Mr. Preston, Secretary of the Navy, to Captain Tatnall, United States Navy.
[672] Sir: Though the Government has no precise information, yet it has been informed, from sources entitled to great respect and consideration, that a military organization has been effected in the interior of the United States, formidable both in numbers and from the character of those engaged in it, for the purpose of attacking the island of Cuba, and of revolutionizing the government. This force is represented to consist of between six and ten thousand troops of the best kind and material to render the assault formidable, and, *as it is believed, is sufficient, with other means and resources at command, to emancipate Cuba from Spanish rule. Large numbers of those engaged in the enterprise departed, as it is alleged, from the city of New Orleans, accompanied by Generals Lopez, Gonzales, and others. It is represented that they expect to effect a landing upon the island about this time. All accounts concur in representing that it is a military expedition or enterprise begun and set on foot within the territory or jurisdiction of the United States, to be carried on from thence against the island of Cuba and the government of Spain. Any such invasion of that island is in violation of our obligations of neutrality to the government of Spain.
The Government of the United States is bound to respect the rights of the inhabitants of Cuba and of the government of Spain, and “no person is permitted within the territory or jurisdiction of the United States to begin or to set on foot or provide or prepare the means for any military expedition or enterprise to be carried on from thence against the territory of any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district, or people.”
[673] You are therefore directed by the President of the United States to repair forthwith, with *the United States steamer Saranac under your command, to the port of Havana, in the island of Cuba, and vigilantly and actively observe the movements and operations [Page 696] of all vessels approaching the harbor of Havana or the island of Cuba, for the purpose of ascertaining whether any military expedition or enterprise has been begun or set on foot, or any means provided to be carried on from the United States against the territory or dominions of Spain.
Should you ascertain that such hostile movement is on foot and is proceeding against the island of Cuba, you will use all proper means in your power to prevent a landing or the carrying out such expedition or enterprise, so as to avert and prevent the violation of our obligations of amity and peace with Spain.
Should the expedition have effected a landing and a revolution be in progress, you will prevent the landing of any re-enforcement or of any arms or provisions, under the American flag. To the citizens of the United States who may be there in the prosecution of their peaceful and lawful pursuits, and who may apprehend danger either to their persons or property, you will extend the protection and aid to which they are entitled as American citizens.
[674] An order has been given to Commodore Parker to dispatch such of the vessels of the home *squadron to co-operate with you in the fulfillment of this order as may be within his reach.
Should you upon your arrival at Havana ascertain satisfactorily that no such expedition is on foot, you will return to the harbor of Norfolk and report to the Department, in the mean time keeping it fully informed of all occurrences connected with the duty herein assigned to you.
The service to which you are ordered is one of great delicacy and importance. The Department relies upon your prudence, your discretion, and your decision, for the successful accomplishment of all its objects.
I am, respectfully, yours, &c.,
- WILLIAM BALLARD PRESTON.
- Captain Josiah
Tatnall,
Commanding United States Steamer Saranac, Norfolk, Virginia.
[The same to Commodore F. A. Parker, commanding home squadron, Washington; Commodore V. M. Randoph, commanding United States sloop of war Albany; Commodore Charles Lowndes, commanding United States steamer Germantown, Pensacola, Florida; Lieutenant James H. Ward, Commanding United States steamer Vixen, Pensacola, Florida; Captain Isaac McKeever, commanding United States frigate Congress, Norfolk. Virginia.]