The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-20 00:00:00

OUR RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.

" Our position in relation to the independent
states south of us on this continent, and
especially those within the limits of North America,
is of a peculiar character. The northern boundary
of Mexico is coincident with our own southern
boundary from ocean to ocean ; and we must ne-
cessarily feel a deep interest in all that concerns
the well-being of so near a neighbour. We have
always cherished the kindest wishes for the suc-
cess of that republic, and have indulged the hope
that it might at last, after all its trials, enjoy peace
and prosperity under a free and stable government.
We have never hitherto interfered, directly or in-
directly, with its internal affairs, and it is a duty
which we owe to ourselves to protect the integrity
of its territory against the hostile interference of
any other power. Our geographical position, our
direct interest in all that concerns Mexico, and our
well-settled policy in regard to the North American
continent render this an indispensable duty.
" Mexico has been in a state of constant revolu-
tion almost ever since it achieved its independence.
One military leader after another has usurped the
government in rapid succession, and the various
constitutions from time to time adopted have been
set at nought almost as soon as they were pro-
claimed. The successive governments have afforded
no adequate protection, either to Mexican citizens
or foreign residents against lawless violence. Here.
tofore a seizure of the capital:by a military chieftain
has been generally followed by at least the nominal
submission of the country to his rule for a 'brief
period ; but not so at the present crisis of
Mexican affairs. A civil war has been raging for
some time throughthe republic, between the central
government at the city of Mexico, which has en-
deavoured to subvert the constitution last framed
by military power, and those who maintain the
authority of that constitution. .The antagonist
parties each holding possession of, different states
of the republic, and the fortunes of war are con-
stantly changing. Meanwhile the most reprehen-
sible means have been employed by both parties to
extort money, from foreigners as well as natives,
to carry on this ruinous contest. The truth is, that
this fine country, blessed with a productive soil and
a benign climate, has been reduced by civil dissen-
sion to a condition of almost hopeless anarchy and
imbecility. It would be in vain for this govern-
ment to attempt to enforce payment in money of
the claims of American citizens, now amounting to
more than ten million dollars, against Mexico,be-
cause she is destitute of all pecuniary means to
satisfy these demands.
" Our late minister was furnished with ample
powers and instructions for the adjustment of all
pending questions with the central government of
Mexico, and he performed his duty with zeal and
ability. The claims of our citizens, some of them
arising out of the violation of an express provision
of the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, and others
from gross injuries to persons as well as property,
have remained unredressed, and even unnoticed.
Remonstrances against these grievances have been
addressed without effect to that Government.
instances
have in various parts of the republic,
have been numerous of the murder, imprisonment,
and plunder of our citizens by different parties
claiming and exercising a local jurisdiction; but
the central government, although repeatedly urged
thereto, have made nä effort either to punish the
authors of these outrages or to prevent their recur-
rence. No American citizen can now visit Mexico
on lawful business without imminent danger to his
person and property. There is no adequate protec-
tion'toeither; and in this respect our treaty with

that republic is almost a dead letter.
" This state of affairs was brought to a crisis in
May last, by the promulgation:bf a decree levying
a contribution pro rata upon all the capital in the
republic between certain specified amounts, whe-
ther held by Mexicans or foreigners. Mr. Forsyth,
regarding this decree in the light of a forced loan,
formally protested against its application to his
countrymen, and advised them not to pay the
contribution, but to suffer it to be forcibly exacted,
Acting upon this advice an American citizen re-
fused to pay the contribution, and his property