The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-06-26
Thf Cuban Hxpeaiticu-41lP ayIi9nSnt Of
England on the eub3eoG
IupvprAv p..,,.,s,x,~

a AAousE VI AohOs, TTs3@y, JUNG -
TIE sCusAs EXPEDITION BRoUcHAM
who spoke IN so low and colloquial a tone across
he table, that we could scarcely catch sentence
rom him) said that he had to put question to
he noble marques opposite upon matter Of very
,rave importance. Reports of an alarming nature
lad been circulated within the last few days--re-
ports which he hoped might prove groundless--
that an expedition, consisting Of s4me 5000 or
) 500 men, had sailed from the 1hores Of the
United States OF America for the purpose Of TAX
ing possession--forcible and armed possession
Of the greatest Of the West India Islands--the
ancient Spanish colony Of Cuba. He had no ac-
counts Of this expedition further than those which
had appeared in the public prints, and they stated
that il had actually sailed from New Orleans
The Marques of LASsDowsE-and landed in
Cuba.
Lord BRoucmAm--It had not only sailed, but
actually landed in Cuba. Now, he had no idea
whatsoever that such proceeding would be as
sented to by the Government Of the United States.
Indeed, he believed that so far were they from
consenting, that they had taken steps to prevent
The sailing Of this very armament upon former
occasion. But he understood now, and to his
great sorrow, that these pirates had not only sue
eeded IN getting away from the shores Of America,
out they had actually escaped the Spanish fleet
mat those execrable pirates, going practically by
sea TO Cuba for the purpose of invasion and robbie
ry, as they had gone before to Mexico by land and
escaped from the Spanish fleet. He deeply re-
GREETED that they should have so escaped. But he
aoped that they would yet meet with the condign
punishment in Cuba which they so richly de-
served. He trusted that his noble friend would
De able to give the house some information upon
the subject, and to tell them whether any commu-
nication had passed between the American Gov
ernment and our Minister at Washington, or the
American Minister and our government at home,
with regard to it, And whether the Government
IF the United States, which was respectable
government and acted, he believed, respectfully,
having proper care for the relations Of peace ana
unity with foreign friendly nations, was endowed
With sufficient strength and power to prevent It's
'wn subjects from fitting out and arming large
expeditions for the avowed purpose Of the inva-
SION of unoffending peaceful foreign States,
The Marquess Of LANDspowNE (who spoke
with his back TO the gallery, and in even u lower
than his accustomed tOne) was understood to say:
My lords, have only to say in answer TO the
question put by the noble lord, that do not
know that can give him any further information
the public prints, and which, fear is true-name-
~, that this pratical expedition fitted out in
America for the invasion Of Cuba; but that it was
fitted out, not only without the cognizance, but
with the most entire disapprobaton, and under
the serious encouragement Of the United States
Here the noble Marquess became
totally inaudible, and the next sentence we could
that the object Of this mOnstrous, unholy, and
unjust piratical expedition was the invasion of
Cuba; and information has since been received al
New Orleans that il had landed at Cardenas,
which town was then in its possession
Lord BRoUGHAM-My lords, am, | confess,
should have hoped that some
hing more than mere Misrepresentation would be ex-
PRESSED by the United States Government when
speaking of the conduct Of those detestable pi-
'ates; for, as my noble friend has said, and was
,lad TO hear him use the designation, this expedi-
ion is piracy, and piracy Of the very worst de-
'cription; for ordinary piracy is confined to rob-
,ery and plumber upon comparatively small
'cale; but this is carrying fire and sword, with all
ne horrors Of open war, for purposes of spoa-
ION, into peaceable country in alliance with
america and with this country; or at all events
{ not in actual alliance, certainly in peace
ul relations Of amicable intercourse.
The Marquess of LANspowHE--I said that tht
United States Government had not only looked
,pon the expedition with misrepresentation, but tina
hey had also taken steps to prevent its settn,
tut and had ordered their naval forces to inter-
ept and break it up il possible.
Lord BRoUGHAn said that the addition now
made by the noble lord was more satisfactory.
Sut he could not really understand how 6,000 OF
1000 men could be armed, trained, and sent OF
rom country, without the knowledge Of the go
eminent.
The Earl Of ABERDEEs--I have not the leas'
loubt Of the sincerity Of the United States Govern
nent in expressing their disapprobation Of the ex
edition against Cuba. But this, must say, il
rather peculiar circumstance. 1t is supposed
hat we have desire for the possession Of this
,lnce We ourselves haze been strongly suspected q
,aping designs upon this island Of Cuba; and
'ecoilect myself haring made proposal t,centy gear
go, (chen they thought fit TO suspect Of haring
a,pfui designs upon the Island ichich regret III,
United States did not assent TO- Hcas the only thins
ohich think they could hare done, more than the,
,o,o haze, to secure the independence Of Cuba. TIL
proposal ,ras that the United States and Franc,
ould join nth us TO guarantee the possession of ht
;sland 10 Spain. The United States, ho,oerer, did
not think fit at the time to join ,ciM us in that guar
mice. hope that the forces in the island viii
e found sufficient, | believe they will be, to
rive good account Of those buccaneers who have
AIKEN part in this expedition.
LORD BRoUcHAM---As a lawyer challenge con-
radction to this proposition. That ali Civilized
nations are bound TO give help against pirates
who are the enemies of all men, wherever those
pirates may be found and that the commander OF
my British cruiser on the coast, at the time,
would be guilty Of neglect, and would be neglect.
ng his duty, il he did not give his aid to the
Spaniards against those pirates. (Hear, hear.l
LORD SrANLEY.-The proposition of my noble
friend touches the question which was just about
70 put TO the noble marques, and which was this:
Can he give us no information as to the course
about to be pursued by our government with re-
gard to this expedition' And, as il was known
'or some time that it was intended to send out
such an expedition, what instructions have beer
given to our naval commander upon the West In
liza station with regard to the proceedings he
should adopt respecting IL?
The MARQUES OF LASsDowNE.--I can dis
iincty state to the noble lord that the matter has
more than once formed the subject Of communion
ion between our Minister and the American Gov
ernment; and have, further, the satisfaction of
assuring him that the American Government takes
he same view Of the matter that We do.
LORD SrASLEY.--The noble marques does no,
'eem to have heard my question. did not ask
what the American Government had done, but
what her Majesty's government had done.
,sk whether any, and if any, what instructions
rad been sent out to the admiral commanding on
he station, in relation to this expedition.
The MARauEss OF LANsDowNE.-l am certain
v not prepared to answer a question Of that kind
without notice having first been given Of it.
LORD STAsLEY.-The noble marques, am
sure will do me the justice to believe that knew no
more of this question coming forward than he
lid; but the subject brought forward,
md as imagined that the occupation Of Cuba
was not a subject that would be viewed with in