The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-26
Mexican Outrages.


independent nation, is approaching
Mexican Outrages.
We are full of Mexican matter to-day, but it
will be found of interest
If we were to form an opinion of the Mexicans,
from the character given them by some of our
new spapers, we should say that they are
the most harmless people in the world, and
could not be guilty of the ten thousand outrages
and insults that they have heaped on the people
and government ofthe United States for num-
Der of years. The Mexcans, according to these
gentlemen, are amiable, weak and good ma
tured people, incapable of committing wrong;
while on the other side they say, their amiable-
ness of character was the incentive to commence
the war on our part.
1t IS needless to say that these assertions
are false, for we believe the people understand
the Mexican character pretty well by this time,
and have no doubt heard of some of the outrages
which the Mexican government committed on
the persons and property of citizens years be-
tore the war was thought Of So far from their be-
ing amiable they are bloodthirsy and cowardly;
and so tar from our government commencing the
war, we hazaad the assertion, that no power
ful nation In existence, except our own, would
have remained, long as it did, without en-
forcing indemnity for injuries and insults nfict-
ed on the persons and property of American citi-
Zens. We will give an instance of the honor of
the Mexican government, that took place in the
year 1882.
In that year the State of Tobasco entered into
treaty with Mr.. William Brown of this city,
granting him the exclusive right to navigate the
waters of that State for ten years, with the view
q Introducing ats
was made in the most solemn manner, regularly
signed and sealed. Mr.. Brown transferred the
grant to Mr.. Aaron Leggett, of this city, the
owner of the steamer Bellona, then plying be-
tween New York and Elizabethtown, New Jer-
sey, who Immediately fitted out that vessel and
placed her under the command ofCapt. B. A. Bu-
kup, and engaged Mr. J. Cochrane as first engi-
neer. All things being in readiness, the Bello-
ma proceeded to Tobasco, where she arrived
safely on the 10Th June, 1882, and was put into
the trade for which she was designed. Soon
after her arrival at Tobasco, it appears that CT
VII war broke out between the 'Bustamente and
Santa Anna party; and while the steamer was
one day employed in her legitimate business she
was forcibly seized and taken possession of by
the public authorities, TO transportItroops, can
non, and munitions of war for the use of the 60
vernment party. There being no persons in the
State OF Tobasco competent to navigate steam
boat, the authorities forced the captain and hands
to obey the orders of the officers and soldiers put
on board, and threatened to shoot them in case
they refused. For a whole month the Mexican
government kept possession of this vessel in spite
OF the remonstrances of the captain, engineer,
and crew, and in direct violation not only of the
treaty of navigation entered into by the State of
Tobasco, as we have before mentioned, but in
direct violation also of the treaty of amity be-
tween the two governments, which guaranteed
TO the citizens of both protection of life and pro-
perty. The treatment which the captain and
crew experienced was outrageous. The officers
and soldiers forced them to navigate the vessel
as they directed, under threats of death. The
captain, pilot, and engineer, were each under the
supervision of soldier with loaded mus
ket, which he was directed to kill them
with, in he discovered any remissness of
duty. AT one time the engineer was forced to
hold dangerous quantity of steam, lest its es.
cape might interfere with the deliberations of
council of war that was being holden on board.
The civil war having come to an end, the steam
er and her captain and crew were set free, but
without any compensation.
The immediate effect of these high handed pro-
ceedings, which were all sanctioned by Santa
Anna and the then existing government was the
forcible mpressment of American citizensn the
service of foreign government; and the ultimate
effect was that all concerned in the enterprise
were forced to abandon it, and return to their
own country.
We can assure our readers that there is no ex.
agge ration In this statement. We have compiled
this sketch from mass of aiiidavits made BY the
captain, engineer, and crew of the Bellona, the
reading of which has convinced us that a more
outrageous course of conduct was never pursued
by one nation towards another. And vet we are
told that the Mexican government is incapable
OF committing an injury, and that the Mexican
people are now being prosecuted and injured
by our government. Facts arc worth. more than
assertions.
MORE QUICK PAssAeEs.-The new ship Enter
prise, Captain Funck arrived last night from
IiYernnol havinn Left that nar4 an Tho s.L L..