The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-12-10
Presidents Message.
Fello,o.citizens of the Senate

FeLI0,o-citizens OF the SENATE
and ofthe House of Representatives:
congratulate you and our common
constituency upon the favorable auspices
under which you meet for your first session
Our country is at peace with all the world.
The agitation which, for time, threaten.
ed to disturb the fraternal relations which
makes US one people, is fast subsiding;
and year of general prosperity and health
has crowned the nation with unusual bless
ings. None can look back to the dangers
which are passed. or forward to the bright
prospect before US, without feeling thrill
OF qualification, at the same time that he
must be impressed with grateful sense
of our profound obligations to benefcent
Providence, whose parental care is so man.
ifest in the happiness Of this highly favored
land.
Since the close Of the last Congress. Ger.
tain 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 its
failure, have again abused the hospitality
of this country, by making it the scene of
the equipment of another military exPedi.
ton against that possession of her Catho-
lie majesty, in which they were counte-
nanced, aided and joined by the citizens
of the United States. On receiving intelli.
gence that such designs were entertained,
lost no time in issuing such Instructions
to the proper officers Of the United States
as seemed to be called for by the occasion.
By the proclamation, copy OF which is
herewith submitted. | also forewarned those
who might be in danger of being nveigled
into the scheme. Of its unlawful character.
and of the penalties which they would in
cur. For some time there was reason TO
hope that these measures had sufficed to
prevent any such attempt. This hope.
however, proved to be delusive. Very
early in the morning 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. The
expedition was set on foot in palpabe vio-
lation of the laws of the United States. Its
leader was Spaniard, and several Of the
chief officers, and some others engaged in
it, we're foreigners. The persons compo
sing it were mostly citizens Of the United
States,
Before tine expedition set out, and pro.
badly befoIe it was organized. slight in
surrectionary movement, which appears to
have been soon suppressed, had taken
place in the eastern quarter of Cuba. The
Importance of this movement was unior-
tunately 50 much exaggerated in the ac'
counts of it published in this country. that
these adventures seem to have been led to
believe that the Creole population of the
Island not only desired to throw off the
authority of the mother country, but had
resolved upon that step, and had begun a
well concerted enterprise for effecting it
The persons engaged in the expedition
were generally young and ill-informed.-
The steamer in which they embarked lef
New Orleans stealthily and without a clear
ance. After touching at Key West, she
proceeded to the coast of Cuba, and, on
the night between the lth and 10Th of Au
gust. landed the persons on board a
Playtas, within about twenty leagues o
Havana.
The main body Of them proceeded to
and took possession of, an inland village
six leagues distant, leaving Others to follow
in charge of the baggage, as soon as the
means Of transportation could be obtained
: The latter, having taken up their line o
march to connect themselves with the mair
body. and having proceeded about fou
leagues into the country. were attacked OF
the morning OF the 18th by body Of Span
ish troops, and bloody conflict ensued
after which they retreated to the place o
Decentralization, where about fifty of then
obtained boats and re.embarked therein
They were, however, intercepted among
the keys near the shore by Spanish steam
er cruising on the coast, captured and car
ried to Havana. and, after being examin
ed before military court, were sentences
to be publicly executed. and the sentenc
was carried into effect on the 18th of Au
, gust.
On receiving information Of what ha
occurred. Commodore Foxhall A. Parker
!, was instructed to proceed in the steam
, frigate Saranac for Havana, and inquir
into the charges against the persons exc
cuted, the circumstances under which the
were taken, and whatsoever referred I
r their trial and sentence. Copies of the in
, structons from the Department Of State t
him. and his letters to that Department. ar
herewith submitted.
According to the record Of the exam
9 nation, the prisoners all admitted the Offer
g ces charged against them, Of being hostil
\ invaders ofthe island. AT the time Of the
4 trial and execution, the main body Of III
g invaders were in the field. making war VI
on the Spanish authorities and SPANS
d subjects. After the lapse OF some day
0 being overcome BY the Spanish troops
I II 9 . q - = . =