Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-05-27
SPEECH OF Nh. NILES,
or CONNECTICUT,
On The Proposed Occupation Of Tucatal.
Is SENATE. MAY 9, ls4s.

porary military occupation OF Yucatan.
Mr. NILES and said Mr. President, before entering
upon the consideration of the merits Of this bill
tce the extraordinary urgency with which pressed for
immediate action upon and the reluctance which Has
been manifested allow time for full and fair discussion
The subject No one, hope, desires any thing than
this and certainly wish speedy decision consistent
with that discussion which the great Importance of the subject
demands our hands.
Bot am the surprised this unusual urgency on
looking the correspondence between Mr. sierra and the
Secretary Of State and learning the length Of time which this
subject has been pending before the Executive branch OF the
Government There il has slept for months but the
sent here reminded OF the urgency of the case, and
called immediately, without taking lime debate or
consider question involving such important principles and
consequences.
Mr. Sierra has been here about six months His first
addressed the Secretary Of State the 18th of No
vembe On the Oath he the second note and received
answer from the Secretary the l4th Of December
These notes related TO occupation Of Laguna and the col
lection OF duties On the 18th of February he addressed
other letter. and another the Gath These letters did not
solicit assistance from the United Sates but they explained
the difficult and critical situation in which Yucaan placed,
end claimed certain rights the ground that Yucatan
neutral in the These letters followed by others
the 7th of March, the Sd of April and 18th of April with
any having been returned The last received
In the absence of the Secretary, and the Chief Clerk Mr. APP
pleton addresseda Mr. Sez acknowledging The re-
ceip Of all these letters and informing him that when the Sc
returned he would call his attention them In his
Of the 81 Of April Mr. Sierra says that he has made his
bic Secretary would find time read it," pretty plain hint
certainly that he considered that his previous letters had
been read
The lette Of the 18Th Of April appears to have covered
remarkable docament frou the Governor Of Yucatan which,
after depicting In dark coos the suengs of the people, and
The critical condition of fuctan, proposes to surrender up
the dominion and sovereignty Or country to the nation
which viii save it. have IN efore" he saws deter
mined appeal the suggested by our
great necessyha of soliciting TN direct Intervention of
powerful nations offering the DOMINION sovereignty Of
the country the nation which will ass4pe the charge of
saving it
Whether il was the communication of thu document which
produced favorable consideration of De pressing soci-
tatiOns Of Mr. Sierra for assistance, VII not undertake
say Bot down to this period the pressing and urgent APP
peals OF Mr. Sierra appear have receveno attention. The
distressed and suffering condition of Yucasan appears
been before the Executive Department of The Government for
months, without any action having been taken in relation to
II much consideration given 10 the subject
the letters soliciting assistance. But the very day the
subject laid before the Senate told that the case is
OF such extreme urgency that take time
consider IT. but must act at II becomes Of life
or death, and viii admit of any delays the people Of
Yucatan may all be destroyed whilst debating ques
on OF inerposng for their relisf Sir the Executive
branch could take months for consideration may think
take few days to consider subject involving such vital
principles, and which may be attended with such serious con-
sequences This believe, is due to the country, and due
ourselves.
Mr. President, judge of the proprety of passing this m
and to appreciate the force Of the objections which stand the
rs.
what proposes 10 DO The first section authorizes and d.
reefs the President 10 take temporary military occupation Of
Yncaan, and TO employ the army and Of the United
States 70 assist the white population of the country the
IN WHICH they engaged with The Indians This
certainly very important and very extraordinary measure
Is no, exactly declaration of war, yet tinyoyes and
ali It's responsibilities which may be protracted and
troublesome But 1t Is something than declaration Of
war; as the bull on ITS lace looks To acquisition and conquest
War may lead to conquest hut this BILL on It's face directs
The President to take possession OF foreign couatry and
iahish military government over it. military occupation
will Of upersede existing Government as has been
the in other parts OF Mexico where have had militia
~ occupation. This, heG, bill to possession Of Yu
catan, and establish authority il. know said
that the occupation is 10 be temporary bot when viii
porary occupation cease Not certainly until the causes
which induced the occupation have ceased 10 exist and as
they will not be likely soon to disappear the occupation will
become permanent.
And what groundsis il eamel that so extraordinary
% this be justified Two have been assigned
fret the ground Of p1cy, and second on the ground OF
humanity our interference having been solicited by the Gov
erDment OF Yucatan These grounds do not stand well
together. IL interfere and take possession country
from considerations OF policy the world will give very little
credit for humlni,y They inconsistent with each
other ono looks to interest the other the interest
Of the people OF Yucaan That might interfere and assist
the people Of that country way grounds OF hu-
mainly will not be denied bot the provided in this
bill really excludes all idea Of humanity and makes the mea-
sure strictly one OF policy and the honorable chairman (Mr
HANNEsAS who reported the bill had the candor 10 admit
measure OF policy. HIS remarks
almost entirely confined 10 that view OF the question To
uiy the either ground becomes important 10 see
what Is the political condition Of Yucatan Like every other
people. iuca,sn must be regarded Of three political
poets either independent State possessing and exeres
ing the right Of sovereignty, dependency Of Mexico or in
state OF revolution having thrown of yoke of Mexico
yet not having established it, Independence 10 be recor
Missed Of the family Of nations.
No claims that YUca'an is Independent State she
does claim herself The that she claims il that
she has thrown of the authority OF Mexico and that she has
been neutral in the between the United States and Mex
Our Government has in respects recognised her
neutrality but IN others have regarded her part Of Me1i-
We have taken and still bold Lsguns Of her plrts
where have collected duties other ports Mexico in
possession But in what light does Mexico regard Yucca
tan she certainly regards her OF the States Of that
republic How then, take possession Of that county
without giving offence TO Mexico Ii establish
bory there will eTolode the authority Of Mexico
hold The country against Mexico. II ia
war with Mexico this would lie regarded by her inva
SION OF her territory and would certainly involve
with Mexico That our occupation In pursuance Of
quest Of iucaan would be justification Mexico long
n she regards fucaan part Of her territory. II would
Re another Texas afi with this important dierence-hat
fueaan has not yet asserted her independence and has NOT
teen recognised al independent State by any nation not
even by the United States Her consent therefore, would
amount - nohng II would be answer to the complaints
Of Mexico e say that we bad taken possession Of this depart
nen o. hers o' purposes Of humanity assist the people in
defending themse'vs against the Indian population
Bot how WIZ tins measure stand in view Of our present re-
lshons with Mexico We have ratified treaty. OF peace with
that republic, and sent out commissioners 10 procure IL ra
N.t 49, NJ