Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-05-20
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.


tan, as recently transmitted oy Inc rresiueht w
Congress:
NAVY DEPARTMENT, MAY 10, lS4S.
Sir have the honor in to the resolution OF the
Senate Of the 18Th instant transmit copy OF my com.
municatons Commodore Perry Of the 9Th Of March and
OF the 18th instant the subject OF giving protection 10 me
white population of with The naval forces under his
command. -
No ayces have been received at this Department from the
commander officers Of the squadron IN the Gulf OF Mexico
of date later than The 18th Of April uimo. All the COM
unicaons the subject received from any OF the nave
been already transmitted to the Senate
have the honor 70 be very respectfully your obedient
servant, 1880,
The President 1onN = MAoofs.
NAyr DEpARrmEsT, MARCH 8, ls4s.
sra Your despatch No. 49, cfthe 18th February ls4s,
with lis enclosure has been received
Daring, my absence from Washington communication
was received from the honorable Secretary of State under
date 18th December, ls47 enclosing copy Of Mr. Buchan-
ans despatch TO Mr. Sierra, commissioner from iucatan
have acted under the impression that had been communi
Gated to YOU with instructions to conform to the wishes Of the
President as made known to Mr. Sierra. On receiving your
despatch have caused inquiry TO be made and suppose that
was mistaken therefore hasten TO make 10 you this COM
muncaiion and send TO you copies Of Mr. Buchanans
letters 10 the Department and Mr. Sierra is desirable
that the Yucatecos shall have the benefit OF the relief which
was assured to them and therefore request that you will
give immediate orders carry out the proposed plan Of ex
emptne Yucatan vessels and cagoes from payment OF duty
at Laguna as suggested in Mr. Buchanans letter and as
far as satisfactorily ascertained refund duties
ruay A. ls4s which duties would have beenl exaced
if you had received this instruction due me after the let
ter Of the Secretary Of State.
The President has heard with regret of the ferocous and
uderous conflict raging between the Indians and whites
of Yuraan happy to hear Of your contemplated visit
and hope that you will be able by presence to exert
favorable influence in checking the advance OF the Indians to-
wards the and villages the seacoas An applca-
ton has been made to the Department and another by Mr.
Sierra to the President allow shipment Of gunpowder,
to enable the whites defend themselves in their war with
the Indians, TO be landed at Sisa enclose you copy OF
my No authority be given from the Department
to land articles contraband whouta knowledge Of its neces
sy and without satisfactory that will be app
ed exclusively that object But humanity requires that the
importation should not be prevented you shall be satisfied
that the powder not to be used for other or hostile purposes
towards u.s. If when the vessel called the Mary Ann
shall appear off the coast the Indians shall have been defeat
ed dispersed and your opinion the powder should not
be landed you will subject the vessel TO any penalty or
forfeiture but will allow her retire without landing that
part Of her cargo II the contest still RACES and you are
satisfied that the powder will be used against us you will
inerpose impediment to its being landed at Ssal
The Department has entire confidence IN your dsceton
and your ucous views Of the best mode of maintaining
intercourse with Yucatan
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. Y MASON.
Commodore M. C. PERRY,
Commanding Home Squadron, Gulf Of lhericO.
[Confdential.
NAVY DEPARTaEsT, MAY IL, 1913.
SR Your of proceeding, in your recent visit TO
points along the coast far Campeachy as reported
your several dispatches beginning with that the 18th OF
February, has been highly satisfactory to the Department
The deplorabe condition which the State of Yucatan
appears have been reduced by the ocous and nhuman
waged by the Indians against the Government and white
Inhabitants of that State appeals most strongly to the sympa-
thies of the civilized world and graed perceive that
you have employed your kind Offices well disposed OF
the limited force your disposal to give protection to
the inhabitants who flying from their homes before ruth
less enemy
was very reluctant order the Abany" to Laguyra,
when your force much weakened by the return OF the
Mississippi, John Adams Germantown, and Saratoga TO the
north the dispatches of Mr. Shields represented the
don Of citizens and their commercial interests in Vene
%zuela critical that the President considered ndpensa
bic thai ship of should be present to give protection,
required Your prompt dispatch Of the Albany that nie-
resting service Is highly approved The Germantown Com
mander Lowndes sailed for Vera Cruz from Norfolk the
25th Of April ultmo and the Saratoga Commander Nichol
son. from the place the 9th instant Commander
Nicholson orders touch Aux Cages and give any
required protection American interests Hay and to
port to you with the least possible delay.
The questions presented in your dispatches are OF very
grave import / send you herewith a copy Of message
whchthe President deemed his duty send Congress-
the second day of the present month"; In regard to the a
fairs Of Yucatan You will perceive that he regards as the
settled policy Of the United States not to permit any COLOMBIA
ton Of territory the North American continent by
European monaches and recommends to Congress that
be placed his disposal for the military occupation Of
Yucaan, with view the white population from de-
stucton py the Indian race ana 70 prevent tne pacca
Of the question by the Yucsecoes being compelled
to receive protection from any European Power
During the present with Mexico, conducted our part
with humanity which must excite the pride Of every Amer
has been constant policy repel rather than en-
courage Indian depredaons and incursons
my and the liberal treatment extended to Yucatan, the
just reward Of her neutral position entities her people TO the
full benefit Of this policy
am that from the necessity Of your holding the
vea points in your possession, and with your limited
force cannot spare the Of effective assistance even
along the coast Of Yucsan and from the danger 10 which
the vessels would be exposed 10 the navigation Of the Gulf
there would be great danger Of their loss If their crews were
landed, II they In sufficient number prepared
with camp equpage field artillery, for operations inland
have not therefore, expected you do with the
val forces under command than to give protection to the
fleeing inhabitants and acting the principle Of my nsirsc-
ton OF March Sh waving all begeren rights against Yucca
tan part Of Mexico, enemy, permit munitions OF war
to enter her ports you satisfied they to be used for
the defence Of the whites against the enemy will
be udcous TO strengthen your forces at FL Carmen and in
addition to those already sent by you to Laguna would APP
pear be proper send the entire detachment Of
rnes Avsrado with instructions to repe the Indians
they approach that point but there is not sufficient force
have you the necessary equipment 70 Justly march into
the interior Such operation should only be conducted by
a well-apponted military force.
Before the receipt your despatch Of the 29h Of Februa
~ announcing your intention sail for Campeachy the
day. and communicating your purpose regard any
Intervention the part Of Spain, had received dispatches
from Commander Bigeow, communicating the cautiously
ouared inuctons Of the small Spanish vessels OF which