Mr. Clayton, Secretary of State, to Logan Hunton, esq., United States attorney for east district of Louisiana, New Orleans.
Washington, August 8, 1849.
[643] *Sir: Information has been received at this Department that an armed expedition is about to be fitted out at New Orleans, but I have as yet no means of learning with certainty the destination of this expedition. It is believed that certain persons are, at this time, engaged in enlisting and drilling soldiers, at or near New Orleans. The soldiers appear not to have been intrusted with the secret so far as to disclose the place to which they are going, though they say they are to receive high pay, and are to be engaged in active hostilities with some foreign power. Rumors are afloat that their destination is Yucatan, to engage in the contest between the Yucatenos and the Indians; and Colonel White, who was formerly engaged in a similar expedition to Yucatan, is pointed out as one of the leaders. Other rumors are, that their object is either San Domingo or San Francisco. I do not myself, as yet, credit [Page 682] these rumors, but fear there is reason to suspect that their real destination is Cuba. It is said that eight hundred men are to embark from Oat Island, or some other point near New Orleans, on board the steamer Fanny, between the 20th and 25th of this month; that *Colon el Biscoe, of New Orleans, is concerned in the enterprise; and that Whitney & Co., of New Orleans, have on hand $250,000 to aid in fitting out the expedition. It is also said that Charles C. Campbell, of New Orleans, (who, if my informant be right, is in some way connected with that firm,) is to be one of the officers. I give these statements to you as I have received them, and have no means of knowing their truth. [644]
By examining our law of the 20th April, 1818, entitled “An act in addition to the act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States, and to repeal the acts therein mentioned,” you will see that it is provided in the sixth section “that, if any person shall, within the territory or jurisdiction of the United States, begin or set on foot, or provide or prepare the means for, any military expedition or enterprise, to be carried on from thence against the territory or dominions of any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district, or people, with whom the United States are (at) peace, every person so offending, shall be deemed guilty of a high misdemeanor, and shall be fined not exceeding three thousand dollars, and imprisoned *not more than three years.” [645]
The President is anxious to maintain, with fidelity, the treaties of the United States with all foreign powers and he will not, for any consideration, consent to disregard our obligations, on the faithful discharge of which depends the honor as well as the peace of the country. He is now desirous to ascertain through your instrumentality, if possible, how far the above-stated rumors, or any of them, may be entitled to credit, and what evidence you can adduce to justify him in interfering to prevent a violation of our laws. Should you find the statements herein referred to, as to the fitting out of an expedition against Cuba, substantiated by credible testimony, he wishes you to proceed, by every means in your power, to enforce the laws and to prevent the violation of our treaty with Spain. At your earliest convenience, report the result of your proceedings and investigations to this Department.
Your telegraphic dispatch of the 3d of August was received here on the 6th. Accept my thanks for your prompt attention.
I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,