Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-03-30
The Seizure of the Black Warrior.

The Seizure Of the Black Warrior.
The President on the 18th inst, CON-
municated to Congress the official report
from the acting American Consul at Ha-
vana, and the statements from the off,
GERS, agents and owners of the steamer
Black Warrior, in relation to her seizure
by the authorities of Cuba. We pub.
lish below the message Of the President
IN relation TO the matter.
The President, it will be seen, is sat.
isfied tina. the proceedings of the Cuban
authorities were SO clearly wrong that
Spain will be without excuse if she re-
fuse to make full indemnify. No
present action Of Congress is recon-.
men6ed, though it is suggested that pro-
visional measures should be adopted,
which would place our Cover nmens in a
position TO obtain redress for the wrong
done, if Spain should refuse to voluntari.
ly make il, and SO vindica:e the honor Of
our flag.
We must say that we have our fears
that Spain will hesitate, if she does not
refuse, to make the proper redress; but
still we are not altogether without hope
that the matter will be adjusted, peace
ably and honorably to both nations. -
The Presiden. has already taken meas.
ures to have the subject laid before the
Spanish Government; and SO we may
expect soon to have some indication of
the course it will adopt.
Message Of the President.
To the House Of Representatives
In compliance with the resolution of
the House of Representatives OF the 10Th
inst, here with transmit report TO the
Secretary Of State, containing all the in.
formation received at the Department
relative TO the seizure OF the Black War.
rior at Havana on the 2Sth ult.
There have been in the course of
few years past, many other instances of
aggression upon our commerce, viola.
ton of the rights of American citizens,
and insults to the national flag, by the
Spanish authorities in Cuba, and all at.
tempts to obtain redress have led to pro-
trac.ed, and as yet, frui,lesss negotiations
| The documents in these cases are volu.
to Congress. Those now transmitted re.
minous, and. when prepared, will be sent
lated exclusively to the seizure OF the
Black Warrior, and present SO clear a
case Of wrong tina, it would be reasona.
BILE 10 expect full indemnity therefor as
soon as this unjustifable and offensive
conduct shall be known to her Catholic
Majesty's government, but similar expec-
tations in other cases have not been real.
lied.
The offending party is at our door with
large powers for aggression, but none is
alleged for repara,ion. The source of
redress is in another hemis phere, and the
answer of our just complaints made 10
the Home Government are but the rep
etition of excuses rendered for inferior
officials to their superiors, in reply to re-
presentations OF misconduct. The Pc
culiar situation of the parties has un-
doubleday much aggravated the annoy.
ances and injuries which our ci.iz ems
have suffered from the Cuban authors
ties. Spain docs not seem to appreciate,
TO its full extent, her responsibility for
the conduct of these authorities. In Civ.
ing very extraordinary powers 10 them
she owes il to justice, and her friendly
relations with this government. to guard
with vigilance against the exorbitans exer-
else of these powers, and in case of
injury TO provide for prompt retress.
have already taken measures to pre-.
sent TO the Government of Spain the
wan.on injustice of the Cuban authors
ties in the detention and seizure Of the
Black Warrior, and to demand indem.
nifty for the injury that has thereby been
done to our citizens.
In view of the position Of the Island
Of Cuba. its proximity to our coasts.
and the relation which it mus, ever bear
TO our commercial and other interests, it
is in vain to expect that series of un-
friendly acts, infringing upon CONNER.
cial rights; and the adoption of policy
threatening its honor and security of these
States, can long consist with peaceful re-
lations.
In case the measures taken for the am
icable adjustment Of our difficulties with
Spain should unfortunately fail, shall
not hesitate to use the authority and
means which Congress may gran: to en-
sure the observance of our just rights, TO
obtain redress for injuries received, and
10 vindicaie the honor of our flag.
In anticipation Of that contingency,
which hope may not arrive. suggest
10 Congress the propriesy of au.horising
such provisional measures as the exigen-
cy may seem to demand.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
| Washington, March, Is, 1854.