The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-02


are iagrant offenders against the Law Of nations and
the laws Of the United States These laws must
be executed. II we desire TO maintain our re-
spectabiiiy among the nations Of the earth II be.
hoyes us TO enforce steadily and sternly the neu.
traiity acts passed by Congress- and to follow, as
far as may be- the violation Of those acts with con-
dign punishment
But what gives peculiar criminality to this in.
vasion Of Cuba IL, that under the lead Of Spanish
subjects and with the aid of ciizens of the United
States, II had its origin, with many, in motives
OF cupidity. Money was advanced by indiyi
duais, probably in considerable amounts, to pur-
chase, Cuban bonds, as they have been called,
issued by Lopez, sold, doubtless, at very large
discount, and for the payment Of which the public
lands and public property Of Cuba, of whatever
kind. and the fiscal resources Of the people and go
vernment Of that island from whatever source 10 be
derived, we're pledged, as well us the good faith Of
the government expected to be- established. All
these means of payment il is evident, were only
to be obtained by process Of boodshed, war, and
revolution. None will deny that those who set on
foot military expeditions against foreign States by
means like these, far more culpabe than the
ignorant and the necesstous whom they induce to
so forth the ostensible parties in the proceeding
These originators Of the invasion Of Cuba eeem to
have determined, with GOODNESS and system, upon
am undertaking which should disgrace their coun-
try, violate its laws and put to hazard the lives Of
i'll informed and deluded men. You VIII consider
whether further legislation be necessary prevent
the preparation Of such offences in future.
No individuals have right to hazard the peace
aF ,,nfr ~ ala Ia, L..
notions of altering reforming governments in
other States. This principle is not only reasonable
in itself. and in accordance with public law, but is
engrafted into the codes Of other nations as well
as our own, But while such arc the sentiments
of this Government, it may be added that every
independent nation must be presumed to be able to
defend its possessions against una thorized indi-
viduals banded together to attack them. The
Government Of the United States, al all times
since its establishment, has abstained and has
sought to restrain the citizens Of the country from
entering into controversies between other powers,
and to observe all the duties Of neutrality. At an
early period of the Government, in the admnistra-
ton of Washington, several laws were passed for
this purpose. The main provisions Of these laws
re.rnacted by the act Of April 1918, by which,
amongst other things, it was declared that if any
person shall, within the territory jurisdiction Of
the United States begin, set foot, or provide,
or prepare the means for any military expedition or
enterprise to be carried on from thence against the
territory or dominion Of any foreign prince or
State, or of any colony, district, or people with
whom the United States at peace, every person
so offending shall be deemed guilty Of high mis-.
demeanor, and shall be fined not exceeding three
thousand dollars and imprisoned not more than
three years; and this law has been executed and
enforced the full extent Of the power Of the
eminent, from that day to this.
In proclaiming and adhering to The doctrine Of
neutrality and non intervention, the United States
have not followed the lead OF other civilized ma
tions; 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 min
lister OF the crown, I" that, il he wished for
guide in system Of neutrality, he should take
that laid down by America in the days of Wash
ington and the secretaryship Of Jefferson;" and
we zee, in fact. that the act of Congress Of
1918 was followed, the succeeding year, by nm act
Of the Parliament Of England, substantially the
there had been no similar law in England, ex.
cept certain highly penal statutes passed in the
reign Of George H., prohibiting English subjects
from enlisting in foreign scryice, the avowcd OBJ
lect Of which statutes was, that foreign armies,
raised for the purpose Of restoring the house Of
stuar to the throne, should not be strengthened
by recruits from England herself.
All must sec that difficulties may arise in carry
ing the laws referred 10 into execution In a ooun-
try now having three four thousand miles Of sea.
coast, with an infinite number of ports and har.
bors and small inlets from some of which unaw.
full expeditions may suddenly set forth, without the
knowledge of Government, against the posses
sions OF foreign States.
Friendly relations with ALL but entangling al
lianccs with none, has long been maxim with us.
Our true mission Is not to propagate our opinions,
or impose upon other countries form Of gov
eminent, by artifce or forcej but TO teach by ex-
ample and show by our success, moderation and
justice, the blessings Of self government, md the
advantages Of free Institutions. Let every people
choose fofitset and make and alter its political in
sti.utions to sM It's condition andconvenience.
Bot. while we avow and maintain this neutral pol
icy ourselves, VIC are anxious TO see the same for
bearance on the part Of other nations, whoeo orms
OF government are different from our own. The
deep interest which we feel in the spread or liberal
principles and the establishment Of free govern
monis, and the sympathy with which 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 stific public
sentiment and represI the spirit Of freedom in any
country.
The governments of Great Britain and France
have issued orders 10 their naval commanders on
the West India station 10 prevent by force, IL
necessary, the landing of adventures from any
nation on the Island Of Cuba with hostile intent.
The copy Of memorandum ofa conversation on
this subiect between the Charge d'AliAircs Of her
Britannia Majesty and the Acting Secretary OF
state, and Of Subsequent note Of tho former TO the
Department Of State, are herewith submitted, 10
getber with copy Of n note Of the Acting Score
,o,,, NJ stale "a tho Minister OF the French rcpub