Evansville weekly journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 184?-18??, 1848-05-11


eress special message in relation to Yucca
-ltan, which will be found below. 1t will be OBJ
served that he is fearful that if our Govern
ment does not accede TO the request Of the
people of Yucatan, some European power
will. The Presiden, submits the whole sub
j iect TO the consideration of congress. Here is
the message:
To the Senate and House of Representatives.
United States:
| submit, for The consideration ofcongress,
several communications received at the De-
partment of State from Mr. .Jusio Sierra COM
missioner of Yucatan, and also a communica-
ton from the Governor of that State repre-
senting the condition of extreme suffering TO
which their country has been reduced by an
Instruction OF the Indians within its limits,
and asking the aid of the United States.
The communications present case of
human suffering and misery which cannot
fail to excite the sympaihies of all civilized
nations. From these and other sources of
information, it appears that The Indians of
Yucaian are waging war OF determination
against the white race. 10 this cruel war,
they spare neither age nor sex, but put TO
death indiscriminaiely, all who fall within
their power. The inhabitants panic sirick-
and destitute of arms, are flying before their
savage pursuers towards the coast; and their
expulsion from their country, or their exter-
mnalion would soon be inevitable, I'm less
they can obtain assistance from abroad.
In this condition, they have, through their
constituted authorities, implored the aid of
ff,aSx fr0s, ri
lion, offering in case this should be granted,
TO transfer The ''dominion and soverei gnty Of
the peninsula TO the u. States. Similar
appeals Cor aid and protection have been
made to the Spanish and English Govern
mens."
I Whilst ii is not my purpose TO recommend
the adoption OF any measure with the view
to the acquisition of The "dominon and SOW
ereignty" over Yucaian, yet, according our
established policy, we could not consent to
transfer Of the s'dominion and sovereignty
either TO Spain, Great Britain, or any other
European power. In the language of Presi.
dent Monroe, in his message of December,
1922, '.we should consider any attempt on
their part to extend their system 10 any por-
ton ofihis hemisphere as dangerous TO our
peace and Safely" In my annual message
of December, 1915, declared athat near a
quarter OF century ago, the principle was dis
tincily announced 10 the world, in the annu-
al message of one Of my predecessors, that
The American continents, by the free and
independent condition which they have as
sumed and maintained, are hencefoth not
to be considered as subjects for future
colonization by any European power.'"-
"This principle will apply with great increas-
ed force should any European power attemp,
TO establish any new colony in North Amer
| lea. In the existing circumstances Of The
world, The present is deemed proper occa-
aston to reieraie and Teaffirm the principle
avowed by Mr.. Monroe, and TO state my cor
dial concurrence in lis wisdom and sound
policy The reasseriion of his principle, es-
pecially in reference TO North America, is at
this day but The promulga,ion of policy
which no European should cherish the dispo-
siion to resist. Existing righisof every Euro.
pean nation should be respected; but il is due
alike 10 our safety and our interests, that the
efficient protection Of oar laws should be en-
tended over our whole territorial hmiis; and
that il should be distinctly announced to the
world, as our settled policy, that no further
| European colony OF dominion shall, with our
consent, be planted or established On any part
of the American continent"
/ Our own security requires that the estao
lshed policy thus announced should guide
our conduct, and this applies with great force
TO the peninsula of Yucatan. 1t is situate in
the Gulf of Mexico, on Ire North American
cont inent and from lis vicinity 10 Cuba, to
the Capes of Florida, 10 New Orleans, and
indeed 10 our whole southwestern coast, il
/ would be dangerous 10 our peace and secu-
rliy if il should become colony Of any Eu-
ropean nation.
We have now authentic information that,
4 if the aid asked ?Iom the U. States be not
4 granted, such aid will probably be obtained
from some European power, which may here
after assert claim TO "dominon and soyer-
eighty" over Yucatan.
Our existing relations with Yucatan are of
peculiar character, will be perceived
from the note of the Secretary oil State TO
her commissioners, dated 9th Dec. last,
copy of which is herewith transmitted Yu-
catan has never declared her independence,
and we treat her as State of The Mexican
republic. For this reason we have never Of
fcially received her commissioner; but whilst
this is the case. we have 10 considerable
extent, recognised her neutral in our war
with Mexico. NHiISt SILL CUESucifUB
catan portion of Mexico. if we had troops 10
spare for this parpose,l would deem it proper
during The continuance of the war with Mex
leo, 10 occupy and hold military possession
of her territory, and 10 defend the white in
habitants against The incursions oil the Indi-
ans, in the same way that we have employed
our troops in other States ofthe Mexican re-
public in our possession, in repelling the al
lacks OF savages upon the inhabitants who
have maintained their neutrality in the war.
But, unfortunately, we cannot at the present
without serious danger, withdraw our forces
from other portions of The Mexican territory
now in our occupation, and send them TO Yu-
caian All that can be done, under existing
circumstances, is TO employ our naval forces
in the Gulf, not required at other points, to
afford them relief. But il is not 10 be ex-