The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-03

lao
warned those who might be in danger OF being
INTO tins scheme OF IFS unlawful character and of he
penalties which they would incur For some lime there
prevent any such attempt This hone. however nrovsd
to De delus've Very early in the morning of The third
OF August. steamer called the Pampero departed from
New orleans tor 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
sst on foot IN papabe violation Of the laws Of the United
States Its leader Spaniard and several of the
chief officers and some others engaged in it, were for
elghers. The persons composing il, however, were
mostly citizens Of the United States
was organized, slight nsureconary movement, which
appears to have been soon suppressed had taken place
the eastern quarter of Cuba. The importance of this
movement unfortunately 30 much exaggerated in the
accounts of it published in this country that these ad
senuers seem to have been led TO believe that the Creole
population Of the island not only desired to throw of the
authority OF the mother country but had resolved upon
that step and had begun wc concerted enterprise for
eflectiGg IT, The persons engaged il the expedition were
generally young and Uniformed The steamer in which
clearance After touching Key West she proceeded
to the coast OF Cuba and the night between the nth
and 18th OF August landed the persons board Play
tas, within about twenty leagues of Havana.
The main body Of them proceeded TO. and took pos
session OIL an inland village six leagues disant leaving
others to follow in charge OF the baggage soon the
means of transportation could be obtained The latter.
having taken up their line of march TO connect them
selves with the main body. and having proceeded about
four leagues into the country were attacked on the
a
conflict ensued after which they retrea,cd the place
OF dsembarca,ion where about fifty of them obtained
boats and rs-embarked therein. They were, however
intercepted among the keys the shore by Spanish
steamer cruising the coast captured and carried to
Havana. and, after being examined before military
court were sentenced to be publicly executed, and the
sentence carried into effect the 10th of August
On receiving information of what had occurred, Com
modore Foxhal A. Parker instructed to proceed in
the steam frigae Saranac 10 Havana, and inquire into
the charges against the persons executed, the cIrcum
stances under which they were taken, and whatsoever
referred 10 their trial and sentence Copies OF the in
sruciions from The Department Of State 70 him. and OF
his letters TO that Department, herewith submitted
According to the record OF the examination, the pTis
all admitted the offences charged against them OF
trial and execution the main body Of the invaders was
still in the field making war upon the Spanish authorities
aud Spanish subjects After the lapse Of days. be-
on hs Gp esy
days after and executed the ls of September
Many OF his remaining followers killed, died Of
hunger and fatigue, and the rest made prisoners OF
these appear TO have been tried executed Sew
era Of them were pardoned upon application OF their
friends and Others, and The rest about hundred and
sixty in number were sent Spain OF the final dspo.
son made of these we have no official information.
Such is the melancholy result OF this Illegal and i'll
fated expedition. Thus, thoughtless young men have
been induced by false and fraudulent representations to
violate the law of their country through rash and
founded expectations OF assisting to accomplish political
revolutions in other States and have lost their lives
the undertaking. Too severe judgment can hardly be
passed by the indignant sense Of the community upon
those who being better informed themselves have yet
led away the ardor OF youth and an i-dreced love oil
political liberty The correspondence between this gov
and that OF Spain relating to this transaction rs
herewith communicated.
Although these offender. against the laws have for
feed The protection OF their county, yet the government
may, far consistent with its obligations TO other
countries and its fixed purpose to maintain and enforce
the laws. entertain sympathy Tor their unorendng ian'
lies and friends we'll feeling OF compassion Tor
themselves. Accordingly, no proper effort has been
spared and will be spared 10 procure the release Of
such citizens o the United States engaged IN this unlaw-
ful enterprise in confinement in Spain; but
be hoped that such nieposton with the govern
of that country may not be considered as arordng
any ground OF expectation that the government OF the
United States will hereafter feel itself under any obga
ton of duty inercede for the liberation pardon OF
such persons agrant offenders against The law OF
nations and the laws OF the United States. These laws
be executed II we desire 10 maintain our respect
ability among the nations Of the earth. il behooves us to
enforce steadily and sterny the neutrality acts passed
by Congress and TO follow, far as may be- the viola
iion of those acts with condign punishment.
But what gives peculiar crminality TO this invasion
o! Cuba that under the lead Of Spanish subjects and
with the aid OF citizens Of the United States had It's
origin with many in motives Of cupidty. Money was
advanced by individuals, probably IN consineraoie
amounts, TO purchase Cuban bonds as they have been
called, issued by Lopez sold, doubtless al avery aT5e
discount and for The payment OF which the public lands
and public property Of Cuba OF end the
fiscal resources OF the people and government, OF that
island from whatever source % to h be derived, were ere
pccted 10 be established All these means OF payment,
II is eyden, were only TO be obtained by process OF
bloodshed war, and revolution. None will deny that
those who foot military expeditions against ior.
epn States by like these are lar more cnlPabie
than the ignorant and the necessous whom they induce
to 10 forth as the osensibe parties in the proceeding
These Of the invasion OF Cuba seem 10 have
with GOODNESS and system, upon an under
taking which should Disgrace their country, violate lls
laws and put to hazard the lives OF Ill Uniformed and de-
Iuded men You will consider whether further legsla.
iion be TO prevent the perpetraon oil such OF
fences in future.
No individuals have right to hazard the peace OF the
country or violate its laws upon vague notions OF a.ei
principle is not only reasonable in ITSELF and IN accord
ance with public law, but ngafed INTO me codes OF
other nations well as our own But. whhe shch are
the se entments OF this government, may be added tna
every independent nation must be presumed TO be able
TO defend its possessions against uBauhorKcd lndVu
uas banded together 10 attack them. The government
of the United States at all times since its establishment
has absancd and has sought 10 restrain the citzens OF
the country from entering into controversies between
other powers and to observe all the duties OF neuuay
Al an period OF the government, IN The adminslia
ton Of Washngion several laws were passed Tor this
purpose The main provisions OF these laws were re-.
enacted by the act OF April. 1878, by which, amongI'
o,he things il was declared that il any person shall
wi,hn The territory or jurisdiction OF the United STATES,
hea;n or .e, on foot, or provide or prepare the means
for aay military expedition or enterprise 70 pe Saeu o
from thence against the territory or common OF any ~
eis prince or State OF any colony, dstrct or pcoPe
with whom the United States are al peace every
40 offending shall be deemed guilty OF hRn m,sde
nesnor and shall be fined exceeding three thousahd
dollars and imprisoned not than three years ana
hs law has been executed and enforced TO The tu extent
nf The power Of the government from that day to this
IN procaimns and adherng to the doctrine OF neutral
=. ~. a,.s..nt,on tInned Stated have not fol-