The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-05-26
The Recent 0utrageS on the Gulf.

Dallas, May II, as follows: Slr-Ihe
accompanying papers, copies of the origi-
nails, which have been received, will make
known to you that another outrage has
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 pur.
shaded to believe that if the occurrences
took place as they are stated, the con-
duet of the British officers will be disa.
vowed and condemned.
| beg you would communicate to Lord
Ma|mesbury the earnest desire of the Pres
ident, that this practice which seems to
have become more prevalent, of OBTAINING
and searching American vessels, shall be
discontinued, and that the most perempto-
ry order for that purpose should be given
and enforced. Such a measure is called
for by the important considerations which
will readily occur to yon. While this
Government is determined to use all
proper eXertions for the suppression Of
the slaye trade, it is not less desirous
that the past im1nunites of the vessels of
the United States upon the ocean should
be preserved.
Whatever might have been the true oh.
jects Of the Cortez, if she had papers Sta
ting her American character, she was sub
ject neither to search nor capture by the
British cruisers | do not doubt that
the facts reported will be fully investiga-
ted by order of the British Government.
and proper measures taken to prevent
the recurrence of similar acts hereaf
ter.
Mr.. Cass in letter to Secretary Toucy,
dated May 18th, communicated the state
ment of the Consul General at Havanah,
relative to the aggressive outrages re-
Gently committed against a vessel Of the
United States. He adds: The subject
calls for the immediate attention of Gov
erument, and Mr.. Dallas has been in
structed to bring it to the consideration
of the British Government, with view
to such action as the circumstances
demand. Outrages of this nature against
our vessels, if longer continued, cannot
fail to lead to the most unpleasant con-
sequences.
1t appears that several British armed
vessels are cruising on the coast of Cuba
and that our merchant vessels are exposed
to vexatious interruption by their inter.
ference. 1t is therefore proper that YES
sci should be dispatched with the instruc
tions to render prompt protection to
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 th'
President on the 10Th Of May, that tht
steamer Fulton, Capt. Almy, had beer
ordered to cruise actively on the northern
coast of Cuba, and take such measures
as may be deemed necessary to protec
vessels of the United States on the higl
seas from search or detention from tn
vessels Of war of any other nation.
Orders have been given for the prepa
ration of the Persia, Savannah, and tn
brig Dolphin, to join the home squadron
for the purpose of cruising in the neigh
borhood of Cuba, and the steam frigat
Wabash, now fitting out at New York
as flag ship of the Mediterranean squad
ron, has been directed to show her fa
in those quarters, and protect at al
times the persons and property of Ameri
) can citizens. Mr.. Cass writing to MI
Dallas on the 18th of May, informs hr
that various statements had been made i
the public papers, showing that there ar
cases of forcible detentions and searche
, of American vessels by British arme
ships of war in the Gulf of Mexico and ad
joining seas, in addition to these aggres
sons on the high seas. and TIE indefen
, sible acts Of violence against several {
| our merchant vessels, said to be SLAYER!
t In number forcible entries and examins
f tion has been committed by British arm
ed steamer in the harbor of Lagua L
Grande, in the island of Cuba.
No authentic reports have reached tn
department with the exception of a lelte
from our Consul General at Havan;
and of which copy Is transmitted
8 Proper measures have been taken to pre-
cure all the necessary Information whic
? will be forwarded 10 you, and when all tn
+, facts are ascertained the proper represer
tations will be made without delay to th
, Government of Her Catholic Majest
against this search of American vessels b
naval forces of another power, within tn
territorial jurisdiction of Spain.
The Government of the q. s. is sati
8 fed that the Government of that countr
i. will adopt the most efficient measures
protect their vessels resorting to SPANS
ports from lawless violence. Such pre-
lection they are entitled to, and if it
!, not secured elsewhere, it must be found
= the power Of our own country.
!, Mr.. Cass says he is not informed whetl
y er any injury was sustained in conseauene
of the proceedings against those vessels;
there was, it is expected that it viii!
0 made good by the Spanish Governmen
;, or by means of its interposition with til
> Government of Great Britain.
These fragrant violations Of the righ
of the United States, he adds, have e: