Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress with the Annual Message of the President, December 2, 1872, Part II, Volume I

Mr. Clayton, Secretary of State, to Mr. Hall, district attorney.

[Confidential.—Telegram.]

Department of State,
Washington, September 7, 1849.

J. Prescott Hall, Esq.,
United States District Attorney, New York:

Sir: Act according to your own discretion in the case of * * *; and the vessels also. Break up the enterprise—that is the great object. If the Government had no other motive, it is all-important to save the lives of the ignorant dupes of the project. Their fate in Cuba would be most disastrous. No vindictive proceedings are desirable, in my judgment, after the enterprise is broken up. * * *

Very respectfully, yours,

J. M. CLAYTON.