Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-05-11
YUCATAN.


dent will not pass UNDECIDED by the people; for
it is quite probable that in il is to be found the
germ of another scheme of annexation another
extension of the area of Slavery. The Presi-
dent seemingly disavows any intention Of acquir-
ing dominion and sovereignty over Yucatan yet
he tells us that this sovereignty is offered to any
country that will protect Yucatan, and thet zoe
must not permit its requirement by any Europe
an power because the location of this country
in the vicinity of Cuba, Florida and Neo Or
leans, would render its possession by European
powers dangerous TO our security. In other
Words ,ve mast mol permit any onti-slavery gou
ernment in Yucdfdn. This is the message and
what does the President design, if it be not uti-
mate annexation? And where can we sop I'M
der this principle? Will not the nert country
be dangerous to Slavery, if il be free, and must
we not make that slave tcrritory-and then The
next, and still the next, until the whole contin-
ent is snbdued? So it would seem.
Now we hope Congress will find better way
Of aiding Yucatan than by annexation. If the
invaders are savages, wagDg an inhuman war; a
war of determination against the whites, as rep
resented then this nation, and every other, has
right to interfere and put an end TO such cru
city. Humanity requires it, and we should there
fore be glad to see our army and navy ordered
10 interfere for the protection Of the innocent and
Aefenceess against savage cruelty. But then it
does not by any means follow that the sovereign
ty OF Yucatan mast be given over 20 her pro,ec-
tors. Let us rather grant the aid which human
ity requires, and refuse the sacrifice of her soy.
ereignty. This would be noble but we arc a.
sraid President Polk is not content with this
Time will show.
WASHINGTON, April 90.
The following Message was laid before the
Senate:
MESSAGE FROM The PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES.
To the Senate and House Of Representatives
of The Unifed Sfdtes II submit for the conside-
ration OF Congress several communications re.
ceived at the Department OF State, from MIR. JUS
to Sierra, Commissioner of Yucatan, and also a
communication from the Governor of that State,
representing the condition OF extreme suffering
to which their country has been reduced by all
insurrecton Of the Indians within its limits, and
asking the aid of the United States.
These communications present a. case of hu
mau suffering and misery, which cannot fail TO
excite the syrnpathies OF all civilized nations -
From these and other sources of infornstiop il
appears that the Indians Of Yucaan are wuging
a war OF determination against the white rae e
In this civil war; they spare neither age nor sex
but put to death, indlscrlIninalcly, all who fall
within ther power. The inhabitants, punic
stricken and destitute OF arms, are flying beor.
their savage pu!suers towards the coast and lhciI
expulsion from their country, or their extermna-
ton, would seem 10 be inevitable, unless they car
obtain assistance.
Ia this condition, they have, through their con.
sliuted authorities impored The aid Of this Gov
ernment, to save them. from destruction, offering
in case this should be granted, to transfer the
" dominion and sovereignty Of the peninsula" tc
the United States. Similar appeals for aid ant
protection have been made TO the Spanish ant
English Governments
Whilst it is not my purpose to recommend the
adoption OF any measure with view to the ac-
QUESTION OF the dominion and sovereignty" over
Yucatan; yet, according to our established poll
cy, we could not consent TO a transfer OF this
"dominIon and sovereignty" either 10 Spain
Great Britain, or any other European power. Ir
the language of Presidcnt Monroe, in his mes
sage of December, 1923, tive should consider
any attempt on their part to extend their system
10 our peace and safety" In my animal mes
sage of December, 1915, declared that 4" nea
quarter OF century ago the principle was dis
tincty announced to the world, in the annua
message OF one Of my predecessors, that the
American continents, by The free and indepen
dent condition which they have assumed ant
maintain, are henceforth not to be considered n!
subjects for colonization BY any European power
This principle will apply with greatly increased
force, should any European power attempt TO es
tabsh any new colony in North America. II
the existing circumstances Of the world, the pres
ent is deemed proper occasion TO reterate an,
reaffirm the principle avowed by Mr. Monroe
and TO state my cordial concurrence in its wis
dom and sound policy. The reossetion of thi
principle especially in reference Ia North Amer
lea, is at this day but the PRONUNCIATION of pol
icy which no European power should cherish tn
disposition to resist. Existing rights of ever
European nation should be respected ; but it /
due alike to our safety and our interests tina
the efficient protection of our laws should be ex
tended over our whole territorial limits, and tina
it should be distinctly announced to the worl
as our settled policy, that no future Europea
colony or dominion shall, with our consent, b
planted or established on any part of the Mort
American continent"
Our own security requires that the estublishe
policy, thus announced, should guide our conduc
and this applies with great force 10 the penins,
10 OF Yucatan. II is situate in the Gulf of Mes
leo, on the North American continent and, fror
it's vicinity to Cuba, TO the Capes of Florida,
New Orleans, and indeed, TO our whole soull
western coast, it would be dangerous to our peac
and security ii it should become a colony of an
European nation. Ne have now authentic il
formation that, If the aid asked from the Unite
States be not granted, such aid will probably i
obtained from some European power which ma