The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-03-18
PREIlDENTS MESSAG E.

The House of Representatives having pass
sod a Resolution requesting the President to
furnish it with the information possessed by
the Government, relative to the late seizure of
tho American steamer, the Black Warrior, by
the Cuban authorities, the following Message
was sent to that Body on Wednesday last
MESSAGE rEeaTIE PRESIDENT.
To The House Of Representatives.
In compliance with the resolution of the
House of Representatives Of tie 10th inst,
herewith transmit a report of the Secretary of
State, containing all the information received
al the Department relative 10 the seizure Of
the Black Warrior at Havana on the 2Sth ult.
Thee have been in Tic Course ola few years
past. many other instances of AGGRESSION up
on our commerce, violations Of the rights of
American citizens, and insults to the nation
al ias, by the Spanish authorities in Cuba,
and all attempts to obtain redress have led to
protractcd, and rs yet, firlt,c's negotiations.
The documents i'll these casts are vo.umin-
Gus, and when prepared will he sent to Con-
grcSs. Those now Transmitted relate cxclu-
'iv,fy to the Black Warrior, and pr, s; mt so
clcara case OF wrong that it would I've rcasuna
bic to expect FIJI indemnity there for as soon
as This unjusitiale and offensive conduct
shall be made known to her Catholic Mai,s-
tvs government; but similar expectations in
other eases have not been realized.
The offending party is at our door with
large powers for aggression, but none is as al
legged for rcparaton. The source of redr,sss
in another hemisphere, and the answer to our
just complaints made 10 the Home Govern
mcnt are but the repetition of excuses render
ed for inferior officials to their supcriors, in
reply to representations of misconduct The
peculiar situation of the parties has undouLt-
clly much aggravated the annoyanccs and
injuries which our citizens have suffered f,om
the Cuban authorities. Spain docs not sc,m
to apprcciate, to its full extent, her response
bility for the conduct Of these authorities. In
giving very extraordinary powers to them she
owcsit to justice, her friendly relations with
this government, to guard with vigilance
against the cxorhitant exercise ofthcsc POW
us, and i'll ease ofinjnly TO provide for prompt
redress.
! have already taken measures to prcscn,
to The Government ofSpain the wanton iniuS-
ticc Of the Cuban authorities III the detention
and seizure of the Black Warrior and to de-
mand indemnity for the injustice that has
thereby been done to our citizens.
In view Of the position Of the Island of Gu
ba It's proximity to our coasts, and the rcla-
ton which it must ever bear to our CONNER
cial and other interests, it is vain to expect
that a series of unfriondly acts, infringing
upon commercial rights; and the adoption Of
policy threatening the honor and security of
these States, can long consist with peaceful
relations.
In case the measures taken for the amicablc
adjustment Of our difficulties with Spain
should unfortunately fail shall not hesitate
to use the authority and means which Con-
gr,ss may grant to ensure the observance of
o'i b'' l-iilS, W tpui lCtisS tUi IullCS
received, and to yindicatc the honor ofcm
flag.
In anticipation Of that contingency, which
l earnestly hope may not arrive, suggest to
Congress the propricty Of authorizing such
provisional measures as the cXigcncy may
seem to d. mand. FRANKLIN PIERCE.
WASHINGTON, March Is, 1854.
The list Of papers accompanying tho report
of the Secretary of State to the President, in
cludc letters from Mr.. Robertson, acting Uni
ted States Consul at Havana, to Mr.. Marcy,
undo: date of March 81 and It'll, with the
protest of the conSignee and master Of the
Black Warrior; from Livingston, Cochran &
Co., dated March llth, to Mr.. Marcy: Mr..
Sutherland to Mr.. Marcy, dated March Sd.
Immediately after the reading of the IN, s.
sage
Mr.. Baylcy rosc-I move the message lie
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
and printed. beg to say that my admira-
ton is excited by the character of the message.
Motion agreed TO-