Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-06-10

Nert we have series Of letters from NJ Sierra represents
ing the suffering and helpless condition Of the white citizens
of Yucaan under cruel and exieminang savage war; and
asking in the name Of humanity and civilizations aid from the
United Siaesn money, arms and military force. To the
appeal TO our humanity there is no response from the Execu
tive He Is as cold and silent as the grave. The
missioner then strikes another chord he appeals national
pride and jealousy and hints that if the United States does not
grant the aid asked fer England France Spain will be
appealed To and then very dexeiousy quotes 10 the Pres
dent his own message against European interference
continent He also our generous sympathy ards
the Greeks and the Pope OF Rome Yet there response
The cry of suffering women and children Is still unheaid
The President does not find IN any OF these things sufficient
consideration induce him 10 grant protection to ucatan
and the savage exterminatng war goes on. Now sir,
what must be the opinion Of the world in regard such
application This comes here and tells us that the women
and children of Yucaan about TO be massacred by the
savages that white population Is about TO be sacrificed
and he asks the OF humanity to help them, and II
we do not they will 90 rva and ask her aid Thus
he holds threat that in case we refuse his application,
the sovereignty OF Yucatan will be transferred TO England
This like the of man who, when his house on re
with his family in it, goes the street. and cooy approach
ing his neighbour would excam, My wife and children are
danger of being burnt and rescue them and in return
for your humanity will give you deed Tor the house
And them follow the illustrations the neghbo should
turn deaf the call the supplcant would say, Wel
if you do agree the bargain will so and treat with
your friend over the way" How would such proposition
be received by honorable man. lie would doubtless rush
the succor of the helpless and children but the pro-
position he would with scor, and be tempted almost to
thrust its author in the flames And yet this has been the
way in which humanity has been appoachedby the COM
missioner of Yucatan.
On the 23d Of February S4s the treaty Of peace between
the United States and Mexico is sent into the Senate OF
the terms of that treaty cannot speak, but appears Mr.
Sierra had bis eye upon this treaty. and is quite well INFORM
ed of its provisions Sir the very next day. the Gath OF
February be presents Secretary OF State formal pro.
test against its ratification. In this most remarkable protest
Mr. Sierra forget the dependence and hepeness OF
his State and the and authority OF sovereign
Government He by telling Us that this treaty
contains question of life death for fucitan that is
hasy affair, and made by those who had "no authority or
commission for that purpose 4 that is null and vo and Will
not be submitted by the people of Mexico, and that
Yucatan swl not crouch servey before peril however
grave He then refers again the situation Of Yucatan and
concludes by protesting that
treaty of peace which Yucaan is freed from the
fury of the andarnes of Mexico account of lis conduct in
the present war, left liberty seek for admission
as free and sovereign State the vast conederacy of the
United States which it ardently desires advan-
tageous for treaty opeacc containing no provisions OF this
nature is repeat, emneny preudeal 70 lusa,an, which
and ought itself thus sacrificed without at
least uterng cry Of complaint without taking some measure
TO demand justice.
For these reasons, protest, in the Of my Govern
and of the people OF Yueatan against the terms OF this
treaty. and demand that event the lot OF iucatan should
be assured in it."
This protest expresses no fear Of the Indians aid
Of the United States against exterunaton The alarm
proceeds from another quarter Mexico is about 10 make
peace with the United States Yucaan has been declared part
of Mexico by Government she is state Of rebellion
against the General Government OF Mexico and in the event OF
peace and the withdrawal Of army from Mexico, that
public may compel Yucatan to return her allegiance To
avoid this result, and that of determination by the In
dans Mr. Sierra asks the interference of our Government
is not her from the of Yucatan, but TO pro-
her against what he calls the mandarnes Of Mexico that
our aid is solicited for Yucaan.
Strange to say that this novel and meddesome pro-
test full Of bad faith towards Mexico with whom we
then holding negotiations Of the delicate and honorable
character received and entertained by Executive with
ebuke reply Thus stood the matter until about the
20h of April when the official communication from Governor
Mendez offering the dominion and sovereignty Of Yucaan 10
the United staes presented to the Executive Then it
that Executive first walked tohecry of humanity
which had been ringing in the OF the nation for months,
and after nine days of anxious cabinet consultation he sends
message Congress, in which, after depicting the suengs
Of the people of with pahos that almost excies
sympathy tears concludes by submitting "io the wisdom
of Congress adopt such in their judgment
may be expedent prevent Yucatan from becoming colo
ny Of any European Power, which, event, could be
permitted by the United States, and the time
the white from determination expulsion from
! their country"
In this proposition humanity is made secondary conside
ration, incidental object The ruling motive for
action is prevent Yucatan from becoming colony of any
European Power at the time, that is while we
contendng for the great object the dominion Of the country
to Its white inhabitants from determination and
pulsion.
When first heard that message read, was at loss to
know what measure we could adopt acting in legislative
capacity, 10 prevent ucaan from becoming colony
European Powers for there be any real danger Of this result
and have, is conended the right interfere the
duty of the President in his Executive capacity say
such European Powers that the Government Of the United
States would not permit them interfere with the sovereignty
of Yucatan. But sir, the Committee Foreign Relations
have solved the difficulty The way prevent Yuca,an from
becoming colony Of any European Powers take her
severs, by armed occupation for the purpose Of
ing the white from determination, and then by annexation,
in order to the permanent dominion of the country.
This the object Of the bill reported by the committee,
planned by the honorable chairman and by the Senator
IRON Michigan, (Mr. CAss)
The honorable chairman urges the immediate passage Of
the bill, and tells that England is proceeding with
horse speed towards Yucatan and that unless get there
soon, she will get IN before The Senator from Michigan,
still more alarmed by the emergency Of the OCCASION Sees
imagnes he Sees England there already only in posses
sion Of Yucaan but also Of Cuba with and rfca-
tons the land and armed the sea- cutting
commerce in two commanding every into the gulf
and thus imprsonng trade within line OF strong military
and naval positions Under this grand national view OF the
subject what becomes Of humanity for the poor
and children Of Yucaan In this for dominion the
else OF philanthropy towards the white Of Yucatan is
10 end in contest between England and the United States
the graves OF the Yucatecos for the possession Of dpo
puIated country.
In what strange and false position do gentleman place
England and America. The two great Christian and civil
Lied nations OF the earth turning deaf the cry Of hu
maniy and each gazing with upon defencees
and wo stricken country, and each under petence Of giving
aid TO its wreched people, seeking opportunity establish
dominion The eagle and the lion watching the prey