The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-25


Shortly after had entered upon the discharge OF
the Executive duties, i was apprized that war
steamer, belonging 10 the German Empire, was be-
ing fitted out in the harbor of New York, with the
aid of some of our naval officers, rendered under
the permission of the late Secretary or the Navy
This permission was granted during an arnstlce
between that Empire and the Kingdom OF Den
mark, which had been engaged in the Schleswlg-
Holstein Apprehensiye that this act OF inter
vention, our part might be viewed as violation
of our neutral obligations, incurred by the treaty
with Denmark, and of the provisions of the act OF
Congress Of the goth of April, 1878, directed that
no further aid should be rendered by any agent or
officer of the Navy; and instructed the Secretary
of State to apprize the Minister OF the German En-
pire accredited 10 this Government, OF my deter
mination to execute the law OF the United States,
and TO maintain the faith Of treaties with all ma
tons. The correspondence, which ensued between
the Department of State and the Minister OF the
German Empire, is herewith laid before you. The
execution Of the law and the observance of the
treaty were deemed by me TO be due to the honor
OF the country, well as to the sacred obligations
of the Constitution. shall not fail 10 pursue the
same course, should similar arise with any
other nation Having avowed the opinion, on TAX
ing the oath Of office, that in disputes between
conflicting foreign governments, it is our interest,
not less than duty, to remain strictly NEUTRAL
shall not abandon it. You will perceive, from the
correspondence submitted to you, in connexion
with this subject that the course adopted IN this
has been properly regarded by the belligerent
powers interested in the matter.
Although Minister of the United States TO the
German Empire was appointed by my predecessor
in August lS4S, and has, for long time. been in
attendance, at Frankfort-on- the Maine and al
though Minister, appointed to represent that EN-
pire, received and accredited here, yet no such
Government that Of the German Empire has
been detnitively constituted. Mr.. Donelson, our
representative at Frankfort remained there several
months, in the expectation that union OF the Ger
man States, under one constitution form of gov
crnment, might, at length, be organized. II is be-
heved, by those well acquainted with the existing
relations between Prussia and the States of Germa-
ny, that no such union can be permanently estab-
lished without her cooperation. In the event OF
the formation OF such union, and the organiza-
ton of a central power in Germany, of which she
should form part, it would become necessary to
withdraw our Minister at Berlin; but while Prus-
STA exists as an independent kingdom, and diplo-
matte relations maintained with her, there can
be necessity for the continuance OF the mission
to Frankfort. have, therefore, recalled Mr. DON
eson, and directed the archives of the legation at
Frankfort, to be transferred to the American lega-
ton at Berlin
Having been apprized that considerable num-
Der OF Adventures were engaged in fitting out a
military expedition, within the United States,
against foreign country; and believing, from the
best information that l could obtain, that 1t was
destined to invade the island of Cuba, deemed it
due to the friendly relations existing between the
United States and Spain ), to the treaty between
the two nations to the laws of the United States,
lawful authority of this Government in suppressing
the expedition and preventing the invasion To
this end, issued proclamation, enjoning it upon
the officers of the United States civil and military,
to use all lawful means within their power. A COPY
OF that proclamation is herewith submitted. The
expedition has been suppressed. So long the act
of Congress- Of the Goth Of April, 1918, which
its existence to the law of nations and to the policy
of Washington himself, shall remain on our statute
book, hold it to be the duty of the Executive faith
fully to obey its inunc tons.
While this expedition was III progress, was in
formed that foreigner, who claimed protection,
had been clandcstinely, and, as was supposed, for
chilly, carried of in vessel from New Orleans to
the island of Cuba. Immediately caused such steps
to be taken asl thought necessary in the inor-
nation had received should prove correct, to vim
dictate the honor of the country, and the right of
every person seeking an asylum on our soil to the
protection of our laws. The person alleged to have
been abducted was promptly restored, and the cir
cumstances OF the case are now about to undergo
investigation before judicial tribunal would re-
spectfuly suggest that although the crime charged
10 have been committed in this is held odious
being in conflict with our opinions the subject
of national sovereignty and personal freedom, there
is prohibition of it, punishment for it, pro-
vded III any act of Congress. The expediency of
supplying this defect in criminal code is there
fore recommended to your consideration.
have scrupulously avoided any interference in
the wars and contentious which have recently dis
tracted Europe.
during the late CONNECT between Austria and
Hungary, there seemed to be prospect that the
latter might become an independent nation. How
ever faint that prospect at the time appeared, i
thought 1t my duty, IN accordance with the gene
raj sentiment of the American people, who deeply
sympathizcd with the Magyar patriots, to stand
prepared, upon the contingency of the establish
mcnt by her of permanent government, to be the
first to welcome independent Hungary into the
family of nations. For this purpose, invested an
agent, then in Europe, with power to declare our
uil y tn bpri ind
in the event of her ability TO sustain it. The pow
erful intervention of Russia in the contest extn-
guished the hopes of the struggling Magyars. The
United States did not, at any time, interfere in the
contest; but the feelings of the nation strongly
enlisted in the cause, and by the sufferings OF a
brave people, who had made a gallant though I'M
successful effort TO be free.
Our claims upon Portugal have been, during the
past year, prosecuted with renewed vigor and il
has been my object employ every effort of honor
able dip lomacy to procure their adjustment. Our
late Charge d'Affaires at Lisbon, the Hon. George
w. Hopkins, made able and energetic, but unsuc-
cessful efforts TO settle these unpleasant matters of
controversy, and to oain indemnity for the wrongs
which were the subjects of complaint. Our present
Charge d'Afaires at that court WILL also, bring TO
the prosecution of these claims ability and zeal.
The revolutionary and distracted condition of Por
tugal in past times, has been represented of
the leading causes of her delay in indemnifying
our suffering citizens. But | must now say, il is
matter of profound regret that these claims have
not yet been settled. The omission OF Portugal TO
do Justice 10 the American claimants has now as
stunned a character grave and serious, that shall
shortly make il the subject of special message to
Congress, with n view 10 such ultimate action its
wisdom and patriotism may suggest.
With Russia, Austria, Prussia, Sweden, Den
mark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the Italian
States, we still maintain accustomed amicablc
relations.
During the recent revolutions in the Papal States
our Charge dAfiaircs at Rome has been unable TO
present his letter of credcnce, which, indeed, he
was directed by my predecessor TO withhold until
he should receive further orders. Such was the
settled condition Of things in those States, that IL
was not deemed expedient 10 give him any instruc-
tons the subject of presenting his credentsl let
ter different from those with which he had been fur
nshcd by tho late administration, until the 25th of
June last; when, in consequence Of the want of ac-
curate information of the exact state of things at
that distance from US, he instructed to exer-
else his own discretion in presenting himself 10 the
then existing government, it, i'm his Judgment suf-
hciently stable; IL not, To await further events
Since that period Rome has undergone another revo-
luton, and nc abidcs the establishment Of govern.
ment sufficiently permanent TO justify him IN open
ing diplomatic intercourse with IL.
With the Republic of Mexico, Il is our true poll
A..