Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-05-11
Message of the President relative TO
Kncalan.

Xucatan.
To the Senate and House Of Representatives. Of the United
States:
Isubmt for the consideration of Congress, several
communications received at the Department of State
fom Mr.. Jns0 Sierra, commissioner Of Yucaian, and
also a communication from the governor of that State
representing the condition of suffering to which
their country has been reduced by Of the
Indians within It's limits and asking the aid of the Uni
ted States
The communications present a case of human suffering
and misery which tail excite the sympathes of
all civilized nations. From these and other of
information, appears that the Indians Of Yucaian
waging Of determination against the white
In this cruel they spare neither age but put
death ndiscrminately all who fall within their power
The Inhabitants panicstricken and destitute Of arms,
flying before their savage Pursuers towards the coast
and their expulsion from their country, their extemi
nation, would be inevitable unless they OBJ
tain assistance from abroad.
In this condition they have through their constituted
authorities plored the aid of this government
them from destruction offering in this should be
granted transfer the dominon and sovereignty Of the
Peninsula the United States. Similar appeals for aid
aud protection have been made 10 he Spanish and the
English governments.
Whilst it is my purpose to recommend the adoption
of any measure, with view to the acquisition of the
"domnion and sovereignty over Yucaan, yet according
established policy, coald not consent to trans
fer Of this dominon and sovereignty, either Spain,
Great Britain, any other European power In the
language of President Monroe in his Message of Decem
ber 1898 should consider any attempt their part
extend their system any portion of this hemisphere
dangerous to our peace and safety. In my annual
message Of December IS45 declared that near quar-
Of century ago, the principle distinctly aunoun
ced % the world, in the annual message of OF my
predecessors that the American continents by the free
and independent condition which they have assumed and
maintained, henceOrth 10 be considered sub
iects for future colonization by any European power.
This principle will apply with greatly increased force
should any European power attempt to establish any new
colony North America In the existing circumstances
of the world the is deemed proper occasion TO
reterate and reafrm principle avowed by Mr. Mon
and afatp mn
and sound policy The reasseron OF this principle, es
pecay in reference North America is at this day but
the promul CATION of policy which no European power
should cherish the disposition TO resist Existing rights
of every European nation should be respected but II is
due alike safety and interests, that the efficient
protection of laws should be extended over whole
territorial limits and that should be distinctly announ
ced the world settled policy, that future Euro
pean colony dominion shall with CONSENT be plant
ed established on any part OF The American CONT
nenI."
Our security requires that the established policy
thus announced should guide conduct and this ap-
plies with great force to the peninsula OF fucaan Ii Is
situate in the Gulf Of Mexico, on the North American
continent and from its vicinity to Cuba to the CaPes OF
Florida New Orleans, and indeed TO our whole south
coast, ii would be dangerous to peace and
security should become colony of any European
nation.
We have now authentic information that, if the aid
asked from the United States be not granted, such aid
will probably be obtained from European power,
which may hereafter assert claim TO "domnion and Sow
ereignty' over Yucatan.
relations n
character will be perceived from the note of the Sec
rotary State her commissioner, dated the 24th OF
December last copy of which is herewith transmitted
Yucaan has declared her independence, and we
treat her as State Of the Mexican republic. For this
reason, have officially received her commission
er but whilst this is the case have, to considerable
extent recognised her a neutral in with Mex
ico Whilst still considering Yucatan as a portion Of
Mexico if had troops spare for this purpose,
would deem proper during the continuance OF the war
with Mexico, occupy and hold military possession of
her territory and defend the white inhabitants against
the incursions of the Indians in the way that
have employed troops other States of the Mexican
republic possession, in repsllng the attacks of
savages upon the inhabitants who have maintained their
neutrality in the war But, unfortunately, cannot at
present. without serious danger, withdraw forces
from other portions of the Mexican territory in
occupation, and send them Yucatan. All that be
DONE under existing circumstances is employ our
val forces in the Gulf not required other points, az
ford them relief But it is be expected that any
adequate protection thus be afforded the operations
of such naval forces of necessity be confined to the
coast.
have considered it proper TO communicate the infor-
nation contained in the accompanying correspondence,
and / submit the wisdom of Congress adopt such
as in their judgement, may be exPedlent TO
prevent Yucatan from becoming a colony Of any Euro
pean power, which in could be permitted by the
United States; and the time to the white
from determination expulsion from their country
JAMES X. POLK.
W,surxerox A,r;I I9d7