The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-22
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
SENATE
FIRST SESSION.
TUESDAY, May 81, 1850.

SEN TIE.
Private petitions were presented by Messrs. Up
HAM, Donor Of Iowa, DIcKINsoN, CoRwIs, and
SEWARD.
MARINE HOSPITAL AT CINCINNATI.
Mr. CoRwIN presented the memorial of the
Mayor and City Councils of Cincinnati, praying
the establishment in that city OF marine hospital
SLAVERY.
Messrs. DODGE of Iowa and HALE presented a
large number of the usual class of petitions on the
subject of slavery.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS.
The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate
the following communications
From the Secretary of the Interior, in response
% a resolution of the Senate calling for information
relating 10 the operations of the commission 10
the Mexican boundary.
A communication from the Secretary OF State, in
further response to resolution calling for copies of
instructions TO and correspondence with the special
agent to Hungary, transmitting recent dispatches
from the American minister at Constantinope.
Also, message from the President covering re-
ports from the Secretaries of the Interior and War
respecting recent outragcs by the Seminole Indians
in Florida.
ncating details of the extent and value OF the com
merce Of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
CUBAN MOVEMENT.
Mr. YULEE moved to take up the following reso-
luton, submitted by him on yesterday:
Resolved That the President of the United States
be requested 10 inform the Senate whether any and
what information has been received by the Exec utye
Departments respecting an alleged revolutionary
movement in the Island Of Cuba, and 10 communi-
cate to the Senate copies of all correspondence and
orders relative thereto.
And, the question being taken, il was decided in
the afhrmative-yeas D.
Mr.. WALKER moved an amendment, requiring
the President TO communicate also the authority
which said orders were issued.
Mr.. YULEE said he desired TO state the reasons
which induced him to offer the resolution. He had
design 10 express by this resolution, nor had he
any design that the adoption Of the resolution
should be considered expression of opinion
by tho Senate the merits character Of the
Uution now said To be in progress in the Island Of
Cuba. Nor was IL intended as an expression Of
opinion as To whether an armed expedition had left
the United States for the Island Of Cuba. On that
point there a difference ia the nature Of the
formation received. The information he had re-
ceived upon the matter was such as led him 10 be
hcvc the expedition was not military expedition,
in the meaning of the law Of ISIS. He desired TO
be expressly understood as being decidedly in favor
of Observing all treaty stiphlations and Of main
tanning strict neutrality.
lie had been surprised at the terms Of the official
announcement made yesterday in two papers sup
posed 10 be theespecialorgans ofthe Administration
lie considered that the act Of the Government in
sending that fleet 10 the coast Of Cuba a great
usurpation Of power 10 be exercised abroad, and
had been assumed 10 cover up a great negligence
in the exercise Of power at home. That TO cover
up a great neglect on the part Of the Government
IN TIE exercise Oh IL lurlBuiCtiOn al hOnes lur-
diction abroad has been assumed. (He then read
the announcement which appeared in the InteLi-
gencr and Republic, Of yesterday morning.) He
considered that the Government had no jurisdic-
ton the coast of Cuba; that this was a bold and
dangerous usurpation Of power on its part, and
in effect denial Of the right Of emigration and the
right Of expatriation He considered this naval ar
mament going 10 Cuba for the purpose indicated
by the papers a violation Of Law. There was no
prctenee that warrants bad been issued for the ar
rest Of any persons composing this expedition.
What authority there, then, for their arrest by
the Government iorces
1.-THE law were violated at home and within the
jurisdiction of the United States no arrests could
bc made without warrant. How, then, can these
parties be arrested beyond the jurisdiction Of the
United States; In ali civil wars which may exist
IN foreign nstious the United States 10 look
and treat both sides bellgerent powers, and be-
tween them maintain strict neutrality. To deal
with either party "a not prohibited, and such com
mercc u strictly lcgal-tbe parties carrying ON
such commerce Of course being liable the risk OF
having their cargOes conhscatcd, should they fall
into the hands OF the opposing powers. BY what
right, then, has the President ordered that al vcs-
sells shall be captured by the United States forces
who may be engaged in supplying the revolution.
airy party with arms and Ammunition
lie considered that the Government had by il
action, placed itself in position that might rcsul,
la cause for war. II had not Observed should this
part of the order be carried out, that neutrality
which should be preserved, ia respect 10 beIigcr.
ent powers. II it attempts, and does seize upon
artns and ammunition intended iOr the revolution
ary party and does not follow the same course ia
regard TO the other party, the revolutionary party
If successful will have Tor complaint, on TIA
ground Of our interference.
While abstsining from all reference 20 the par
ties engaged in the revolution now gong on Il
Cuba lie was free W admit that hrs sympathe
were with them and he trusted sincerely that the
might be successful. But this interference on tn
part Of the Administration seemed TO him as II tina
movement Of the people to throw oil the tyrann,
that bound them down had no sympathy in TIN
Administration, but that all their feelings wcr
with the perpctuity Of the old monarchical govern
rnents This was not the only case in which thi
feeling was shown. In other INSTANCES, the Admin
istralion have as far as they could, underworld &
repress the struggles la the cause Of freedom, an'
have aided the efforts of tyrsnts and dcspotism.
Mr. WEBSTER said that he was cory that tn
member from Wisconsin (Mr. WALKxR) had sub
mitted the amendment. II asks for the reason
why an act was done, when u IL not know
whether the act has been done. The Senator Iron
FLORIDA says that the action the part Of the Gov
eminent involves this country in the act OF war
Against whom Against what country, what ma
ton, what province IA many ofthe diplomatic re
ltlions between this county and Spain, this Gov