Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-05-25


the action Of this Government presents ITSELF that il is stretch
Ing It's powers beyond the limits Of just neutrality to crush
movement conceived in the spirit freedom and bolster
the authority of grinding despotism.
do not make ground of against the Gov
enen out must say, with regret that has seemed
me the sympathes of the of late appeared
% ea tne side OF despotsm than liberal progress
90 mol nink proper to further When the infor-
nation which this resolution seeks has been obaned-and
hope will receive prompt attention than resolution
offered some time ago which remains yet unanswered-we
shall be able to consider the subject with more light than we
possess Still have felt authorized to saw as much AZ
have from what appeared in the two papers referred
to, and which seemed intended propae the public mind
in favor Of what the Administration had undertaken
Mr.. WEBSTER Mr.. President, regret that the honor
able member from Wisconsin has thoughts i, offer
the amendment which he has proposed because seems ta
ther offensive in its terms Il not perhaps quite regular
to demand by what authority act has been done until the
inquiry be first answered whether such acbas been DONE
hope therefore, that the honorable member will the pro-
prety of Withdrawing the amendment If 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 it looks to him if this declaration Of
without the authority Of Congress. Against whom
against what country
Mr. YULEE. Not 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 II is important that should govern
selves by distinct understanding of the neutral duties Of
this Government and of the dnte of all the citizens of this
esaDiSneu w.
neutral, as between Government and any party assailng it
at home abroad, consider what treaty spu
lations are in fine first place. ard upon what relations
stand Government Of that country Now every body
knows the stipulations of peace amy, 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.
Tar as the Executive Government could pledge the country
particular line of policy, and over, and again
assured the Government Of Spain that Spain should
not voluntarily reinqus Cuba to any European Power the
United States would do towards her every 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 to Euro
pean Power and that Spain would abstain from that she
might be assured of the coed offices and good will Of the
United States, and the friendship of the United States
maintain her in possession Of the island do not to
say how far those communications to the Spanish Government
bind Congress or the country only mean TO that they
have been made at different times far back at least
Gen. Jacksons administration and they have been made
for the purpose of mpresng Spain the great importance
Of peace 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
time, and never heard Of complaint Of them in any part OF
the country
But let TO the direct question What is it
that complained of 1t is said that the President Of the
United States has directed portion of the naval armament
OF the country to the coast of Cuba for certain specific pur
poses and the facts they generally believed hes
for purpose not only perfectly legal and perfectly constu
tona to be executed the part of the Executive of the Go
vernment but purpose made his especial duty by positive sta
tue Ii there any 1t is of this kind. mill
tay expedition has been fitted out begun be fitted out
in the United Stes to act against the island Cuba be-
longing to the Spanish Government And is not MATERIAL
such be the fact if be fitted out began to be fitted out
prepared according to the language of the statute in the
United Staes whether by the citizens ofthe United States
by Others The law prevents the thing being done in the
Uaed States. Now, suppose that whatever action the
President has taken this subject founded upon nfoma
ton that this is military expedition, prepared and set
foot in the United States in whole in part Well, then,
if that be the law makes his express duy wherever he
the military and power within the limits and
Jurisdiction Of the United States tito defeat such
expedition. And in the next place, if United States
sci is found the coast of Cuba, intending violate this
law OF the country BY helping to carry on military e.ped-
tion against Cuba that vessel is just much within the
jurisdiction Of the United Sates-o that is the word of the
sauteas she lay in the Potomac river suppose that
nobody doubts now that the jurisdiction Of the United States
in and protecting for the benefit of the United State
and protecting for the benefit Of other countries all that
under the flag of the United Sates wherever that flag
floats upon the sea, in the harbor of for ign
port. believe that time ago honorable member
from Ohio doubted that, and believe that honorable
member from New York quoted the sentiment and said that
nobody believed it. However take it to be unquesonable
law settled upon the sures 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 law, by the military and naval
ment OF the United States. And why is he to the
naval of the United States unless there
thing that can be lawfully done with upon the sea
not persuade myself that the honorable member from Florida
has read the Of 1918 with his usual diligence and
ness that that act not only gives power the Pres
dent but imposes it 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 portion Of country, provnce colony
with which at peace.
will not 60 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 says
that at home nothing could be done without process
rant That not the language of the law, the language
of the constitution is consonant to general ideas
of the authority of the President under the constitution If
nsurecon breaks may not the President suppress
by armed force If squadron coming the Poto
river to burn the capital may he not resist with naval
force there nsurrecon Of coored persons break
ing any WHERE threatening the overthrow of the laws and
institutions Of the country, must he stop for warrant Sir
is made bis duty execute the laws and where there is
open, asgrant, dangerous violation Of law, is his
duty with the proper force the country the
of the violated law, and assert and establish it.
do not know what the precise facts in this case but
have apprehension all that will be found that any
thing has been done which should have been on that
any thing is intended which should be intended have
the least doubt that whatever has been done in the
has been done upon full consideration and that the
unadvsedy aken and that has been cherished but
of the country.
But the honorable gentleman went somewhat further. He
says that if landing be made the island of Cuba under
haQ a. kb, In.tcl Gsokn. =. L.z~I I.nr 1E