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Irving, Washington to Daniel Webster, March 10, 1843 (excerpt).
Washington Irving, United States Minister to
Spain, to Daniel Webster, Secretary of State of the United States
MADRID, March 10, 1843.
SIR: I had the honor to receive on the 4th. Inst. Despatch No.II, from the Department, enclosing a Copy of the private and confidential letter addressed by the Department to Mr. Robert B. Campbell, Consul of the United States at Havana, and Document No. 35 respecting the Sandwich Islands.
Having been attacked by a severe disorder which for more than a month has confined me to the house, and during the past week to my bed, without a prospect of a very speedy recovery, I was induced, by the importance of the matter connected with the letter to Mr. Campbell; and which did not admit of delay, or of being made the subject of a communication in writing, to apply to Count Almodovar for an interview in favor of the Secretary of Legation; and accordingly, after a careful examination of the Archives of the Legation and several conversations with me on this subject, Mr. Hamilton passed this morning by appointment to visit the Minister at the Department of State.
Explaining to Count Almodovar in a few words that I was prevented by indisposition from having the honor of a personal interview, he went on to state that the Government of the United States, deeply interested in every event that might affect or alter the present condition of the Island of Cuba, had received from a source entitled to credit information of alleged plots and conspiracies which had for their object, an insurrection of the Creoles and Slaves; the expulsion of the Spaniards from the Island and the establishment of a black Military republic on the ruins of the existing government. He mentioned the statements in regard to the Agents of the Abolition Societies; their offers of Ships of War, and the aid and protection of a great naval power; and concluded by saying that tho' the Government of the United States did not place much reliance upon these statements, yet taken in connexion with notorious occurrences, they were induced to investigate the foundations on which they rested, and at the same time to give notice of their existence to the Government of Her Majesty, in order that by a frank interchange of information and views upon a subject, in which they had a common interest, steps might be taken (if necessary) to prevent the accomplishment of designs affecting the peace and prosperity of both Countries.
In reply Count Almodovar mentioned that he had some days before,
received a despatch from Her Majesty's Minister in Washington, containing the substance
of this information, as well as full and circumstantial reports from the Governor
General, and local authorities of the Island in corroboration of the statements furnished
to the Government of the United States; That this subject had naturally received
the careful consideration of Her Majesty's Government, and that instructions had
been forwarded to Her Majesty's Minister at Washington, and to the authorities of
the Island, to take the necessary measures to put down, and punish severely any attempts
at revolt which might be made; That the Military and Naval force of the Island was
in good condition, and the fortications at strong points had been strengthened and
increased: Finally, that the Government of Her Majesty did not at present entertain
serious apprehensions in regard to the Island; while at the same time, it was deeply
sensible of and grateful for the kind offers of assistance made by the Government
of the United States through Her Majesty's Minister at Washington, and their own
representative at this Court, and in case of need, would avail itself with pleasure
of the aid of the United States to defeat attempts, which the two nations were alike
interested in suppressing....
Source: Vol. 11-Spain, Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States, Inter-American
Affairs, 1831-1860, arranged by William R. Manning. Washington, 1939, 331 - 332.
