Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-07-10
From the Washington Bafon.
Letters Of M1D0ue.

The 81 New Orleans Republican" stated a few days
ago, upon the authority of a gentleman from Havana.
then in New Orleans, " that numerous commissions
from Mexico have already been issued to persons in
Havana, to take effect Immediately, in the event of
war. Our informant states that there are such COM
missions now in this city, and that one OF them has
been offered TO one of our citizens"
The Republican is doubtful about the accuracy
of this report; and yet it would not be very extraor-
binary if Mexico should be urged to go to war, with
the expectation OF cutting up our commerce, by for
eign vessels under her letters of marque. But has
she calculated the consequences, or, rather, have
those who would sail under the Mexican commits
sions! MIR. B. Marigny, of New Orleans, meets this
difficulty at once, when, In his admirable letter OF
May is, 1914, he comhats all the objections which
had been urged TO the annexation of Texas. tie en-
countered this argument of a war with Mexico, and
of the letters of marque, to which she would resort,
as the means of carrying it on. He asks: xviii the
proud and gallant American navy suffer itself to be
intimidated by letters of marque! And Will II not
be able to obviate their effects! Remember, that for
a vessel tC be entitled to such letters Of marque, two
thirds of. her crew must be Mexicans! Where are
the Mexican sailors! | trust we have not forgotten
that, at the seige of st. Juan de Ulloa, Admiral Bau-
din announced that every vessel bearing a Mexican
letter Of marque, and two-thirds of whose crew were
not Mexicans, should be considered as a pirate, and
treated as such. Can we imagine that there IS, by
chance, less energy In the superior officers OF the
American navy than in Admiral Baudin! Any one
who thought 50 would find himself greatly mistaken
When Slldell Mackenzie, a lieutenant of our navy,
in order to maintain the discipline of his crew, and
the honor of his flag, hesitated not to hang a son of
one of the members of our cabinet, can 1t be sup
posed that we should not always find sufficient energy
among our officers to punish pirates, who should at
tempt TO cover their crimes by a letter of marque
issued by the government of Mexico ~
Let the Mexicans, and those who are pleased to
abuse the Mexican flag to pirate upon our commerce.,
be undeceived. We know the energy Of tie man
who now presides over our government; and We are
perfectly assured, that if Mexico should be persuaded
by.her own passions, or tempted by the intrigues of
others, to plunge the two counties into war, our go
yernment will support the people, and the people viii
support the government in adopting the most ener-
getic legitimate measures in UNFOLDING the honor OF
our flag, and in protecting the interests of our CON-
merce. We have no hesitation in saying, that IN
structions would at once be issued TO the commanders
of our squadrons; if they have not already been issued,
to treat as pirates every foreign vessel that is pleased
to sail with foreign crews under these fictitious letters
of marque. A few crews hung up, according to the
laws of nations, at the ~yard-arm of their vessels.
would soon abate the nuisance, and con6ne the exer-
tons of Mexico to her own limited miserable marine.