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


envy upon tHe favorable auspices under which you
meet for your first session. Our .country ia al
peace with all the world The agitation which
Tor time, threatened 10 disturb the fraternal
relations which make US one people, is fast sub.
siding; and year OF general prosperity and health
has crowned tho nation with unusual bless
ings. None can look back to the dangers which
are passed, or forward TO the bright prospect be.
fore us, without feeling thrill Of qualification, at
the same time that he must be impressed with, a
grateful sense Of our profound obligations to ben
ehcent Providence, whose paternal care is 30 man
iiest in the happiness OF this highly 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 previous
Invasion OF Cuba, instead Of being discouraged by
It's failure have again abused the Of ths
country, by making il. the scene of the equipment
OF another military expedition against that posses.
sion OF her Catholic majesty, in which they were
oountenanced, aided and joined by citizens Of the
United States. On receiving intelligence that such
designs were entertained, lost no time in Issuing
such instructions to the proper Officers of the Uni
ted States as seemed to be called for by the occa.
sion BY the proclamation, copy of which is
herewith submitted, l also warned those who might
DC in danger of being inveigled into this scheme
Of it's unlawful character, and of the penalties
which they would incur. For some time there was
reason to hope that these measures had suficed
to prevent any such attempt This hope, howev-
erproved to be delusive, Very early in the morn
ing Of the third of August, steamer called the
Pampero departed from New Orleans for Cuba,
having on board upwards of four hundred armed
men, with evident intentions to make war upon
the authorities Of the island. This expedition was
act on foot in papablc violation of the laws OF the
United States. Its leader was a Spanard, and
several Of the chief officers. and some others en-.
gagged in II, were foreigners. The persons COM
posing il, however, were mostly citizens of the
United States.
Before the expedition set out, and probably be-
fore organized, slight insurrectionary move
ment. which appears to have been soon suppress
ed had taken place in the eastern quarter of Cuba
The Importance ofths movement was unfortunate
ly SO much exaggerated in the accounts Of II pub.
lshed in this country that these adventures seem
to have been led to believe that the Creole popu-
lation of the island not only desired to throw of
the authority of the mother country but had re-
solved upon that step, and had begun we'll
concerted enterprise for effecting II. The persons
engaged in the expedition were generally young
and i'll informed. The steamer in which they
embarked left New Orleans steallbiiy and with.
out a clearance. After touching at Key West,
she proceeded to the coast Of Cuba, and, on the
night between the til and 18th of August, landed
the persons on board at Playtas, within about
twenty leagues Of Havana.
The main body Of them proceeded 10, and took
possession Of, inland village, six leagues Distant
leaving others to follow in charge of the bag
gage, the means of transportation could
be obtained The latter, having taken up their
line Of march to connect themselves with the main
body, and having proceeded about four leagues into
the country, were attacked on the morning of the
18th by body Of Spanish troops, and a bloody con.
fiict ensued; after which they rereated to the place
OF Decentralization, where about fifty Of them OBJ.
tanned boats and re-embarkcd therein. They we're,
however, intercepted among the keys near the
shore by Spanish steamer cruising the coast,
captured and carried to Havana, and, after being
examined before military court, were sentenced
10 be publicly executed, and the sentence was
red into effect on the 10th Of August
On receiving information Of what had occurred,
Commodore Foxhall A. Parker was instructed to
proceed in the steam frigate saranac to Havana,
and inquire into the charges against the persons
executed, the circumstances under which they
were taken, and whatsoever referred to their trial
and sentence Copies Of the instructions from the
Department Of State to him, and of his letters to
that Department, are herewith submitted.
According to the record Of the examination, the
priscners all admitted the offences charged against
them, of being hostile invaders of the island. At
the time Of their trial and execution the main body
Of the invaders was still in the field, making
upon the Spanish authorities and Spanish subjects.
After the lapse Of some days, being overcome by
the Spanish troops, they dispersed on the 2ith OF
August; Lopez, their leader, was captured some
days after, and executed ON the LIST of September
Many Of bis remaining followers were killed, or
died Of hunger and fatigue, and the rest were made
prisoners. OF these none appear to have been tried
or executed. Several Of them were pardoned upon
application Of their friends and Others and the rest,
about one hundred and sixty in number, were sent
to Spain. ofthe final disposition made Of these
have no official information.
Such is the melancholy result Of this illegal and
III f4ted expedition. Thus, thoughtless young men
bavo been induced, by false and fraudulent repre-
scntatons. to violate the law Of their country,
through rash and unfounded expectations OF as-
sistng to accomplish political revolutions in other
States and have lost their lives in the undertaking
Too severe a judgment can hardly be passed.
by the indignant sensc Of the community, upon
those who. being better informed Themselves,
have yet led away tho mdor Of youth and an I'LL
directed love OF Political liberty. The correspond.
ence between this Government and that Of Spain
relating to ihis transaction Is herewith communi.
Gated.
Although these offenders against the laws have
forfeited the protection Of their country, yet tho
Government may, go far ne 10 consistent with
its obligations TO other countries, and its fixed
purpose to maintain and enforce the laws, enter
tain symp1thy for their unofending families and
fricnds, ne we'll a feeling Of compassion for them
selves. Accordingly no proper effort has been
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