Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-08-24
President,s MESSAGE.


In response to resolution adopted by the
Senate the LIST inst, calling on the President
to know whether anything has occurred, in
connection with our Spanish relations, since
his message Of the 10Th Of March, which rem
ders the provisional measures, then suggested
by him, unnecessary, at present, he immedi-
ately sent to the Senate the following clear,
concise and significant message =
To the Senate of the United States.
hasten to respond briefly to the resolution
Of the Senate Of this date, requesting the
President to inform the Senate ut IN his opin-
ion it be not incompatible with the public in
teresD whether anything has arisen since the
date OF his message to the House OF Repre-
sentatives of the fifteenth OF March last, con-
corning our relations with the government OF
Spain, which, in his opinion, may dispense
with the suggestions therein contained, touch
ing the propriety Of provisional measures
by Congress to meet any exigency that may
arise, in the recess of Congress, effecting
those relations"
In the message to the House of Representa-
tives referred to, ayailed myself OF the occa-
sion to present the following reflections and
suggestions -
4 In view Of the position of the island of
Cuba. its proximity to our coast, the relations
which it must ever bear to our commercial
and other interests it is vain to expect that
series of unfriendly acts, infringing our COM
merca rights, and the adoption of policy
threatening the honor and security of these
States. can leng exist with peaceful rea-
tons. In case the measures taken for AMIGA
BILE adjustment of our difficulties with Spain
should unfortunately fail, / shall not hesitate
to use the authority and means which Congress
NAV grant TO insure the observance of our just
rights, to obtain redress for injuries received,
and 10 vindicate the honor of our flag. In an
ticpation of that contingency, which | ear
nesily hope may not arise, | suggest to Con-
gress the propriety of adopting such provis-
ional measures as the exigency may seem to
demand"
The two houses of Congress may have an
tcipated 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 But am constrained to say that
such is not the fact. The formal demand for
immediate reparation in the case Of the
" Black WARRIOR" instead Of having been
met on the part of Spain, by prompt satisfac
ton, has only served to call forth justi6-
cation Of the local authorities Of Cuba, and
thus to transfer the responsibility for their acts
to the Spanish government itself.
Meanwhile information, not only reliable in
its nature but of an official character, was re-
ceived, 10 the effect that preparation was max
- al tbo nf fho NIT nv
private individuals, under military organiza-
lion, for descent upon the island of Cuba, with
a view to wrest that colony from the dominion
of Spain. International comfy, the obliga-
ton of treaties, and the express provisions Of
law, alike required, in my judgment, that all
the constitutional power OF the Executive
should be exerted to prevent the conSumma-
ton of such violation of positive law, and of
that good faith on which, mainly, the amcable
relations of neighhorlng nations must depend.
In conformity with these convictions OF public
duty, proclamation was issued to warn all
persons not to participate In the contemplated
enterprise, and to invoke the lnterposltlon IN
his 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 consti-
tuition in Congress and the experience Of our
history leaves no room to doubt that the wis
dom of constitutional power will continue to
be verified whenever the national interest and
honor shall demand resort to ultimate meas
ures of redress Pending negotiations by the
Executive, and before the action Of Congress,
individuals could not be permitted to embarrass
the operations of the one and usurp the power
of the other of these repositories of the func-
tons of government.
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.
w AsHINGToN, August 1. 1854.