Democratic banner., 1851-05-07

we give below the recent prociamatloh
issued by the President of the United States
in regard to the projected Cuba expedition,
The Washington Republic truly says Of it.
that it states the facts, lays down the law.
and warns offenders Of the consequences Of
violating it, in plain and explicit language,
Cuba is prepared to repel aggression. The
government OF the United States is deter.
mined to preserve our neutrality, and to
punish its violation. We spprehend that.
between the two governments, pirates and
Iplunderers will stand but a poor chance:
BY THE PRESIDENT OF H UNITED A
Proclamation.
Whereas, there is reason to believe that
a military expedition is about to be fitted
out 10 the United States, with Intention to
invade the island of Cuba, a colony Of Spain
with which this country is at peace; and
whereas, it is believed that this expedition
is instigated and set on foot chiefly by for
eigners, who dare to make our shores the
scene oftheir guilty and hostile preparations
against q friendly power, and seek, by false
hood and Misrepresentation, to seduce our
own citizens, especially the young and in
~cousiderate, into their wicked schemes
an ungratefull return for the benefits con-
ferred upon them BY this people in permit
ting them to make our country an asylum
from oppression, and in fragrant abuse Of
the hospitality thus extended to them.
And whereas, such expeditions can only
be regarded as adventures for plumber and
robbery, and must meet the condemnation
of the civilized world, whilst they are de-
|rogAtory to the character Of country, in
violation Of the laws o nations, and express
ly prohibited by our WI statutes, which
declare "that il sny person shall. within the
territory or jurisdiction of the UnitedStates.
begin or set on foot, or provide the means
for, any military expedition or enterprise,
to be carried en- from thence against the
territory or dominioas Of any foreign prince
or State, or Of any colony, district or peo-
pie with whom the United States are at
peace, every person so offending shall be
deemed guilty of a high misdemesnOr, and
shall be fined not exceeding three thousand
imprisoned not more than three
years"
Now, therefore, l have issued this my
proclamation, warning ell persons who shall
connect themselves with any such enter
prise or expedition, in violation our laws
and national obligations, that they willthere.
by subject themselves to the heavy penal
ties denounced against such offences, and
will forfeit their claim to the protection Of
this Government, or any Interference on
their behalf, no matter to what extremitiss
they may be reduced in consequences Of
their illegal conduct. And, therefore, ]
sxhort eli good citizens, as they regard one
reputation, as they respect their
own laws and the laws Of nations, as they
value the blessings Of peace and the welfare
of their country, 10 discountenance, and by
ell lawful means prevent, any such enter
prise; and | call upon every officer Of this
Government, civil or military, to use oil ef.
forts in his power to arrest for trial and
punishment every such offender against the
laws Of the country.
Given under my hand the t~wenty.6fth
day Of April, in the year Of our Lord
n thousand eight hundred and fifty
one, and the seventy fifth Of the inde-
pendence Of the United States.
WILLARD FILLMORE.
By the President:
w, S. DERRICK. Acting Secretary OF