The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-08-10
ous RELATIONS WITH SPAIN.

In the Senate, August LIST, resolution was
proposed by Mr.. Mason and adopted, to which
the following response was made, 60 instanti
Resolutions, bills, and reports-an things leg
islatiye except yotes-may be, and probably
are, manufactured ct the Presidential mansion
Votes, il is by many honest men believed, are
often influenced at this corrupt fountain OF
power.
To the Senate of the United States
hasten to respond briefly to the resolution
of the Senate of this date, requiring the Presi-
dent to inform the Senate eff, In his opinion,
il be not incompatible with the public inter-
est. whether anything has arisen since the date
of his message to the House of Representatives
of the 18th of March last, concerning our rela-
tons with the Government Of Spain, which In
his opinion may dispense with the suggestions
therein contained, touching the propriety OF
provisional measures by Congress to meet any
exigency that may rise in the recess of Congress
affecting those relations"
In the message to the House of Representa-
tiyes referred to, availed myself of the occa-
sion to present the following reflections and
suggestions:
"In view of the position Of the Island of
Cuba it's proximity to our coest, the relations
which it must ever bear to our commercial
and other interests, it is vain TO expect that a
series of unfriendly acts infringing our COM
mercial rights and the adoption of q policy
threatening the honor and security of these
States, can long exist with peaceful relations.
ain case the measures taken for the AMIGA
BILE adjustment of our difficulties with Spain
should unfortunately fail, shall not hesitate to
use the authority and means which Congress
may grant, to insure the observance of our just
rights, to obtain redress for injuries received,
and to vindicate the honor OF our flag. In an
ticipation of that contingency, which | ear
nestIy hope may not arise, suggest to Congress
the propriety of adopting such provisional
measures as the exigency may seem to de-
mandn
The two Houses of Congress may have an
ticipated that the hope then expressed would
be realized before the period of its adjourn
ment, and that our relations with Spain would
have assumed satisfactory condition, so as to
remove past causes of complaint, and afford
better security for tranquility and justice in
the future.
am constrained to say that such is not the
fact. The formal demand for immediate rep
aration in the case of the Black Warrior, in
stead of having been met on the part of Spain
by prompt satisfaction, has only served TO call
forth Justification of the local authorities of
Cuba, and thus to transfer the responsibility
for their acts to the Spanish Government it
self
Meanwhile, information not only reliable in
its nature, but of an official character, was
received, to the effect that preparation was
making within the limits Of the United States,
by private individuals, under military organi-
cation, for descent upon the island of Cuba,
with a view to wrest that colony from the do
- e 49,. T~Aa h.
obligation of treaties, and the express provis-
ions of law, alike required, in my judgment,
that all the constitutional power of the Execu-
tive should be exerted to prevent the consum-
nation of such violation of positive law, and
of that good faith on which, mainly, the ami
cable relations of neighboring nations must
depend.
In conformity with these convictions of pub
lie duty proclamation was issued to warn all
persons not to participate in the contemplated
enterprise, and to invoke the interposition in
this behalf Of the proper officers of the Govern
ment. No provocation whatever can justify
private expeditions of hostility against coun-
try at peace with the United States. The
power to declare war is vested by the Constitu-
ton in Congress, and the experience of our past
history leaves no room to doubt that the wis
dom of this arrangement of constitutional
power will continue to be verified whenever the
national interest and honor shall demand re-
sort to ultimate measures Of redress
Pending negotiations by The Executive, and
before the action Of Congress, individuals could
not be permitted to embarfass the operations
of the one and usurp the powers of the other of
these repositories Of the functions Of Govern
ment.
have only to add, that nothing has arisen,
since the date of my former. message to dis
pense with the suggestions therein contained,
touching the propriety of provisional measures
by Congress. FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Washington, August 1, 1854.