable
character even than many which have been already
suffered by citizens with simple remonsrance
possibly act OF exceptional severity in
Cuba, may suddenly produce feeling and excitement
which might force events which this government anx
iousy desires 10 avoid.


The President hopes that Spain may spontaneously
adopt measures looking to reconciliation and 10 the
speedy restoration OF peace and the organization OF
stable and satisfactory system OF government In the
island o: CUBA In the absence of any prospect ofa
termination Of the war, or of any change in the
In which 10 has been conducted either side he
feels that the time is at hand when IL may become the
duty Of other governments TO intervene solely with
the Of bringing end disastrous aud destruc-
tive conflict and Of restoring peace Ia the island OF Cuba
! No government is more deeply interested in tho
that OF the United States and has suffered has
the United States from the condition which has obtained
/ there during the past six or seven years He will,
therefore, feel IL his duty early day submit the
subject in this light, and accompanied by an
expression Of the views above presented, for the
consideration of Congress- Vhis conclusion is reached
after every other expedient has been attempted and
proved failure, ana in the firm conviction that tho
mains for this government II is believed to be just
and friendly ACT to frankly communicate this conclusion
to the Spanish government You will, therefore, take
early occasion to inform that government In max
ing the communication II s the earnest desire Of the
President 10 impress upon the authorities OF spain tho
entire friendly disposition Of this government and that
IL has no uterior or selfish objects In view and de-
sire TO become q party In the conflict, but
| is moved solely by the imperative necessities
of proper regard to Its protection and its
! interests and the interests OF humanity and,
firmly believe, In the ultimate interest OF Spain itself
In Informing the Spanish government OF these
clusons pursuant hereto. you authorized to read
this instruction TO the Minister Of State state the
substance and purport thereof as you may deem ad-
vsabIo. You WILL OF course, keep advised by tele
graph and by post oil proceedings pursuant 70 this
instruction. am sir, your obedient servant,


HAMILTON FISH,
| GREAT BRITAIN.


On the 5th Of November, the date as the letter
/ to Mr.. Gushing, Mr.. Fish addressed note 10 Mr..
| Schenck at London, saying


Herewith you will receive confidential copy Of an
instruction this day addressed TO Mr. Gushing, con-
tanning the Presidents conclusion az 10 Cuba