Indiana American., 1854-08-18
. our RELATIONS WITH SPAIN.

stroyed.
- , OUR RELATIONS WITH SPAIN.
In the Senate, August lst. resolu
sion was proposed BY Mr.. Mason, an
adopted. to which the following res
ponse was made 70 instanfi Resolu
tions. bills. reports --al things leglsla
tive except votes--msy be. aud probs
bly, are, manufactured at the Presiden
tial ma- sion. Votes. IT is BY many hon
est me- n believed. are often Influenced a
this corrupt fountain Of power,
To rHE SEsArE OF tbs UNITED STATES
hasten TO respond briefly to the res
olntion OF the Senate OF this date. re-
quiring the President tc inform the Sen
ate s.if, 10 bis opinion, il be not incom
patible with the public interest, vheth
er anything has arisen since the date o
his message TO the House of Represcn-
tatives OF the 18th Of March last. co n.
cerniug our relations with the Govern.
ment Of Spain, which in his opinion
may dispense with the suggestions
therein contained. touching the propri.
ETY. or provisional measures by Congress
TO LsS;;s any exigency that may arise in
the recess OF Congress affecting those
relations.
In the message TO the House OF Rep.
resentafives referred to, availed N.Y.
self Of the occasion to present the fol-
lowing reflections and suggestions:
I'm view OF the position OF the Island
OF Cuba, it's proximity 10 our coust, the
relations which il must ever bear to our
commercial and other interests, Il is
vain to expect that the series of un-
friendly acts infringing our commercial
rights. and the adoption OF policy
threatening the honor and security OF
these States. can long exist with peace
full relations"
ain case the measures taken for the
amicable adjustment Of our difficulties
with Spain should unfortunately fail, I
shall not hesitate 70 use the authority
and means which Congress may grant,
to insure the observance OF our just
rights, to obtain redress for injuries re-
ceived, and to vindicate the honor Of our
dag. In anticipation Of that contingent
cy, which | earnestly hope may not
arise, suggest to Congress the uropri-
s,y Of adopting such provisional meas
ures as the exigency may seem to de-
mand."
The two Houses Of Congress may
have anticipated that the hope then ex-
pressed would be realized before the Pc
ricd Of its adjnurnment. and that our re-
lations with Span would have assumed
a satisfactory condition. 50 as TO remove
past causes OF complaint, and afford bet
ter security for tranquility ani justice
In the future.
am constrained TO say that such Il
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 sat
isfcaiion. has only served to call forth
q Justification Of the local authorities o 4
Cuba. and thus to transfer the RESPONSE
bility Tor their acts to the Spanish Cow
ernment itself.
Meanwhile. Information not only re-
liable In its nature. but an official char
acter, was received, 10 the effect that
was making within the linn
Is nf the united State, by private I'M
dviduals, under military organization,
for dece.. upon the Island OF Cuba,
with view to wfest that colony from
the dominion OF Spain. international
comity, the obligation OF treahee. and
the express provisions OF law, alike re-
qulred, In my judgement, that oil the
constitutional power OF the Executive
should be exerted to prevent the eonsu-
nation OF such violation OF positive
law, and OF that good filth. on viii b,
mainly, the nmieuble relstions Of neigh
boring natlons must depend,
Ia conformity with these convictions
Of public duty, proclamation n was issu-
ed, 10 warn all persons not 10 particle
pate In the contemplated enterprise, Dnd
To invoke tho lnterposition In this be-
haif of the proper otlioes OF the Govern
mtn'. No prOvoeatlon whatever can
justify private expeditions OF hostility
against country al peace with the Uui-
ted States. The power 10 declare war
W vested by the Constitution in Com
grtss, and the experience of onr past
hlstofy leaves nv room 10 doubt that
he wisdom OF this arrangements Of con-
stltutional power will continue TO be
verified whenever the national interests
and honor shall demand resort TO ultl-
mate measures OF redress.
Pending negotiations by the Execu.
tive. aud before the action of Congress
individuals could not be permitted tn en-.
barras the operations Of the one aud
usurp the powers OF the other of these
repositories OF the functions OF Gov
ernment.
| have only to add, that nothing has
arisen, since the date OF my former mes
sage. 20 dispense with the Suggestions
therein contained, touching the proprie-
" OF provisional measures by Congress.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
wAsHrseros August ist, 1854.