Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-12-11

oy-CohsEeSs, anu 70 loHow,s as 1af as may pcyf
the violation Of those acts with condign pun
ishment. t"- 'o' - $40 o,' oi-'' o"A
But what gave 4 peculiar criminality 70 this.
invasion of Cuba iss that under the lead of
Spanish subjects and with the aid of citizens Of
the United States, il had its origin with many !.
in motives Of cupidity. Money was advanced
by individuals, probably ia considerable amounts,
10 purchase CabanS bonds, as they have been
called, issued by Lopez, sold, doubtless, At a
very large discount, and for the payment of
which the public property Of Cuba, Of whatev-
er kind, and the fiscal resources of the people
and government of that island, from Whatever
source 10 be derived, were pledged, a. well as,he
good faith of the government expected to be
established a AL these means Of payment, i
is evident, were only to be obtained BY pro-
cess of bloodshed, war and revolution None
will deny that those who set on foot military
expeditions against foreign States BY means
like these, are far more cuipable than the igno-
rant and the anecessitous whom they induce to
60 forth as the ostensibe parties in the pro-
eeeding. These originators of. the invasion Of
Cuba seem to have determined, with coolness
and system, upon an undertaking which should
disgrace their country, violate its laws, and put
to hazard the lives of ill-informed and deluded
men. You will consider whether further Leg
islation be necessary to prevent the perpetration
of such offences in fntnre. tT,I csit-sr "a {,fv
No individuals have right to hazard the
peace of the country or to violate its laws upon
vague notions of altering or reforming govern
ments ia other States. This principle is not
only reasonable in itself, and in accordance
with public law, but is engrafted into the code
of other nations as well as0ur own. But while
such are the sentiments of this government, it
may be added that every independent nation
must be presumed to be able TO defend its pos
sessions against unauthorized individuals band
ed together to attack them. The government
of the United States, at all times since its es-
tablshment, has abstained and has sought to
restrain the citizens of the country, from enter
ing into controversies with other powers, and
to observe all the duties of neutrality. At.an
early period Of the government, in the admin
stration of Washington, several laws were
passed for this purpose. The main provisions
Of these laws were re-enacted by the act of
April, 1918, by which, amongs. other things,
it was declared that if any person shall, with
in the territory or jurisdiction of the United
States, begin, or set on foot, or provide, or pre-
pare 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 are at peace, ev-
cry person so offending shall be deemed guilty
of high misdemeanor, and shall be fined, not
exceeding three thousand dollars, and impris-
ened not more than three years.; and this law
has been executed and enforced, to the full ex-
tent of the power of the government from that
day TO this. ,-.,..,,...I i. .......g. .7.i
In proclaiming and adhering to the doctrine
- IL scl
States have not followed the lead of other civ
ilized nations; they have taken the lead them
selves, and have been followed by oihers.-
This was admitted by one Of the most eminent
of modern BritPh statesmen, who said in Par
lament, while minister of the crown, " that
if he wished for guide in a system of neu-
trality, he should take that laid down by Am
erica in the days Of Washington and the Sec
retaryship of Jefferson - and, we see, in fact,
that the act of congress of 1878 was followed,
the succeeding year, by an act of the Parlia-
ment of England, substantially the same in Its
general provisions. Up to that time there had
been no similar law in England, except certain
highly penal statutes passed in the reign of
George ii, prohibiting English subjects from
enlisiing in foreign service, the avowed object
of which statutes was, that foreign armies,
raised for the purpose of restoring the house of
Stuart to the throne, should not be strength
ened by recruits from England herself. ya
g. All must see that difficulties may arise in
carrying the laws referred to into execution in
a country now having three or four thousand
miles of sea-coast, with an infinite number Of
ports and harbors and small inlets, from some
of which unlawful expedition may suddenly
set forth, without the knowledge Of the gov
eminent, against the possessions of foreign
States. e,rs n, e.,t, -s ,sa.dssl.. .,....-.,.s
Friendly relations with all, but entangling
alliances with none, has long been maxim
with US. Our true mission is not to propagate
our opinions, or impose upon other countries
cur form of government, by artifice or force -
but TO teach by example, and show by our sue
cess, moderation and justice. the blessings Of
selfgovernment, and the advantages of free
institutions. Let every, people choose for il
self, and make and alter its political institutions
to suit its own condition and convenience. -
But, while we avow and maintain this neutral
policy ourselves, we are anxious to see the
same forbearance on the part of other nations,
whose forms of government are different from
our own. The deep interest which we feel in
the spread of liberal principles and the estab-
ilishment Of Tree governments. and the sym.
pathy 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 stife public
sentiment and repress the spirit of freedom
IN any country. bsqFasa o asl D. ssThd sHI
ENGLISH AND FRENCH INTERFERENCE IN CUBAN
+ 80. lii vi1asa AFFAIRS. QliAl1lli gli.it
The governments of Great Britain and
France have issued orders 10 their naval
comms1ders on the West India station 10
prevent by force, the landing of adveaiu-
rers ON the Island OF Cuba, with hostile in
tei,t. The copy of memorandum Of a con i.
versatioD 0nithis subject between the Charge
d'A flares OF her Br'tannic Majesty and the
Acting Secretary OF Slate, and of subse-
quent note OF the former to the Department
Of State, are herewith submitted. toye, her
with a copy ola note of the Acting Secreta,
ty of State L. the Minister of me French re-
public, aad of the reply of the latter, on the
same subject. The papers will acquaint YOU
with the grounds of this interposition Of the
two leading commercial powers Of Europe,
and with the upprehensions, which this gov.
ernment could NOT fail 10. entertain, Ina,
such !inierposition, If carried into effect,
might lead. 10 abuses in derogation Of the
maratime rights Of the United States The
maritime rights Of the Uni,ed States are
founded 90 firm, secure and weli-de6ned
basis;, they stand upon the ground Of Ma
tional Independence and public law, end
will be maintained in all their full and Just
extent. 9 ss'fsh"s f9a o. ea9 ef log
Tho principle which this Government he.
heretofore solernnly announced it still adheres
tn and will maintain nnder r,lIrc;rcums..oce,