Mr. Clayton, Secretary of State, to Mr. Hall, district attorney.
Washington, May 17, 1850.
[664] *Sir: Again it becomes my duty to call your special attention to alleged attempts on the part of certain individuals in New York and elsewhere, who appear to be actively engaged in organizing and encouraging expeditions for the avowed or presumed object of invading the Spanish possessions in the West Indies.
From the inclosed copies of two notes addressed to this Department by the minister of Spain, on the 16th instant, you will perceive that his alarm seems to be based upon overt acts which require the prompt and stern interposition of this Government. The entire success of your former exertions to suppress similar attempts, under the instructions of the President, afford a sufficient guarantee that your vigilance has not relaxed, and that you will omit no means which the law supplies, and our good faith to a power with which we are and desire to remain on the most friendly terms demands, to put an end to the illegal movements here indicated, as well as to all others intended and calculated [Page 691] to violate our obligations toward Spain. Particular instructions on this subject are not deemed necessary; it is enough to enjoin upon you a rigid enforcement of the law, not only as a duty to Spain, but also in mercy to such of our deluded citizens as may, have unfortunately connected themselves with an enterprise criminal in its nature, and likely to result in fatal consequences to all concerned.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. Prescott Hall, Esq.,
United States District Attorney for the
Southern District of New York, New York City.