The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-30

to save the lives Of the passengers and
crew. A total loss of .he vessel and
cargo was the consequence.
SO. In ls43, Mr.. Bredall arrived at
Vera Cruz, with passports granted
him by the Mexican consul at New
Orleans. He presented item 10 the
proper authorities, but was arrested
and imprisoned on charge Of design
upon the life Of Gen. Santa Anna.
During his detention, he suffered the
most wan,on, crue and humiliating in
dignites and privations; and upon his
release, he reached New Orleans in a
helpless and shattered constitution; his
constitution broken; his hearing de-
stroyed, and sinking under hopeless
consumption. IL is proper to remark
that the British minister demanded and
obtained liberal damages on behalf Of
thee British subjects pho Dere impris-
oned with Mr.. BredaH.
No. 8l.-"Claim of Capt. Jends
p. Leny-lst: In l843, the store Of
the claimant with all its contents was
torcibl y taken possession of with the
connlvance Of the public authorities,
and never returned. Amount Of prop
erty lost, S6,846 %. Reparation has
been refused from the commission Of
the outrage 10 the present Time.
"2. This claim is for illegal dutis ex-
to ted from Capt. Levy BY the collec.
tor of the port ofLaguna in ls43, un-
der false pretences, amounting to
$5l3 SO.
"3d. The third claim is for goods
belonging TO the claimant and his broth.
er, thrown overheard by the captain OF
the steamboat Petrita, amounting to
$7,483 25, for which the relief has been
denied by the Mexican government.
"4,h. Capt. l.. also claims repara-
ton for being imprisoned after the COM
mencement of hostilities between the
United States and Mexico, in direct
violation Of the treaty, providing for the
occurrence Of such an event, and for
being compelled to leave Mexico, with
Out time TO arrange his businiss, also
in violation of treaty stipulations'"
The character OF these Mexican outrages, being
ninetyfve in all. is well summed up IN letter
addressed by Mr.. Forsyth. Secretary Of State, to
| the Mexican minister of Foreign Affairs, under
date Of May Goth. 1887. In that letter Mr. For
syth says:
"I'hese wrongs are Of character
which cannot be tolerated by any gov
ernment imbued with just self respect,
with proper regard for the opinions
of other nations, or with an enlighten-
ed concern for the permanent welfare
of those portions of the people who
may be interested in foreign COM
merce. Treasure belonging to citizens
of the United States has been seized
by Mexican officers, in its transit from
the capital TO the coast Vessels of
the United States have been captured,
detained, and condemned upon the
most frivolous pretexts. Duties have
been exacted from others notoriously
against law, or without law. Others
have been emylov, and in some instan-
ces ruined in the Mexican service,
without compensation to the owners.
Citizens of the United States have been
imprisoned for long periods of time,
without beng informed Of the offence
with which they were charged. 9th
ers have been murdered and robbed by
Mexican officers, on the high seas,
without any attempt to bring the gull
ty to Justice"
The career of Mexican violence and perfidy
continued through successive aspects of our inter-
nal relations with that country, which lend TO it
new features of aggravation. One portion of these
robberies was committed upon US in the very year
in which We took the lead among all nations in
acknowledging the independence of Mexico, and
in procuring its acknowledgment from England.
Another portion of these crimes was committed
against us after our treaty of amity, commerce and
navigation had been concluded with Mexico, in
in 1881. The same course of violence and wrong
doing against US was kept up through the year
1886, in which our government rejected the first
overture of Texas towards annexation. And final
ly the whole of these outrages, occurring as they
did, before the act Of annexation was consumma
ted, constituted SO TO speak, the broad basis of
wrong-doing and misunderstanding through near
ly thirty years, and wholly unattoned for-upon
which Mexico seems to have shaped her conduct
towards US in relation to the act Of annexation.
And the sequel OF Mexican policy was worthy
otits opening chapter. 1t is really difficult to con-
ceive course Of conduct more utterly at war with
every principle Of international right and comfy,
than that pursued by Mexico towards US in relation
to this matter of the annexation Of Texas. For
ten years MoXico had slept over the acknowledged
and established independence of Texas. She a.
woke from her slumber when annexation was
spoken Of IN 1913. She offered to acknowledge
the lndipepdence of Texas ON condi,ioo that an