Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-12-11
EXTRACTS FROM THE
ESIDENT'S MESSAG E.
FELLow-CITIZENs OF THE SENATE
AND House OF REPRESENTATIVES,:

- - ~ ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ 49, - ~ ~ n ~ -
FELLOW CITIZENS OF TIE SENATE
AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
congratulate you and our commo,
constituency upon the favorable auspicie
under which you meet for your first ses
sion. Our country is at peace with al
the world. The agitation which, for !
time, threatened to disturb the fraterna
relations which make us one people, i
fast subsiding; and year of genera
prosperity and health has crowned the
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 graft
fication, at the same time that he must be
impressed with a grateful sense Of our
profound obligations to benefcent Pro.
violence, whose paternal care is so mani.
fest in the happiness Of this highly-fa-
vorcd land.
Considerable space is occupied in de-
failing the progress of the revolutionary
expeditions against Cuba, with which the
reader is familiar. Speaking Of those
who have been condemned, he says:
Although these offenders against the
laws have forfeited the protection of
their country, yet the Government may,
so far as is consistent with its obligations
to other countries, and its fixed purpose
to maintain and enforce the laws, enter
tain sympathy for their unofending fam
lilies and friends, as well as feeling of
compassion for themselves. Accordingly
no proper effort has been spared, and
none will be spared, to procure the re-
lease of such citizens of the United
States, engaged in this unlawful enter
prise, as are now in confinement in Spain
but it is to be hoped that interposition
with the government of that country may
not be considered as af'ording any ground
Of expectation that the Government Of
seIT under any oBTIgaIIon OF duty % III.
tercede for the liberation or pardon OF
such persons as are fragrant offenders
against the law Of nations and the laws
of the United States. These laws must
be executed. If we desire to MAINTAIN
our respectability among the nations OF
the earth, it behooves us to enforce steadl,
ly and sternly the neutrality acts passed
by Congress, and to follow, as far as may
be, the violation of those acts with con-
dign punishment.
The Governments Of Great Britain
and France have issued orders to their
naval commanders on the West India
station to prevent by force, if necessary,
the landing of adventurers from any ma
ton on the Island of Cuba with hostile
intent. The copy Of a memorandum OF
a conversation on this subject between
the Charge d'Afaires Of her Britannia
Majesty and the acting Secretary of
State, and of subsequent note OF the for
mer to the Department of State, are
herewith submitted, together with copy
of a note of the Acting Secretary OF
State to the Minister Of the French re-
public, and of the reply of the latter, on
the same subject These papers will ac-
Quaint YOU with the grounds of this in,
ternosittion of the two leading commercial
powers of Europe, and with the appre,;
tensions, which this Government could
not fail to entertain, that such interposl-
tion if carried into effect, might lead to
abuse in derogaton of the marat'me
riphts of the United States are founded
on a firm, secure, and well defined basis
thew stand upon the ground of National al
independence and public law, and will
be maintained. in all their full and just
extent.
The principle which this Government
has heretofore solemnly announced II
still M adheres to, and will maintain under
ali circumstances and at all hazards
That principle is, that in every regularly
documcnted merchant vessel, the crew
who navigate it, and those on board OF
if. will find their protection in the flag
which is over them. No American shi[
can be allowed to be visited or searched
for the purpose Of ascertaining the char
acter of individuals on board, nor car
there be allowed any watch by the yes
sells of any foreign nation over American
vessels on the coasts Of the Unitee
States or the seas adjacent thereto. Il
will be seen by the last communication
from the British Charge dAlf'aires to the
department of State, that he is authorized
to assure the Secretary of State that eve
ry care will be taken that, in executing
the preventive measures against the ex
peditions, which the United States Gov
ernment itself has denounced as not be
ing entitled te the protection of any
government, no interference shall take
place with the lawful commerce of any
nation.
In addition to the correspondence OF
this subject, herewith submitted, ofiicia
information has been received at the DE
partment of State, of assurances by th'
French Government that, in the order
given to the French naval forces, the.
| were expressly instructed, in any opera