30 



humboldt's cuba. 



second expedition to Cuba; and Spain feared the 

 possible loss of her colony. In the midst of these 

 anxieties Lord Palmerston writes to Lord Howden, 

 the British minister at Madrid : 



[Extract.] Foreign Office, 10th July, 1851. 



"The Spanish government will do well to consider 

 that if such a course of proceeding shall continue, 

 the people of this country, instead of looking with 

 displeasure at attempts which may be made to sever 

 Cuba from the Spanish monarchy, may be led to 

 view with satisfaction the accomplishment of an 

 event, which, in consequence of the conduct of the 

 Spanish colonial authorities, will have become the 

 only means of putting an end to the commission of 

 crimes which the Spanish crown solemnly bound it- 

 self, many years ago, utterly and for ever to prevent 

 any Spanish subject from committing." 1 



LORD PALMERSTON TO LORD HOWDEN. 



[Extract.] Foreign Office, 7th August, 1851. 



"Her majesty's government deem it due to the 

 frankness which ought to characterize the intercourse 

 of friendly governments, to let the Spanish govern- 

 ment know, that if, as seems to be the case, the gov- 

 ernment of Madrid is unable to cause its subordinate 



1 Published dispatches. 



