Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-12-30

ed. with a view to the purchase of the
Flordas from Spain. These appropria-
tinns were made TO facilitate negotiations,
and as Il means to enable the Presi lent 10
accomplish the important objects in view.
Though it did not become necessary for
the President to use these appropriations,
we, state of things might have arisen in
which II would have been highly impor-
tant for him to do so, an the wisdom of
making them cannot be doubted. Ii is be-
lieved that the measure recommended at
your last session, met with the approba.
ton of decided ma jorlties in both Houses
OF Congress- Indeed, in different forms, a
bill making al appropriation OF two mill
lions of dollars passed each House, and il
is much to be regretted that it did not be-
come a law. The reasons which induced
me to recommend the measure still exist;
and | again submit the subject for your
consideration, and suggest the importance
OF early action upon it. Should the APP
preparation be made, and be not needed, it
will be accounted for as other public ex-
Pendtures.
PRIVATEERS.
Immediately after Congress had recog-
nizad the existence of the war with MeXi-
co, my attention was directed to the dan
ger that privateers might lie fitted out in
the ports of Cuba and Porto Rico to prev
upon the commerce of the United States
and | invited the spe ;ial attention of the
! Spanish government to The 18th article
of our treaty with that power, of the Goth
/ Oal0ber, 1885, under which the citizens
and subjects of either nation who shall
take commissions or letters of marque to
act as prIvateers against the other shall
be punished as pirates"
1t affords me pleasure t. inform Won that
| | have received assurances from the Spa
nIsh government that this article Of the
treaty shall be faithfully adhered to on lis
part. Orders for this purpose were imme-
dlately issued TO the authorities of Cuba
and Porto Rico, to exert their utmost vigi.
lance in preventing any attempts to fit
ont privateers in those islands against the
| United States. From the good faith of
! SpalI, am fully satisfied that the treaty
will be executed in its spirit as we'll as lis
letter; whilst the United States will. on
their part, faithfully perform all The obi
]
Information has been recently received
lat the Department OF Stats THAI rhe Mexi
can government has seatto tiavana blank
commissions to prlvateers and blank certl-
! fcates of naturalization, signed hv Gen
Salas, the present head of the Mexican
government. There is, also, reason to
apprehend that similar documents hare
been transmitted to other parts of the
world. Cnpss of these papers, IN trans
Iation, are herewith transmitted.
AS the prelimjnaries required by the
practice by civilized nations for commits
sioniig privaieers and regulating their
conduct, appears not TO have been observ-
ed, and as these commissions are in blank,
10 be filled up with the names of citizens
and subjects of all nations who may be
willing to purchase them, the whole pro-
ceeding can only be construed as an lnvi-
tation to all the freebooters upon earth,
who are willing to pay for the privilege,
TO cruIze against American commerce. II
will he for our courts OF Justice to decide
whether, under such circumstances, the e
Mexican letters Of marque and rePrisa
shall protect those who accept them, and
f commit robberies upon the high seas under
thei-aulhoriiy, from the pains and penal
lies of piracy.
If the certufi~a,es Of naturalization thu:
; granted, be intended by Mexico to shell
/ Spanish subjects from the guilt and pun
lShment of pirates under our treaty witt
Spain. they will certainly prove unavaiI
2 ing Such a snhteifuge would he but
: weak device 10 defeat the provisions OF
solemn treaty.
| recommend tina: Congress should III
+ mediately provide by law for the trial an
!. punishment as pirates of Spanish subject
b who, escaping the vigilance of their 90
;, vernmen shall be found guilty OF prlva
8 teering against the United States. | d
e not apprehend serious danger from thes
priyateers. Our navy will be constant
l. on the alert to protect our commerce
l. Besides, in case prizes should be ma lie q
a. American vessels, the utmost vigilanc
lr will be cxeried by our blockading sqnadro
to prevent the captors from taking the
into Mexican ports, and il is not apPr'
1r hended that any nation will violate
/ neutrality by suffering such prizes to
e. condemned and sold within itsljurisdicilo
IA recommend that Congress should III
I'd mediately provide By law for gra Ting lie
Il. tiers of marque and reprisal against Vesse
IN under the Mexican fig. 1t Is true tn
s. there are but few, If any, commercial We
sells of Mexico upon the high seas; and
o. IS therefore not probable thai many Am
as rican privaieers would be fitted out, in ca
e. a law should pass authorizing this mode
as warfare. Ii IS, notwithstanding, ceria