The Ostend Manifesto is the high watermark…

The Ostend Manifesto is the high watermark of United States interest in acquiring Cuba peacefully in the 1850s.

Other efforts, however, prove bolder.

During the administrations of Zachary Taylor (president, 1849-50) and Millard Fillmore (president, 1850-53), pro-slavery elements are discouraged by the lack of official support.

Some had turn to filibustering expeditions, hoping that they might lead to the overthrow of Spanish power on the island.

The principal filibusterer was Narciso López, a Venezuelan-born Spanish general.

He lived in Cuba and had become involved in a conspiracy and various expeditions to the island in an attempt to annex Cuba to the United States.