Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-05-25
THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.
IN SENATE, MAY 81, 1850.

On motion OF Mr. ULEE tue senate TOOK Tor
deraton the resolution heretofore submitted by him:
Resolved That the President of the United
quested inform the Senate whether and what nforma
on has been received by the Executive Department
alleged military expedition against the Island of Cuba
and the Senate copies all correspondence
and orders relative thereto.
Mr.. WALKER wish ask the consent Of the Senator
from Florida to submit amendment
he be requested inform the Senate by what
ory he has armed vessel vessels the
sion OF such nsurrection, il such be the fact"
Mr.. YULEE. have objection To the amendment
have objection to enlarge the inquiry any extent which
any gentleman may desire. As presented the resolution,
feel myself called upon TO state briefly may the
which induced il. think proper say,
in the first place. that propose to offer opinion whatever
do design this resolution to be regarded committing
the Senate any opinion with respect the merits of the
voluonary movement which supposed to be foot if any
such there be- Nor do know WHETHER in fact any exped
ton which be regarded in the of the law military
expedition, has been undertaken. II may be Ru
tend that way but the information is various. have
received this morning information which may be considered
reliable, that what il alleged to be military expedition
no: such one, in fact within the purvew of any
provision of the law OF 1915 But however this may be-
regard imma.eria to the issue have in view. think
right further to state distinctly that regard be high
moral and political obligation Of this Government maintain
with honest nrespect othe aass
nations and recognise the duty of the Executive to all
legitimate to preserve the public peace, and enforce
the execution Of neutrality laws by all the legitimate
appointed by the laws of Congress.
my ODJect IN m0flng THIS call
the attention Of the Senate to what be very
serious usurpaton of power the part Of the Executive
point the notice Of this body and the country to proceeding
that to me to be designed to up negligence of
administration within jurisdiction by susurpation Of
power beyond it to up delinquency at home by
great wrong abroad by wrong which strikes at civil and
individual right which strikes at the constitutional preroga-
tves of Congress- and violates that policy adopted by this
Government from early date, of absolute noninteryenon
the civil bros and connections of other parts Of the world
To understand the character Of this the part Of
the Executive, will be necessary to refer to the
ment made yesterday simultaneously in two of the papers Of
this city, which regarded The organs of the Adminra
ton and the official exponents Of its current transactions
We Informed that squadron has been ordered-where
Motto part the Uned States prevent the cayng
according to the meaning of the law, alleged militia
ry expedition against friendly foreign Power; but where
''To the Biandof CubaS foreign dominion, beyond
Jurisdictions not to operate upon the high but upon the
Of Cuba and within the waters and jurisdiction of that
island To do what there First to prevent the landing of
any force the carrying out of any enterprise organized in
the United States This is bad enough but with further
tits this aspect of the case desire especially
to invite attenton-wh this further remarkable instruction,
in the language Of the editorial in the Intellgencer
Sin the of landing haung been effected prevent
the landing Of ANY RKIsFoRcEMENT ARMS
under the American aag intended for such expedition
or enterprise"
Without intending occupy much Of the time Of the Sc
nate, desire to present for its consideration prin
ciples which TO applicable to the circumstances, if
they exist stated in the nteigencer. In the first place.
cOnsluer tneSo De OF the personal
civil rights of and of expatriaton. consder them
also violation Of the express right guaranteed to every ci
Of the United States by the constitution Of the country, not
be deprived Of lfe liberty, property wtho due pro-
OF La,0. 1t will be understood that in this
has been issued information fled and there has been
pro of law within the contemplation of the consu
ton and yet squadron has been ordered to the Of
Cuba arrest persons and seize property under the American
flag, the discretion of the commander of the squadron
IT. within jurisdiction violation of the of 1918
being committed authority would dare to arrest the
suspected offender without due process Of laws contemplate
ed by the constitution of the United States but here find
the Executive Of the country employing the feet Of the Uni
ted States and sending il foreign parts to arrest American
citizens and hinder them in their liberty and violate the
sancty Of their property, without any legal information and
without any process
But passing from this nconsiderate violation Of personal
and civil right there is greater wrong to the dignity, poll
cy and constitution Of the country.
come to the next and, as it seems me, material
ground The instructions direct that if landing had
been effected the fleet should be employed prevent the
arrival and landing of reinforcements and supplies of
and provisions contend that this is outrage the free
dom of commerce. and outrage upon the constitution and
policy Of the country What the established national law
in regard to civil is that whenever civil shall
rage foreign country, each of the parties TO be regard
ed and treated beligerent Powers say now that the
moment landing effected, contemplated by these in
sucons and the flag of revolution raised on the sand
there are two parties arrayed in hostile interest," and that
is in being Begeen powers there, and It belongs to
the freedom Of commerce, and neutral rghta right OF
citizen this countyo hre or sell vessels ana sena
them there with provisions and for either party able and
willing to pay them Yet here find direction given
that after the anticipated landing effected and the revou
tonary flag may have been ased and there two bege
powers acting the island in contest for its govern
ent our fleet be employed prevent the landing Of
reinorcemens arms and supplies under the American ag
if intended for one Of the parties.
contend that this is only violation of the nghul
freedom of commerce. but also in violation of the rules Of
neutrality recognised by all nations, and enforced by
this Government from the commencement of its history TO
the present time. The provisions, arms and ammunition
there under the circumstances will be regarded agrea
contraband of and liable to the risks which belong
such enterprises But the commerce is not unlawful it is
lawful commerce. and the vessels cargoes subject
fscaton If they fall into the power of the adversary party
wish it. therefore, be understood and declare dis
ncty that according to my apprehension of the law, if the
flag of revolution raised in the Island of Cuba from
that moment it is the right of every American citizen to hire
his vessel sell it, the revolutionary party, equally
the other pary and send under the American flag pro-
visions and arms and whatever else the revolutionary party
may require and pay for And, fuhe that every per-
who chooses to emgrae the island and to take part
with either de has the full right do provided he chooses
to incur the hazards of the contest And w II further
that every American ship engaged in lawful commerce
entitled to be protected in its pursuit by the public force
say then, that the Instructions tar from being
with the rights Of American citizenship and property are in
violation of those rights further and that the acts
ordered be done acts of that the President
has undertaken to involve the country in the danger of
hostile collision without the authority OF Congress- and there
in violation Of the constitution In support of this posi-
ton have to refer back ground which took just now
that the moment revolutionary flag has been raised in the
is hat Inv ayyso of