The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-10
THE REPU BLIC.
DOCUMENTS
Accompanying the Presidents Message.
THE LOPEZ EXPEDITION.
OF GREAT BRITAIN AND
FRANCE.

MIR. Champion, at an interview with Mr.. Crit
tenden, at the Department of State, the " th of
September, 1851, stated that he had been directed
by her najesty's government TO say TO the United
States Secretary of State that her majesty's gov
ernment had learned with great regret that expe-
ditions have again been prepared in the poits Of
the United Tor an attack upon territory belong
ing 10 sovereign at peace with the United States
and in friendly relations with her majesty.
Her inajesty's government do not doubt that the
Government of the United States will use all posi-
bic dllgence to prevent and punish proceedings
which in violation both of the laws of the Uni
ted States and of the law of nations. and her ma
Jesty's government are persuaded that such nea-
surcs, If taken in time will accomplish their object
But her majesty's government deem it due TO the
frankuess .shich ought to chasucterize the inter
course between the two governments, to state tc
that OF the United States that her majestys ships
OF war on the West Indian station will have orders
to prevent by force any advcnturers OF any nation
from landing with hostile intent upon the leland oi
Cuba
At another interview, held at the same Depart
ment on the 9th Of October, Mr.. Crittenden replied
verbally to Mr.. Champion follows;
am instructed by the President to express his
regret that such orders as those mentioned in the
despatch from Lord Palmerston should have been
deemed necessary and proper by the British gov
ernment.
SO far as they have reference 10 awless and un-
authorized expeditions againt the leland of Cuba
apprchended from citizens of the United States, il
Is only necessary to say that such expeditions are
IoTDluden Dy tue laws OF thl5 RepuDllC, and that
its Government is able and determined to execute
those laws. Evasions of them may occur. in spite
OF the utmost vigilance and energy; such instances
common to the laws of all countries. II is on
ly by stealth and by favor of and accidental
circumstances that any such expeditions can es
cape from our shores none of sufficient force
magnitude TO create any serious apprehension for
the safety OF Cuba, and certainly against
which Spain herself ID not abundantly able TO pro
tect that island
The Government of the United States, always
determined, in perfect good faith, to maintain its
neutral relations, and perform all it's national OBJ
legations, condemns as strongly as the British gov
ernment the lawless enterprises against which the
orders IN question appear to be directed and the
Government of the United States, equally with the
British government, desires their prevention or
suppression.
But, just and desirable as that end may be- the
President could not witness without concern any
attempt TO accomplish such an object by means
which might eventually lead to encroacbments on
the rights of the people Of the United States.
The President is Of opinion that, so far relates
to this Republic and its citizens, such nterfer-
ence as would result from the execution Of those
orders, II admitted to be rightful in themselves
would nevertheless be practically injurious in its
consequences, and do more harm than good
Their execution would be the exercise OF a sort of
police over the seas In our immediate vicinity,
covered as they are, with our ships and our citi-
zens, and it would involve, moreover, to some ex
tent, the exercise of a jurisdiction to determine
what expeditions of the character denounced,
and who were The guilty advenurers engaged in
them.
The President cannot but apprehend that such
orders could not be carried into effect without lead
ing, too probably, TO abuses and collisions that
would constantly leopard, and might seriously
disturb, that peace and good will which he sin
cerely desires to cultivated and made perpet-
ual between the United States and Great Britain.
The President deems it unnecessary to say more
at present the subject of these orders than 10
add the expression of his hope that there may
never arise any occasion for carrying them into
execution.