Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-12-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

terest. After few conyratulatary remarks on
the present peaceful and prosperous state oil
our affairs, the President gives detailed ac-
count of the projection and ending OF the late
Cnban expedition, and the action of the Gov
ernment in relation to it, states that excrtions
are now being made for the release OF the prls'
oners, and proceeds as follews:
The governments of Great Britain and France
have issued orders to their naval commanders
on the West India station to prevent by force, II
necessary, the landing of adventureTs from any
nation on the Island Of Cuba with hostile IN
tent. the copy Of 4 memorandum OF con-
versation on this subject between the InaTge
d'AEaires of her Britannia majesty, a"d the
acting Security of State, and oil subsequent
g.. note Of the former to the Department OF State,
are herewith submitted, together with copy
of note of the Acting Secretary OF State t"
the Minister of the French republic, and OF the
reply of the latter, on the same subject. These
papers will acquaint you with the grounds OF
this iaterposion of the two leading CONNER
ciaI powers of Europe, and with the aPpFe-
tensions, which this Government could not
fail to entertain that such intcrpostion, it car
ried into effect, might lead to abuses in dero.
ration Of the maritime rights Of the United
States are founded on firm, secure, and we'll
de6nded basis; thew stand upon the ground of
National Independence and public law, ana
will be maintained in all their full and Just eX'
tent.
The principle which this Government has
heretofore solemnly announced 1t Still! aaAcreS
to. and will maintain under all circumstances
and at all hazards. That principle is, that IN
every regularly documented merchant vessel,
the crew who navigate it, and those on board
of it. will find their protection in the l!ag winch
is over them. No American ship can nc al
lowed to be visited or searched for the purpose
of ascertaining the character OF individuals
on board, nor can there be allowed any watch
by the vessels Of any foreign nation over \,
merican vessels on the coasts OF the Cllted
States or the seas ad scent thereto. 1t will be
seen by the last communication from the BIT
fish Cbarg dAffairs to the Department of State,
that he is authorised to assure the Secretary OF
State that every care will be taken that, in ex-
.ecuting the preventive measures against au eXle-
diton which this Government itself has denoun-
ced as not being entitled to the protection OF any
government, no interference shall take place
with the lawful commerce of any nation.
!. Ia addition to the correspondence on this
subject; herewith submitted official lniorma-
ton has been received at the Department OF
State, of assurances by the French Govern
ment that, in the orders given to the French
naval forces, they were expressly instructed,
in any operations they might engage III, to re-
spect the flag of the United States where ever
it might appear, and to commit no act "l hos
tility upon anv vessel or armament under IT'S
protection.
Ministers and consuls of foreign nations are
the means and agents Of communication he-
tween us and those nations, and it Is OF the Ut
most importance that, while residing in the
country, they shold feel a perfect security SO
long as they faithfully discharge their respec-
tive duties and are guilty of no violation OF our
laws. This is the admitted law OF nations, ana
no country has a deeper interest IN MAINTAIN
ing it than the United States. Our commerce
spreads over every sea and visits every cline,
and our ministers and consuls are appointed To
protect the interests of that commerce, rs well
as to guard the peace of the country and MAIN
tain the honor Of its flag But how can they
discharge these duties unless they be themselves
protected; and, if protected. it must be by the
laws of the country in which they reside And
what is due to our own public functionaries re,
siding in foreign nations is exactly the meas
ure of what is due to the iunctionaries oi "th'
governments residing here. AS in war, the
bearers of flags oftruce are sacred, or else wars
would be nterminable, so i'll peace, cm''assi.
dors, public ministers, and consulS, charged
with friendly national intercourse, are objects
of especial respect and protection, each accor.
ding to the ights belonging to his rank and
station In view of these important principles
it is with deep modification and regret an
neunce to you that, during the excitement grow
ing out of the executions at Havana, the olllce
Of her Catholic majestys consul at new Or
leans was assailed by mob, his property de-
stroyed, the Spanish flag found in the office
carried off and torn into pieces, and he himself
induced to flee for his personal safety, which
he supposed to be in danger. o. receiving in
telligence of these events, forthwith directed
the attorney of the United States residing ut
New Orleans to inquire into I!c facts and the
extent Of the pecuniary loss sustained by the
consul, with the intention Of laying them before
you, that you might make provision for such
indemnity to him as Just regard for the honor
of the nation and the respect which is due to 4
friendly power might in your judgement, seem
to require The correspondence upon this sub
iect between the Secretary OF State and her
Catholic majesty's minister plenipotentiary is
herewith transmitted
Al. ID c., ,to..