The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-06-10

The Committee on Foreign Relations, to
whom was referred the resolution OF the
Senate instructing them L" to inquire whether
any legislation is necessary to enable the
President Of the United States TO protect
American vessels against British aggres.
sion in the Gull Of Mexico or elsewhere" F"
and to whom has also been referred the
message Of the President Of tho United
States communicating. in answer 10 q rcsO-
luton of the Senate, information concerning
the recent search or seizure Of American
vessels by foreign armed cruisers in the Gulf
of Mexico, have had the same under consid-
Grafton and now
REPORT
The documents accompanying the mes
sage Of the President show series OF ag-
gressive acts on the commerce OF the United
States in the Gull Of Mexico, and Of the
West India Islands, by the naval force OF
Great Britain Of character so marked and
extraordinary as TO have fixed the attention
Of the country.
American vessels pursuing the paths OF
lawful commerce on the high seas or pass.
ing near the American coast from one do
nestle port TO another, under the flag OF
their country have been pursued, fired into,
and compelled TO stop by the public force OF
foreign power questioned as to their des-
tinatiOn, their cargo. and the character Oi
their crew required TO submit TO an exami
nation Of their sea papcrs, and to a scrutiny
into the objects and purpose of their voy-
age.
In other instances, American vessels an
chored in the harbor Of a friendly power, at
the port Of Sagua la Grande, in the island
Of Cuba. have been subjected 10 police in
QUESTION by the same foreign power, and in
like manner required TO exhibit their papers
and TO submit TO questions as to their dcsti
nation. the cause OF their absence from home.
and the number and character Of their
crews.
1t would appear from the letter OF the
consul Of the United States at Havana, Ia
document accompanying the message,) that
no less than fifteen American vessels lying
in the harbor, or in the port at Sagua la
Grande, were made 90 undergo this humili-
ating system OF espionage whilst six ves-
se.s on the high seas in tue Gulf Oi Mexico,
bearing oar countrys flag, were, az above
stated. by actual exhibition and use Of force,
endangeriag, in some instances, the lives Of
those IN board, compelled to submit to de-
ention, until a boarding officer wss satis-
fed in such questions az il was bis pleasure
20 pnt.
BesidFs the instance above cited. officially
communicated with the President. message
IN reply To a call Of the Senate. each succe-s-
sive arrival from the infested quarter brings
intelligence Of NV aud additional agrres-
sons of like character. committed Wv the
same .power. on ve.>els barring the asg Of
the United States
i, has occasionally happenei heretofore
under circumstance of u,lsappreherNion. "
ragcoustructlou Of orders, or from other and
Ike causes. that vessels ofthe Unite! States
have been subjected by the armed force Of
a foreign p Jver TO visitation soi search, in
violation OF international Iaw aud ia deroga-
ton Of the iadepen1enoe Of oar hag. and m
such i-o.atfd car the honor Of the country
may have been saihc,ently vIDdieated by
,i.-s iaimer Of iatel.aed wrong o. b. reoake
u the olI.cer ofAzsinz. Bat tie coatinpO
ami ptrsyering character Of tho aygress'0ns
DoE broa2ht 10 ,be notice Of The country