The Jeffersonian cyclopedia; a comprehensive collection of the views of Thomas Jefferson classified and arranged in alphabetical order under nine thousand titles relating to government, politics, law, education, political economy, finance, science, art, literature, religious freedom, morals, etc.; |
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1953. CUBA, Possession by England.— |
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 | The Jeffersonian cyclopedia; |  |
1953. CUBA, Possession by England.—
Cuba alone seems at present to hold up a
speck of war to us. Its possession by Great
Britain would indeed be a great calamity to
us. Could we induce her to join us in guaranteeing
its independence against all the world,
except Spain, it would be nearly as valuable
to us as if it were our own. [115]
But should she
take it, I would not immediately go to war
for it; because the first war on other accounts
will give it to us; or the island will
give itself to us, when able to do so.—
To President Monroe. Washington ed. vii, 288.
Ford ed., x, 257.
(M.
1823)
Jefferson wrote, two weeks later, to President
Monroe, withdrawing this opinion, it having been
“founded on an error of fact,” with regard to the
existance of an English interest in Cuba, and the
possibility of its falling into the possession of Great
Britain. “We are surely,” said Jefferson, “under no
obligation to give her, gratis, an interest which she
has not; and the whole inhabitants being averse to
her, and the climate mortal to strangers, its continued
military occupation by her would be impracticable.
It is better, then, to lie still in readiness to
receive that interesting incorporation when solicited
by herself.”—Editor.
| The Jeffersonian cyclopedia; | |