Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1848-05-11
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Relative to Yucatan.

"'e oe'idte ana House OF Reps. of the u. s.:
submit, for the consideration of
Congress, several communications re-
celved at the Departmental State from
Mr.Justo Sierra, commissioner of Yucca
tan, and also communication from
the Governor Of that State, represent
ing the condition of extreme suffering
to whichthelr country has been reduced
by an lnsurrention of the Indians with
IN its limits, and asking the aid of the
United States.
The communications present case
o. human suffering and misery which
cannot fail to excite the sympathies of
all civilised nations. From these and
other sources of information, ii appears
that the Indians of Yucatan are waging
war of determination agains, the white
race. In this cruel war they spare
neither age nor sex, but put to death,
indiscriminately, al who fall within
their power. The inhabitants, panic
cken and destitute of arms, are fly
ing beforetheir savage pursuers towards
the coast; and their expulsion from
their country, or their determination,
would seem to be inevitable, unless
they can obtain assistance from abroad.
In this condition they have, through
their constituted authorities, implored
the aid ofthis government to save them
from destruction, offering, in case this
should be granted, to transfer the edo
minion and sovereignty of the PENN
sula" to the U. S. Similar appeals
for aid and protection have been made
to "the Spanish and the English gov
ernments."
Whilst it is not my purpose to re-
commend the adoption of any measure,
with view to the acquisition of the
dominion and sovereignty owe: Yucca
tan. YET, according to our established
policy, we could not consent to a trans
fer Of this "dominon and sovereignty"
either to Spain, Great Britain, or any
other European power. In the Ian
guage of President Monroe, in his mes
sage of Dec. 1923, 1--WE should consi-
der any attempt on their part to extend
their system to any portion of this hem
isphere, as dangerous to our peace and
safety" In my nualmessage of Dec.
1915, | declaree that "near quarter of
century ago, the principle was distinct
ly announced to the world, in the annual mes
sage of one of my predecessors, that the Am
erican continents. by the free and Independent
condition which they have assumed and main
tanned, are henceforth not to be considered as
subjects for future colonization by any Euro
pean power This principle will apply with
greatly Increased force, should any European
power attempt to establish any new colony in
North America. In the existing circumstan-
ces of the world, The present is deemed pro-
per occasion to reiterate and reaffirm the prin-
c;ple avowed by Mr.. Monroe. and to state my
cordial concurrence in its wisdom and sound
policy. The assertion of this principle, espe-
cialy in reference to North America, is at this
day but the promulgation of policy which no
European power should cherish the disposition
to resist Existing rights of every European
power should be respected; but it is due alike
TO our safety and our interests, that the eff
cient protection of our laws should be extended
over our whole territorial limits, and that it
should be distinctly announced to the world AS
our settled policy, that no future European CO.
lonY or dominion shall, with our consent, be
established in any part of the American CONT
nent."
Our own security requires that the establish
lished policy thus announced, should guide our
conduct, and this applies with great force to
the peninsula Of Yucatan. 1t is situated in the
Gulf of Mexico, on the North American CONT
nent: and from its vicinity to Cuba, to the
Capes of Florida. to New Orleans, and indeed
TO our whole southwestern coast, it would be
dangerous to our peace and security if it should
become colony Of any European ration.
We have now authentic information that. if
the aid asked from the United States be not
granted, such aid will probably be obtained
from some European power, which may here
after assert claim to "dominion and sover-
eighty" over Yucatan.
Our existing relations with Yucatan are Of a
peculiar character, as will be perceived from
the note of the Secretary of State to her COM
missioner, dated the oath of Dec. last; copy
Of which is herewith transmitted. Yucatan
IS never declared her independence, and we
Neat her as State of the Mexican republic.
For this reason, we have never officially re-
ceived her commissioner; but whilst this is the
case, we have, to considerable extent, reeog-
missed her as neutral in our war with Mexico.
Whilst still considering Yucatan as province
of Mexico, if we had troops to spare for this
purpose, would deem it proper, during the
continuance of the war with Mexico, to occu-
Ply and hold military possession of her terrific
nv, and TO defend the white inhabitants against
the incursions Of the Indians, in the same way
that we have employed cur troops in other
States of the Mexican republic in our posses
sion, in repelling the attacks 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 in our occupation, and send
them to Yucatan All that can be done, I'M
der existing circumstances, is to employ our