The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-22
For the Union.
For the Union.
MEXICO AGAINST THE UNITED STATES

MEXICO AGAINST THE UNITED STATES
We resume our quotations from the report Of
Messrs. Marcy and Breckenridge on the claim of
Dr. Baldwin.
We have RETAINED from entering into detail of
the circumstances attending the unparalleled act Of
atrocity in the two Mexican functonaries, (Ortiz
and Hoyos,) in first attempting the life of DIR. Bald
win, by ordering him to be shot by brutal sodery
on his attempting to escape the ignominy-worse
than death, to possessing the feelings of gem
teman-of being placed in the public stocks, in
tended for the lowest order of criminals and male
factors. He was, however, compelled to undergo
this degradation during the space of two hours, with
broken leg, and was then hurried to loathsome
prison, where he was detained eighty-four days
But for his own skill as a physician, he must
inevitably have persisted; and this was, no doubt,
the confident calculation Of the conspirators.
They had doubtless calculated with equal con-
fdence on the effect Of their various criminal
prosecutions. They supposed it would be inn
possible for him to remain in the country, under
such circumstances; and but for the possession of
an extraordinary degree of fortude on the part Of
Dr. Baldwin, and the desire to his reputation
from the stigma attempted TO be cast upon it, their
designs would have been accomplished. He perse-
vered until all the accusations made against him
were annihilated. We consider il our duty on this
occasion, not only to do justice to Dr. B. for injuries
his person and property, but also for the assaults
made on his reputation. Our Mexican colleagues
we regret to say have INDUCED in disparaging re-
Elections on this head, not warranted by any evil
dence in the proceedings submitted to us.
Gas men do not act without adequate motives, or
soil their conscences with crime Of the deepest dye,
without those stronger incentives which govern the
human passions, other considerations will here be
presented besides those Of hate and revenge, and the
desire to wipe out debts by exterminatng the cred
itor. The property acquired and created by the en-
terprise, Skill and capital of Dr. b. presented gilt
tering prize to petty proconsuar avarice and cupid
ity," &c. "With the advantages possessed by DIR.
b. in his extensive commercial relations and capital
and his valuable saw-mills and plantations of coffee
and tropical fruits it is impossible to doubt but That's
with moderate protection from the Mexican gov
eminent, he would have acquired fortune more de-
srable than that of the most valuable Of the mines
of Mexico. 1t was no doubt, in great measure,
owing to an unwillingness on his part to sacrifice
these brilliant hopes, that he endured the oppres
sons Of the authorities, still faitering himself with
the belief that better order Of things might be
tablished
awe shall make the following extract from the
letter of Mr. Butler, OF September, 1899, based on
Mr.. Liyington's Instructions
"'The undersigned is further instructed TO declare,
that the government Of the United States Of Ameri-
co. in pressing for the redress Of the injuries suffered
by Dr. Baldwin, and in discharge Of those solemn
duties it owes to every citizen of our country in af-
fording him the most ample protection, designs 10
make this national question, and ,rH treat here
qtler.'
"Af,er the above explicit declaration, placing the
case Of DR.. B. upon distinct and separate ground
from any other, it might be reasonably doubted
whether it is included under the general convention
subsequently entered into. 1t might be contended
that not being provided for by special clause, the
nation was still left at liberty to vndica,e its honor
and It's rights in any other mode. Jfhers had been
no other cause Of complaint against erieo, The United
States ,soud hare been bound, ger such declaration
TO push that demand, eren 10 the extremity Of ,eor.
"The ground thus taken by the government Of
the United States the highest political power Of the
nation, il based on the assumption of the truth Of
the facts presented to il. The words Of Mr.. Liv-
ngston are as follows If the facts in the case of
Baldwin are such as he represents them TO be, the
honor Of our country requires that ample reparaton
should be made to the sufferer Our examination
Of the proofs Of the has brought us to tho
cIuson that the statements Of the claimant to his
government are substantially sustained The prn-
ciples ON which we are bound by the convention to
decide the cases brought before us, obge us to
come to result in regard to DR.. Baldwin's private
rights, entirely compatible with what the govern
nsnt Of the United States intimated was due to its
national honor-reparation Of his aggravated
wrongs.n Upon this case, the American commits