No. 34.] No. 39. General Sickles to Mr. Fish. MADRID, November 17, 1869. Last week, while in the diplomatic tribune of the Cortes, I received a ceremonious visit from the president of the chamber. Señor Rivero took occasion to assure me of the great interest he felt in the continuance of good relations between the United States and Spain, and of his earnest desire to assist in promoting whatever might tend to strengthen the ties between the two countries. He concluded by asking me to meet the secretaries of state and of the colonies at dinner at his house. This interview was reported in the journals of the same evening and on the following day. The dinner took place on Sunday last, and has likewise been chronicled in all the ministerial organs. The secretaries of state and of the colonies, the late secretary of state, Mr. Silvela, the present and late under-secretaries of these departments, and several deputies, were among the guests invited to meet me. The secretary of this legation, Colonel Hay, was the only other member of the diplomatic corps present. I would not feel authorized to report the conversation that followed if Mr. Martos, Mr. Becerra, and Mr. Rivero had not distinctly stated that they wished me to regard all they said as the frank and unreserved expression of their official as well as of their personal sentiments, which they hoped I would communicate to my government. Mr. Martos spoke of the common interests shared by the United States and Spain in Cuba.' He said that whatever retarded the prosperity of the island was injurious alike to both countries; that the welfare of Cuba was of more commercial importance to the United States than to the mother country; that Spain, having adopted the most democratic constitution in Europe, was more than ever disposed to enter into intimate relations with the United States; that the government intended in good faith to extend to Cuba the same free institutions enjoyed by Spain, including the right to elect not only their deputies, but also their municipal and provincial councils. Mr. Becerra remarked that the Cubans were better prepared for free institutions than the average population of Spain; that he had been urged to order the immediate election of Cuban deputies to the Cortes, but he had refused to do so, for the reason that now an election would only represent the views of the peninsular party, whereas the government desired a full expression of the opinions of the whole population. I asked what objection could be made to the immediate consideration of the Cuban question by the Cortes; that the Cubans, unfortunately, had no hope of any change for the better while they remained a colony of Spain; they did not believe, if they gave up the contest, that Spain would do anything to lighten their burdens or improve their political condition; that one mode of removing these impressions would be for the Cortes to settle at once the form of the future government of the island. To this Mr. Martos replied that the council of ministers were occupied with the subject, and that he had advocated, and would continue to advocate, both as a minister and a deputy, the extension of the largest liberties to Cuba; that the government could not, however, ignore the fact that the colony was in rebellion, and nothing could be conceded to force; that the well-known opinions of the cabinet were a guarantee that in legislating for Cuba they would adhere to the principles of the constitution they had assisted to frame. This would be seen in the forthcoming ministerial measures of colonial reform in Porto Rico, which would be presented to the Cortes next week. I mentioned that the United States had abolished slavery during the war of the rebellion; that Congress and the President, while the war was pending, had, by various acts of legislation and by proclamations, adopted measures indicating the purposes and future policy of the government in reference to the rebel States; that in this it was not believed there was anything inconsistent with the dignity and self-respect of the nation. And that if Spain would now, by a timely measure, adopted by the Cortes, make known the plan of government for Cuba, I had no doubt that if the measures were such as ought to satisfy the legitimate aspirations of the people, it would do more to put an end to hostilities than all the reinforcements they had sent. Mr. Becerra replied the rebellion would very soon be at an end ; that the force now in Cuba was really larger than was necessary to overcome the insurgents; that at least forty thousand regular troops were in Cuba, and that the real object of further reinforcements was to maintain order when it should become necessary, on the termination of hostilities, to disband the volunteers and afford protection to the lives and property of the Cubans. Mr. Martos added that he was most anxious the President should be convinced of the determination of this government to act with the utmost liberality in all that related to the interests of Cuba; that in this they hoped to have always the good will and friendship of the United States. Expressing my profound regret to see the armies of free Spain in conflict with their natural allies, who were contending for self-government in Cuba, I added that although my government had done all that a friendly power could do to put an end to the struggle, the President still desired, as sincerely as ever, that measures might be matured which would insure the speedy pacification and future prosperity of the island. Mr. Becerra, assuming that my intimation pointed to an armistice, replied that if, during the war of the rebellion in the United States, any mediator had proposed to the cabinet of President Lincoln an armistice with the rebels, with a view to negotiations, he was sure the offer would have been instantly rejected and the government would have said, "The insurgents must lay down their arms before we can listen to any propositions." He proceeded to repeat some of the arguments he had, on a former occasion, addressed to me officially on this subject, and added that now, when the .republic of the United States bad become the giant the minister of Charles III had predicted, it could not forget the friendship of Spain in its infancy. Mr. Martos observed here, that as soon as the present government. came into power they sent General Dulce to Cuba, with instructions to make the largest concessions to the Cubans. He granted them liberty of the press, and they used it to denounce the government of the revolution. He recognized their right to hold public meetings, and they employed it to despoil Spain of her territory. It then became plain that what the Cubans wanted was not liberty, for that was offered to them, but independence, and that Spain could not yield to force without dishonor. The president of the Cortes, Mr. Rivero, here interposed, and referred to his record as a democrat, and as a constant supporter of the Union throughout the struggle with the South; he wished to see the United States and Spain allies; they had the best constitutions in the world; they had principles and interests in common; the Cuban question would be settled on the basis of self-government and commercial reciprocity as soon as the war ended, for then the Spanish government would be in a condition to act and to treat, and in this happy result the United States might be all-powerful, first by their influence with the Cubans in advising them to confide in the good faith of the pledges of the government of the revolution to do justice to Cuba; secondly, by means of the good understanding between Spain and the United States which af forded a sure basis for the exercise of their good offices. I said the great difficulty in the way was the distrust of the Cubans in any change in the colonial policy of Spain; that upon this subject the constitution was silent, and all depended upon the pleasure of the Cortes. The Cubans seemed to have no hope for the future, except in independence. Mr. Becerra replied that already the government had given pledges of its sincerity, in the decree establishing freedom of worship; that he and his colleagues had publicly declared they would proceed with the gradual abolition of slavery, and that reserving for the home government the regulation of purely national concerns, the Cubans should have as much control over their local affairs as is enjoyed by any Spanish province under the constitution. In these views Mr. Martos and Mr. Rivero concurred, the former remarking that he well knew the native Cubans, or "insulars," as he called them, were far more numerous than the "peninsulars," and that, as a consistent democrat, which he claimed to be, the wishes of the majority should be respected in the determinations of any government in which he held office, whenever those wishes were legitimately made known by regularly chosen deputies from the island. In reply to some observations I made on the injurious commercial restrictions to which the trade between Cuba and the United States was subjected, the excessive postal charges maintained by Spain, and the absence of any extradition treaty between the two countries, Mr. Martos assured me of his readiness to take up these questions at any time, and to deal with them in the manner best calculated to promote the interests of both nations. Mr. Becerra at the same time remarked that he hoped I would myself bear in mind, and impress the fact also upon my government, that Spain was no longer controlled by the reactionary and antiquated ideas of the Bourbons, but by statesmen who appreciated and sustained the most advanced views of the epoch on all questions of colonial policy, trade, and international intercourse. "We do not,” said he, "say these things in the shade, but in the light; we have spoken frankly to the representative of a nation that we know deals openly with all, and assured of this, we have not hesitated to throw aside the reserve habitually maintained in ordinary diplomatic conversations." No. 40. No. 37.1 General Sickles to Mr. Fish. MADRID, December 3, 1869. I have the honor to inclose herewith the text of two cable telegrams sent from this legation on the 28th November and 2d December, 1869. The concluding paragraph of the latter dispatch was the only portion deemed necessary to be transmitted in cipher. Dispatch mentioned in private letter not received. Nothing new about that matter Am authorized by minister of colonies to inform you that government measures for Porto Rico will include local self-government, free press, public schools, impartial suffrage, gradual but speedy abolition of slavery, civil and political rights without distinction of color, domiciled foreigners to vote for town officers after six months' residence, and for members of provincial council after one year. And that these reforms will in good faith be extended to Cuba, when hostilities cease and deputies are chosen in compliance with article one hundred and eight of Spanish constitution. Interview with foreign secretary at his request. He said that Spain had yielded to the expressed wishes of the United States in withdrawing objection to the departure of the monitors on the assurances given by Peru. And he asks that the President will in like manner use his good offices with Peru, to the end that the objections to the departure of the gunboats may be withdrawn upon the same conditions. He wished me to assure you that Spain now desires the most friendly relations with all the American republics, and intends in her colonial policy to begin immediately the most liberal reforms. I presented the views contained in your instructions, and suggested the prompt restoration of peace with Peru as the best solution. No. 41. General Sickles to Mr. Fish. No. 38.] MADRID, December 5, 1869. In reply to the interpellation made the week before by Señor Rodrigo, the president of the council yesterday read to the Cortes a statement showing the forces and materiel of war sent to Cuba since the commencement of the insurrection. I inclose herewith a translation of this interesting document, which appears in the Gaceta of this morning, together with the remarks of General Prim and Señor Rodrigo. * [From the Gaceta, December 5, 1869.J The president of the council said: Last Saturday Señor Navarro y Rodrigo addressed certain inquiries to the minister of war which I could not answer immediately. I said, however, that there had gone to Cuba some thirty thousand men, and to-day I will read a statement of the land and sea forces, and of the material which has gone to Cuba since the revolution, because this proves the vitality and energy of the government and of all Spain exercised in the preservation of the Island of Cuba. The first forces which went there were 771 volunteers; then 5,400 men of the regular service; afterward the series of battalions which were asked for by General Dulce, (may he rest in peace!) 1,000 went from Baza, 1,000 from Chiclana, 1,000 from San Quintin, and 1,000 from Simancas, who were so thoroughly equipped that they were able to take the field immediately on their arrival. Since that the successive departures have reached a total of 20,966 of the army of the peninsula; of marines, 2,600; of recruits, 1,371; and of volunteers, 9,563; which gives a total of 34,500 men, according to the accompanying statement. I would call attention to the fact that this immense sum would represent a great effort for any nation whatever. Statement of the forces embarked for the Island of Cuba since the beginning of November, 1868, when the intelligence of the insurrection arrived: Enlisted volunteers of the conscription funds Enlisted from the army 771 5, 411 Battalion of the chasseurs of Baza, preserving their peninsular organization.. 1,000 1,000 Battalion of San Quintin Battalion of Simancas Volunteers from the army 456 Battalion chasseurs of Leon, with peninsular organization 1,003 Battalion chasseurs of Aragon, organized with regular troops 1,002 Battalion chasseurs of Andalusia, organized with regular troops Battalion chasseurs of Antequera, organized as they were in the peninsula. 1,000 1,000 two companies of guides from Madrid From different arms of the army Battalion chasseurs of Reas, organized with regular troops Battalion of Catalan volunteers, organized and equipped in Barcelona, and From different arms of the army 651 1,206 476 1,000 420 From the Basque provinces 600 Recruits 280 650 1,500 1,000 1,000 500 140 650 547 650 1,049 Half second battalion volunteers of Madrid Battalion volunteers of Covadonga. Battalion volunteers of Cadiz. 506 1,000 820 Battalion volunteers of Santander. 1,000 Second battalion volunteers of Barcelona.. Belonging to the second half of the second battalion of volunteers of Madrid, Total 34,500 There have gone also 14 ships of war, among them two iron-clad frigates; a complete equipment for a regiment of mountain artillery, with 24 pieces, 24 caissons for artillery of 8 centimeters bore; 20 Krupp steel guns of 8 centimeters bore; 4,000 projectiles for the same; 5,000 kilograms of powder; 7,400,000 cartridges of 14 caliber, model of 1857 and 1859; 1,000,000 metallic cartridges for needle guns; 10,500,000 caps; 15,000 kilograms of lead; 9,600 carbines, model of 1857; 3,600 muskets, model of 1859; 8,000 Enfield rifles; 3,000 Berdan; 500 short carbines; 1,000 lances; 2,000 sabers. This is an amount of material which seems impossible to have gone from Spain. There have been sent 12,530 different articles, composed of medicine chests, mattresses, &c., &c. Fifteen hundred seamen have also gone. I hope Señor Navarro will be satisfied with my explanation. * I take pleasure in noting the declarations with which his excellency introdued the statement which he has made, that these facts exhibit the energy, the vitality, and the will of the Spanish people in the defense of the Island of Cuba, in the preservation of this province within the great Spanish nationality; and the great and heroic efforts which the government and the representatives of the nation are disposed to make to preserve this island forever within our nationality. In addition, I must declare that no idle curiosity impelled me to ask for these data. An important debate will soon take place here, perhaps the most important that can occupy the constituent Cortes, in respect to the constitution of Porto Rico, and then I shall have occasion to refer to some of the data furnished by the minister of war. |