The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-28 00:00:00

sity of removing from the national territory a
foreign functionary who decidedly came to favour
the chief fosterers of a rebellion against the lawful
authorities of the republic. The Government then
used a right which all nations possess and exercise,
and which Spain has repeatedly put in practice,
but declaring at the same time that that determina-
tion in no wise affected the good relations which
were then existing, and which the Government
desired to preserve, with the Spanish nation.
"Neither can the violence committed against
Spanish subjects be offered in refutation of the in-
tention to maintain the best harmony with the Go-
vernment, because those violences have been not only
the inevitable consequences of the social revolution
which the nation commenced and prosecuted in
order to extirpate abuses which had been the per-
petual cause of its misfortunes, but consequences
which both foreigners and natives have suffered
without any distinction of their respective nation-
alties. And if a greater share of those misfor-
tunes has fallen upon Spanish subjects, has
it not arisen from the fact that the num-
ber of those residents is greater than that of those
of any other nationality ? Could not this have atisen
from the fact that the Spaniards, more than any
other foreigners, have taken and still take 'Art- in
our dissensions, in which many of them have shown
a ferocious and sanguinary character ? 10`
"Nevertheless, the different Adminisiiations
which have succeeded each other have always
listened 144111Le91 thp_ Legation,§katkish
and have favouraiffiiicirreanose it
to be supported by some principle of justice.
" Long before the recognition of our indepen-
dence the Mexican Congress nationalised the debt
contracted by the Spanish Government, although
a large part of it had been employed in combating
that very independence, and a no less considerable
share had been intended for European obligations
of the Spanish monarch.
" Subsequently the character of agreement was
given to the settlement of the Spanish claims ; but,
it coming to light afterwards that some of the
Spanish subjects interested in them, abusing the
good intentions of the Government of the Republic,
had introduced a great number of credits which
evidently had not the qualities required by the
agreement, the Mexican Government has earnestly
endeavoured to correct these operations by reducing
them within just and equitable bounds.
" For the rest, the Government has been and still
is disposed to satisfy all just claims, as far as the
national resources will permit—a fact well known
to the Power which now invades us. All nations,
and more especially Spain, have passed through
times of penury and want, and almost all have had
creditors who have waitedfor better times in which
to secure themselves. From Mexico alone are sac-
rifices beyond her strength required.
" If the Spanish nation cloak other designs un-
der the financial question, and with the pretext of
groundless insults, her intentions shall soon be
known. But the Government, which must prepare
the country for any event, proclaims, as the basis of
its policy, that it does not declare war, but will
repel force by force as far as its means will permit;
that it is disposed to satisfy the claims against it
founded on equity and justice, but without accept-
ing conditions which cannot be admitted without
offending the dignity of the nation or compromising
its independence.
" Mexicans, if such upright intentions be despised
—if it be intended to humiliate Mexico, to dismem-
ber her territory, to interfere in her internal policy
and government, or perhaps extinguish her nation-
ality, I appeal to your patriotism, and urge you
that, laying aside the hatreds and enmities to which
the diversity of our opinions has given rise, and
sacrificing your properties and your blood, you rally
united around the Government and in defence of a
cause the greatest and most sacred among men—
the defence of our country.
" Exaggerated and sinister reports from the
enemies of Mexico have presented us before the
world as uncivilised and degraded.

" Let us defend ourselves in the war to which we
are provoked, observing strictly the laws and usages
established for the sake of humanity. Let tke de-
fenceless enemy live in peace and security under
the protection of our laws. Then shall we repel
the calumnies of our enemies, and prove ourselves
worthy of the liberty and independence bequeathed
us by our fathers. " BENITO JITAREZ.
" Mexico, Dec. 11, 1861."