The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-12-06
Presidents Message.
Fellow Citizens Of the Senate
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Fellow Citizens Of the Senate
and House Of Representatives;
/ congratulate you and our common con-
stitueucy upon the favorable auspices under
which you meet Tor your first session. Our
country is at peace with all the world. The
agitation which for time, threatened to dis
tuib the fraternal relations which make US
ono people, is fast snbsiding; and a year OF
general prosperity and health has crowned
tho nation with unusual blessings. None can
look back to the dangers (which are passed,
or forward to the bright prospect before us,
without feeling thrill of qualification, at the
same time he must be impressed with ktate-
ful sense of our profound obligations 10 a be-
nefcent Providence, whose paternal care is
so manifest in the happiness of this highly
favored land.
Since the close Of the last Congress, GER
tain Cubans and other foreigners resident in
tire United States, who were more or less
concerned ia the previous invasion of Cuba,
instead of being discouraged by its failure,
again abused the hospitality of this country,
by making il the scene Of the equipment of
another military expedition against that pos
session of her Catholic Majesty, in which
they were countenanced, aided aud Joined by
citizens of the United States. On receiving
intelligence that such designs were entertain
ed, | lost no time in Issuing such instructions
to the proper officers OF the United States as
seemed 70 be called for by the occasion. By
the proclamation, a copy of which is here
with submitted, l also warned those who
might be in danger of being inveigled into
this scheme, of its unlawful character, and Of
the penalties which they would incur. For
some time there was reason 20 hope that these
measures had sufficed to prevent any such at
tempt, This hope, however, proved to be
delusivc. Very early in the morning of Au-
gust the Sd, a steamer called the Pampero de-
parted from New Orleans for Cuba, having
on board upwards of four hundred armed
men, with evident intentions TO make war up
on = Q authorities of the island. This expe-
ditto was set on foot ip palpable violation of
Nc laws of the United States. Its leader
was a Spaniard, and several of the chief Of
fcers, and some others engaged in IL, were
foreigners. The persons composing il, how
ever, were mostly citizens OF the United
States.
Before the expedition set out and proba-
AlY before IL was ssatsisetl, Il slight iusurrec-
tionary movement, which appears to have
been soon Suppressed, had taken place in the
eastern quarter Of Cuba. The Importance
of this movement was unfortunately so much
exaggerated in the accounts Of il published
in this country, that these adventurous seem
to have been ledS to believe that the Creole
population of the island not only desired TO
throw Off the authority ofthe mother country,
but had resolved upon that step, and had he
gun well concerted enterprise for eiiectins
it. The persons engaged in the expedition
were generally yohB;s and ill-inferme,l,' Tho
steamer in which they embarked left New Or
leans slcalthily and without q clearance. AZ !
,r tcughipg nj Key West, she proceeded TO /