The Feliciana Democrat., 1858-01-23
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT IN RELATION
TO THE ARREST OF GEN. WALKER.

body the correspondence in his possession in 4
relation to the late arrest of Gen. Walker. and
accompanied ii with the following
MESSAGE
Tn submitting TO the Senate the papers for
which they have called, deem it proper to
make few observations
In capturing General Walker and his com.
mand, after they had landed on the soil of Ni.
caragua, Commodore Pauding has. in my opin.
ion, committed grave error 1t is quite csi.
dent, however, from the communications here.
with transmitted, that this was done from pure
and patriotic motives, and in the sincere con
viction that he was promoting the interests
and vndicating the honor of his country In
regard to Nicaragua, she has sustained no in
jury 10y the act of Com Paulding.
This has Injured to her benefit. and relieved
her from dreadful inrason She alone would
have any right to complain of the violation of
her territory aud it is quite certain she will
never exercise this right. 1t utqucstionably
does not lie in the mouth of her invaders TO
complain in her name that she has been rrScu-
ed by Com. PauIding from their assaults
The error of this gallant officer consists in en-
cceding his instructions, and landing his sail
ors and marines in Nicaragua, whether with
king war upon any military force whatever
which he might lnd IN the country. no matter
from whence they came. This power certain
ly did not belong 10 him. Obedience to law
aud conformity TO instructions are the best and
safest guides for all officers, civil and military
and when they transcend these limits, and act
upon their own personal responsibility, evil
consequences almost inevitably follow.
ri Y 4 4
Ryndcrs presented himself at the State De.
pariment on the Goth ult., with Gen Walker
in custody, the Secretary Informed him that
the Executive Department Of the Government
did not recognize Gen. Walker as n prisoner
that it had 10 directions to give concerning
him and that il is only through the action Of
the judiciary that he could be lawfully held
in custody TO answer any charges that might
be brought against him.
IN thus far disappearing the conduct Of
Commodore Paulding, no Inference must We
drawn that | am less determined than have
ever been 10 execute tie neutrality laws Of the
United States. This is my imperative duty,
and ! shai' continue % perform II vs. III the
ural. Y irh tle Constitution Ind tile Jaw
have laced IL my power
My opinion Of the value aud importance OF
these laws corresponds entirely with that OK
pressed lv Mr. Monroe III his Message TO Con.
grcss Of December !, 1919 That wise lirn.
dent, and patriotic Statesman says ." 1t is OF
the highest Importance to our national char
acter, and indispensable TO the morality Of our
citizens, that all violations of our neutrality
should be prevented. No door should be left
open for the evasion Of our laws no opporlu
nifty afforded to any who may he disposed tC
take advantage Of it to compromt the inter
est or the honor Of the nation"
The crime Of setting on foot or proyidin.
the means for a military expedition within th'
United States, to make war against foreign
State with which we are at peace, is one Of n
aggravated and dangerous character, and ear
y engaged the attention Of Congress. Whc
ther the Executive government possesses amy
or what power under the Constitution, indc
pcndcntly Of Congress, to prevent or punS!
this and similar offences against the law of Ia
tions, was subject which engaged the attcn
tion Of our most eminent statesmen in the tim'
Of the Administration Of General Washing
ton and on the occasion Of the French Revo
luton. The act Of Congress Of the 9th June
1894 fortunately removed all the dillicutic
on this question which had heretofore existed
The 9th and 7tll sections Of this act, which re
late to the present question, are the same il
substance with the 9th and 8th sections Of th'
act of April Goth, 1918, and have now beer
in force for Il period Of more than sixty years
The military expedition, rendered crimina
by the act, must have its origin, must 'begin'
or "bc set on FOOT in the United States, bu
the great object Of the law was to save foreign
States with whom We were at peace from tho
ravages Of these lawlcSs expeditions proceed
ing from our shores The seventh section
alonc therefore, which simply defines the crime
and its punishment, would have been made
quatc to accomplish this purpose and enforce
our international duties, In order TO rcndcl
the law enectuaI, it was necessary to prevent
the carrying on Of such expeditions to THEN
consnmmaton, after they had succeeded in lea
wing our shores.
This has been done eifectuay and in clear
and explicit language, by the authority given
to the President, under the 8th section of the
act to employ the land and naval forces of the
United States for the purpose of preventing
the carrying on Of any such expedition or en-
terprise, from the territories or jurisdiction OF
the United States against, the territories OF
domain of any foreign prince or State, or OF