The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-20
From the Neto York Express.
United States District Court.
nEFoRx JUDGE narrs

The ALLEGED CUBAN EXPEDITION grand
jury was empaneled, Mr.. VIM Havermeyer, fore
man, and received the charge Of the court. After
stating various cases which are on the calendar,
and will be presented for the action of the grand
jury, the court remarked that it 10 probably within
the knowledge Of jurors, from perusing the public
journals, that representation has been made on
the part of the Spanish government to the Govern
ment of the United States, expressing apprehen-
sions OF very extensive plans and operations being
foot in various parts Of the United States, by in
dviduals, TO fit out an expedition to invade Cuba
and that our Government, anxious and determined
to prevent any infraction Of the good faith which
renders 1t proper to prevent any invasion of the
peace and quietness Of other nations, or their colo
nes by citizens or residents of the United States,
has taken suitable measures to prevent any at
tempt TO fit out such expedition. 1t is also known
to the jury that several persons have been arrested
in this district, charged in relation to the subject
some of them are foreigners.
In regard to the latter many suppose that, be-
cause they are not citizens they not amenable
to the law, but in this they are mistaken by the
Gth section of the law of 1918, aay person who shall
or set on foot or provide or prepare tho means for
any military enterprise against the territories or
colonies OF any nations with which the United
States at peace, is deemed by the section guilty
of q high misdemeanor, and, on conviction, pun
ishable by fine not exceeding $4,000, and i'm
prisonment for not more than three years.
Transient persons as well as citizens prohib-
tied from setting on foot expedition. Citizens
ritory with view to engage in an expedition
against the peace and quietness of nation or colo
ny with which the United States are at peace.
Citizens or transient persons free to emigrate
to Cuba, if they please, if not ostensibly with
view to an expedition, and persons can write and
publish what they please to Cuba, but when they
proceed to acts such the law alluded to prohibits
they are amcnable to the law.
The facts which the Government suppose they
are in possession Of and which they contend came
within the provisions of the law, are, that in this
port the individuals charged have been, in way
or other. concerned in obtaining ship or vessel,
engaged specially for the object of sending men to
Cuba, and that those were engaged also in collect
ing munitions OF war, either slowed on board, pre-
pared for transportation, or in readiness TO be en-
barked when proper opportunity occurred, to be
sent directly to Cuba, adjoining place, for the
purpose Of aiding an enterprise apprehended
already foot in that island against the govern
ment there, all Of which is a violation of law.
The court suggested, to sympathy for Cuba.
suppose persons in como other country considered
that portion of the United States, either the
slavery question or something else, required help,
and they would fit out expedition to assist
them, would not this country consider the govern
ment Of the place from which it was fitted out as
amenable for the act?
number of trials, it is known, has already
taken place as to expedition formerly on
foot for Cuba, and although it was well known
who were engaged in it, the Government could not
procure proof that single individual had been
This court believes the intention of the law was
in good faith to prevent expeditions OF the kind
being fitted out against friendly powers.
The court made other remarks, of which the
above is an outline. The grand Jury then retired.