The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-23

d. sPcCidl oIuCI, diu subsequently,, tho
further consideration of the subject was
postponed until the first Tuesday in July.
A resolution, introduced by Mr.. YULEE
in the Senate, on Monday last, is now
pending before that body, requesting the
PRESIDENT of the United States " to in
form the Senate whether any and what
8 information has been received by the
Executive Department respecting an al
legged military expedition against the
Island of Cuba, and to communicate to
the Senate copies of all correspondence
and orders relative thereto"
To this resolution, Mr.. WALKER, on
Tuesday, offered all amendment request
ing the PRESIDENT further "to inform the
Senate by what authority he has sent an
armed vessel or vessels to the Island Of
Cuba, with view to forcibly suppress
such revolution, if such be the fact"
We do not understand, nor has it
been so announced, that the PREsI-
DENT has ordered any part of our naval
force to Cuba for the suppression of an
apprehended reuolution in that island.
No such idea, it may safely be pre-
sumed, ever entered his mind. But,
having received satisfactory information,
as heretofore announced, "rendering it
most probable that military organiza-
ton had been set on foot, within the
United States, formidable both in num-
bers and from the character of those
engaged in it, for the purpose of attack
ing the Island of Cuba and revolution
izing the government" the PRESIDENT
did Immediately order naval force to
proceed forthwith to that island, with a
view to ascertain whether any military
force organized in the United States was
proceeding thither for such purpose,
with Instructions, if that were found to be
true, "to prevent the landing Of any such
force or the carrying out of any such
expedition or enterprise; and with fur
ther instructions, in the event of a land
ing having been effected, to prevent the
landing Of any reinforcements, or of any
arms or provisions under the American
flag, intended for such expedition or en-
terprise."
In this proceeding the President has
but faithfully obeyed the injunctions of the
law. The act Of Congress of the Goth Of
April, 1918, makes it highly penal Of
fence for any person "within the terri
tory or jurisdiction of the United States,
to begin, set on foot, or provide or prepare
the means for any military expedition or
enterprise to be carried on from thence
against the territory or dominions Of any
foreign prince or State, or Of any col
ony, district, or people with whom the
United States are at peace;" and the
eighth section Of the same act authorizes
the PRESIDENT to employ the land OF ma
val forces Of the United States "for the
purpose Of preventing the carrying on of
any such expedition or enterprise from
the territories or jurisdiction of the
United States" SC.
This section of the act of 1918, although
almost identical with the seventh section
Of the act of June 9Th, 1894, differs with
il in one very material point. In the lat
ter, the President was authorized to use
the land and naval forces Of the United
States TO prevent the carrying on Of such
expeditions "from the territories Of the
United States" But in the act of 1918,
the language employed is, "from the ter
ritories or jurisdiction of the United
States"-the terms ''territories" and Gu
risdiction" being manifestly used in con-
tradistinction to each other. Now, the
jurisdiction" of the United States, as
everybody knows, is not limited TO our
''territories." Il extends to the high seas,
wherever our flag is found. All that sail
under that flag are within the Jurisdiction
of the United States, though at sea and
far distant from our shores. Conse-
quently, an expedition against Cuba, car
ried on in American vessels, under the
American flag, is carried on from "the
jurisdiction" Of the United States, Though
such vessels may be found at sea, and
as such should be prevented by the
PRESIDENT, who is authorized by the act
of 1918 to use such portion Of the land or
naval forces Of the United States as he
may deem necessary for that purpose.
Upon this point there can be no higher
authority than Mr.. WEBSTER, from whose
remarks on the subject in the Senate, on
Tuesday, we make the following extract