The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-08-03
pRrsIpENrs MESSAGE.

In response to resolution adopted BY the Senate
on Tuesdsy, calling on the President to know whe
sher anything has occurred, In connexiou with our
Spanish reissisns, since bis message Of the 18th Of
March, which renders the provisional measures
then suggested by him unnecessary at present DC
Immediately sent to the Senate the following signs
| icsns message:
| To The Senate of tie United States:
Ihassen to respond briefly to the resolution OF the
Senate of this dare requesting the President 20 IN
torn the Senate (ifn his opinion il be not incompan
BILE with the public interesD whether anything ns1
arisen since the date of his message 70 the house
VI Representatives Of the fifteenth OF March isst
concerning our relations with the Governmen. !, o.
Speti which, Ia bis opinion may dispense with tns
suggestions therein contained, touching the pro
prieiy OF provisional measures BY Congress 70
meet any exsency that may arise, IN the recess VI
Congress. affecting those relations"
In the message to the House OF Representatives
referred TO- awaited myself of the occasion to pro
sent the following reflections and suggestions:
"In view of the position of the island OF Cuba,
its proximity TO our coast, the reiauons WHICH
must ever bear to our commercial and otner lnter
ssts II 10 vain TO expect that series OF unfr1enoy
acts infringing our commercial rights and the
adoption of policy threatening the honor ana SO
curry of these States long exist with pcacetul
relations In case the measures taken TOT smieapie
ljustment of our difficulties with spain snouid
fhority and means which Congress may grant 10
insure tn observance of our just rights 70 OBTAIN
redress fer injuries received and 10 unolcsse tue
honor of our flag. la anticipation OF that contin,
gency, which | earnestly hope may not arise
suggest to Congress the propriety OF sdoptcg sucn
provisional measures az the exigency may seem 70
demand"
The two houses Of Congress may have anticipated
that the hope then expressed would be realized De-
fore the period of IT'S adjournment, and that our re-
laions with Spain would have assumed sallstac'
tory condition, so remove past causes OF com.
plant and afford better security tor tranquility ana
justice in the future But am constrained 70 say
that such 10 not the fact The formal demand 1or
immediate PREPARATION in the case OF the BLACK
Warrior" instead OF having been met on the part
of Spain by prompt satisfaction, has only served 70
call forth Justification of the local authorities OF
Cuba, and thus to transfer the responsibility ZOE
their acts TO the Spanish government itself
Meanwhile information not only reliable 10 ifs "a
turO but OF IN official character, was received 70 tne
effect that preparation was making within the ilmi's
Of the United States, by private individuals. under
military organization for a descent upon the Island
OF Cuha, with a view to wrest that colony from the
dominion OF Spain. International comfy the obli
cations Of treaties. and the express provisions OF
law, alike required, 10 my judgment, that all the
constitutional power OF the Executive should be
exerted to prevent the contamination Of such vio-
larion Of positive law, and of that good faith on
which mainly the amicable relations OF neighbor-
ing nations must depend
IL conIorH1ty Win tnese cOnvlcLions OF puDllc uu-
ty, proclamation issued to all persons not
to in the contemplated enterpr and to
invoke the nterpr stion in its behalf of the proper
officers of the governa.ert. No provocaton whatev-
justify private expeditions Of hostility against
a country at peace with the United States Tne
power to declare is vested by the constitution
in Congress and the experience of our past history
leaves room to doubt that the wisdom OF this ar
raugsment Of constitutional power will continue
to be verified Whenever the national Interest end
honor shall demand resort to ultimate of
redress. Pending negotiations by the Executive.
and before the action of Congress- individuals could
not be permitted to embarrass the operations of the
ana usurp the powers of the other of these de-
positaries of the functions of government.
l have only to add that nothing has arisen since
the date of my former message to dispense with
the suggestions therein contained touching the pro-
priety of provisional measures by Congress"
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
WASHINGTON August 1854