Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress with the Annual Message of the President, December 2, 1872, Part I

No. 430.
Mr. Sickles to Mr. Fish.

United States Legation in Spain,
Madrid, October 6, 1872. (Received October 24.)

No. 442.]

Sir: I have the honor to forward herewith a translation of the paragraphs relating to Cuba and Porto Rico, which I find in the address to the Crown reported by a committee of congress. They may be regarded as the expression of the views of the majority in the Cortes, and likewise of the executive, since the address is always a cabinet question.

The declaration that there is no reason why slavery may not be abolished, and ample political rights enjoyed in Porto Rico, justifies the hope expressed in my No. 428 that, upon these topics, the Cortes would be found somewhat in advance of the ministry. It remains to be seen if I am too sanguine in believing that the cabinet is not unwilling to yield to the liberal tendencies of the legislature in hastening these measures. At all events, however slow the movement, it is at least evident that some progress is made in this country toward the suggestions so diligently urged by the United States upon the attention of this government for the amelioration of its colonial system.

Concessions made to Porto Rico cannot long be withheld from Cuba.

It appears that the more radical views expressed in the address, compared with the royal speech at the opening of the Cortes, do not satisfy the left of the chamber. An amendment is proposed by Orense, (Marquis de Albaida,) Castilar, De Labra, Marquis de Sardoal, Nunez de Yelasco, Fernando Gonzalez, and Luis Vidart, distinguished names in the republican and ministerial ranks, avowing sentiments touching the insurrection in Cuba and its relation to emancipation that have not hitherto found such formal expression in the Cortes. The debate growing out of this proposition can scarcely fail to involve an interesting discussion of the Cuban question.

In proceeding with reform measures in Porto Rico, without waiting for the pacification of Cuba, the government has seriously alarmed the powerful slave interest in the latter province.

The reactionary press of Madrid hastens to show that an insurrection is imminent in Porto Rico. Failing to hold this cabinet to the fallacy of postponing the redress of grievances in one colony, because in another too much delay had provoked sedition, the conservative opposition now shift their ground, and assert that, since the loyalty of Porto Rico is the offspring of slavery, emancipation will precipitate the tendency toward independence, already formidable in both islands.

It seems that the apprehensions expressed in my No. 397, founded on the Carlist antecedents of General de la Torre and his unfortunate administration of Santiago de Cuba, in 1869, are not borne out by his conduct in Porto Rico. The reactionary party, after commending his nomination, are disappointed by the firmness he shows in resisting their demands, and offended at the freedom he has allowed to the people in the choice of their deputies to the Cortes, most of whom are radical reformers and abolitionists.

He appears, notwithstanding, to retain the confidence of the government.

I am, &c.,

D. E. SICKLES.

Appendix A, No. 442.

[Translation.]

Extracts from the address to the Crown in reply to the speech from the thr one, reported by the house committee of the Cortes, October 2, 1872.

Colonial affairs claim, in truth, the greatest attention and the most circumspect action, and the congress considers it a most prudent stroke of policy to have brought a remedy to bear on the economical crisis under which Cuba is laboring, by regulating at the same time the administration and the government of our provinces beyond the seas.

It is to be desired that we may continue henceforth to devise and establish measures tending to strengthen the action of the government, raising, with increasing vigor, the moral tone of all branches of its administrative service to such a grade as to avoid all complaints, thus closing the pathway to those evil forebodings and lack of confidence that weaken our mutual ties.

Meanwhile, the course of our valiant and long-suffering army, the skill of our navy, which shares its just deserts, and the patriotism of our resolute and persevering volunteers, shall restore peace to Cuba, curbing the evil designs of those who attack the sacred integrity of our territory.

The congress of deputies desires a speedy termination to the fratricidal strife that wastes the fields of our great Antilla, and it will join with enthusiastic decision in whatever may operate to this end, without regard to the sacrifices which may be necessary in treasure and in blood, rendered imperative by the holy duty of assuring the safety of our cause and the triumph of our rights. This end being attained, the island pacificated, and our honor saved, reforms and freedom will no longer be deemed and ridiculed as evidences of weakness on our part, or as concessions exacted and wrested from us, and the congress and the government will seek to give Cuba the enjoyment of her liberties and rights, in loyal fulfillment of the solemn promises made by the constituent Cortes.

In our other Antilla, where peace has not been disturbed, and where the full enjoyment of political rights and the abolition of slavery cannot operate to disturb it, there will doubtless be no delay, as congress hopes, in seeing the promises of the revolution completely realized.

If the practical demonstration of the efficiency of the new régime through past dangers leaves nothing to be desired, an equal advantage must accrue by the overthrow of ancient evils and the radical reform of our laws and institutions now incumbent upon congress, in order that the ideal of justice and liberty, welcomed by the revolution of September, may be a living fact, restoring vitality to our social fabric.

[Translation.]

Appendix B, No. 442.

Amendment of Señor Orense to the report of the committee on the house reply to the royal speech.

The undersigned deputies have the honor to propose to the house that the ninth paragraph of the reply to the speech read as follows: “In the other Antilla, wherein peace has not been disturbed, and where the full enjoyment of political rights cannot operate to disturb it, there will doubtless be no delay, as congress hopes, in seeing the promises of the revolution completely realized.

“There is, nevertheless, a question, respecting which there can be no hesitation or postponement of any kind. Slavery is in every way incompatible, not only with the interests of the revolution, but also with the honor of Spain.

“It is also in antagonism with the truly noble attitude of the inhabitants of Porto Rico, who, in anticipation of the work of their legislators, have already begun the spontaneous manumission of their slaves; and with the extremely grave situation in Cuba, where the continuance of slavery may turn the war, until now political and civil, into a terrible and disastrous social war.

“We are urged, therefore, to abolish slavery at a single blow, adopting all necessary measures for the maintenance of order and the salvation of all interests worthy of respect.”

House of Deputies, October 5, 1872,

• JOSÉ MARIA DE ORENSE.
• EMILIO CASTELAR.
• RAFAEL MARIA DE LABRA.
• MARQUIS DE SARDOAL.
• VICENTE NUNEZ DE VALASCO.
• JOSE FERNANDO GONZALEZ.
• LUIS VIDART.