Washington telegraph., 1850-01-09

can be no necessity for the continuance
of the mission at Frankfort.
Having been apprised that consldera-
ble number of adventures were engaged
in fitting out a military expedition. with
in the United States against foreign
country, and believing, from the best in-
formation [ could obtain, 1t was destined
TO invade the Island of Cuba, deemed
il due 10 the friendly relations existing
between the United States and Spain
to the treaty between the two nations
70 the laws of the United States, and
above all. to the American honor, to exert
the lawful authority OF this government
in suppressing the expedition and prevent
mo the invasion To this end issued
proclamation enioining it upon the officers
of the Uuited States-civi and military
to use all lawful means within their power
to that end. A copy of the proclamation
is herewith submitted SO long as the
act of Congress Of the goth of April, 1918,
which ows its existence to the laws Of
nations and to the policy of Washington
himself, shall remain on our statue book,
| hold it to be the duty of the Executive
faithfully to obey its injunctions.
While the expedition was in progress,
| was informed that foreigner who
claimed our protection had been clandes-
timely and as was supposed, forcibly car
ried off in a vessel from New Orleans to
| the Island of Cuba. Immediately caus-
ed such steps as | thought necessary i'll
case the information had received should
prove correct, to vindicaie the honor Of
| the country aud the ight Of every person
| seeking an asylum on our soil TO the pro-
lection of our laws. The person alleged
to have been abducted was promptly re-
stored aud the circumstances of the case
are now about to undergo an investiga-
/ ton before Judicial tribunal. Iwould
respectfully suggest that although the
crime charged to have been committed
i'll this ease is held odious as being in con-
! fiict with our opinions on the subject of
national sovereignty and personal freedom,
there is no prohibition of it or punishment
J for it provided i'll any act -ot Congress.
The expedlency of supplying the defect III
our criminal code. is therefore recon-
mended to your consideration.
/ | have scrnpulously avoided any inter
! terence i'll the wars and contentious which
have recently disturbed Europe
! During the late conflict between Aus
ria and Hungary, there seemed to be a
prospect that the latter might become an
independent nation. However faint that
prospect at the time appeared, | thought
it my duty in accordance with the general
sentiment of the American people, who
duly sylnpathized with the Magyar Patri-
ots, 10 stand prepared upon the contiu-
galcy OF the establishments 10y her of a
permanent Government, to be the first to
welcome independent Hungary luto the
! family OF Nations. For ibis purpose M
vested an agent then IN Europe with
power 10 declare our Willingness promptly
/ to recognise her dependence, in the
event OF her ability 10 sustain it.
The powerin! intervention of Russia
in the contest exiting uished the hopes OF
the struggling Magyars. The United
States did not, at amy time, interfere in
the contest: butthe feelings Of the Nation
were strongly enlisted in the cause, and
by the sullerings of brave people who
had made gallant, unsuccessful effort to
be free.
Our claims upon Portugal have been
during the past year. prosecuted with re-
newed vigor, and it has been my object
to employ every effort of honorable diplo-
macy to procure their adjustment.
Our late Charge d Afiaires at Lisbon,
the Hon George W. Hopkins, made able
and energetic, bat unsuccessful efforts To-
settle these unpleasant matters of con-
lroversy, and 10 obtain indemnity for the
wrongs which were the subjects of COM
plant. Our present Charge d 'Atfames at
the Court will also bring the prosecution
of these claims with ability and zeal.
The revolution aud distracted condition
of Portugal, III past IImes has been re-
presented as one of the leading causes of
her delay IN lndennltylng our suffering
citizens, but L must now say il is a inatter
Of profound regret that these claims have
not yet been settled. The omission of
Portugal to do justice to the American
claimants, has now assumed d character
so grave aud serious, that | shall shortly
make it the subject of a special message
to Congress, with view 10 such ultimate
action as It's wisdom and patriotism may
suggest.
With Russia, Austria, Prussia, Sweden,
Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and
the Italian States; we still maintain our
accustomed amicable relations.
During the recent revolution in the
PapaI states our Charge d'Afaires at
Rome has been unable 10 present his
| letter OF credence, which, indeed, he was
directed by my predecessor to withhold
until he should receive further orders.
Such was the unsettled condition of things
in those States that il was not deemed
expedient TO give him any instructions OH
the subject of presenting his credential