The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1858-06-02
LETTER FROM SECRETARY CASS
TO HON. g. n. DALLAS.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
Washington. 18th May, 1858.

Washington. 18th May, 1853.
SIR: Since my despatch No. l03, o.
the 18th instant, various statements
have been made in the public papers
showing other cases of the forcible de.
tention and search of American vessels
by British armed ships of war in the
Gulf of Mexico and in the adjacent
seas. In every case where these reports
have come to the knowledge of this De-
partment, application has been made i'm
mediately to the proper collector to pro
cure from the captain a particular ac-
count of the outrage, with a view to
make it the subject of reclamation upon
the British government. Answers to
some of these applications have been re
ceived, and copies of them, agreeably to
the annexed list, are herewith transmit
ted, for your information, as we'll as for
your prompt action: When others are
received, you shall, 10 like manner, be
furnished with copies, that you may be
kept advised of the progress of these as
saults upon our hationalrights.
In addition to these aggressions upon
the high seas, another -indefensible act
of violence against several of our mer-
chant vessels, said to be eleven in num-
Der, by forcible entry and examination,
has been committed by British armed
steamer, in the barlor of Sagsa la
Grande, in the Island of Cuba. The
statements in the public journals contain
the details of this transaction, but no
authentic report on the subject has yet
reached the Department, with the ex-
ception of letter from the Consul Gen
eral of the United States at Havana, of
which I transmit you a copy Proper
measures have been taken to procure al
the necessary information, which will be
forwarded to you as soon as it reaches
here. When all the facts are ascer,
tanned, proper representations will be
made, without delay to the government
of Her Catholic Majesty against this
search of American vessels by the naval
forces of another power within the terri;
torial jurisdiction of Spain. The Uni
ted States are satisfied that the govern
ment of that country will adopt the
vessels resortiDg to the Spanish ports
from lawless violence. Such protection
they are entitled to, and if it is not found
elsewhere, it must bo found in the pow
er of their own country. am not in
formed whether any injury was sustain
ed in consequence of the proceedings
against these vessels If there were,
it will be expected that it be made good
by the Spanish government itself, or by
means of its interpesition with the gov
ernment of Great Britain. i
These fagrant violations of the rights
of the Uuited States have excited
deep feeling through the eoantry, and
have attracted the attention of both
houses of Congress. Their continuance
cannot fail to produce the most serious
effects upon the relations of the two
countries. The President confidently
believes that the British naval officers,
in the adoption of these high handed
measures, have acted without the au
thority, and have misunderstood the
views, of their government. But it is
not the less due to the United States
that their conduct should be disavowed.
and peremptory orders issued to prevent
the recurrence of similar proceedings
hereafter. You will communicate to
the Earl of Malmesburg the earnest
expectation of the President that this
subject should receive immediate atten-
tion of her Britannia Majesty's govern
ment, and that the officers who have
been guilty of these outrages should be
held properly responsible for their con-
duct, and that, where pecuniary injuries
have been suffered, the interested parties
should receive just compensation.
You will also invite the particular at
tention of Lord Malmesbury to the oe-
eurrences at Sagua la Grande, and to
the just expectations of the United
States that the measures of redress
adopted by the British government
upon this occasion will be such as to
mark its displeasure of the conduct of the
officer whose proceedings have given a
serious cause of offence to a friendly
power, and to preventa similar interfe-
renee hereafter.
am, sir, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
e-e LEWIS CASS.