Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-05-05
coNcREss--nsr. SESSION.
MONDAY, MAY |, 1854.
IN ENaTE
PROPOSED SUSPENSION OF THE NEUTRALITY LAWS.


Mr. SLlDELl. submitted the following resolutions:
Resolved, That the Committee Foreign Relations be
inquire into the cxpedency Of authorizing the
President Of the United States during any future OF
Congress 10 suspend by proclamation either wholly or par
italy the operation Of the act in addition for the
punishment OF certain crimes against the United States ap.
proved 20lh OF April lSlS and also oi The supplement
ary thereto approved 10Th Of March, 1888 should in his
opinion the public interests require such total partial
penson such suspension not 10 exceed The period of twelve
months and the which shall have induced the Pesi.
dent 10 proclaim it to be communicated Congress mmc-
diateIy on its first meeting thereafter.
Mr. SLIDELL said Although The resolution which has
lust been cud s its face simply Of inquiry think
proper to state this me the motives that induced
me pesenl it. consider one OF great Importance.
It il not brought forward mere ormalty, but the
basis of substantive direct and hope prompt eQsa
tive action quite conscious OF the gravity of the
sponsiblY assumed BY Senator taking the initiative in
such matter but, with the hm conviction entertain Of
its necessity should feel that my duty
the nation especially TO the State that me here
were TO shrink from it, The duty moreover is distinct
y imposed upon by the action OF the Legislature OF Lou
isiaua On the 10Th Of March last Joint resolutions the
sutIsct OF Cuba unanimously adopted. have since
bcer in the daily expectation OF receiving official notice
lnc =; buI from neglect 10 forward copy from
egSariy Of the MAIL they have not yet reached the ecgu.
,iou in an authentic FORM have copy which believe to
be correct but do not feel at liberty present il formally
as am advised that it would be in conformity with the
usage of the Senate TO do 80.
Some monlhs since. Mr. PRESIDENT was as skep,ical as
any one on this floor could be about the existence of
concerted plan 10 Acanze Cuba. the word not for
the it has become fashionable but because
plainly conveys my mind at least without periphrass
the complex ideas OF emancipation, confscaton pilaue
murder, devastation, and barbarsm. Past experience
has led me be surprised nohng that England might al
tempt prevent The possession Of this magnificent island
by her great commercial rival rival destined be- in
veyew years if in fact she be already in that respect
her Recognised superior Sill could bring myself to
beiese that Spain. with all her pride and o5slinacy would
pref the destruction of fourishng colony, pcopIcd by
her Own sons the prospect of lis transfer future
perhaps distant day. by honorable and peaceful negotiations
10 friendly nation, for price that would excate her
han
which they have been so long plunged II the Senate will
indulge me will state now as briefly possible the red.
sons that have led to tho full conviction well under
stood purpose between Spain and in which France
is certainly confdan aud probably participant for
A(ricaniZation OF Cuba.
Ou the Sl of April 1882 Lord Gaimesby British Sec.
retay of State for Foreign Affairs directed his Minister
Washington, in concert with The French Minister 10 pro-
pose Government ia trparttc convention by which
The three nations should bind themselves sevcray and coll
eclively renounce both and hereafter all intention
10 obtain possession Ol the island Of Cuba and scoun.
cnapec ul attempts 10 that effect the par. Of olhcrs"
This proposition made Mr.. Webster then Secretary
of Shtc but definite reply made il while he re-
mnued in Office His successor, however, Mr.. Everett
der date of Isl December 1852 declined the overture in
paper which will be forever remarkable in diplomatic
history for ila hshoned nationality and vgo OF
responding with The Importance of The question. Let
the origin OF this joint proposition of England
and France On The 20lh October 1851 Lord pumerslon
then British Foreign Secretary writing Lord Hvwdcu his
Minister al Madrid, says
"Wilh reference TO the passage in NJ Miraorcs note in
which he states that the Spanish Government under
stand how her Majesys Government seriously recon-
mend measure which would prove very injurious the
ves Of Cuba when they also recommend the Spanish
Government shou concae the affections of those Cubans,
have TO instruct your lo.dship 10 observe 10 NJ Malores
that the slaves in Cuba form large portion and by
uninporant OF the population OF Cuba and that any
steps taken to provide or their emancipation would
FORE far the black population concerned quite in
unison with the Recommendation made by her aesys Gov
ernmeut that should be adopted for concnng the
people of Cuba with view the connexion
that island and The Spanish Crown and must he evident
nf Tho
fact would most powerful element Of resistance
any scheme for annesing Cuba the United States where
slavery still exists.
"Wilh regard 10 the hearing which negro emancipation
would have the interests OF The white propetos may
safely hs affirmed that free labor less slave labor
and indispuabe that free and conlentcd peasany