Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-24
THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.
IN SEN ATE. TursnAv NAVEL.


what information has been received by the Executive
Department respecting alleged military expedition
against the Island OF Cuba, and to communicate to the
Senate copies of all correspondence and orders relative
thereto.
Mr. WALKER. / wish to ask the consent OF the Sena-
tor from Florida to submit an amendment:
"And that he be requested to inform the Senate by
what authority he has sent armed vessel vessels
for tre suppression OF such nsurrecon, such be the
fact"
Mr.. YuLEE. have objection to the amen dment;
have objection to enlarge the inquiry to any extent
which any gentleman may desire. As presented the
resolution feel myself called upon to state briefly
as may the reasons which induced me to moveit.
think it proper to say in the first place, that propose to
offer oopinon whatever, nor do design this resou-
ton to be regarded committing the Senate to any
opinion with respect to the merits of the revolutionary
movement which is supposed to be on foot, if any such
there be- Nor do know whether in fact, any expedl-
ton which can be regarded in the eye OF the law as
military expedition, has been undertaken 1t may be
so not. Rumors tend that way but the information
is various. have received this morning, information
which may be considered reliable that what's alleged
to be military expedition is not such one, in fact as
comes within the purvew of any provision of the law
of 1918. But howevert this may BEL regard itas i'm
material to the issue have in view think it right
further distinctly that regard it to be high,
moral and political obligation OF this Government to
maintain with honest socitude its neutrality in respect
to the affairs OF other nations and recognise the duty
of the Executive to all legitimate means to preserve
the public peace and to enforce the execution of
neutrality lawsby all the legitimate means appointed
| by the laws of Congress.
But my object in moving this resolution is partly to
call the attention Of the Senate to what to
to be very serious usurpaon OF power on the part
of the Executives to point the notice OF this body and
the country to proceeding that seems TO me to be
designed to up negligence OF administration
within jurisdctionby usurpatlon OF power beyond
it; to up delinquency at home by great wrong
abroad; by wrong which strikes at civil and lndl-
vdual right; which strikes at the constitutional prero-
gatve of Congress, and violates that policy adopted
by this Government from an early date, OF absolute
non intervention in the civil broils and connections OF
other parts of the world. 10 understand the charac.
ter of this movement the part othe Executive, it will
be necessaryto refer to the announcement made yes
erday simultaneously in TWO OF the papers of this city
which regarded as the organs OF the Admnlstra-
ton and the official opponents OF its current transac-
tons. We are informed that squadron has been
ordered-where? Not to any part OF the United States
to prevent the carrying on accordlngto the meaning
of the law, alleged military expedition against
friendly foreign Power but where! "To the Island OF
Cuba" foreign dominion, beyond out Jurisdiction !;
operate upon the high seas, but upon the coast
of Cuba, and within the waters and jurisdiction OF
that island To do what there9 First to prevent the
landing ofany force, the carrying out OF any enter
prise organized in the United States: This is bad
enough but with further Instructions it is to this
pect ofhe case desire especially to invite attention
with this further remarkable instruction. the Language
of the editorial in the lntelligencer
| "In the event of landing hauing been effected, 10
prevent the landing of ANY REINFORCEMENT OR ANY
ARMS PROVISIONS under the American flag, intended
for such expedition or enterprise"
Without intending to occupy much OF the time of the
Senate, desire to present for its consideration
two principles which seem to me applicable to the Cir
cumstances if they exist stated in the 1nelgencer.
10 the first place., consider these instructions to be vo
atve OF the personal civil right of emigration and OF
expatriation. consider them also violation OF the
express right guaranteed to every citizen OF the United
States by the constitution OF the country not to be de-
prved of life, liberty properly pithom dueprocess Of
ldu 1t will be understood that in this warrant
has been issued information filed, and there has been
no process of law within the contemplation of the
stitution and yet squadron has been ordered to the
OF Cuba to arrest persons and seize property
der the American flag, at the discretion OF the comman-
der of the squadron? IT, within our own jurisdiction,
violation OF the act OF 1918 was being committed,
authority would dare to arrest the suspected offender
without due process of law contemplated by the
stituton of the United Staes but here find the Exc
cutve OF the country employing the fleet OF the United
States and sending it to foreign parts to arrest Anne
rcan citizens, and to hinder them in their liberty and to
violate the sancty Of their property without any legal
information and without any process.
But. passing from this nconsiderate violation of per-
sona and civil right there is greater wrong to the dig
nifty, policy and constitution OF the country.
come TO the next, and, as 1t seems to me, material
ground The instructions direct that if landing had
been effected the fleet should be employed to prevent
the arrival and landing OF reinorcements and supplies
of arms and provisions contend that this is out
rage the freedom OF commerce. and an outrage upon
the constitution and policy OF the country: What the
established national law in regard to civil wars 1t is,
that whenever civil war shall rage in foreign
try each of the parties to beegarded and treated
bell igerent Powers: | say now that the moment
landing effected, contemplated by these instruc
tions and the flag of revolution raised on the
island there parties arrayed in hostile interest
and that war is in being Belligerent powers are
there, and belongs the freedom of commerce. and
is neutral righ-a right Of every citizen in this coun
ty-to hire sell vessels and send them there with pro-
visions and arms tor either party able and willing to pay
for them. Yet here we find direction given that al
ter the anticipated landing is effected and the revoIu
tonary flag may have been raised, and there are two
beigeent powers acting the island in contest for its
government fleet is to be employed to prevent the
landing OF renorcements arms, and supplies under the
American flag, it Intended Tor one OF the parties
contend that this is not only violation Of the right
full freedom OF commerce, but is also in violation OF the
rules of neutrality, recognised by all nations and az
enforced by this Government from the commencement
of its history to the present time The provisions, arms
and ammunition sent there, under the circumstances
will be regarded | agree as contraband of war and
liable to the risks which belong to such enterprises
But the commerce is not unlawful; it is lawful COM
merce, and the vessels cargoes subject conscaton
if they fall into the power Of the adversary party |
wish it, therefore, to be understood and SO declare dis
ncy, that, according to my apprehension of the law
if the flag of revolution is raised in the Island of
CUBA from that moment 1t is the right OF every Amer
lean citizen TO hire hisvesse or to sell it, to the revou
onary party equally to the other party and send
under the American flag provisions and arms and what
ever else the revolutionary party may require and
pay for. And further, that every person who chooses
TO emigrate to the island and to take part with either
side has the full right to do So provided he chooses to
incur the hazards OF the contest. And will say, fur
ther that every American ship engaged in a lawful
commerce entitled be protected in its pursuit by the
public force say then, that the instructions, so far
from being consistent with the rights Of American ct-
zenshp and property in violation Of those rights
go further, and say that the ordered to be done
acts of war. say that the President has underta
ken to involve the country in the danger of hostile
collision without the authority OF Congress- and there
FORE in violation of the constitution. la support OF this
position have refer back to the ground which took
Just now, that the moment revolutionary flag has been
raised in the island civil war begun and that by the
laws of nations the respective parties in the struggle are
to be regarded by all other people as begeen, powers
say then, that the order given to fleet to go upon
the coast of Cuba where this is raging 10 take part
in that war by preventing reinorcements and supplies
tor party and not the other. is participation in the
war; and if the revolutionary party should be success
full it will Justify them in treating the United States as
an enemy, and in treating those engaged in such acts OF
hostility towards them with all the severity due to those
taken with arms fagrante bcLlo.
understand, MIR. President, that there occurred du