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President James Buchanan, Excerpt, Second Annual Message,
December 6, 1858.
The truth is that Cuba, in its existing colonial condition, is a constant source
of injury and annoyance to the American people. It is the only spot in the civilized
world where the African slave trade is tolerated, and we are bound by treaty with
Great Britain to maintain a naval force on the coast of Africa, at much expense both
of life and treasure, solely for the purpose of arresting slavers bound to that island.
The late serious difficulties between the United States and Great Britain respecting
the right of search, now so happily terminated, could never have arisen if Cuba had
not afforded a market for slaves. As long as this market shall remain open there
can be no hope for the civilization of benighted Africa. Whilst the demand for slaves
continues in Cuba wars will be waged among the petty and barbarous chiefs in Africa
for the purpose of seizing subjects to supply this trade. In such a condition of
affairs it is impossible that the light of civilization and religion can ever penetrate
these dark abodes.
It has been made known to the world by my predecessors that the United States have
on several occasions endeavored to acquire Cuba from Spain by honorable negotiation.
If this were accomplished, the last relic of the African slave trade would instantly
disappear. We would not, if we could, acquire Cuba in any other manner. This is due
to our national character. All the territory which we have acquired since the origin
of the Government has been by fair purchase from France, Spain, and Mexico or by
the free and voluntary act of the independent State of Texas in blending her destinies
with our own. This course we shall ever pursue, unless circumstances should occur
which we do not now anticipate, rendering a departure from it clearly justifiable
under the imperative and overruling law of self-preservation.
The island of Cuba, from its geographical position, commands the mouth of the Mississippi
and the immense and annually increasing trade, foreign and coastwise, from the valley
of that noble river, now embracing half the sovereign States of the Union. With that
island under the dominion of a distant foreign power this trade, of vital importance
to these States, is exposed to the danger of being destroyed in time of war, and
it has hitherto been subjected to perpetual injury and annoyance in time of peace.
Our relations with Spain, which ought to be of the most friendly character, must
always be placed in jeopardy whilst the existing colonial government over the island
shall remain in its present condition.
Whilst the possession of the island would be of vast importance to the United States,
its value to Spain is comparatively unimportant. Such was the relative situation
of the parties when the great Napoleon transferred Louisiana to the United States.
Jealous as he ever was of the national honor and interests of France, no person throughout
the world has imputed blame to him for accepting a pecuniary equivalent for this
cession.
The publicity which has been given to our former negotiations upon this subject and
the large appropriation which may be required to effect the purpose render it expedient
before making another attempt to renew the negotiation that I should lay the whole
subject before Congress. This is especially necessary, as it may become indispensable
to success that I should be intrusted[sic] with the means of making an advance to
the Spanish Government immediately after the signing of the treaty, without awaiting
the ratification of it by the Senate. I am encouraged to make this suggestion by
the example of Mr.Jefferson previous to the purchase of Louisiana from France and
by that of Mr.Polk in view of the acquisition of territory from Mexico. I refer the
whole subject to Congress and commend it to their careful consideration.
I repeat the recommendation made in my message of December last in favor of an appropriation
"to be paid to the Spanish Government for the purpose of distribution among
the claimants in the Amistad case." President Polk first made a similar
recommendation in December, 1847, and it was repeated by my immediate predecessor
in December, 1853. I entertain no doubt that indemnity is fairly due to these claimants
under our treaty with Spain of October 27, 1795; and whilst demanding justice we
ought to do justice. An appropriation promptly made for this purpose could not fail
to exert a favorable influence on our negotiations with Spain.
Source:Messages and Papers of the Presidents, 1787-1897 (vol.5), Washington,
D.C., 1898. Richardson, James D., ed.
