Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Ellow Citisens of the Senate
and House Of Representatives.

which you meet for your first session. Our |
country is al peace with all The worli. The |
agitation which, for "A time, threatened 10 |
disturb the lraernal relations which make |
us one people, is fast subsIdlng; and a year !
OF general prosperity aud health has crown
ed the nation with unusual blessings. None !
can look back 10 The dangers which are pas
sed, or forward 10 the bright prospect before
US. without feeling lhrill of qualification, at
the same time that he must be impressed
With grateful sense Of our profound obga-
tons TO bcnefcen, Providrnce, whose pa
iet:al care is so manifest in the happiness OF
this highlyfavored land.
Since the close OF the last Congress, cer-
tain Cnbans and other foreigners resident in
the United States, who were more or less
concerned III The previous invasion Of Cuba,
instead of being discouraged by its failure,
have again abused the hospitality of this
country, BY making it the scene of The equip
ment OF another military expedition against
that possession of her Catholic Ma iesty, in
which they were counienanced, aided and
joined by citizens of the United States. On
receiving intelligence that such designs were
entertained, | lost no time In issuing such IN
struciions 10 the proper officers of the United
States as seemed TO be called for by the &C.
cason By the proclamation, a copy of
which is herewith submitted. ! also warn
ed those who might be in danger Of being
invegled into this scheme, OF lis unlawful
character, and of the penalties which they
would incur. For some time there was rcn-
son TO hope that these measures had suliiced
10 prevent any such attempt. This hope,
however proved 10 be delusive. Very early
in the morning Of the ihird of August,
steamer called the Pampero departed from
New Orleans for Cuba, having on board up
a.. &
dent intentions TO make war upon the au-
thorilies of the island. This expedition was
set on foot in palpable violation Of the laws
Of The United States. lis leader was a Sran>
lard, and several of the chief oliceI., and
some others engaged in il, were ioreigners
The persons composing II, However, were
mostly citizens Of The Uaitcd States.
Here follows Il history Of the Cuban en-
peGl,lon with the details, Of which our read
ers are already familiar.
In proclaimng and adhering TO the doc
1rine of neutrality and non-intcrvention, the
United States have not followed the lead of
other civilized nati0ns; they have taken the
lead themselves, and have been followed by
others. This was admitted by one of the
most eminent of modern British statesmen,
who said in Parliament, while minister OF
the crown, "that, if he wished for a guide
in the system Of neutrality, he should take
that laid down by America in the days of
Washington and the secretaryship of Jeilcr-
son." and we see, in fact, that the act Of
Congress of 1918, was followed, the sue
ceedlng year by an act of the Parliament Of
England, substantially the same in its gene
sal provisions. Up TO that time there had
been no similar law in England, except GER
Gain highly penal statutes passed in the reign
,of George II, prohibiting English subjects
from enis,ns in foreign service, the avowed
object OF which statute was, that foreign ar
mics raised for the purpose of restoring the
house of Stuart 10 The throne, should not be
slreng gheued by recruits from Eng land her
self
All must see that difficulties may arise in
carrying the laws referred TO inlo execution
III a county now having three or ionr thous-
and miles of sea coast, with an Infinite num-
Der of ports and harbors and small inles,
from some of which unlawful expeditions
may suddenly set forth, without the know
ledge of Government against the possession.
of foreign States.
Friendly relations with all, but cniangling
alliances with none, has long been "A maxim
with us. Our true mission is not to propO-
gate our opinions, or impose upon other conn
dries our form OF government, by arlliice or
dorce; but TO teach by example, and show
blessings of self government, aud the adran-
iages of free institutions. Let every people
choose for itself, and make and alter lis po,
lilcal institution 10 suit its own condition
and convenience. But, while we avow and
maintain this neutral policy ourselves, We
are anxious 10 see the same tOrbearance OF
the part Of other uaious, whose forms OF 90
vernment are different from our own. The
deep interest which in the spread of liberia
principles, and the establishment of free 90
vernments, and the sympathy with whlcl
we witness every struggle against oppression
forbid that we should be indifferent TO case
in which the strong arm of foreign power
is invoked to s,ie public sentiment, and re
press the spirit of freedom in any country
The governments of Great Britain ant
France have ssned orders 10 their naval com
manders on the West India station TO prcven
by force, il necessary, the landing of adveu
turers FROM any nation on the Island OF Cub;
with hostile intent. The copy Of memoran
dunn of conversation on this subject be
tween the Charge Il d'Aiiaires of her BliIaui
Majesty and The Acting Secretary of Stale
and of a subsequent note OF the former /
the Department of State, are herewith sub
mitted. together with copy of note c
the Acting Secretary of State TO the Mini.
Ter of the French Republic, and of the re
Wl Oh lit idlltl. VII lllF SdlllC Sa''l'Nb
These papers will acquaint you with th
grounds Of this inierposlion of The two LEAD
ing commercial powers OF Europe, and vii
the appreheusions, which this GoyernmeI
could not fail TO entertain, that such iuerpC
silon, if carried into effect, might lead I
abuse, in dcrogaion of the maritime riah
of the Un ted States. The maritime ri2h
of the UnileG States are founded on firm
secure, and we,.dctined basis; they stan
upon The ground OF National Independents
aud public law, and will be. maintained
all their full and lUst extent,
The principle which this Governn."n Ia
heretofore soiemuly announced it still e.
heres 10, aud will maintain under all circGu
stances and at all hazards. The principle i
that in every regularly documenled m-lchar
vessel, The crew who navigate it, aud lhos
on board OF il, will find their protection
the flag which is over them. No America
ship can be allowed TO be visited or searche
for the purpose OF aSceraining The characlt
OF indivuals Oh board, nor can there be a
lowed any watch by the vessels of any 70
eign nation over American vessels on Ii
coasts of the United States or the seas ad