Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-05-25


to enforce observance of the laws OF the land But il
Is certainly Of the least unfortunate aspects in which
the action this Government presents ITSELF that i is stretch
ing lis powers beyond the limits of just neutrality to crush
movement conceived in the spirit freedom and bolster
the authority Of grinding despoism.
do not make ground of attack against the Gov
eminent but must with regret that has seemed to
me the symPahes of the Government have of appeared
to lean rather to the side than to liberal progress
do not think proper go further now When the nfor-
maon Whch this resolution seeks has been obtanedand
nope VIII receive more prompt attention than resolution
offered some Time ago which remains yet unanswered-we
shall be able consider the subject with more light than we
now possess Still, have felt authorized say as much as
have from what appeared in the papers have referred
to, and which seemed intended proptae the public mind
in favor Of what the Administration had undertaken.
Mr. WEBSTER. Mr. President, regret that the honor
able member from Wisconsin has thought +, offer
the amendment which he has proposed because seems Ia
her offensive in its terms II is not perhaps quite regular
to demand by what authority has been done until the
inquiry first answered whether such an been DONE
hope therefore, that the honorable member viii the pro-
prety of Withdrawing the amendment II he does not how
ever, shall vote for the whole resolution.
Mr.. President, am somewhat surprised at Of the
propositions stated by the honorable member from Florida
He says looks to him If this declaration of
without the authority Of Congress Against whom
against what coantrya
Mr.. YULEE. Not a declaration of war. aaid that the
instructions involved act of war.
Mr.. WEBSTER. An act Of war; then. Against whom
Against what Government, what country, what colony,
what province It is important that should govern our
selves by distinct understanding Of the duties Of
this Government and of the dute of all the citizens of this
Government established by standing law. II to be
neutral as between Government and any party assang t
at home or abroad TO consider what treaty stpu
aons in fine first place, ard upon what relations we
stand tohe Government of that country Now every body
knows the spuatons Of peace, amity, ard good will
tanned in all treaties with Spain and probably every
member OF the Senate knows that in the diplomatic history
this country at different times within the last thirty years.
far the Executive Government could pledge the country
particular line Of policy and over, and again
assured the Government of Spain that If Spain should
not voluntarily renqus Cuba any European Power the
United States would do towards her Office Of kindness
and good will TO maintain her in possession Of that islands
that the United States would look with great jealousy and
great alarm at any voluntary surrender Of Cuba Euro
pean Power and that if Spain would abstain from that, she
might be assured Of the good Offices and good will Of the
United States and the friendship Of the United States
maintain her in possession Of the island. do to
say how far those communications to the Spanish Government
bind Congress the counry only say that they
have been mace at different times, far back at least
Gen. Jacksons administration and they have been made
for the purpose Of mpessng Spain the great importance
Of and her regard for and Of preserving that
island in her possession and under her authority These sig
ncaons Of the purpose Of the Executive Government have
been uniform, and they have been published from time to
time, and never heard Of complaint of them any part Of
the country.
But now let US come to the direct question. What it
that is complained of It is said that the President of the
United States has directed portion of the naval
OF the country to the Of Cuba for certain specific pur
pose and the facts they generally believed he
for purpose not only perfectly legal and perfectly consu
ona be executed the part Of the Executive of the Go
vernmen but purpose made his especial duty by positive
tute there is any 1t is of this kind. mill
ary expedition has been fitted out begun be fitted out
in the United States against the island Cuba be-
longing to the Spanish Government. And is MATERIAL
such be the fact it be fitted out or began to be fitted out
prepared according to the language of the statute in the
United Saes whether by the citizens Of the United States
by Others The law prevents the thing being done in the
United States. Now, suppose that whatever action the
has taken this subject is founded upon nforma
ton that this military expedition prepared and set
foo, in the United States, in whole in part Well, them
that be the law makes his express duty, wherever he
can exert the military and naval power, within the limits and
ursdcon of the United States tito defeat such
expedition And in the place. ifa United States
sci found the of Cuba, intending violate this
law Of the country by helping to carry military exped
ton against Cuba, that vessel is just much within the
jurisdiction of the United Satesor that is the word of the
statueas if she lay in the Potomac river suppose that
nobody doubts that the jurisdiction Of the United States
IN and protecting for the benefit OF the United States
and protecting for the benefit Of other countries all that
under The flag of the United States, wherever that flag
floats upon the sea- even in the harbor of orign
port. believe that time ago honorable member
from Ohio doubted that and believe that an honorable
member from New York quoted the sentiments and said that
nobody believed it. However, take it to be unquestionabe
law, settled upon the basis Of the national code IF
that be the President of the United States bound in
duty, wherever he finds the jurisdiction Of the United States
extending the the land. if persons engaged
in violation OF the law Of Congress- by Of the naval and
military power of the United States prevent it. Such is
the language of the laws by the military and naval
ment Of the United States" And why is he to use the
naval Of the United States unless there is
thing that be lawfully done with upon the sea
not persuade myself that the honorable member from Florida
has read the act of 1918 with his usual diligence and
say that that act not only gives power the Pres
dent but imposes upon him duty, active and dill
gent duy preserve the peace Of the country by suppress
sing every unauthorized expedition foot in the United
States, against any portion Of country province colony
with which peace.
will not go into this subject any very great length.
But pray, what does the honorable member from Florida
mean How does he to be understood when he
that If at home nothing could be done without process
rant That not the language of the law the language
of the constitution it consonant to general ideas
of the authority of the President under the constitution. If
nsurrecon breaks out may not the President suppress
by armed force If squadron coming up the Poo
river to burn the capital may he not resist with naval
force If there nsuection Of colored persons break
institutions Of the country, must he stop for warrant Sir
open fsgan, dangerous violation Of law, is his
duty with the proper force Of the country the
of the violated law, and to and re establish it.
do not know what the precise facts this case, but
have apprehension at all that it will be found that any
thing has been done which should have been done that
any thing is intended which should not be intended have
the least doubt that whatever has been done the
has been done upon full consideration and that the
this inquiry will show to the country that step has been
unedvsedy aen and that object has been cherished but
the general sautay beneficial Of preserving the peace
Of the country.
But the honorable gentleman somewhat further. He
says that if landing be made the island of Cuba under
the flag Of the United States is breaking out Of civil war