basis, if not the actual submission, of terms to meet the requirements of the particular griefs of which this Government has felt itself enti tled to complain. These proposals have not yet reached me in their full text. On their arrival they will be taken into careful examination, and may, I hope, lead to a satisfactory adjustment of the questions to which they refer, and remove the possibility of future occurrences, such as have given rise to our just complaints.

"It is understood also that renewed efforts are being made to intro duce reforms in the internal administration of the island. Persuaded, however, that a proper regard for the interests of the United States and of its citizens entitle it to relief from the strain to which it has been subjected by the difficulties of the questions and the wrongs and losses which arise from the contest in Cuba, and that the interests of humanity itself demand the cessation of the strife before the whole island shall be laid waste and larger sacrifices of life be made, I shall feel it my duty, should my hopes of a satisfactory adjustment and of the early restoration of peace and the removal of future causes of com. plaint be unhappily disappointed, to make a further communication to Congress at some period not far remote, and during the present session, recommending what may then seem to me to be necessary."

President Grant, Seventh Annual Message, 1875.

"It is proper to state, in this connection, that Instruction 266 was brought to the attention of the Governments of France, Germany, Russia, Italy, and Austria, although not precisely in the same terms in which it was communicated to the Government of Great Britain, and the suggestion was made that should these Governments, in view of the statements in Instruction 266, which had been communicated to the Spanish Government, see fit to urge upon Spain the necessity of abandoning or terminating the contest in Cuba, such course would be satisfactory to this Government, and conducive to the interests of all commercial nations.

"Information has been received by telegraph that Germany, Russia, and Italy have instructed their representatives at Madrid to urge upon the Spanish Government the wisdom of restoring peace to Cuba.

"You will also perceive, from Mr. Hitt's dispatch, that the Duke Decazes contemplated consulting the Government of Great Britain before deciding on the course which France should adopt. The Department is not advised whether any such conference has been had, nor as to the conclusion which the Duke Decazes may have reached. An instruction has, however, been addressed to Mr. Hitt, on that subject. "It is proper also to say that the note of the 15th of November, from the minister of foreign affairs of Spain, in reference to the particular reclamations of the United States, while it holds out hopes of an adjustment of our particular griefs, at the same time makes it neces

sary to obtain information on several points, and renders considerable delay in reaching any conclusion necessary.

"Under these circumstances, and as certain of the European Goveruments have issued instructions to their representatives on the ques tion, it is hoped that no misapprehension exists on the part of the British Government to delay instructions which it may be willing to give, as suggested in my No. 805 to you, supporting the views of this Government as to the necessity of ending the contest in Cuba."

Mr. Fish, Sec. of State, to Mr. Schenck, Jan. 11, 1876. MSS. Inst., Gr. Brit. The expression to Spain by the United States, in connection with other powers, of a desire that the civil war in Cuba should be brought to a close, without, however, taking any decided steps of interference, it being understood that the United States "neither sought nor desired any physical force or pressure, but simply the moral influence of concurrence of opinion as to the protraction of the contest," is not inconsistent with the traditions of the United States.

Mr. Fish, Sec. of State, to Mr. Davis, Jan. 20, 1876. MSS. Inst., Germ. See as to joint interposition in South American wars, Mr. Evarts, Sec. of State, to Mr. White, July, 1879, ibid. And see infra, §§ 72, 102.

As to suggestions to Spain in reference to restoration of order and prosperity in Cuba, see Mr. Fish, Sec. of State, to Mr. Cushing, Mar. 1, 1876. MSS. Inst., Spain.

As to United States intervention in Cuba, see same to same, Mar. 22, 1876, ibid. "Another year has passed without bringing to a close the protracted contest between the Spanish Government and the insurrection in the Island of Cuba. While the United States have sedulously abstained from any intervention in this contest, it is impossible not to feel that it is attended with incidents affecting the rights and interests of American citizens. Apart from the effect of the hostilities upon trade between the United States and Cuba, their progress is inevitably accompanied by complaints, having more or less foundation, of searches, arrests, embargoes, and oppressive taxes upon the property of American residents, and of unprovoked interference with American vessels and commerce. It is due to the Government of Spain to say that during the past year it has promptly disavowed and offered reparation for any unauthorized acts of unduly zealous subordinates whenever such acts have been brought to its attention. Nevertheless, such occurrences cannot but tend to excite feelings of annoyance, suspicion, and resentment, which are greatly to be deprecated, between the respective subjects and citizens of two friendly powers."

President Hayes, First Annual Message, 1877.

"This Government has more than once been called upon of late to take action in fulfillment of its international obligations toward Spain. Agitation in the Island of Cuba hostile to the Spanish Crown having been fomented by persons abusing the sacred rights of hospitality which

our territory affords, the officers of this Government have been instructed to exercise vigilance to prevent infractions of our neutrality laws at Key West and at other points near the Cuban coast. I am happy to say that in the only instance where these precautionary measures were successfully eluded, the offenders, when found in our territory, were subse quently tried and convicted."

President Arthur, Fourth Annual Message, 1884.

The following citations are taken from the list of papers concerning foreign relations attached to the register of the Department of State:

Neutrality between Spain and Cuba. Resolution requesting the President to issue a neutrality proclamation containing the same provisions as that issued by Spain in 1861 on the occasion of the outbreak of the civil war in United States. January 10, 1876. (S. Mis. Doc. 29, Forty-fourth Congress, first session.) Intervention of foreign powers proposed by the United States to restore order in Cuba; condition of affairs in; correspondence respecting the trial of General Juan Burriel for the massacre of the passengers and crew of the Virginius. President's message. January 21, 1876. (H. Ex. Doc. 90, Forty-fourth Congress, first session.) As to the Virginius, see infra, § 327.

Cuban insurrection. Terms and conditions upon which the surrender of the insurgents has been made. President's message. May 14, 1878. (S. Ex. Doc. 79. Forty-fifth Congress, second session.)

Certain diplomatic correspondence with Spain in 1876, in cases of citizens of the United States condemned to death in Cuba. President's message. May 3, 1882. (S. Ex. Doc. 165, Forty-seventh Congress, first session.)

Cuba and Porto Rico. Discriminating duties on commerce between the United States and. President's message, transmitting report from the Secretary of State. January 15, 1884. (S. Ex. Doc. 58, Forty-eighth Congress, first session.)-January 30, 1884. Part 2, additional papers.

An elaborate exposition of the relations of the United States to Cuba down to 1868, is given in Mr. W. B. Lawrence's Com. sur droit int., ii, 316 ƒƒ.

(4) SAN DOMINGO AND HAYTI.

§ 61.

"It is not deemed unreasonable on the part of the Government of Hayti that it should ask leading maritime states to guarantee their sovereignty over Samana. The Government of Hayti very properly consults the United States Government with reference to such a guarantee. The President is gratified also that the Haytian Government has submitted its views in a proper spirit to Great Britain. Nevertheless, the question unavoidably calls up that ancient and settled policy of the United States which disinclines them to the constituting of political alliances with foreign states, and especially disinclines them to engagements with foreign states in regard to subjects which do not fall within the range of necessary and immediate domestic legislation. This policy would oblige the United States to refrain from making such a guarantee as Hayti desires, but disclaiming for themselves all purpose or desire

to disturb the peace and security of Hayti, the United States would be gratified if Great Britain and other maritime states should see fit to regard the wish of the Government of Hayti in the same spirit of justice and magnanimity."

Mr. Seward, Sec of State, to Mr. Bruce, Aug. 15, 1865. MSS. Notes, Gr. Brit. It is against the policy of the United States to interfere in contests between the titular Government of Hayti and insurgents.

Mr. Fish, Sec. of State, to Mr. Bassett, Oct. 13, 1869. MSS. Inst., Hayti. Same to same, Mar. 26, 1873. See Mr. Bayard, Sec. of State, to Mr. Roberts, Aug. 21, 1885. MSS. Inst., Chili.

"During the last session of Congress a treaty for the annexation of the Republic of San Domingo to the United States failed to receive the requisite two-thirds vote of the Senate. I was thoroughly convinced then that the best interests of this country, commercially and materially, demanded its ratification. Time has only confirmed me in this view. I now firmly believe that the moment it is known that the United States have entirely abandoned the project of accepting, as a part of its territory, the island of San Domingo, a free port will be negotiated for by European nations in the Bay of Samana. A large commercial city will spring up, to which we will be tributary without receiving corresponding benefits, and then will be seen the folly of our rejecting so great a prize. The Government of San Domingo has voluntarily sought this annexation. It is a weak power, numbering probably less than 120,000 souls, and yet possessing one of the richest territories under the sun, capable of supporting a population of 10,000,000 of people in luxury. The people of San Domingo are not capable of maintaining themselves in their present condition, and must look for outside support. They yearn for the protection of our free institutions and laws-our progress and civilization. Shall we refuse them?

"The acquisition of San Domingo is desirable because of its geographical position. It commands the entrance to the Caribbean Sea and the Isthmus transit of commerce. It possesses the richest soil, best and most capacious harbors, most salubrious climate, and the most valuable products of the forest, mine, and soil of any of the West India Islands. Its possession by us will in a few years build up a coastwise commerce of immense magnitude, which will go far toward restoring to us our lost merchant marine. It will give to us those articles which we consume so largely and do not produce, thus equalizing our exports and imports. In case of foreign war it will give us command of all the islands referred to, and thus prevent an enemy from ever again possess ing himself of rendezvous upon our very coast. At present our coast trade between the States bordering on the Atlantic and those bordering on the Gulf of Mexico is cut into by the Bahamas and the Antilles. Twice we must, as it were, pass through foreign countries to get by sea from Georgia to the west coast of Florida.

"San Domingo, with a stable Government under which her immense resources can be developed, will give remunerative wages to tens of thousands of laborers not now upon the island. This labor will take advantage of every available means of transportation to abandon the adjacent islands and seek the blessings of freedom and its sequenceeach inhabitant receiving the reward of his own labor. Porto Rico and Cuba will have to abolish slavery, as a measure of self-preservation, to retain their laborers.

"San Domingo will become a large consumer of the products of Northern farms and manufactories. The cheap rate at which her citizens can be furnished with food, tools, and machinery will make it necessary that contiguous islands should have the same advantages in order to compete in the production of sugar, coffee, tobacco, tropical fruits, &c. This will open to us a still wider market for our products. The production of our own supply of these articles will cut off more than one hundred millions of our annual imports, besides largely increasing our exports. With such a picture it is easy to see how our large debt abroad is ultimately to be extinguished. With a balance of trade against us (including interest on bonds held by foreigners and money spent by our citizens traveling in foreign lands) equal to the entire yield of the precious metals in this country, it is not so easy to see how this result is to be otherwise accomplished.

"The acquisition of San Domingo is an adherence to the 'Monroe doctrine'; it is a measure of national protection; it is asserting our just claim to a controlling influence over the great commercial traffic soon to flow from west to east by way of the Isthmus of Darien; it is to build up our merchant marine; it is to furnish new markets for the products of our farms, shops, and manufactories; it is to make slavery insupportable in Cuba and Porto Rico at once, and ultimately so in Brazil; it is to settle the unhappy condition of Cuba and end an exterminating conflict; it is to provide honest means of paying our honest debts without overtaxing the people; it is to furnish our citizens with the necessaries of every-day life at cheaper rates than ever before; and it is, in fine, a rapid stride toward that greatness which the intelligence, industry, and enterprise of the citizens of the United States entitle this country to assume among nations.

"In view of the importance of this question, I earnestly urge upon Congress early action expressive of its views as to the best means of acquiring San Domingo. My suggestion is that, by joint resolution of the two houses of Congress, the Executive be authorized to appoint a commission to negotiate a treaty with the authorities of San Domingo for the acquisition of that island, and that an appropriation be made to defray the expenses of such commission. The question may then be determined, either by the action of the Senate upon the treaty, or the joint action of the two houses of Congress upon a resolution of annexation, as in the case of the acquisition of Texas. So convinced am I of the