Page:American Historical Review, Volume 12.djvu/301

 The Black Warrior Affair 291 unusual in transactions of this kind between friendly nations, would be derogatory to the dignity of an independent government, would be an act of arbitrariness against authorities in whom Her Majesty reposes her confidence. It is the duty of the government to hear and to take under careful consideration what the latter may adduce in their defense, and not to pass judgment hurriedly upon the presentation of evidence by the interested and irritated party alone. The most elementary notions of justice could not be content with less. Authentic and complete data from Havana were indispensable to the formation of a correct and equitable judgment in the case. During the time of his residence as Spanish minister in Wash- ington Calderon, the Spanish Secretary of State, had had ample opportunity to gain a thorough acquaintance with the leading traits of American character and to obtain a more than superficial knowl- edge of the problems with which the leading parties were grappling. He at once realized the peculiar significance of the present afl'air, which bade fair to bring on all kinds of complications. All the instructions which he issued to his subordinates are couched in terms that are both firm and conservative. He saw clearly that certain factions in the States would welcome a war with Spain, and that the most exquisite tact would be required on the part of the repre- sentatives of his country to avoid a terrible international collision and gain a delay during which the excited passions of the hotheads in the Union might have time to cool. He was ready to act on a suggestion that the whole matter be submitted for arbitration to some friendly power, and was first to point to this way out of the difficulty. Two despatches in cipher soon arrived from Washington bearing startling news of the sensation created throughout the length and breadth of the Union by the detention of the Black Warrior. The tone of the press and the attitude of the leading members of the Cabinet were unmistakably bellicose. The possibilities of the situa- tion were discussed by the Spanish charge d'affaires at Washington, who expressed the opinion " that internal questions have so divided the Democratic party that it will not be strange if this government utilizes this or any other excuse to create a national question, with the purpose of uniting the party upon it ".^ Was that volcano of American politics now to break out in an eruption that would destroy the last vestige of Spanish sovereignty in the West Indies? This was a question which editors were in- clined to answ-er affirmatively and diplomats to discuss with fore- ' Magallon to Pezuela (inclosing Magallon to Spanish Secretary of State March 20. 1854), March 22, 1854.