Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-03-23
From theSoston Post
The United States an. Spain.
= IMPORTANT


The long train of insults tothe American
flag inflicted by the Cuban autp rities, ending
in the seizure of the Black Warrior, has
brought matters to crisis. yesterday Pres
ident Pierce laid this case befre congress oy
message. He states that he as taken meas
ures to demand from Spain IMMEDIATE repara-
ton for indignity to our flag md for outrage
upon our citizens; and that b feels it to be
his duty to admit of no delay evasion on the
part of the Spanish government. The mes
sage closes by suggesting to congress the pro-
priety of adopting such provisional measures
of authority and means as the exieency NAV
seem to demand. The message is short but
determined. In this the executive has dis
charged his duty with prompness and deci-
sion an0in manner that must command the
appreciation of the American people. This
message will be considered by congress ami
mated by patriotic spirit, determined to ask
nothing that is wrong. Such body, anima-
ted by the political sentiment d the fearless
Americanism that has ever stood up for Amer
such measures as the honor and the permanent
interests of the country may seem to demand.
1t is too late in the day for This country to
tamely submit to repeated insults on its flag.
The following is the Message of President
Pierce, communicated to the House of Repre-
sentatives on Wednesday last. 1t is manly
and determined document, unexceptionable in
every respect and truly American in spirit
The country will heartily endorse 1t -
The speaker laid before the house the fol-
lowing message on the Black Warrior af-
fair -
"To the House of Representatives. COM
pliance with the resolution of the house of
representatives, of the 10th instant, herewith
transmit report of the secretary of state con-
corning all the information received at the de-
Partment in relation to the seizure of the Black
Warrior at Havana on the 28th ult There
have been in the course of a few years past,
many other instances of aggression upon our
commerce, violations of the rights of Amer-
can citizens, and insults to the national flag,
by the Spanish authorities in Cuba, and all
attempts to obtain redress have led to protrac-
ted and, as yet, to fruitlesS negotiations.
The documents in these cases are voluminous,
and, when prepared, will be sent to congress.
Those now transmitted relate exclusively to
the seizure of the Black Warrior, and present
clear case of wrong that it would be reason
able to expect full indemnity therefor, as soon
as this unjuStifiable and offensive conduc. shall
be made known to her catholic majesty's gov
government, but similar expectations in other
cases have not been realized. The offending
party is at our doors with large powers for
aggression, but none, it is alleged for repara-
ton. The source of redress is in another hem
isphere, and the answers to our Just complaints
made to the home government are but the rep
itition of excuses rendered by officials to their
superiOrs in reply to representations of miscon-
duct. The peculiar situation Ofthe parties has
undoubtedly much aggravated the injuries
which our citizens have suffered from the Gu
ban authorities, and Spain does not seem to
appreciate, to its full extent, her responsibility
for the conduct of these authorities. In giving
very extraordinary powers 10 them, she owes
1t to justice and to her friendly relations with
this government, to guard with great vigilance
the exhorbitant exercise of these powers, and,
in case of injuries, to provide for prompt re-
dress. | have already taken measures to pre-
sent TO the government of Spain the wanton
INJURY Dy the CuDdH dulnOrItleS III the Qolen-
ton and seizure of the Black Warrior, and to
demand indemnity for the injury which has
thereby resulted to our citizens. In view of the
position of the island of Cuba, its proximity TO
our coast, the relation which if must ever bear
to our commercial and other interests, it is in
vain to expect that series Of unfriendly acts
infringing our commercial rights and the adop-
ton of policy threatening the honor and Sc
curly of these states can long exist with
peaceful relations In case the measures TAX
en- for an amicable adjustment of our difficult
ties should unfortunately fail, | shall not hes
itate to use the authority and means which
congress may grant to ensure the due observ-
ance of our just rights, to obtain redress for
injuries received, and to vindicate the honor of
our flag. In anticipation of that contingency,
which hope may not arise, l suggest TO con-
gress the propriety Of adopting such provision
al measures the exigency may seem to demand.
FRANKLIN PIERCE"
The message was referred to the committee
on foreign affairs and ordered to be printed
1t was received with general favor by the
members.