Daniel Webster to Millard Fillmore, October 4, 1851

Marshfield, October 4, 1851.

MY DEAR SIR,—I was just sitting down to write to you today, when I received yours of the 2d.

The information communicated by Mr. Rives, if true, may become important, but we must wait to learn its particulars. I doubt exceedingly, whether the English government would do so rash a thing as to interfere with American vessels, on the seas, under pretence of their containing Cuban invaders. This could never be submitted to. I do not think that any further attempt is likely to be made, at present, by these lawless people, as I do not see where they can now raise the funds, and therefore I hope we may have no more trouble. If an official communication be made to us of such a treaty as Mr. Rives supposes may have been entered into, it will deserve close consideration. We must look to our own antecedents. In General Jackson's time, it was intimated to Spain by our government, that if she would not cede Cuba to any European power, we would assist her in maintaining her possession of it. A lively fear existed, at that time, that England had designs upon the island. The same intimation was given to Spain, through Mr. Irving, when I was formerly in the Department of State. Mr. J. Quincy Adams often said that, if necessary, we ought to make war with England sooner than to acquiesce in her acquisition of Cuba. It is indeed obvious enough what danger there would be to us, if a great naval power were to possess this key to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Before receiving your letter, I had made up my mind, that if this matter of the treaty between England and France should be announced to us, and should seem to require immediate attention, I would hasten to Washington.

The recent weather, very cold for the season, has been useful to me. The catarrh with its sneezing, and nose-blowing, its cough and its asthma, seems to be taking leave; my eyes are still weak, but my greatest difficulty, at present, is a general want of strength. I am trying to pick up, and hope to be able to be in Washington by the 20th of the month, or thereabouts, somewhat recruited.

I pray you, my dear Sir, to command me, if there be any thing which I can do, and call me back to Washington, whenever you see a necessity for so doing. Marshfield is very pleasant, and its air, I think, useful, but I am ready to quit whenever duty requires.

Yours truly,

DAN’L WEBSTER.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, pp. 475-6