Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-06-17

The third article OF this treaty provided
shat the citizens of The two countries
respectively shall have liberty freely and
securely 10 come with their vessels and
cargoes to oil such places, ports, and rivers
of the United States of America, and oil
the United Mexican States, to which other
foreigners are permitted TO come, and to
reside in any part of the said territories
respectively; and generally, the merchants
and traders Of each nation shall enjoy the
most complete protection and security OF
their commerce." By the fifteenth article
of the same treaty it is agreed " that the
citizens of the United States of America,
residing in the United Mexican States,
shall enjoy in their houses, persons, and
property, the protection of the government,
with the most perfect security and liberty
Of conscience"
The apologists of Mexico will doubtless
be glad 10 be Informed how well these
Mexican promises have been kept. On
the 7th July, 1898, seven years and two
months after the ratification Of this treaty.
the Committee of Foreign Relations of
the House of Representatives, reported on
the authority of the then American Secre-
tary of State, list Of 81 distinct cases of
Mexican outrages upon American citi.
zens, ia violation of The treaty OF l63l.--
We will give few specimens TO illustrate
the nature Of these outrages. One claim
presented is " for the brig Cossack seized
on tae western coast of Mexico;" another
is for the brig Splendid, seized and EN-.
ployed by the Mexican government; upo-
Their is ''tOr the seizure of the ship Louisa
and cargo" another is 6 for the seizure of
the schooner Fair Americana" the claim OF
John Baldwin is, " for personal injuries,
loss OF property, Imprisonment" &c, that
of Aaron Legget is " for seizure of a
steamboat and other outrages." Seizure
Of vessels, seizure of merchandise. fore.
ed loans, and personal outrages OF yari.
Gus descriptions, make up the whole cata-
Iogue.
But merely general statements of such
things as these do not present TO the mind
a full view Of their inquty. To this end
we will take single case, that of Baldwin,
as ascerlained by conclusive JUDICIAL in.
vestigatlOn, and substantially admitted by
Mexico. 1t will be borne in mind, that
during the struggle of Mexico with Spain,
and Immediately afterwards, the Mexican
government looking abroad for aid, Tor po-
pulalion, and for increased resources, in
vlted and encouraged emigration. The
Mexican policy in this respect, though
purely selfish was eminently liberal. A
Mexican law, passed in 1923, provided
" that all foreigners who come 10 establish
themselves within the empire shall be con
! sldered as naturalzed, should they exer-
else any useful profession or industry" &c.
By another law coIonists are allowed to
introduce machinery, instruments of hus.
bandry, and other utensils; and "mer-
chandise may be imported by each family
free of duty 10 the extent OF two thousand
dollars"
Under such fair promises, Texas was
colonized from the north. The country
well knows how these promises made the
Texans were kept. But that is now not
the question, We speak of the Amer.
can citizen, John Baldwin, selecting his
case as an instance Of the Justice and mer.
cy Of Mexico towards those American ci.
tlzens whom she had thus invited and thus
solemnly promised 10 protect And let Us
repeat that we state the facts Of his case
as ascertained upon judicial investigation.
In view Of the law which we have quoted,
DR.. Baldwin, man of ability and educa.
ton, possessed Of considerable capital,
and highly respectable character, went to
Mexico. He fixed his residence on the
lsthmus of Guascunlao, south Of the port
Of Vera Cruz. The country around him
was then almost wilderness Of timber
land. He purchased a league square,
erected mills Of great value, and made ex-
tensiye preparations for clearing the lands
and forming coffee plantation on a large
scale. His industry and enterprise were
fast gaining due reward. If the Next
can government had not shown itself to be
a prodigy Of cruelty and lalsehood, he
would have soon acquired noble fortune
But not long after Baldwin's arrival, came
Mexican governor to execute the laws
of Mexico in that region. 1t appears 10
evidence that Baldwin had furnished some
lumber for public uses, aud made demand
upon the governor for payment. At this,
the governor took offence. Baldwin was
arrested and imprisoned. His property
was seized. He was condemned 10 be
placed in the public stocks "a punishment
intended for the basest criminals. He at.
tempted 10 escape from this dIgrace, and
was ordered to be shot. lie escaped, how
ever, with his life, and was hurried 10
loathsome prison, and there confined for
eighty four days. 1t is established on un.
questionable Judicial testimony, that the
only attempt at the justification of these
outrages is to be found in a record of Ger.