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

IN SENATE, MAY 81, 1850.
On motion OF Mr.. YULEE the Senate took up for eons-
deraon the resolution, heretofore submitted by him:
Resolved That the President of the United States be
quested inform the Senate whether any and what noma
has been received by the Executive Department
ing alleged military expedition against the Island of Cuba
and communicate the Senate copies all correspondence
and orders relative thereto.
Mr.. WALKER wish to ask the consent of the Senator
from Florida to submit amendment
"And that he be requested inform the Senate by what
hor he has sent armed vessel vessels for the suppress
sion OF such nsurrection, il such be the fact"
Mr.. YULEE. / have objection to the amendment;
have objection enlarge the inquiry any which
any gentleman may DESIRE As presented the resolution,
feel myself called upon 10 state briefly may the
which induced me TO move it, think proper to say
in the first place. that propose offer opinion whatever
do design this resolution TO be regarded committing
the Senate any opinion with respect the merits of the
voluionary which supposed to be foot any
such there be- Nor do know whether in fact any exped
on which can be regarded in the eye OF the law military
expedition, has been undertaken 1t may be not Ru
mors tend that ways but the information is various have
received this morning information which may be considered
reliable, that what alleged TO be military expedition is
no: such one, in fact within the purvew of any
provision Of the law Of 1918. But however this may be,
regard immaleria to the issue have in view think
right further to state distinctly that regard to be high
moral and political obligation Of this Government maintain
with honest sneutraty aaSs ofohe
nations and recognise the duty of the Executive use all
legitimate means to preserve the public peace and enforce
means appointed by the laws of Congress.
But my object in morng this resolution is partly call
the attention OF the Senate to what to to be very
serious uurpation power the part Of the Executive to
point the notice Of this body and the country to proceeding
that to 10 be designed 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 the constitutional preroga
ves of Congress- and violates that policy adopted by this
Government from early date OF absolute
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 refer to the
made yesterday simultaneously in Of the papers Of
this city, which regarded The organs of the Admnra
on and the official opponents Of its current transactions
We Informed that squadron has been ordered-where
Not any part the Unied States prevent the caying
on according to the meaning OF the law, alleged militia
ry expedition against friendly foreign Power but where
To the Blandof CUBA foreign dominion, beyond our
jurisdiction operate upon the high SEAS but upon the
Of Cuba and within the waters and jurisdiction Of that
island To do what there First to prevent the landing Of
force, the carrying out of any enterprise organized
the United States This is bad enough but with further
sruconand it's to this aspect Of the case desire especially
to invite aentonwth this further remarkable instruction,
in the language Of the editorial in the Intellgencer
In the Of landing ha1ing been Effected prevent
the landing OF ANY REINFORCEMENT
under the American hag intended for such expedition
or enterprise"
Without intending to occupy much Of the time of the Se
nae desire to present for its consideration pn
cples which applicable the circumstances if
they exist stated in the Intellgence In the first place.
consider these instructions to be vioave of the personal
civil rights of emigration and Of expatriation consider them
also violation Of the express right guaranteed to every ci
the United States by the constitution Of the country,
to be deprived Of life liberty, property achou due pro-
cess of d,O. 1t will be understood that in this
rant has been issued no nrma fled and there has been
pro of law within the contemplation Of the cons,u
ton and yet squadron has been ordered to the coast 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 act of s
being committed, authority would dare to arrest the
suspected offender without due process Of law contemplate
ed by the constitution of the United States but here find
the Executive Of the country employing the fleet of the Uni
ted States and sending to foreign parts to arrest American
citizens, and to hinder them in their liberty and violate the
sancy of their property without any legal information and
without any process.
But passing from this nconsderae violation of personal
and civil right, there greater wrong to the dignity poll
| cy, and constitution Of the country. ....
come to the next, and it to me, material
ground. The instructions direct that if landing had
been effected the fleet should be employed prevent the
arrival and landing of renfocements 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 is the established national law
in regard to civil wars 1t is that whenever civil shall
in foreign country, each of the parties TO he regard
ed and treated belgerent Powers. say now that the
moment landing effected contemplated by these in
srucons and the flag OF revolution raised on the sand
there parties arayed in hostile interest," and that
in being. Belgeient powers there and belongs to
the freedom OF commerce.
every citizen this counyto hire sell vessels and send
them there with provisions and for either party able and
willing to pay for them Yet here find direction given
that after the anticipated landing is effected and the revolu
onary flag may have been rased and there two bege
rent powers acting the island in contest for its gvern
ment fleet is be employed to prevent the landing of
einfucements arms and supplies under the American flag,
if intended for Of the parties.
contend that this is not only violation of the rghtul
freedom Of commerce. but is also in violation Of the rules
neutrality, recognised by all naons and enforced by
this Government from the commencement Of It's history 10
the present time The provisions, arms, and ammunition
sent there under the circumstances will be regarded agred
contraband Of war; and liable the risks which belong
such enterprises. But the is unlawful it is
lawful commerce. and the vessels cargoes subject
6scaon, if they fall into the power Of the adversary party
wish it. therefore, to be understood, and 30 declare dis
ncty, that, according my apprehension of the law if the
flag of revolution is raised in the Island of Cuba from
that moment the right Of every American citizen hire
his vessel sell it. the revolutionary party, equally
the other party and send under the American flag pro-
visions and arms and whatever else the revolutionary party
may require and pay for And further, that every per
who chooses 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 say, further
that every American ship engaged in lawful
entitled to be projected in its pursuit by the public force
say, them that the instructions far from being consistent
with the rights Of American citizenship and property are IN
violation of those rights go further and that the acts
ordered be done are Of say that the President
has undertaken involve the country in the danger OF
hostile collision without the authority Congress- and there
fore violation Of the constitution In support Of this posi-
ton have refer back the ground which took just now,
that the revolutionary flag has been raised in the
island civil is begun, and that by the laws Of nations
-