The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-08-11
SPAIN AND THE United STATES.

message was sent to the Senate this afternoon
in reply to resolution of inquiry adopted BY
that body this morning:
To the Senate Of The United States Il has
ten to respond briefly to the resolution of tho
Senate of this date, requiring the President to
inform the Senate ''if, in his opinion, it be moi
Incompatible with the public interest, whether
anything has arisen since the date of his mes.
age to the House of Representatives of the
10Th OF March last, concerning our relations
with the government of Spain, which in his
opinion may dispense with the suggestions
therein contained, touching the propriety Of
provisional measures by Congress to meet any
exigency that may arise in the recess OF Con-
gress affecting those relations"
In the message to the House of Represen-
tatives referred to availed myself of the oc-
casion to present the following reflections and
suggestions:
ain view of the position of the Island of
Cuba, its proximity to our coast, the relations
which it must ever bear to cur commercial
and other interests, il is vain to expect that n
series of unfriendly acts infringing our CON-
merclal rights, and the adoption of policy
threatening the honor and security of these
States, can long exist with peaceful relations.
sin case the measures taken for the AMIGA
BILE adjustment of our difficulties with Spain
should unfortunately fail, shall not hesitate
to use the authority and means which Con.
gress may grant to insure the observance of
our just rights, to obtain redress for injuries
received, and to vindicate the honor of our
flag. In anticipation of that contingency,
which | earnestly hope maynot arise, | sug-
gest to Congress the propriety of adopting
such provisional measures MS the exgency
may seem to demand"
The two Houses of Congress may have
anticipated that the hope then expressed
would be realized before the period of its adj
Journment, and that our relations with Spain
would have assumed a satisfactory condition,
so as to remove past causes of complaint, and
afford better security for tranquility and JUS
tice in the future.
/ am constrained to say that such is not the
fact. The formal demand for immediate re-
paration in the case of the Black Warrior, in
stead of having been met on the part of Spain
by prompt satisfaction, has only served to call
forth n justification of the local authorities of
Cuba, and thu, to transfer the responsibility
for their acts 10 the Spanish Government
itself.
Meanwhile, Information not only reliable in
its nature, but of an official character, was re-
ceived to the effect that preparation was max
ing within thelimits of the United States, by
private individuals, under military organiza-
ton, for descent upon the island of Cuba,
with view to wrest that colony from the
dominion of Spain. International comfy, the
obligation of treaties, and the express pro-
visions of law, allie required in my judgment
that all the constitutional power of the En-
ecutive should be exerted to prevent the con-
summation of sucha violation of positive law,
and of that good fifth on which mainly the
amicable relations of ncighboring nations
must depend.
In conformity With these convictions of
public duty, proclamation was issued to
warn all persons MT to participate in the con.
tcmplated enterprise, and to invoke the inter-
position in this behalf of the proper officers
of the Government. No provocation whatever
against country at peace with the United
States. The power to declare war is vested
by the constitution in Congress, and the ex-
perience of our past history leaves no room
to doubt that the wisdom of this arrangement
of constitutional power will continue to be
verified whenever the national interest and
honor shall demand resort to ultimate
measures of redress.
Pending negotiations by the Executive, and
before the action of Congress, individuals
could not be permitted to embarrass the ope-
rations of The one and usurp the powers 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 mea-
sures by Congress.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Washington, August /, 1854.
The message was read in executive session.
The lukewarmness of the House of Repre-
sentatives on Spanish affairs will, it is thought
render it ineffective in its object. No appro-
priation can be got from Congress to operate
Al l.. A =.