The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-19
No. IL.
.ur. SHdeH 10 Mr.. Buchanan.
Extracts


Extracts
LOCATION oF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Jalapa, February 6, 1876.
reached this place on the Goth ultimo Since
nv despatch of the l4th uumo nothing has occurred
to indicate the course likely be taken by the exist
ing government TO my reception, bat think that
Il will mainly be controlled by the aspect of the Ore
gon question. Should our difficulties with Great
Britain continue to present prospect Of war with
that power, there will be but very faint hope of II
change of policy here.
| send you copy of a communication Of Mr.
Pena Peha to the council Of government made on
the lth December, inviting expression of the
opinion Of the council on the suffice Of my recOgn-
ion and suggesting his reasons why il should be
refused. This document presents in the most glar-
ing light the tai faith of the late government; and, in
connexion with the statement of Consul Black &C
companying my despatch of 18th December shows
in the most conclusive manner that, from the mo-
ment my arrival was announced, it had determined
to avail itself Of any pretence, however frivolous
refuse reception, IN the hope that by thus depr.
wing its opponents of their chief theme of reproach
and agitation. the impending blow would be avert
ed. Mr.. Peha y Peha, after stating to the counc |
substantially the same objections to my credentials
as are embodied in his note to me of the 20th De-
cember, gives, mn additional and conclusive rea.
son for their insuffcIency, the fact of my appoint
The anxiously expected convocatora or edict Of
Paroles, calling together the constituent congress-
and establishing the mode Of its election, was pro-
mugated on the 9th utimo. II is, perhaps the
most singular instrument Of the kind that has ever
appeared; but its tendency could easily have been
anticipated, as it was known that It's preparation
was allotted to Lucas Alaman, who has long been
the avowed advocate of monarchcal principles. The
| electoral machinery is extremely complicated, and
| has evidently been framed that its completely
might, TO certain extent, conceal the purpose which
Is intended TO effect. Different classes are to be
represented, each class having distinct constituent
cy, with widely varying qualifications for the right
| OF suffrage The assembly has unlimited powers to
form constitution, which is to take effect without
any appeal to the people the departments. 1t il
| to consist of one hundred and sixty MEMBERS one
hundred of whom are to be chosen by landowners,
| merchants, manufacturers, proprletors of mines,
and members Of certain professions The remain
ing sixty members to be chosen by the udicia-
ry administrative officers, the clergy, and the mill
tary. The constituent body will be extreaely lin
ltedthe payment of very high rate Of direct con-
trbuton being required for the exercise of the right
of suffrage and still higher rates established for
the qualifications Of the members Of the assembly.
1t will give to Paroles the power Of returning very
large majority Of members prepared to do anything
which he may dictate. The Congress is to meet four
months from the date of the convocatoria--nne
During this interval Of thirteen months he will of
course continue to exercise uncontrolled power, un-
| less, in the meantime, some disconnected generals
| succeed IN making a counter-reyouton. This can
only be avoided by punctual payment of the army
| and by carefully abstaInng from the concentration
| of any large force out of the capital.
Since the accession of Pare des, no payments have
been made, excepting to the troops; none Of the civil
employees have received any part of their salaries;
and, az mentioned in previous despatch, the ex-
penses of the army alone greatly exceed the entire
revenue ofthe country. How this financial difficult
ty be overcome, is a problem not easily
| solved. II is generally understood that the
current disbursements have been met by the
voluntary contributions of the clergy but
this is a resource which must soon be exhausted
Loans from domestic or foreign capitalists, in the
present Of affairs, Of the question. The
only expedent yet resored to for the increase oil
the revenue, has been the permission to introduce
raw cotton at the rate of ten dollars per quinta pay
able in advance at the moment of receiving the per
NIT. Much reliance had been placed upon this
measure; but, by late letters from Mexico, learn
! that permits had been taken out only for two thou
} sand quntals.
BY the plan Of provisional government of the Sd
OF january, 1t was solemny declared that il should
ne administered IN conformity with existing laws
but an exception was made in favor of such rnea.
sures as might be necessary "o preserve the integ
rty OF the territory; and by the decree for the adj
mission Of cotton all moneys received for the cotton
licences are to be devoted to this object This clause
following the exercise Of extraordinary powers for
the preservation ofthe integrity Of the territory will
be appealed to in justification of any proceedings
however despotc, which Paroles may find il expe
dent TO adopt. The mask Of liberal principles hai
indeed been already thrown Off An arbitrary edic
issued by Santa Ana in 1899, abolishng the liberty
Of the press, was revived simultaneously with III,
PRONUNCIATION Of the convocatoria and il evidently
intended TO silence all criticism Of its provisions
Offending editors are TO be sent without trial to IN,
fortresses Of San Juan de Ulloa and Acapulco Tn,
} feeling Of the small portion Of the population who
have any opinions on political subjects, is almos
universally opposed to the convooatora; but few
are disposed to incur any risk in announcing or sus
tanning their principles, and there are o
producing anything like concert Of action, there il
hue chance Of any resistance to the usurpation o
I Paroles, unless some Of the troops should "pro
noifnes" against him. This may we'll happen; fol
although the disaection to Herrera was very gene
raj in the army, many Of the officers were not vel
disposed towards Paredes Some Of the reeinnent.