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GALLATIN TO J. BROWN, U. S. Minister at Paris. - Albert Gallatin, The Writings of Albert Gallatin, vol. 2 [1879]

Edition used:

The Writings of Albert Gallatin, ed. Henry Adams (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1879). 3 vols.

Part of: The Writings of Albert Gallatin, 3 vols.

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GALLATIN TO J. BROWN, U. S. Minister at Paris.

London, 2d February, 1827.

My dear Sir,—

The want of a safe opportunity has prevented my addressing you earlier on a subject less important perhaps now than it threatened to be some weeks ago, but which may still deserve your attention.

As soon as I could obtain an interview from Mr. Canning after his speech on the King’s message relating to the affairs of Portugal, I mentioned to him that as the question of war between Great Britain and Spain must now depend on the course Spain might pursue, our attention should be turned to the consequences, as affecting the relations between the United States and Great Britain, which might grow out of a state of actual war. Repeating then what you know to be the views of the United States respecting Cuba, I said that although those of Great Britain were known to accord with ours, and although there had been an understanding between the two countries that neither should attempt to take possession of that island, yet it would be satisfactory to receive assurances that the intentions and conduct of Great Britain would not be changed by a state of war between her and Spain. I then made some further observations on what might be done in concert with a view to the ultimate fate of Cuba in case it should be found impossible to prevent her remaining a dependency of Spain. Mr. Canning thought proper to make no satisfactory answer to this overture, and only said that he would take the subject into his serious consideration. It must be observed that, having not found here any part of the correspondence of my predecessors, I know nothing positively of what had passed between them and this government on that subject. I have no knowledge of the understanding which, in speaking to Mr. Canning, I took for granted, but from hearsay and what may be inferred from a despatch from Mr. Clay to Mr. King in relation to the proposal by Mr. Canning of a tripartite agreement between Great Britain, the United States, and France, which I have not seen, and which Mr. Clay appears to have declined. But I see that you were instructed to make some declaration to the French government on that subject.

This government has no wish, if they can avoid it, to be at war with Spain, still less that such an event should involve them either with the United States or France. And it is probable that this last country would not forget, in the course of her discussions with England, the danger of her taking the opportunity of a Spanish war to seize that most valuable of all colonies. Yet, as nothing that can be done ought to be neglected on our part, it has struck me that, if practicable and proper, it would be advantageous that France should be reminded of that subject, as it might have a double beneficial effect. A view of that danger might make France more earnest in her efforts to induce Spain to cease giving just causes of offence, and to pursue a course calculated to preserve peace. And in case of war, the representations of France to England, co-operating with ours, would cause this government to reflect seriously before they should take any step that might compel France as well as ourselves to depart from our intended neutrality. I submit these observations to your judgment, hoping, however, that the danger is lessened, and that we may soon receive instructions adapted to a state of things which had not been anticipated at Washington. It is very clear that an attempt to occupy Cuba would be as offensive, if not more so, to the new American states than to us. This cannot but be well known to the British government; but, considering the relative situation of the parties at this moment, no energetic representations can be expected from the ministers of those states at this Court on that point.

You will have seen that a convention concluded here on the 13th of November, by which Great Britain engages to pay 1,200,000 dollars in lieu of the indemnity which might have been adjudged by the commission under the St. Petersburg convention (for slaves, &c., carried away contrary to the Treaty of Ghent), has been ratified by the President. The ratifications will be exchanged here on the 6th instant. In other respects our negotiations will not produce any important results. This government appears determined to persist in excluding us from any intercourse with the British West India colonies, and I am satisfied they were glad of an opportunity or pretence for so doing. We may renew the commercial convention of 1815. We cannot agree on a boundary west of the Stony Mountains; and the utmost that may be done on that subject, if anything can be done, is to renew for a longer period the agreement for a joint occupancy of that territory in such manner as to preserve our rights and prevent actual collision. As to the North-East boundary, all we can do, and it is difficult, is to prepare the case for a fair trial before the foreign power who may be selected as arbiter. I must add that of late, though the temper, which I found much altered for the worse since 1818, may not be much better, the language at least of this government is much more conciliatory than when I first came.

I remain, &c.