Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-06-08
(Frou. tine Washington U,:ion
THE DISTRACTIONS 10 COMMODORE Nc
CAULEY.

CACLEt.
In consequence of the many idle speculations and
perversons which have srrsared in certain journals
az 10 tho character Of the Instructions given b. the
Navy Department to Commodore MoCauey upon
sending our gulf squadron 10 i'll the waters ad-
Jacent to Cuba, nave applied to Secretary Dobbn
Gnc obtained for publication copy of those instruc
tons, which appears below. Ii has already been nm
nounced that the Spanish Minister of foreign affairs
has recently announced in the Spanish Cortes that tho
oitcer who arrested the of the FL Dorado on
the high seas, and subjected her to visitation
wns not justified by his Instructions in 90 doing
and that Captain-Genersl Concha has ssuod his
proclamation, announcing that the decree sub
jectlng the island to state of siego has boon re-
peaied will be seen that the instructions to Com
Inodors McCauiey ure explicit arn and decided,
whilst they manifest proper regard for the mainte
nance Of pacific relations with Spain They remove
all room for doubt as to the wisdom and decision
which have marked the policy of the administration
IN regarl 10 the late Gggressons perpetraed by Span
ish officials, showing, as they clearly do, that the
rights Of citzens and the honor Of our nation can
not he intrnged with impunity. That the presence
Of Commodore McCaucy in the gull, with instruc-
tons SD distinct and emphatic, has rIerted happy
influence in preserving peaceful relations with Spain,
admits of further doubt. But the instructions are
80 fall and direct to tho points at issue, that further
comment ID unnecessary. They arc as follows:
UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARrMEsT,
Washington, April TO- 1855.
SiR:-The department has determined tn assign you
OF the home squadron.
Rcprsiug confidence in your prudence, experience,
and patriotism, have selected You for the discharge
of certain duties, always delicate aud responsible the
proper execution OF which may involve questions ot
national honor and peaco.
Recent events in Cuba, ani on the high seas in the
vicinity of that island, OF character calculated
not merely to attract attention and extte tho socl-
tude Of this government but ~ call Tor constant vigil
lance on your part in order that tho rights Of our
,,f,uf nnI fhn NJ
be neither wanIOny assaulted nor carcessy disregurd-
ed II is hardly necessary that shoCld undertake 10
rece with particularly nl the circumstances which
are worthy of your confederation, but deem II pro-
per to call your attention 10 the conduct ut tho com
mnnder Of the Spanish trSate FerrOlana, in firing at
the United State. mail stealncr"E Dorado' aud sub
icCding that vessel t0 delay, vieafon, and search
about eight miles from Cape San Antnnia-an occur
renee which, if approval by the Spanish authorities,
il likely 10 disturb tho friendly relations between The
two governments, and Conrse "i proceeding which,
if persisted in cannot but provoke collision
need not remind YOU, Commodore that the night
OF visitation search OF Vessels on the high sea,
il one the existence "t which. the United States
have steadily refused To recognize and thc sxercsr
OF which ihoy will with equal irinness ever refuse IL
| tolerate.
The President insrucs Ia say To you thCt il any
officer in command of ship OF war he rtsnut wiiei
All outrage of the character heretofore mentioned Il
perpetrated Oh vessel rShiully bearing our hag, hl
will promptly intcrposr re!ieve the arrested AMer
can ship prevent the exercise ~ the a5suned righ
of yisitstion or search and repo the interference by
force. The President ia not unnlndful uf the present
disturbed condition of Caba. But whatever weigh
NAV be attached to these considerations, tho efce'
npprehensons of the authorities OF hut island arising
il il believed out Of the condition OF its internal Of
fars, and not from any movement IN thus country II
violation Of neutrality laws can work no srspen
son OF national law reconcile submission to III.
violation of any right resulting from the la~ ot ma
tion. or treaty stipuations. Tho United States seek
no collision with Spain. The officers of our navy are
desired and expected scrupulousY to observe the law
of nations and uniformly 10 extei.d ul courtesy aht
respect to the flags Of other powers. But these rules
do not require consent Tor moment ~ the deliberate
violation OF principles held sacred by tho United
| Statra and without the Observance OF which peac"
| however desirable, cannot be maintained.
| The cuaduct al tile authorities OF Cuba IN over
hauling and searching vessels cannot rest "n The
ground of territorial jurisdiction, aud this government
denies the existence OF any stale ol iacts 10 Wariah
the exercise Of bGgrrcnt rights lnur instructions
are confined tn arising on the nigh seas, because
ns pt present advised, the offensive acts which have
Iecn committed are of that character. Other often
sive acts, however, undoubtedly might occur ~lthii
tho proper territorial Jurisdiction OF Cuba, tn which
this Government could not and would not submit for
| moment should such caso arisc you will immedi
at.ly report the facts To this department, and awai
further Instructions unless your prompt nterposltior
should become uoceSsnry for the preservation OF th'
lives and property Of the citizens OF the United statcs
| Accompanying lHIe nph 'e'V''
oopy Of the recent letter ot Mr.. M"rcy, Secretary Z"
State 20 Mr. Cueto, the Spanish minister at WI WashinE
ton, to which your attention is specially invited. n'
setting forth with dstincncss and force the views en-
trrta,ued by the President nn THE subject.
The vessels constituting the home squadron, undel
vour command for the present, are the San Jaclnto
| I,aptain Stribling; the jamestown. CaptUn Craboe
| the Falmouth, Commander Shaw; thu Princeton
Commander Eag!e, ani the Fulion Lieutenant Com
mandng Mitchell; to which oh:I vessels Will be add
ed at the earliest practicable moment.
| The Jamestown, Captain Crabbe having beei
originally assigned as the flagship of tho African
squadron. 10 designed only temporarily TO iorm
par Of the home squadron, and probably now on he
way to Key West, at which point, after touching
Hayana she " III await your instructions. enclose
you q COPY of my instructions to Captain Crabbe.
The department desires yoa 10 proreed Immaculate
| ~ To phiadephja where the ra!i-trigatc san ia
cinto /, now lying aud designed al the flagship
| IN, home squadron, and, after hosting your broad
npndant on board OF that vessel you Will direct your
rourse first TO Havana, at which place you VIII seeS
an interview with our acting consul, procure from MN
ali the information bearing upon the duties ol the nome
| snuadrou and then regulate your cruising, ana ihe
movements Of the ships under your command win
lev to tbe protection OF the rights aud Interests o
your country. . ,.;,
| I d.e,n i: unnecessary, Commodore to multiply
.nrpestous TO one of your long experience ana ex
c.rnt iii, -neut or to enlarge upon the importance
of doing everything in your power to preserve disc
Mine and 10 promote cheerful and contented spun
among the officers and men under your command.
| You will avniI yourself Of every opportunity t.
keep the department advised OF your movements AM
rho condition Of afuirs within the limits OF your sta
| sion.
Wishing you IN agreeable and successtu! cru'ss'
aDrctt