Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-05-21

" soo Oehotc, III ioopVuse w TcsUlullou vi
that body, several official papers, relating to
a subject that is now eogrossng attention
throughout the country. The report of the
Secretary Of State ~ the President is as fol.
lows:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, lStu May, 1858.
SIR: Since my despatch No. LOB, oil the
18th instant, various statement have been
made in the public papers, showing other
cases Of the fJrcible detention and search Ut
American vessels by British armed ships-of.
war in the Gulf of Mexico and in the adjacent
seas. in every case where these reports have
come to the Knowledge Of this Department.
application has been made Immediately to
the proper collector TO procure from the cap.
taiu particular account OF the outrage, With
view to make it the subject of reclamation
upon the British government. Answers to
some of these applications have been received,
and copies OF them, agreeably TO the annexed
list, are herewith transmitted, for your To-
formation, as we'll as for your prompt action.
When others are received, you shall, in like
manner, be furnished with copies, that you
may be kept advised of the progress OF these
In addition to these aggressions upon the
high scar, another indefenslble act OF violence
against several of our merchant vessels, said
to be eleven 10 number, by furcible entry and
examination, has been committed by British
armed steamer, in the harbor OF Sigua la
Grande, 10 the Island Of Cuba. The state
ments in the public journals contain the
details Of this transaction, but no authentic
report 90 the subject has yet reached the De-
partment, with tue exception OF lester from
the Consul. General OF the United States at
Havana, of which | transmit you copy.
Proper measures have been taken to procure
all the necessary information, which will be
forwarded to you as soon as it reaches here.
When all the facts are ascertained, proper
representations will be made, without delay,
to the government OF Her Cathu Majesty
against this search OF American vessels ~
the naval !a7co OF another pow-r within the
territorial Jurisdiction OF Spain. The United
States are satisfied that the government Of
that country will adopt the most etfsie nt
measures to protect their vessels resorting to
the Spanish ports, from lswless Violence
Such protection they are entitled to, and II 1t
is not found elsewhere, it must be found IN
the power of their own country. am not
informed whether any injury was sustained
10 consequence of the proceedings against
these vessels. II there we're, it will be ex-
pected that it be made good by the Spanish
government itself, or by means OF It's inter
position with the government Of Great Britain.
These fragrant violations of the rights of
the United States have excited deep feeling
through the country, and have attracted the
attention of both houses of Congress. Theft
continuance cannot fail to produce the most
serious effects upon the relations Of the two
countries. The President confidently be-
leves that the British naval officers, IN the
have acted without the authority, and have
misunderstood the views, of thci- sv'crr-
ment. B"t il is not the less due to the
United States that their conduct si:ouid be
disavowed, and perepptory orders issued, to
prevent the recurrence of similar procee 1ings
hereafter. You will communicate to the
Earl of Malmesbury the earnest expectation
of the President that this subject should re-
ceive the immediate attention Of her Britain.
me Majesty's government, and that the OH
GERS who have been guilty Of these outrsges
should be held properly responsible for their
conduct. and that, where pecuniary injuries
have been suffered, the interested parties
should receive Just compensation.
You will also invite the particular atten-
ton of Lord Malmesbury to the occurrences
at Sagua la Grande and to the just expecta-
tons of the Uoted States that the measures
of redress adopted by the British govern
ment upon this occasion will be such as to
mark with it's dispeasure the conduct of the
officer whose proceedings have given serious
prevent similar interference hereafter. l
am, sir, your ob't. serv't., LEW. CASS.
GEORGE Nj. DALLAS, esq DC, q, DC.
A report from the Secretary OF the Navy,
dated the 18th inst, states that the United
States steamer Fulton, Lieut. Amy command
ing has been ordered to cruise on the north
side Of the coast of Cuba, or such other por'
tons as may be deemed necessary Tor the
protection of American vessels on the high
seas from search or detention by the vessels
of.war of any other nation. Osders have al
90 been given for the immediate preparation
of the raIee soop Savannah, at New York,
and the brig Dolphin at Boston, 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
az the flagship of the Mediterranean squad
ron, has been directed en- route to show her
flag 10 those waters, and to protect at nll
times the persons aud property OF American
citizens.
General Cass on the l2.h; :ai;::2: i:::.:.s2sa
.mr. Dallas our minister at London, to call the
attention Of the British government to the
aggressions com planned OF. The letter is as
follows:
"The accompanying papers, copies OF the
originals of which have just been received,
will make known to you another outrage
committed against the rights OF the United
States by British armed vessel, which calls
for the immediate attention OF the British
government.
81 am persuaded that if the occurrences
took place as they are stated, the conduct Of
the British officer will be disavowed aud
condemned.
IL beg you would communicate to Lord
Malmesbury the earnest desire OF the Presl-
dent that this practice, which seems ~ be-
come more prevalent, Of OBTAINING and
searching American vessels. should be discon-
tinued, and that the most peremptory orders
for that purpose should be given and entorc-
ed. Such a measure is called for by impor-
tsnt considerations, which will readily occur
to YOU. While this government Is determin-
ed to use all proper exersions for the suppress
sion of the slave trade, il is not less DESTROYS
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