The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-01-10

from the DeSt ln10rmatOn COOlQ OOtaln. tnat II
was destined to invade the Island of Cuba, I
between the United States and Spain to the
treaty between the two nations to the laws of
the United States, and, above all. to the Ameri-
can honor, to exert the lawful authority of this
Government in suppressing the expedition and
preventing the invasion To this end issued a
proclamation, enjoining If 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 as the
act of Congress Of the goth of April, 1918, which
owes 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 faithfully to obey its injunctions
While this expedition was in progress was
informed that a foreigner, who claimed our pro-
lection, had been elandestinely. and. as was sup
posed. forcibly, carried off in a vesse from New
Orleans to the Island of Cuba Immediately
caused such steps to be taken as thought nec-
essary.in case the information had received
should prove correct to vindicate the honor of the
country, and the right of every person seeking an
asylum on our soil, the protection Of our laws
The person alleged to have been abducted was
promptly restored and the circumstances Of the
case are now about to undergo investigation be-
fore Judicial tribunal, would respectfully sug-
gest, that although the crime charged to have
been committed in this case is held odiols, as
being In conflict with our opinions on the subject
of national sovereignty and personal freedom,
there is no prohibition of it. punishment for it
provided in any act of Congress. The expedien-
cy of supplying this defect in our criminal code
is therefore recommended to your consideration.
Ihave scrupulously avoided any interference
in the wars and contentious which have recent
ly distracted Europe.
During the late conflict between Austria and
Hungary, there seemed to be a prospect that the
latter might become an independent nation.
However faint that prospect at the time appear
ed, thought ii my duty, in accordance with the
general sentiment of the American people, who
deeply sympathized with the Magyar patiots, to
stand prepared, upon contingency Of the estab-
lishment by her of an Independent 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 willingness promptly to recognise
her independence in the event Of her ability to
sustain it. The powerful Intervention of Russia
in the contest extinguished the hopes Of the
struggling Magyars. The United States. did not.
al any time, interfere in the contest but the feel
ings OF the nation were strongly enlisted in the
cause, and BY the sutterings ct brave people
who had made gallant though unsuccessful eff
fort to be free. E
Our claims upon portugal have been during
the past year prosecuted with renewed vigor
audit has been my object to employ every effort
OF honorable diplomacy To procure their adjust
ment. our late Charge d'Affaires at Lisbon the
Hon. George w. Hopkins made able and ener-
getc, but unsuccessful efforts TO settle these u-
pleasant matters of controversy, and to obtain
indemnity for the wrongs which were the sub
lects OF complaint Our present Charge DAT
aires at that court will also bring to the prosecu
tion Of these claims ability and zeal. The revo-
lutionary and distracted condition of Portugal in
past. times has been represented as one Of the
leading causes Of her delay in indemnifying our
suffering citizens. But / must now say il is mat
ter of profound regret that these claims have not
vet been settled The omission of Portugal to
do justice to the Ameican claimants has now as
sumed character so grave and serious that
shall shortly make it the subject ofa special mes
sage to Congress, with view to such ultimate
action as its wisdom and patriotism may suggest
With Russia, Austria Prussia, Sweden. Dem
mark, Belgium, the Netherlands, aud the Italian
States, we still maintain our accustomed AMIGA
BILE relations.
During the recent revolutions in the Papal
States, our Charge d. 'Affaires at Rome has been
unable to 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 tnat it was not deemed expedient
to give him any instructions ON the subject of
presenting his credential letter different from
those with which he had been furnished by the
late Administration, until the Is of June last !;
when, in consequence of the want of accurate
information s0f the exact state of things at that
distance from us he was instructed to exercise
his own discretion in presenting himself to the
then existing Government if in bis Judgment
stable OF, if not, to await further
events. Since that period Rome has undergonel
another revolution and he abides the establish
mept of = government sufficiently permanent tol
iuy6fy him in opening diplomatic intercourse
with it. - .sr
With the Republic of Mexico it is our true pol
icy to cultivate the most friendly relations Since
The ratification Of the Treaty Of Guadalupe Hi
dalgo nothing has occurred Of serious charac-
ter to disturb them. A faithful observance of
The treaty, and sincere respect for her rights
cannot fail to secure the lasting confidence andl
Of that Republic. The message Of myi
predecessor 70 the House Of Representatives, Of
The 8th Of February last, communicating, in COM
bliance with Z resolution Of that body, copy Of
paper called Protocol, signed ut Querefsro on
NE 50th Of May, lsls, BY the Commissioners Of
he United States and the Minister Of Foreign,
4Gain Of the Mexican Govemment,1 having
ben - subject of correspondence between the
department Of State and the Envoy Extraordina-
!. and Minister Plenipotenfiasy Of thu Republic
: kcredited to this Government transcript OF