Washington telegraph., 1851-12-24

Spaln, relating to tliIS transaction. is mere.
with communicated. Although these
offenders against the laws have forfeited
the protection of their country, yet the
Government may SO far as it is consistenI
with its obligation 10 other countries. and
its fixed purpose TO maintain and enforce
the laws, entertain sympathies for their
unofending families and friends. as well
as feeling of compassion for themselves
Accordingly no proper effort has been
spared, and none will he spared. to pro
cure the release of such citizens of the
United States, engaged in the unlawful
enterprise, as are now in confinement in
Spain, but ii is TO be hoped tina; such in
terposition with the Government of that
country may not be considered as afford
Government of The United States will
hereafter feel itself under any obligation
of duty to intercede for the liberation or
pardon of such persons as are fragrant Of.
tenders against the law of nations and
the laws of the United States. These
laws must he executed if we desire 10
mainsaln our responsibility among The na-
tlons of the earth 1t behooves us to ell-
force, steadily and sternly. the neutrality
acts passed 10y Congress. aud - follow,
as far as may be, The violation Of chose
acts with condl3m punishment Bui
what gives peculiar crInil;lality TO this
invasion Of Cuba is. that, under the lead
of Spanish subjects, and with the aid oi
the citizens of the United States, it had
its origin i'll motives of cupidlty. Money
was advanced 10y individuals, probably in
considerable amounts. lo purchase Cuban
Bonds, as they have been ca.ied-isSuej
by Lopez--so1d, doubtless at very large
discount and for The payment OF which
public lands and public property OF Cuba,
of whatever kind, aud the fiscal resour-
ces of tue people and govetnment Of that
Islaud, from whatever source 10 be de-
rived, were pledged-as well as the good
faith of the government expected 10 be
esta bIished All this means of payment,
it is evident, were only to be Obtained by
a process Of bloodshed, war aud revoIu-
tion None will derry, that those who
set on foot Military expeditions against
foreign States, by means Ike these, are
far more culpabIe than the ignorant and
the necessitous, whom they induce to go
forth as The ostensfble parties in the pro-
ceeding. These originatofs if the inva-
sion of Cuba seem TO have determined
with GOODNESS and system upon an under
taking which should disgrace their coun-
try, violate its laws, aud put 10 hazard
lie lives of ill-inforned and deIuded luen.
You will consider whether further iegis-
iaion will he necessary TO prevent the
pre- paralion Of such offences in future
No individuals have a right TO hazard HE
peace of the country, Or violate It's laws,
upon vague notions Of aIteriifg or re-
forming governments in other States.
This principle is not only reasonable
in itself and III accordance with pubic
law, but is enSrafled into the codes oi
other nations as well as our own. But
while such are the sentiments OF this
government, it may be added that every
ilde pend mt nation must he presumed Il
he abb. to defend rs possessions agaln>'
Unauthorized Individuals banded togetheI
10 attack them. 1he government OF The
United States, at all times since rs eS
lablishmeut, has abstalned and has sought
10 restrain, the cillzeno of the country
from entering into controversies betWeel
other powers, aud TO observe all the du
lies of neutrality. At an early period o.
the government-in the administration o
Wa>lllEgton-severa laws We're passed
ior this purpose. The main provisions o
these laws were re-enacted by act o
April, 1S1S-hy which, among othel
things, it was declared, that if any per
son shall, within the territory or lurlsdc
ton of the United States, begin or Sc
on foot, or provide. or prepare the means
for any military expedition or enterprise
10 be carried Oh from thence against the
Territory or dominion Of any foreiyi
Prince or State, or of any colony, district
or people with whom the United Staie'
are at peace-every person so Offending
shall be deemed guilty OF high misde
meauor and shall he fined not exceedln:
three thousand dollars, aud be iinprisrne'
not more than three years. Aud TIN
law has been executed aud enforced Il
the full extent OF the power oi The GOV
ernment, from that day to this. In pro
claiming and adherlng TO The doctrlhe O
neutrality and non-lnlerveutIon, The Olii
ted States have not followed the lead o
other nailol:s-shey have taken the iea'
themselves, aud have been followed b.
others. This was admitted by one .
! the most eminent OF modern Dfltle'
Statesmen, who said i'll Parliament
whilst, a Minister of the Crown. that
he wished for guide i'll system OF heu
,raity, he should take that laid down D.
America in The days of Washington an'
the Secretary ship of Jefferson; and w
see, III fact. the act of Congress OF lol'
was followed the succeeding year by al
acs of Parllamen. OF England suhstan
TALLY the same nj its general provisions
I'm 70. that time there had been no simi