The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-14
OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS.


transmitted shs President. Message
The following documents accompanied the Presidents
message of yesterday:
4asat DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, 14th September, lSi7
SIR transmit you the copy OF letter bearing date
the 18th utIno from Colonel Henry Wilson, OF the
United States army, the acting governor OF Vera Cruz
other information, il appears that Captain May of the
British steamer Teyiot although fully aware of the
character OF his passenger brought General Paroles from
the Havana to Vera Cruz, and connved at if he did
directly aid in, his landing at that port in clandesne
manner, and contrary to the established regulations
requiring visit from the proper inspecting officer before
That the captain of the British steamer by this con-
duct has been guilty OF grave and serious violation OF
the duties OF neutrality which Great Britain to the
United States, neither be doubted denied Ii is
known to the world that General Paroles, President
Mexico, was the chief author of the existing wal
between that republic and the United States and that he
Is the avOwed and embittered enemy of country
The British captain must have known that all his nfu
ence would be exerted to prolong and exasperte this
knowledge Of these facts, he should have brought this
hostile Mexican General, under assumed name, on
board Of British mail steamer Vera Cruz, and aided
permitted him to land candestinely, for the purpose OF
rushing into the war against the United States If any
circumstance could aggravate this violation OF neutrality
it would be the extraordinary privileges which this gov
ernment has granted to British mail steamers ever since
the commencement OF the present war.
The President has not yet determined what course ne
will pursue in regard to British mall steamers. The
great law OF edeence would under the circumstances
Justify him in Withdrawing the privilege altogether from
these steamers, OF entering the port OF Vera Cruz and
guse He will not however, resort at present, to this
extreme measure; convinced, as he is, that the British
government will at once upon your representation adopt
efficient means to prevent such violations of their
traty for the future. In the time, Colonel Wilson
will be instructed to adopt the necessary MEANS under
the law OF nations, for the purpose of preventing and
Furnishing similar outrages belligerent rights.
British mail steamers be suffered to bring Vera
Cruz either Mexican citizens the subjects of any other
nation for the purpose OF engaging IN the existing war
trail vessel which carries Mexican officer Of high mil
ary rank TO Mexico, for the purpose of taking part in
aabs o o Sr w ihs sso al On:
OF the Orozembo(6 Robinson's Reports, 1907 and
this, although her captain and officers gno-
rant that they had such person on board Tina, their
look out Such ignorance is no excuse, because it is
their duty to inquire into the character OF their passen
gers The consequence is the same to the begeent
the language OF that distinguished urs such opporu
mites of conveyance would be constantly used and it
would be almost impossible in the greater number Of
mediate offender
You instructed to make Lord Palmerston fully &C
Whether hs ay Of q h Do
plcaed in this serious charge officers in the British
service Should this prove to be the CASE then you will
clearly manifest that the British government has dsap
. proved their conduct.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
GEORGE BANCROFT, esq, &C., &c, &c
90 EATON SQUARE, October sth, 1s47.
MY LORD: In consequence of instructions from the
American government, called at the Foreign Office
few days ago. TO represent to your odshp the conduct
of Captain May, Of the British steamer Teviot; who.
mindful OF his duty neutral, and using improperly
the extraordinary privileges which the American govern
ment has granted 70 British mail ever since the
commencement of the present war with Mexico in the
month from IN Ver
Cruz Gen. Paredes late President of Mexico the author
OF the war Of Mexico against the United States and their
Avowed and embittered enemy.
By the principles Of British law, according to the opn-
ION Of Sir William Scott, &c Robinson Reports, 1907
Captain May has rendered the Tevio liable TO consca-
ton the President Of the United States might eecu
ally prevent similar aid to the enemy, by withdrawing
from these steamers the privilege OF entering the port OF
Vera Cruz But ! am confident her Majesty's govern
ment will render such steps unnecessary, BY adopting
efGient means to prevent for the future, such violations
OF their neutrality
serious charge, officers in the British service feel
bound to ask for their Dismissal punishment in such
other way may clearly manifest that the British gov
eminent has dsapproved their conduct
have the honor, &C.,
To Vscount PALMERsroN, &C., &c. &c
FoREIGN OFFICE, Oct 49, ls47.
Sin: have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter OF the Sth inst stating that you had been in
plain that Capt May, OF the British mail steamer Tevot
violated the begeent rights of the United States, by
bringing the Mexican general (Paredes) from Havana to
Vera Cruz, in the month of August last.
And have to inform you, that have referred the
above complaint to the proper department of her Males
TVS government in order that the charge brought against
the captain OF the Tevio may be officially investigated
have the honor, &C.
PALMERSTON
GEoRGE BANCROFT, Esq, SC.
FOREIGN OFFICE, Nov l6, 1si7.
SIR: In to your letter of the sth instant ut !
complaining of the conduct of Capt May of the British
mail steamer Teviot," in having conveyed General
Paroles from the Havana to Vera Cruz in the month of
August last, have the honor to state to you that the
Lords Commissioners OF the Admiralty having inve.ti-
gated the circumstances OF this affair." her Maiestys gov
eminent have informed the directors of the Royal Mail
Steam packet Company, to whom the 'Tevio'
belongs, that the directors bound to testify, mark
ed manner, their dsapprova of Captain Mays conduct
in having thus abused the indulgence afforded to the COM
panys vessels by the government of the United States
and the directors of the company have accordingly stated
to her Maestys government that they will Immediately
suspend Captain May from his command and that they
publicly and distinctly condemn any act on the part Of
their officers which may be regarded breach of faith
towards the government of the United States or an in
fringement invasion of the regulations established by
the United States officers in those ports of Mexico which
are occupied by the forces Of the United States
have the honor to be, &c.
PALMERSTON.
GEORGE BANCROFT &c &c &c