Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-05-22
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT


The President sent brief message into the
Senate to-day in reply to the resolutions here
1 tofore adopted. The following are among the
most interesting among them:
Mr. Cass writes TO Mr.. Dallas, on the 18th
of May, as follows:
Sir The accompanying papers, copies of
the originals which have just been received,
will make known to you that other outrages
have been committed against the rights of
the United States by British armed vessel,
which calls for the Immediate attention of the
British government l am persuaded to be-
heve, that If the occurrences took place as
stated, the conduct of the British officers will
be disavowed and condemned. ] beg you
would communicate TO Lord Malmesbury the
earnest desire of the President that this prac-
tice, which seems TO become more prevalent,
of OBTAINING and searching American vessels
shall be discontinued, and the most peremp-
tory order for that purpose should be given
and enforced. Such measure is called for
by important considerations which will readi-
ly occur to you. While this government is
determined to use all proper exertions for the
suppression of the slave trade, it is not less
DESTROYS that the past immunities of the yes
sells of the United States upon the ocean
should be preserved. Whatever may have
been the true objects of the voyage of the
CorteZ, if she had papers stating her Ameri-
can character, she. was subject neither TO
search nor capture by the British cruiser. /
do not doubt that the facts reported will be
fully estimated by the order of the British
government, and proper measures be taken
to prevent the recurrence of similar acts here
after.
2 Mr.. Cas- in a letter to Secretary Toucey
dated MAY l3, communicated the statement
of the Consul General at Havana relative to
the aggressive outrages recently committed
against vessel of the United States. He
adds, the subject calls for the immediate at
tention of the government, and Mr.. Dallas
has been instructed to bring it TO the conside-
ration of the British government with view
to such action as the circumstances demand.
Ontrages of this nature against our vessels,
if longer continued, cannot fail to lead to the
most unpleasant consequences. 1t appears
that several British armed vessels are cruising
on the coast of Cuba, aud that our merchant
vessels are exposed to veXatiOus interruptions
by their interference 1t is, therefore, proper
that vessel should be dispatched with in
structions to render prompt protection to all
American vessels that may need it, The
forcible search by cruisers of that power on
the high seas cannot be tolerated
The Secretary of the Navy wrote to the
President on the 18th of May that the steamer
Fulton, Capt. Amy, had been ordered to
cruise actively on the northern coast of Cuba,
and take such measures as may be deemed
necessary to protect all vessels of the United
States on the high seas from search or deten-
ton from the vessels of war of any other
nation. Orders have been given for the prep
aration of the race Savannah and the brig
Dolphin to join the home squadron for the
purpose of cruising in the neighborhood of
Cuba, and the steam frigate Wabash, now
fitting out at New York as the flag ship OF
the Mediterranean squadron, has been direc-
ted to show her flag in those quarters and
protect at all times. the persons and property
of American citizens.
Mr.. Cass writing to Mr.. Dallas on the 18th
of May, informs him that various statements
have been made in the public papers showing
that there are cases of forcible detention and
search of American vessels by British armed
ships of war in the Cult of Mexico and the
adjoining seas. In addition to these aggres-
sons on the high seas and the indefensible
acts of violence against several of our mer-
chant vessels, said to be eleven in number,
forcible entry and examination has been COM
mitted by British armed steamer in the har
Dor of Sagua la Grande. in the island of Cuba.
No authentic report has reached the Depart
ment with the exception of letter from the
Consul General at Havana, and of which a
copy is transmitted.
Proper measures have been taken to pro-
cure all necessary information, which Will be
forwarded to you and, when all the facts are
ascertained the 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 ano-
Their power within the territorial jurisdiction
of Spain The Government of the United
States is satisfied that the Government of that
country will adopt the most efficient measures
to protect the vessels resorting to Spanish
ports from lawless violence. Such protection
they are entitled to, and if II is not secured
- In, fln, of
our own country.
Mr. Cass says he is not informed whether
any injury was sustained in consequence of
the proceedings against those vessels. If there
were, it is expected that it will be made good
by the Spanish Government, or by means Of
its interposition with the Government of Great
Britain. These fragrant violations of the
rights of the United States, he adds, have ex-
cited deep feeling throughout the country,
and have attracted the attention of both
Houses of Congress. The continuance cannot
fail to produce the most serious effects upon
the relations of the two countries.
The President confidently believes that the Bri-
sh naval officers in the adopt on Of these high
handed measures, have acted without authori-
ty and have misunderstood the views OF their
Government, but il is not the less due &c the
United States that their conduct shall be disa-
vowed and peremptory orders issued 10 pre-
vent the occurrence of similar proceedings.
You will communicate to the Earl of Malmes-
bury the reasonable expectations of the Pre-
sident that this subject shall receive the i'm
mediate attention of her British Majesty's
Government, and that the officers who have
been guilty of these outrages shall be held
personally responsible for their conduct, and
that, where pecuniary injuries have been sus-
tanned, the interested parties shall receive just
compensation.
You will invite the particular attention Of
Lord Malmesbury to the occurrence at Sagua
la Grande, and to the just expectation of the
United States that the measure of redress adj
opted by the British Government upon this
case viii be such as to mark with its dsplea-
sure the conduct of the officers whose proceed
ings have given serious cause of offence to
friendly power and to prevent similar inter
ferences hereafter.