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Washington, August 16, 1854.
SIR: I am directed by the President to suggest to you a particular step from which he anticipates much advantage to the negotiations with which you are charged on the subject of Cuba.
It is not believed that Great Britain would interpose in any hostile sense to prevent the cession of Cuba to the United States. Yet she might be disposed to obstruct this as she did the annexation of Texas.
But the present government of France is less responsible to public opinion than that of Great Britain, it is not checked by any effective parliamentary influence and it has already indicated a tendency to intermeddle in the affairs of the American Continent.
These and other considerations which will readily occur to you, suggest that much may be done at London and Paris either to promote directly the great object in view, or at least to clear away impediments to its successful consummation.
Under these circumstances it seems desirable that there should be a full and free interchange of view between yourself, Mr. Buchanan, and Mr. Mason, in order to secure a concurrence in reference to the general object.
The simplest and only very apparent means of attaining this end is for the three Ministers to meet as early as may be at some convenient central point, (say Paris,) to consult together, to compare opinions as to what may be advisable, and to adopt measures for perfect concert of action in aid of your negotiations at Madrid.
While the President has, as I have before had occasion to state, full confidence in your own intelligence and sagacity, he conceives that it cannot be otherwise than agreeable to you and to you colleagues in Great Britain and France, to have the consultation suggested, and thus to bring your common wisdom and knowledge to bear simultaneously upon the negotiations at Madrid, London, and Paris.
If you concur in these views, you will please to fix the time when you can repair to paris, or to such other convenient point as you may select, and give notice of it to Mr. Buchanan and Mr. mason, who have instructions on the subject and will await advices from you as to the time and place of the contemplated conference.
In case the proposed interview shall take place, you are desired to communicate to the government here the results of opinion or means of action to which you may in common arrive, through a trustworthy, confidential messenger, who may be able to supply any details not contained in a formal despatch.
I am [etc.].