Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-03-24

4, IOC4. '''''''''' '''' 80. .......' INO. ~.
The Presidents Message the Seizure of the
Black Warrior.
To the House of Representatives
In compliance with the resolution of the House of
Representatives of the 10th instant herewith trans
NIT report of the Secretary of State containing all
the information received at the department in rela
ton to the seizure of the Black Warrior at Havana
on the 28th utimo. There have been, in the course
of few years past, many other instances of ag
greSslon upon our commerce. violations of the rights
of American citizens, and insults to the national flag
by the Spanish authorities in Cuba and all attempts
to obtain redress have led TO protracted, and yet
fruitless negotiations The documents in these cases
voluminous, and, when prepared, will be sent to
Congress Those now transmitted relate exclusively
to the seizure seizure of the Black Warrior, and re-
sent so clear case OF wrong that it would be reason
able 10 expect full indemnity therefor as soon as this
uni njustifable and offensive conduct shall be made
known to her Catholic Maiesty's government but
similar expectations in other have not been
alZed. The offending party is 1T our doors, with
large powers for aggression but none ii is alleged
for repatriation. The Of redress is in another
hemisphere, and the answers TO just complaints
made to the home government but the repetition
OF excuses, rendered by inferior officials to their
perlors, in reply to representations of misconduct
The peculiar situation of the parties has, undoubted
ly. much aggravated the annoyances and injuries
which our citizens have suffered from the Cuban
its full extent her responsibility for the conduct of
these authorities. In giving very extraordinary pow
ers to them, she to justice and 10 her friendly
relations with this government to guard with great
vigilance against the exorbitant exercise of these
powers and in case of INJURIES to provide for prompt
redress.
have already taken measures to present to the
government of Spain the wanton injury of the Cuban
authorities in the detention and seizure of the Black
Warrior, and to demand immediate indemnity for the
injury which has thereby resulted to our citizens
In view of the position of the island of Cuba, it's
proximity to coast the relations which it must
ever bear 10 commercial and other interests it is
vain to expect that series of unfriendly acts, in
frnglng our 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 amicable adjust
ment of our difficulties with Spain should unfortu-
naely fail, shall not hesitate to use the authority
and means which Congress may grant to Insure the
observance of ust rights TO obtain redress for
uries received, and to vindicate the honor of our
flag. In anticipation of that contingency, which
earnestly hope may not arise, suggest to Congress
the proprety of adopting such provisional measures
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
WASHINGTON, March Is, 1854
Letter fron Consul Robertson TO Secretaru Marcu,
No. 35. CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES,
! Havana, March 8, 1854 {
&r:-By the United States steamer Corwin, which
despatched to Charleston on the 1st instant, con-
celvng that the Importance of the intelligence had
to communicate justified that course, advised you
of the seizure by the custom-house authorities here
apparently, or rather evidently, with the consent
and appreciation of the supreme authority of the is
land, of the cargo ON board the steamer Black War.
rior oil New York, and of the attempt TO lay very
heavy fine upon the captain Of the vessel, which fine
is said 10 he double in amount TO the value of the
cargo-a this under the preence of his having made
false entry, to wit: that he stated0is ship to be in
ballast, when she had cotton on board an transitu
feel 1T to be my duty to repeat the circumstances of
the case, TO correct any that may have COM
muncated in my despatch before mentioned, num-
bered 34
! The steamer was expected here from Mobile on
her way to New York, on the 26h ultimo. Mesars
lying Il Co, her conslgnees, on the day before,
(25th, Saturday, entered and cleared her az ballast
This has been customary fOT steamers OF the Law
and British mail lines. am informed that the Black
Warrior has been entered and cleared in ballast since
she commenced 10 run, now about nineteen months
past, making two trips per month. without any OBJ
lection the part Of the custom house authorities
who cannot plead Ignorance of the fact, for immed
ately that steamer drops her anchor two custom
house guards, and an unlimited number of policemen,
public and secret, were placed on hoard to watch
every passenger or package on the ship. No attempt
has ever been made, that am aware of, to conceal
the cargo. Furthermore, the captain of the Black
Warrior has been in the habit to deliver TO the au
thortes, arrival, several numbers of the public
journals Of New York or Mobile of the latest dates
which contained the advertisement of the Black
Warriors being about to sail on such date ex-
pressing the cargo she carried for her port of des-
tnation
/ The ship arrived here the morning of the 2Sth.
The captain delivered his manifest a, ballast as had
been customary. He assures mo that he had always
been under the impression that special concession
existed which exempted his vessel and other stean-
from the formality of manifesting their cargo in
tfGnstu he thinks that the of the ship enter
tain the same belief. On the same day. (28th,) at
about II o'clock, MIR. Tying sent his clerk to the Gus
tomhous for the despatch of the steamer, take the
to the captain Of the ports, to procure the pass
for her to leave the port; il was refused TO him. and
he was informed that the ship stopped by order
OF superior authority of the royal exchequer. Upon
this, Mr.. Tying, with the captain, came TO my office
and Informed of the state of the Whilst the
former was entering protest, took the latter with
me TO the captain general The object ef~ this inter-
view to lay before his axoellency all the circun-
stanqes OF the case and particularly to show that there
had not been, on the part of Captain Bullock, any
one concerned in the ship, the least intention of vo-
latng any law of Spain regulation of the port
His excellency courleonly listened TO me- and replied
that no report had been made to him on the subject
he also recommended that should give him my state.
ment in q memorial or official communication. i'm
mediately returned to my office, and prepared my
letter to the captan-general Of this letter, in my
anxiety to bring the affair 10 a satisfactory settlement
without delay, kept no copy, which regret. In
the time, Mr. Tying went to the custom house,
finding that the cause of the difficulty the omis.
sion of the cargo tTGnSltu in the manifest, and
, thinking hat the twelve hours allowed by law &c
amend nanfests had 1t psed and that by making
the amendment tie difficulty would be terminated. he
applied the collector stating that, in the course
fifteen minutes half an hour he would be prepared