The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-05-24
British search Of American Vessels.

cruisers in the Gulf of Mexico, have fan |
ned into fame the old latent hostility
against England; it has revived the old
spirit of 1912, which was kindled by a
like insult. The public indignation
has forced the administration to take
prompt measures to indicate the rights
OF our flag, and rebuke English iusolence.
On the 10Th inst, the President commu
nicated to the Senate, special message
on the subject, covering the instructions
given to Mr.. Dallas. of which we give a
synopsis. On the 18th of May, Secretary
Cass writes to our Minister in London as
follows:
Sir: 7 nc accompanying papers, copies Of
the originals which ha 20 Just been rec eived,
will make known 70 you that another out
rage has been committed against the rights
of the United States by British armed yes
sci. which calls for the Immediate attention
of the British government. / am persuaded
10 believe, that. If the occurrences took place
as the arc stated, the conduct of the British
officers will be disavowed and condemned -
| beg YOU would communicate 70 Lord NAL
mesbuTy the earnest desire Of the President
that this practice, which seems to become
/ more prevalent of OBTAINING and searching
/ American vessels shall be discontinued, and
I the most peremtory order for that purpose
! should be given and enforced. Such mea-
/ sureis called for by important considerations,
/ IA will readily occur TO you. While tins
( Government is determined 20 use all proper
eAertions for the suppression of the slave
trade, it is not less DESTROYS that the past i'm
munities of the vessels Of the United States
/ upon the ocean should be preserved.
The next day, Mr.. CasS communicates
to the Secretary Of the Navy commu-
| nication which he had received from our
Consul at Havana, relative to the ag-
greSsiye outrages Of the English cruisers
against the vessels Of the United States.
Mr.. Cass adds that it is subject which
calls for the immediate attention of the
/ Government. he says: M
] Outrages of this nature against our vessels
\ If longer continued, cannot fail to lead TO tie
! most unpleasant consequences. 1t appears
that several British armed vessels are cruis
/ ing on the coast of Cuba and that our mer
I chant vessels are exposed TO Ycxatious in
! tcrruptions by their Interference. He thinks
therefore, it Is proper that vessel should be
dispatched with instructions to render
/ prompt protection 10 all American vessels
chat may need it. The forcibe search, 10y
cruisers OF that power on the high seas can
not be tolerated.
In reply TO this communication, the Secre-
tary of the Navy wrote to the President OF
the 18th day of May, that the steamer Full
ton, Capt Amy, had been ordered to crus,
vol ON he M, harm It Of NH n
take such measures rs may be deemed neces
sary to protect all vessels OF the United State:
on the high seas from search or detention
from the vessels Of war Of any other nation
Orders have been gwen for the preparation
Of the race Savannah, aud the brig Dolphin
to join the home squadron for the purpose o
r cruising in the neighborhood of Cuba, anC
the steam ffigate Wabash. now fitting on
at New York, as the flag ship of the Mediter-
rancan squadron, has been directed to shoV
her flag in those quarters, and protect, at al
times, the persons aud property OF American
citizens.
On the 18th of May, Mr.. Cass again wrot
to Dallas, and communicated to him tn
various statements that have been made il
the public papers showing that there are case
} of fcrcible detention aud search of American
vessels by British armed ships of war in th
! Gulf Of Mexico and the adjoining seas. ii
addition TO these aggressions on the high sea
and the indeiensible acts OF violence against
several of our merchant vessels, said to b
eleven in number, . lOreiblc entry and ex
animation has been committed by British
armed steamer in the harbor of Lagua i
Grande, in the island of Cuba. No autiIen
, tic report has reached the Department, wit
the exception of aletter from the Consul Gen
eral at Havana ana Of which copy is trans
mitted.
Mr.. Cass further says TO Dallas, that .'prope
measures have been taken to procure all nee
! essary information, which will be forwarde
to you; and when all the facts are ascertain
ed, the proper representations will be mad
i without delay to the Government other Cath
. Ole Majesty against this search of America
> vessels by the naval forces of another powC
u within the territorial jurisdiction of Spar
v The Government of the United States is salts
fed that the Government ofthat country wi
/; adopt the most efficient measures to prote,
the vessels resorting 20 Spanish ports frol
> lawlcss violence. Such protection they al
/, entitled to, and 1T is not secured elsew hel
o il must be found liz the power of our ow
country.
: These fragrant violations of the rights
& the United States, he adds, have excited
deep feeling throughout the country, and ha,
&c attracted the attention OF both Houses ofCor
gress. The continuance cannot fail 10 pre-
dUce tie most serious effect upon the relation
y of the two countries.
- You will communicate to tie Earl of Ma
! mcsbury the reasonable expectations of Il
&c President that this subject Shall recci We q
~ imme diate attention of her British Majesty
le Government, and that the officers who ha'
10 been guilty of these outrages shall be he
L. personally responsible tor their conduct, az
9 that where pecuniary Injuries have been su
tanned, the interested parties shall receive IN
~ compensation.
Z You will invite the particular attention
Lord MalmStury 10 the occurrence at Lacy
"a Ia Grande, and TO the just expectation of 4
" United States that the measure of redre
adopted BY the British Government upon I'll
III case will be such as to mark with its disple
Y sure the conduct oftle officers whose procee
- ings have given serious cause of offence to
OF friendly power and to prevent similar int
10 ference hereafter"