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President James Buchanan, Excerpt, Third Annual Message,
December 19, 1859.
I again recommend that an appropriation be made "to be paid to the Spanish Government
for the purpose of distribution among the claimants in the Amistad case."
In common with two of my predecessors, I entertain no doubt that this is required
by our treaty with Spain of the 27th October, 1795. The failure to discharge this
obligation has been employed by the cabinet of Madrid as a reason against the settlement
of our claims.
I need not repeat the arguments which I urged in my last annual message in favor
of the acquisition of Cuba by fair purchase. My opinions on that measure remain unchanged.
I therefore again invite the serious attention of Congress to this important subject.
Without a recognition of this policy on their part it will be almost impossible to
institute negotiations with any reasonable prospect of success.
Source:Messages and Papers of the Presidents, 1787-1897, Washington D.C.,
1898 (vol.5). Richardson, James D., ed.
