The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-06-15
THE INDEPENDENT#PR PRES S..
to Commodore MoCauley.


The Washington Union of Tuesday
morning publishes the Instructions given to
Commodore McCauley upon putting him
in command OF the Gulf Squadron. The
following paragraphs cmbody the most i'm
portant portions of these Instructions:
Recent events in Cuba and on the high seas
in the vicinity Of that island, are Of char
actcr calculated not merely to attract atten-
ton and excite the solicitudc of this Gov
crnment, but to call for constant vigilance
on your part, in order that the rights of our
merce may he neither wantonly assailcd or
careIessly disrcgardcd. Tt is hardly ncces-
sary that I should undertake to recitc with
particularly all the circumstances which are
worthy of your consideration but deem
it proper to call your attention to the con-
duct of the commander of the Spanish frig-
ate Fcrroana in firing at the United States
mail steamer "Eldorado," and subjccting that
vessel to delay, visitation and search, about
eight miles from Cape San Antonio-nn oc-
currcnrc which if approved by the Spanish
authorities, is likely to disturb the friendly
relations between the two Governments, and
in, cannot but provoke collision.
[ need not remind you, Commodore, that
the right of visitation or search of our YES
sells on the high seas is one, the existence
Of which the United States have steadily
refused to recognize, and the exercise Of
which they will, with equal tirnncss, ever
refuse to tolerate.
The President instructs me to say to you
that if any officer in command Of ship-of-
war be present when an outrage of the char
actcr heresofore mentioned is pcrpctrated on
y vessel bearing our flag, he will promptly
intcrpose, relieve the interested American
ship, prevent the exercise of the assumed
right of visitation or search, and repcl the
interference by force. The President is not
unmndtul of the present disturbed condi.
ton Of Cuba. But, whatever weight may
be attached to these considerations of the
authorities of that island, arising it is be-
lievcd out of the condition of its internal
affairs, and not from any movement in this
country i'll violation Of our neutrality laws,
can work no suspension of national law,
nor reconcile Il submission to the violation
OF any right resulting from the law of na-
tions or treaty stipuations. The United
States seek no collision with Spain. The
officers of our navy are desired and expect
cd scrupulously to observe the law of ma
tions, and uniformly to extend all courtesy
and respect to the flags Of other powers.
But these rules do not require consent for a
moment to the deliberate violation of prin-
ciples held sacred by the United States, and
without the observance of which, peace,
however desirable, cannot be maintained.
The conduct of the authorities of Cuba
in overhauling and searching our vessels
cannot rest on the ground of territorial j,l-
rlsdiction, and this government denies the
existence of any state of facts to warrant the
exercise of belligcrcnt rights. Your in
structions are confined to cases arising on
the high seas, because as at present advised,
the offensive acts which have been com
mittcd are of that character Other often
sivc acts, however, undoubtedly might
occur within the proper territorial juris-
dlction OF Cuba, to which this Govern
mcnt could not and would not submit for
moment. Should such case arise you will
Immediately report the facts to this depart
mcnt and await further Instructions, unless
your prompt interpositon should become
necessary for the preservation of the lives
aud property Of the citizens of the United
States.
Accompanying this despatch you will re-
ce've copy of the recent letter of Mr.
Marcy, Secretary Of State, to Mr.. Cueto
Tie Spanish Minister at Washington, to
which your attention is specially invited, as
setting forth with distincness and force the
views entertained by the President on this
subject.