Record Data
Transcription
Washington, October 25, 1854.
The Undersigned, Secretary of State of the United States, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the note of Mr. Cueto, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Her Majesty the Queen of Spain, of the 22nd instant, relative to information which he has received of an illegal expedition being on foot in or near New Orleans to invade the Island of Cuba. In reply, the Undersigned has the honor to state that Mr. Cueto is aware that the government of the United States has acted with promptness and energy to repress movements of that character. Instructions have been issued to its officers to be vigilant in detecting illegal enterprises against friendly powers, - particularly against Spain. They have also been directed to be prompt in arresting and bringing offenders to justice for the violation of laws enacted for the purpose of preserving our neutral relations with other nations. This government has no reason to believe that there is at this time any expedition organized or in progress for the purpose of invading Cuba. Should Mr. Cueto have it in his power and be disposed to furnish information to satisfy this government that his apprehensions are well founded, it will, when such information is received, to such steps as will likely to arrest the enterprise and bring the offenders to justice. The Proclamation of the President and the instructions to the United States Officers to enforce our neutrality laws are the only precautionary measures which can properly be taken in the present state of information on the subject.
The Undersigned assure the Minister of Her Majesty the Queen of Spain, that the United States are desirous of maintaining friendly relations with Spain; and although the unadjusted controversies with her render the performance of this duty more difficult than it otherwise would be, the President will not fail to exert all the power with which he is clothed to restrain and repress any hostile movement by the citizens of the United States, or other persons resident therein, against Spain or any of her possessions.
The Undersigned avails himself [etc.].