[Extracts.]
Mr. Koerner to Mr. Seward.
No. 78.]
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, February 28, 1864.
Sir:* * * * *
Some time previous to the receipt of your last, Sir John Crampton had
called upon me, and had explained the grounds and the object of the
remonstrances which his government had felt itself compelled to make to
the Spanish government respecting certain failures in the proper
execution of treaty stipulations existing between Great Britain and
Spain as to the suppression of the slave trade. He also informed me of
the President’s promises to support the British reclamation according to
the Washington treaty. Subsequent to the receipt of your despatch upon
that subject I had another interview with Sir John, in which he informed
me of the conversation and the correspondence which he had already had
with the minister of state on the question, and of his prospects of
success.
In pursuance of your despatch I have addressed a note to Señor Arrazola,
the minister of state, a copy of which, I have the honor to enclose. I
have also furnished a copy to Sir John.
Another political crisis seems to have been reached here. It is generally
supposed that within a few days the ministry will resign, or that they
will dissolve the present Cortes and appeal to the country.
As no change of administration will, in my opinion, seriously affect our
relations with Spain, I forbear to indulge in speculations as to the
probable successors of the present ministry, and as to the state of
politics here generally.
I enclose a copy of the Iberia, of the 17th of this month, containing an
article
[Page 10]
of General Prim, (El Condé de Reus,) in which he gives a brief
sketch of his journey to the United States, and dwells more particularly
on the great military and financial resources of the United States. The
Iberia being the principal organ of the great Progressista party, and having a very wide circulation, the
views of the general, so favorable to the great Union cause, and so
flattering to our national power, cannot fail to create an excellent
impression among the people of Spain.
* * * * * *
It is understood that the ministry have last night tendered their
resignation to the Queen; whether it will be accepted, or whether the
Cortes will be dissolved, is not yet ascertained.
I have the honor to be your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.
Mr. Koerner to Mr. Arrazola.
Legation of the United
States, Madrid,
February 27,
1864.
Sir:The subject of suppressing the inhuman
African slave trade has been one of deep anxiety to the government
of the United States from the time of its foundation. The United
States have been among the first of nations, if not the first, that
have denounced this traffic in human beings as piracy, and have
visited their own citizens implicated in it with the severest
penalties. At very heavy pecuniary sacrifices, and at the risk of
the lives of their own naval officers and seamen, they have for more
than twenty years supported a squadron on the western coast of
Africa, in a most destructive climate, in order to prevent the
successful carrying on of this nefarious trade.
They have, with a like view, entered into stipulations with the
government of her Britannic Majesty, in the year 1842, contained in
what is called the treaty of Washington, the 9th article of which is
as follows:
[Here follows the article entire.]
The attention of the President of the United States has lately been
directed to certain difficulties which have presented themselves,
and which appear to prevent a complete suppression of the slave
trade in the colonial possessions of her Catholic Majesty, and more
especially in the island of Cuba, which difficulties do not arise
from any desire of the Spanish colonial authorities to favor the
said trade. It is well known that the efforts made by the captain
general of that island correspond entirely to the wise and humane
policy which the homo government of her Catholic Majesty has adopted
in regard to the subject in question, and which is thoroughly
appreciated by the President and the people of the United States.
The difficulties spoken of seem to be inherent in the laws and
regulations in existence, which are supposed to give room to
interpretations by which their force may be evaded.
In view of the general policy of the United States, which looks upon
the African slave trade as an offence against the public law of
nations, and has denounced it as piracy; in view, also, of the
treaty stipulations existing between them and the government of her
Britannic Majesty, the President of the United States has instructed
me to respectfully call the attention of her Catholic Majesty’s
government to this subject, and to suggest such a revision of the
existing laws and regulations concerning the unlawful introduction
of slaves into
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the island of
Cuba as will best accomplish the object which her Majesty’s
government had in view when those laws and regulations were
enacted.
It is hardly necessary for the undersigned to assure your excellency
that these suggestions arise from the purest motives, and would not
have been made unless the President had considered the very friendly
and cordial relations existing between the United States and Spain
as justifying this application, and had he not been bound to another
friendly nation by engagements which it is his duty as well as his
pleasure to carry out faithfully.
It is almost equally unnecessary for me to inform your excellency
that it would afford the utmost satisfaction to the President and
the people of the United States if any obstacles existing in the
island of Cuba to the complete suppression of the African slave
trade should be removed by the considerate action of the government
of her Catholic Majesty.
The undersigned takes great pleasure to assure, &c., &c., &c.
His Excellency Señor D. L. Arrazola,
Minister of State of her Catholic
Majesty, &c.
