The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-04
426
From the Richmond Enquirer.
/ MEXICAN CRUELTY.


tender sympathy, which is far from being justi-
fed by the conduct Of that tyrannca and barbarous
nation. Some Of these journals contend that the
United States have exhibited Infamous desire to
Cypress a weak nation like Mexico; that the latter
has fully complied with all her obligations to us;
and that we justly liable to the indignant repro
baton of the civilized world for the meanness of
taking advantage Of her weakness, in punderng her
property, and mallreating her citizens.
Notifying as il is TO read these unpatriotc at
tacks OF Americans upon their native land, the
grossness of their conduct is heightened by the FACT
that there is not Tie slightest foundation for their
miserable rawlings. The history of the few past
wears amply proves that have received from
Mexico numberless injuries and insults, which we
have borne with too much lenity. Had we shown
the same energy and sense Of pride that marked the
conduct of France, we should have taught Mexico
lesson, which might have saved us much trouble
and annoyance at this particular moment In
message OF the 9th February, 1897, General Jack
son wrote II Congress: "The length of time since
some of the injuries have been committed; the re-
peaed and unavailng applications for redress; the
wanton character of some OF the outrages upon the
property and persons Of citizens, upon the Off
and flag of the Uni,ed States, independent of re-
cent insults to this government and people, by the
late extraordinary Mexican minister, would Justify
in the eyes of all nations, immediate war; Ii is
rue the claims of that date submitted to treaty
acton afterwards; but the conduct of Mexico, in
reference TO that very treaty, would justify, more
than the claims it was intended to close--,ear. We
have not time even to sum up the wanton violations
OF faith shown by Mexico, sufficient to stamp her
character with more than Panic infamy. This
has been admirably done by the able series Of &C"
in the Washington "Union." She has Eeen shown 10
be equally faithess in the fulfmept of her treaty
engagements, and of the obligations imposed by the
law of nations, and by the code of personal honor
Her highest funcuonaries have been guilty Of an
open disregard of truth, and the archives of the
board of commissioners fully establish her official
and national turpitude.
We cannot stop to record the glaring instances Of
her outrages upon American property and citizens
her violation OF the most solemn pledges to satisfy
the claims Of citizensnor the forcible seizure
and Imprisonment of American citizens But we
this morniug are enabled, by the kindness of the
friend from whose journal we extracted few leaves
on Mondry, TO adduce one of the most damning
proofs OF the barbarity and cruel tyranny Of this
semi-savage nation. What American can read the
following borrid details of the outrage, taken from
the same Journal without thrill of Indignation at
the mean villany and cruelty Of the Mexicans'
We defy the records Of history to produce more
revolving instance of cold booded cruelty and op.
preston This alone would be, of ITSELF cause
enough for a vigorous punishment of Mexican in
fanny by Our arms, But add to it the numerous in.
suits ana injuries yet uncxpnined-ti,e Withholding
oi the ncknow lodged claims of our cizcns--and we
run up catalogue Of outrages which, indcpend-
emily Of the insolence OF Mexico on account Of
annexation, would fully justify the most vigorous
measures Of government We trust that when Con.
gress shall assemble, they will at once call upon
Mexico for full and ample apology for her many
insults upon our government, and wrongs done our
telow-cuzens. Anxious for peace as we are with
all The world, we cannot agree much longer to sub
init to such overbearng and arrogant conduct as
Mexico has shown Selfrespect, national pride,
the good opinion of the world, and our own safety
and welfare, imperatiyey demand that we should
settle all our difficulties with Mexico-peaceably,
it can be done; but promptly, whatevcr may bede
us. 1t would be a disgrace to our nation if The
present state of things should be allowed to endure
much longer.
And yet VIC see American ~ journals hurting in
suit at the head of their own country-sympathiZ-
ing with, and sustaining the outrages of Mexico;
and, at the same time, charging their own people
with "meanncss, infamy, and plhnder.n Ont upon
such traitors who, in the broad light of truth and
history desert their own native land, and take shell
ter under the wing of Mexican tyranny and in
fanny Thank Heaven, there but few such
miserable apologisls of Mexico. Public sentiment
will soon sink them to a still more degraded posi-
ZION than that which they now occupy. The pres
ent insolence Of Mexico will attract the eyes OF all
America to her gross outr'gfs apon our nation; and
the few traitors who may be fund taking sides with
her, will be gbbeted upon the pcry Of public
opinion The following thrilling sketch is but one
of the many instances of Mexican vlany which
stain her history. II would be no glory TO con-
quer such nation; but it would confer bencf,
robbers and macfactors:
'MExico, July 5, 1910.
60 Early in April last, verbal order was is.
sued by the governor of Upper California to the al
caldes of that department, commanding them to ar
all foreigners within their respective juIisdc
lions. One hundred and eleven WERE in conse- I
quence, Immediately arrested. They were taken
from their fields or workshops-forbidden to carry
with them clothes, passports, or papers-dragged |
III. tba me IF drpha IF
miles dashed with hides and beat with swords during
the day, and at night thrust into the oathsome dun
geoDs of the Catholic missions, commonly used TO |
subdue turbulent Indian converts. As soon as they
were arrested, the soldiers who made the arrests
robbed their houses, seized their arms, cattle,
horses, and other properly, and distributed them
among themselves and their friends. On the arrival
of the prisoners at Monterey, between fifty and
ty were put into prisoi-room nineteen by twenty
feet square, with no means of ventilation, save one |
small grated window, at which they stood alternately
to catch breath Of air. The ground under them was
so Damp that their feet sank in it. For three days
and nights they were without food or water. They
were forced to yield to the necessities of nature in
the apartment, until the atmosphere became so
fetid that times, during the heat of the day.
nv of then, became frantic, or stupid with suffoca-
ton. At the end of three days, some humane gen.
tlemen obtained permission OF the governor to have
the prisoners separated, and to be allowed to send
them provisions but he refused to let them send
them to take the air to make inventory Of the
property they had left behind. On the 22d of April
they were all marched between flies Of soldiers from
the prison to the front Of the house. where
they were seated the ground in the middle of the
street. and then called IN, one by one, and question
ed before tribunal of Justices as TO their Names
where they came from, and il they had passports
They were then compelled to sign the Justices rec
ord without understanding what it contained, or be-
ing permitted to have any other interpreter than a
n, how h,,lI
ordinary conversation in English. They were then
remanded to prison.
"On the 23d, forty-aeyen of these prisoners, (the
rest ii was said, being left for another vessel were
marched in irons to the beach, and there put on
board of Mexican barque, under strong guard.
When on board, they we're sent below; some chain
ed to long bars of iron fastened to the lower deck;
Others two together, others sngly, in handouts and
letters On the passage from Monterey to Santa
Barbara, they were not allowed to go on deck for
IL. 49,