Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-01-13
MESSAGE on raE PRmngEr

Ia submitting to tie Senate the papers for which
they have called deem IL proper to make few ob
sersations.
H. aDurrinq Gen. Walker and his command, afte
they had andei on the soil Of Ncara qua, Commodor
Pau.ding has in my opinion, committed a grav
error l. is quite evident, however from the com
municaiidns herewith transmitted, that this wa
done from pure and patriotic motives, aud in th
sincere conviction that he promoting the inter
ests and yludicatiDg the honor of his country. Il
regard TO Nicaragua, she has sustained 10 injury
by the acl OF Commodore Pauldlng.
This has Injured 10 her benefit, and relieved he
| from "a dreadful invasion. She alone would have
any right 90 complain Of the violation Of her terri
tory aud il is quite certain she viii never exercise
ibis right. l. uuguesJiouaby does not lie ia the
mouth OF her invaders 90 complain in her name tha
she has been rescued by Com. PaUldiDg from theu
assaults. The eugr OF this gallant officer consist.
u exceeding his Instructions and landing his san
rrs and marines iu Nicaragua, whether with o.
without her consent, for the purpose Of making wal
upon any military force Whatever which he miG"'
uui ia the country, no matter from whence tlej
came. THIS psWur certainly did not belong 10 hlni
Obedience 10 law and conformity % instructions are
,le best and safes. guides for &i. officers, cV ana
military. aud when hey transcend these limits, and
act upon their own personal sf7asDhiy, eva con
sequences almost inevitably follow.
Under these circumstances, when Marshal byn.
Isrs presented himself az the State Department on
.As 18th uIt, With Gen. Walker in custody, the
Secretary informed him that the Executive depart.
men, Of The Government did not recognize Gen
Walker as % prisoner that 10 had 10 Guec.i5us RI
give concerning him; and tagt Ii IS only through
tie action of the Judiciary thar la could be aU,utp
held ia custody, I0 answer any charges that might
/ De brought galHsJ Dim.
In thus far disappearing the conduct Of CommO
| lore PauldIng, no inference must be drawn THAT
ln less determined than have ever been TO execute
The neutrality laws CT the Dated States. This i:
| my imperative duty, and shall continue 10 perform
/ ID by ali the means which the Constitution and Ia.
! Tvs have placed in my power.
! My opinion OI the value aud importance Of these
laws corresponds entirely with that expressed hy
I Ar Monroe In his Message 20 Congress OF Dccam
| Der !, 1919 That wise prudent and patriotic
statesman says eli Is of the highest Importance
ID our national Character aud nuis puus8Dle 10 tbg
morality OF our citizens, that all violations Of oul
neutrality should be prevented. No door should be
left open for the evasion of our laws; 10 opportunity
afforded TO any who may be disposed 10 take aJyau
-age ot lt 90 cgmUrouit the interest the honor OF
/ the nation
/ The crime Of setting on foot or providing the
! means for military expedition within the United
states 90 make war against foreign State with
Ehieh are at peace, Is one Of an aggravated ana
/ dangerous character, ami early engaged lie aueu.
| on Of Congress Whether The Executive govern
lgu. possesses any, what poser, under the Con
..irlGou, independently of Congress, 20 prevent o.
punish this and similar offences against the law OF
nations. was subject which engaged The attention
/ o. our most eminent statesmen iu the time Of the
Administration O. Cen Washington, and on the oc-
aston I'd the French Revolution. The act OF Con
{ -r-ss %. ua 9TH ul june 1894, fortunately removed
all the d.lucaies on this question which had there
.5ioTs existed The 9TH and It'll sections OF this act
which relate TO fae present question are The same ia
Substance with lie 3.u aud Srl sections Of the utt OF
april -H-l. ISIS, and have now been in fo-cs Ior
period ui more laU sixty yCGgs.