465
PAPERS OF J\IIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LA11IAR
General Hamilton, one of our Loan Commissioners, whose last advices afford no ground to apprehend a failure. To Spain no overtures as yet have been made for our recog- nition, in consequence of the civil dissentions which have for some time past destroyed the tranquility of that Country. The importance however of establishing commercial relations with her, has been sen- sibly felt by the Executive. The Island of Cuba would not only afford for our surplus provisions a ready and convenient market, in which we could experience no injurious competition, by reason of our proximity to her ports and the exuberance of our soil, but we should be enabled to procure the many products of that Island, which custom has ren- dered essential to our people, without incurring the onerous burthens which are now imposed upon us, by the necessity of making our im~ portations through the ports of the United States. In addition to these considerations the favourable influence which it is believed a recognition of our Independence [by] that power, would exert over our relations with l\fex[ico] increases the importance of affecting, if practicab[le, a] desirable object with as little delay as possible [and] as that Kingdom is now in a state of tranquility and the causes have ceased to exist which prevented the Executive hitherto from making overtures upon this subject, it may be proper for Congress to enquire if the present be not an auspicious period for calling the attention of that Government to the reciprocal advantages which must result from a direct commercial intercourse between the two Nations. In relation to our position with .l\Iexico, I have nothing en- couraging or satisfactory to communicate. As yet very little has been effected towards an amicable adjustment of difficulties. Our Agent, it is true, has been received and accredited so far as to be allowed to submit the propositions he was authorized to lay before that Govern- ment. These propositions, at the date of our last advices were under the consideration of the proper authorities; but the tardy movements of that people as weU-as their intentional delays afford us no grounds for any probable conjecture as to the period when they will render their final decision. Our Agent 19 however seems to be sanguine of the ultimate success of his mission, although I can perceive no reason my- self for his hopes beyond his base reception as our authorized agent, and an intimation which appears to have been given of a willingness to suspend hostilities for the present by the conclusion of our Armistice. Whether it is the policy of this Government to tolerate these tardy and uncertain negotiations for peace, or to adopt coercive measures for a more speedy adjustment of our national dispute, is a question which must be determined by the wisdom of Congress. Resentful of any in- dignities which may be offered our Country, I should be strongly tempted as an individual to adopt a course, in common with the feel- ings of many, which would be calculated to accelerate the movements of our foe; but as a public functionary looking with an exclusive eye to what I conceive to be the ,true interest of the Country, I am con- strained to admit that there are considerations of a cogent nature, why we should persevere for a while longer in our pacific policy, rather
10 Evidently Col. Bee. See also nos. 1169, 1330, 1350, 1361, and 1473.
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