New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-03-23
The Presideut's Message.

7o tie House II Representatives 4s
3 In compliance with the resolution Of the
House Of Representatives of the 10th instant.
herewith transmit report of the Secretary OF
State, containing all the information received
at the department. in relation to the seizure o5
the Black Warrior at Havana on the 18th ultil
mo. There have been ia the course of q few
years past. many other instances Of aggression
upon our commerce, violations of the rights oil
American citizens, and insults to the national
nag, BY the Spanish authorities in Cuba; and
all attempts to obtain redress have led to pro.
tracted, and as yet fruItless. negotiations. The
documents in these cases are voluminous, and.
when prepared, will be sent to Congress. Those
now transmitted relate exclusively to the sell
zure of the Black Warrior, and present so eleai
3 case Of wrong that it would be reasonable IL
expect full indemnity therefor as soon as this
unjusti6able and offensive conduct shall be made
known to her Catholic Majesty's governments. /.
but similar expectations in other cases have mol
been realized The offending party is at oui
doors, with large powers for aggression, bul
none, it is alleged, for reparation. The source
Of redress is in another hemisphere, and the
answers to our just complaints made to the
home government are but the repetition Of ex
cuses, rendered by inferior officials to their SUI
perlofs, IN reply to representations of miscon
duct. The peculiar situation Of the parties has,
undoubtedly, much aggravated the annoyances
and injuries which our citizens have suffered
from The Cuban authorities, and Spain docs mol
seem to appreciate to its full extent her responE
sibility for the conduct of these authorities Ii
giving very extraordinary powers to them, she
owes it to justice aud to her friendly relation
with this government to guard with great vigI-
lance against the exorbitant exercise of thest
powers, and, in case Of injuries, to provide fol
prompt redress.
have already taken measures to present Il
the Government of Spain the wanion injury d
the Cuban authorities in the detention and
seizure of the Black Warrior, and to demand
immediate indemnity for the injury which has
thereby resulted to our citizens.
In view of the position of the Island of Cuba,
it's proximity to our coast, the relations which
it must ever bear to our commercial and other
| interests, it is vain to expect that a series o.
unfriendly acts, infringing our commercial
rights, and the adoption of a policy threatening
the honor and security of these States, can long
consist with peaceful relations.
In case the measures taken for amicabie ad.
justment of our difficulties with Spain should
unfortunately fail shall not hesitate to use TIL
| authority and means which Congress may gram
to insure the observance of our Just rights, Il
obtain redress for injuries received. and to vim
dicate the honor of our flag. In anticipation o
that contingency, which l earnestly hope may
not arise, l suggest to Congress the propriety d
| adopting such provisional measures as the exi
gency may seem to demand
@ FRANKLIN PIERCE
| Washington, March is, 1864.