Mr. Buchanan's Administration on the Eve of the Rebellion (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1866 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIII. The successful foreign policy of the administration with Spain, Great Britain, China, and Paraguay--Condition of the Mexican Republic; and the recommendations to Congress thereupon not regarded, and the effect--The origin, history, and nature of the "Monroe Doctrine"--The treaty with Mexico not ratified by the Senate, and the consequences. The administration of Mr. Buchanan, in conducting our foreign affairs, met with great and uncommon success. SPAIN. Our relations with Spain were in a very unsatisfactory condition on his accession to power. Our flag had been insulted, and numerous injuries had been inflicted on the persons and property of American citizens by Spanish officials acting under the direct control of the Captain General of Cuba. These gave rise to many but unavailing reclamations for redress and indemnity against the Spanish Government. Our successive ministers at Madrid had for years ably presented and enforced these claims, but all without effect. Their efforts were continually baffled on, different pretexts. There was a class of these claims called the "Cuban claims," of a nature so plainly just that they could not be gainsayed. In these more than one hundred of our citizens were directly interested. In 1844 duties had been illegally exacted from their vessels at different custom houses in Cuba, and they appealed to their Government to have these duties refunded. Their amount could be easily ascertained by the Cuban officials themselves, who were in possession of all the necessary documents. The validity of these claims waa eventually recognized by Spain, but not until after a delay of ten years. The amount due was fixed, according to her own statement, with which the claimants were satisfied, at the sum of...