Apuntes sobre la gerencia del Consulado de España en Nueva York durante los años de 1869 y 1870, por el cónsul general en comisión, Don Balbino Cortés y Morales.
[Madrid]: [1874 (dated on p. 304)]. Manuscript in Spanish. Written by a neat hand. Signed and dated by the author on p. 304. In contemporary green half morocco. Spine tooled, raised bands, gilt title. [12] 1–304 [2] 305 [1] p. Old shelfmark vignette on spine and inner front panel. Ownership stamps of Álvaro de Figueroa Count of Romanones, Prime Minister of Spain (Biblioteca Conde de Romanones) on front pastedown and on several pages inside the book. Binding slightly rubbed, corners bumped. Otherwise in fine condition.
An unpublished journal of the Spanish Consul General in New York during the early years of the Ten Years' War, providing a detailed account of Spanish diplomatic efforts and interactions with the United States and Cuba.
The Ten Years' War (1868–1878) marked the first significant conflict in Cuba's struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule. The war began on October 10, 1868, when Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, a prominent planter, declared Cuba's independence, sparking a rebellion fueled by Cuban landowners, slaves, and free blacks. The insurgents sought to end Spanish dominance, implement economic reforms, and abolish slavery.
During this period, the United States had a complex relationship with Cuba. While many Americans sympathized with the Cuban rebels and offered material support, the US government maintained a policy of neutrality. This stance was driven by diplomatic and economic considerations, particularly the desire to maintain stable relations with Spain. The US government was also cautious about the potential repercussions of an independent Cuba on regional power dynamics and the institution of slavery.
In this context, Balbino Cortés y Morales played a crucial role as the "cónsul general de España en comisión en New-York" during 1869–1870. Born in 1834 in Madrid, Cortés y Morales embarked on a distinguished diplomatic career that included various significant postings. Before his appointment in New York, he served as the Consul General in Algiers, where he was noted for his administrative acumen and dedication.
His manuscript report and diary provide an invaluable account of his diplomatic activities and the intricate political landscape of the time. This document stands as a significant artifact, offering insights into Spanish diplomatic strategies, interactions with American officials, and the broader context of the Cuban independence movement. The journal includes several newspaper clippings to corroborate the memoir, as well as other original documents such as a manifesto by Céspedes dated February 20, 1870, addressed to "A los patriotas cubanos residentes en países extranjeros," a printed invitation by Miguel de Aldama, who was a principal agent of the Cuban independence movement in New York, and Cortés's printed report on the trade and agricultural and industrial statistics of the United States for the year 1869. Among the clippings is also a poem titled "A Cuba," signed as Carlota Corday. This manuscript is particularly important because Cortés's activities in New York are otherwise not well documented.
Balbino Cortés y Morales's diary begins with the proposal from the Spanish government to transfer him from Algiers to New York, where his services were deemed essential. Upon accepting the position, he received instructions in Havana from Antonio Caballero y Fernández de Rodas, the Captain General of Cuba. His efforts in New York included establishing secret agents and navigating the generally friendly American presence.
Cortés's tenure was marked by various challenges, including the difficulties faced by Mauricio López Roberts, the Spanish plenipotentiary in Washington, in managing diplomatic affairs between Washington and New York. The diary details anonymous threats against Cortés's life, the prevention of filibuster expeditions to Cuba, and the seizure of Spanish gunboats by the American government. Notably, it highlights the intricate political maneuvering required to handle these issues.
Significant incidents recorded in the diary include interactions with key figures like López Roberts and Ferrer de Couto, the chief editor of El Cronista de Nueva York, who vehemently opposed Cuban separatism and annexation. The diary also details the Cuban government's interception of rebel correspondence and the arrival and handling of Spanish steamships amidst plans for their destruction. Cortés also documents diplomatic disputes involving US officials, such as Hamilton Fish, the US Secretary of State, who maintained a policy of neutrality towards Cuba despite significant internal pressure, and Sidney Webster, Fish's son-in-law and advisor to the Spanish Legation, who played a key role in consulting on legal matters. These interactions illustrate the tense and often hostile environment in which Cortés operated.
Cortés was actively involved in countering Cuban belligerence through publications and propaganda, including a pamphlet titled "España, Cuba y los Estados Unidos.” The diary recounts the execution of Americans Charles Speakman and Weisen (ie. Albert Werth or Wyeth), who were participating in a filibuster expedition and landed by the schooner Grapeshot in Santiago de Cuba. This event caused significant indignation in the United States. Additionally, it details the murder of Gonzalo Castañón, the editor of the pro-Spanish Havana newspaper Voz de Cuba, in Key West. Both incidents had substantial implications for Spanish-American relations.
His meticulous surveillance and intelligence efforts are detailed, showing how he reported on Cuban rebel activities and American support. Cortés emphasizes the political and moral significance of his work in Washington and New York, contrasting it with the perceived ineffectiveness of López Roberts and the resulting impact on Spanish diplomacy.
The diary also covers the financial and logistical aspects of his mission, detailing the expenses incurred for surveillance, agents, and media engagements. Correspondence included in the document highlights diplomatic missteps and achievements, providing a comprehensive view of the challenges faced by the Spanish consulate in New York.
Concluding his service, Cortés describes his separation from the consular role and his subsequent return to Spain, where he was reappointed as Consul General of Spain in Algiers. His manuscript offers a detailed and nuanced perspective on Spanish diplomatic efforts during a crucial period in Cuban history, making it a valuable resource for understanding the broader geopolitical dynamics of the era. Additionally, his manuscript includes important references to U.S. actions and policies, shedding light on the complex and often contentious interactions between Spain and the United States during this time.
Notably, this book was once in the possession of Álvaro de Figueroa Count of Romanones, Prime Minister of Spain.
.
Price: €32,000.00