Hannibal journal and western union. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1851-1852, 1851-12-11
Pres ident'S Message,

SOhS i"tuiule you ana our common
country, upon the favorable auspice
under which you meet for your first ses
sion. Our country is at peace with all tn
world. The agitation which for tim
threatened to disturb the fraternal rela.
tions which has made us one peonle !,
fast subsiding, and year Of genera
prosperity and health has crowned tn,
nation with unusual blessings. Non,
can look back to the dangers which ar,
passed, or forwardato the bright pros
poets before us, without feeling a thrill
If qualification, AZ the same time that w,
must be impressed with grateful sens,
OF our profound obligation to Benef.
cent Providence, whose paternal care i,
90 manifest in the happiness of this high.
ly favored land.
Since the close of the last Congress
certain Cubans and other foreigners
resident in the United States, who were
more or less concerned in the previou.
invasion Of Cuba, instead of being dis
Suraged by its failure, have again ab-
ved the hospitality of this country by
TRaking it the scene of another military
expedition against the possessions Of her
Catholic Majesty, in which they were
countenanced, aided and Joined by citi-
gems of the United States, On receiy-
ing intelligence that such designs were
entertained, lost no time in issuing
'Such instructions to the proper officers
Of the United States as seemed to be
called for by the occasion, by the proc
hmation, copy of which is herewith
submitted. also warned those who
might be in danger of being inveigled in
to this scheme, of its unlawful nature,
and of the penalties which they would
incur. For some time, there was rea-
son TO hope that these measures had suf-
ioed to prevent any such attempt: this
hope, however, proved to be deusive.-
Very early on the morning of the Sd
August, steamer called the Pampero.
departed from New Orleans for Cuba,
having on board 400 armed men, with
evident intention to make war upon the
authorities of Cuba. This expedition
was set on foot in palpable violation of
the laws Of the United States; its loader
was Spaniard, and several of the chief
officers, and some others engaged in it,
were foreigners. The persons compo-
sing it, however, were mostly citizens
Of the United States. Before the expe-
dition sat out, and probably before tt
was organized, a slight insurrectionary
movement, whicn appears to have been
soon suppressed, had taken place in the
eastern quarter of Cuba. Th4 impor-
lance of this movement was unfortunate
ly so much exaggerated in the accounts
published in this country, that these ad-
venturers seem to have been led to be-
lieve that the Creole population of the
Island, not only desired to throw off the
authority of the mother country, but had
resolved upon that STEP. and had begun
well concerted enterprise for eifecting
it. The persons engaged in the expedi-
tion were generally young and ill in
formed. The steamer on which they
embarked left New Orleans stealthily,
and without clearance. After touch
ing at Key West, she proceeded to the
coast of Cuba, and in the night between
the lith and 18th of August, landed the
persons on board at Playtas, within about
twenty leagues of Havana. The main
body of the invaders proceeded to and
took possession of an inland village, six
leagues distant, leaving the others to fol-
low, in charge Of the baggage, as soon as
tho means of transportation could be OBJ
tanned. The latter having taken up
their line of march to connect themselves
with the main body, and having proceed
cd about four leagues into the country,
were attacked OH the morning Of the 18th
by body Of Spanish troops, and a
bloody conflict ensued, otter which they
retreated to the place Of Decentralization,
where about fifty Of them obtained boats
and re- embarked therein. They were,
howevea, intercepted among the Keys,
near shore, by Spanish steamer cruts-
ing oh the coast, captured and carried 70
havana, and after being examined before
amilitary court, were sentenced TO be
psblicly executed, and the sentcuce was
carried into eiIeet on the 10th of August.
Onreceiving information OF what bad
occurred. Commander A. Parker was in
structed 10 procoOd TO Havana in the
steam frigate Saranak, and enquire into
tLe charges against those executed, the
circumstances undeA which they were
taken, and whatever referred to their
trial and sentence. Opies of the in
structians from the Dekrtment of State
and Of his letters to TIT Department
are herewith submitted. According tc
the record OF the examingon, the pris-
oners all admitted the ohuce charged
against them, Of being hoste invaders
I the Island. At the time o the trial
and execution, the main body { the in
,yaders vas still in the field, maiug waI
upon the Spanish authorities an Span
q ism subjibts: after the lapse o some
days, lang overcome by the sanish
troops, they dispersed on the 24t Au.
gust. lopez, their leader, was ap-
tured sole day. after, and execute en-
the frstSeptenber; many Of hise.
naming ollowGs were killed, or d
Of huhgelor fatigue, and the rest We
made prisners. or these, none appe
TO have ben triet or executed; seve
Of these wre pahoned, upon apple
J. ton ofahei friend and others, and
rest, abou $50 in number, W.
sent to Spal. Of(he final disposit
,otthers, WEAVE Unofficial iuformah