Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-06-01
SEARCH AND SEIZURE OF AMERICAN
EESSEIS


REPORT OF MR. MASON, OF VIRGINIA,
FROM THE COMMITTEE
cE FOREIGN RELATIONS. MADE TO THE sEEATE,
MAY %, 1858.
The Committee on Foreign Relations, to whom was
referred the resolution of the Senate insrucng them
"to inouire whether any legislation is necessary 10
able the President of the United States to protect
American vessels against British aggression In the
Gulf Of Mexico or elsewhere, and to Whom mas also
been referred the message OF the Precedent OF tne
United States communicating, in answer TO reaolu-
on of the Senate information concerning the recent
search or seizure OF American vessels by foreign
armed cruisers in the Gulf OF Mexico, have had the
same under consideration. and now
REPORT:
The documents accompanying the message of the
President show a series of aggressive acts on the
commerce of the United States in the Cult of Mexico,
and off the West India Isands, by the naval forces OF
Great Britain of character marked aud e1traor'
dinary as to have fixed the attention OF the country
American vessels pursuing the paths OF lawful COM
merce on the high seas, passing near the American
coaat from one domestic port TO another nnder the
flag of their country, have been pursued fired INTO
and compelled TO stop by the public force OF foreign
power quesoned as 10 their destination, their cargo,
and the character Of their crew; required to submit
to an examination OF their papers, and to ecrutlny
into the objects and purpose Of their voyage.
In other instances, American vessels anchored IN
the barbor of friendly power at the port of Ssgua
la Grande in the Island of Cubs have been subjected
to police irquisiton by the same foreign power,
and in like manner required to exhibit their papers
and TO submit TO questions as to their destination the
cause OF their absence from home, and the NUMBER
and character OF their crews
Il would appear from the letter Of the consul OF the
United States at Havana, Ia document accompanying
the messags,) that no less than fifteen American YES
sells living in the harbor In port at Ssgua la Grande,
were made to undergo this humisting system OF es
pionage; whilst six vessels on the high seas in the
Gulf OF Mexico bearing their countrys flag, were, as
above stated, by actual exhibition and use OF force
endangeriDg, in some instances the lives OF those on
board compelled to stop and submit to detention un
iii bosrdng officer was satisfied in such questions as
il was his pleasure to put
Besides the instances above cited officially commu.
nicated with the Presidents message in reply to q
call of the Senate, each successive arrival from tne
infested quarter brings intelligence Of new and sd
ditional sggressions Of like character committed oy
the same power, Oh vessels bearing the nag oi tue
United States.
1t has occasionally happened heretofore, under CIR
cumstauces OF Misrepresentation, or misconsrucuoa VI
ordert or rom other like that vessels OF toe
United States have been subjected by the armed forcs
of foreisn mower 10 visitation and search 10 viola
tion of international law and in derogation OF the in
dependence Of our fsg and IN sucn Isolated cases the
honor of the country may bave been sufficiently win
d;c,tsd bv disclaimer of intended wrong or by re
buks of the officer offending. But the continuous and
perseverng character Of the aggressons now brought
10 the notice OF the country, committed by power
with whom we are ut peace. and almost within sight
of Shores is sufficient to the ust indigns
tion Of the country, and calls in the opinion Of the
committee, for the most prompt and efficient mes.
TO arrest at once, and to end finally and forever
the commission of like indignities TO our Gag
The documents accompanying the message dis
close the fact that these acts of visitation and examl
nation Of American vessels were sought to or Justi
fled under the plea Of necessity Tor the suppression o.
ihs slave trade, supposed to b. actively carried "u
between Africa ana the island uf CUBA.
The committee will not 70 into any Inquiry ~ re
ference to such alleged necessity. II sufheieps for