1850-December-02: In his annual message to Congress, President Millard Fillmore addressed the “delicate questions” involving the interests of humanity and co…

1850-December-02: In his annual message to Congress, President Millard Fillmore addressed the “delicate questions” involving the interests of humanity and commerce in the conflict between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. He pledged that the United States would exercise “all proper friendly offices” to help end the destructive war. However, Secretary of State Daniel Webster privately reminded British Minister Bulwer that neither the President nor the Secretary of State had the constitutional authority to order “coercive measures” (acts of war) without the consent of Congress. This legal constraint served as an explanation for the United States’ initial delay in joining the tripartite mediation with Great Britain and France.