The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-07-20
LAGUNA. (Mexico) June 20, 1913
Ndral Intel,gence-ABdrs of fucatan-Lo! IN
Poor ISlHlQD,

LAGUNA. (Mexico) June 20, 1913.
Naral nteltgence-ABdus of incatan-Lo! the
Poor Indian
A large number of the vessels of the Gulf
squadron are being collected here. The United
States steamers Irs, Scorpion, and Scourge, store
ship Electra, bomb vessels Hecla and Stromboll,
and schooner Wasp, are at present In port. The
IRIS, Heca, and Electra, brought some two hun
dred and fifty marines from Alvarado, which, in
addition to those already here, make about three.
hundred In this town. Laguna, In the absence OF
Commodore Perry, is to be the headquarters CT the
Very little sympathy is felt by the Americans
employed on this service, for the cause they are
sent here to protect. The indians, who have now
rebelled have hitherto been held in bondage
more CALLING by far than the slaves of Cuba.
This may seem strange in country whose constl-
tuition recognises slavery; but 1t Is true never
theless for by law of the republic, landlord can
claim the services OF laborer in his employ until
all debts of said laborer to his employer are qui-
dated. This the cautious cattle ovner-farmer by
dian Just so much indebted to him, by taking add
vantage of his necessities, as to render HIM very
frequently slave for life. This can easily be
effected, as the Indian is bound to make all his
purchases from his tyranncal master
This movement of the Indians Is In keeping with
the progress Of the age; and inasmuch as they are
by far the most honest portion OF the population OF
this country Swh which we are at peace h why
apprehended by Mexico In the first place, tor 1t is
one of the legitimate results of the war.
What perfect absurdity is the attempt to arrest
the interference of European powers on this con-
tinent! How inconsistent The French and Eng
lish at this day are interfering largely IN the
affairs of South America. A declaration made by
a former President at the time that Mexico was
struggling for her Independence, threatened by
the interference of other monarchles, might well
be excused but the extended application OF this
principle Will never be sanctioned by the good
sense of the people NO complaints VIII be heard
as long as the government confines itself to simple
assertion: but when blood and treasure are TO be
expended in maintaining position so utterly I'M
tenable, then its practicability will be tested by
those whose duty II Is to correct such abuses.
Now is the proper time to put the broad assertion
alluded to- to the proof for this movement may be
hereafter cited as precedent, on which ITO build
up still more absurd theories. say now, because
we are acting contrary TO the expressed wishes OF
these'peope, (he MexIcans) and because we are
further exposing the lives of the officers and crews
of the vessels OF the navy, (who have already had
most harasslng and inglorlous part to perform IN
this war; to still more hazards on this pestentlal
coast.
And IN this place beg leave to say few words
about the naval duty in this Gulf. The navy is
divided into two classes those who do the duty,
and those who stay on shore and play the gentle
man of leisure Few of the latter class of indi-
viduas are to be found in this squadron at present
If not at the watering places they have already
monopolised the snecure situations on shore.
They came down here in large numbers when the
Castle was to be attacked, in the ardent hopes OF
handing their names down to grateful posterlty.
They hlled vessels on board oil Wncn tney nau no
right 20 be; but now, when little glory, with much
labor and exposure are the lot OF ALL the vessels OF
the squadron have scarcely officers enough on
board, to do the routine duty. The consequence
Is, that the officers out here have fourold as much
10 do as they have on board vessels sailing tor
pleasant stations. But to come down from gene
Talties. The frgate Cumberland entitled to,
pelhaps, SIX heutenants; she has three now on
duty. when last heard from. The officers who
came out in the bomb vessels, have all hurried
back to the United States, and but one has lieu
tenant other than the commanding officer. The
IRIS has one lieutenant, master and midshipman.
Many vessels have master and midshpman; and
in nearly all cases. the mldshlpman is too young to
keep watch at sea. The schooner Wasp has a
Lieutenant commanding, one of the few officers
who have been kept continually at sea.
The crews of the vessels are short. and in near
w every vessel on the station, marines are put on
board TO do the duty OF seamen. The consequence
u.s. that the few effective men on board are over
worked Many officers who had not been to sea
before for years, have come down TO this station,
and returned home in perfect health, God knows
why. Those of them to whose eyes this may
come, will be selt-convcted. Well, to be short,
Cor my paper fais,) the sum of what mean to
sey is, that there has been among certain classes
in the navy a gross derelictIon of duty, and that
junior officers are doing the duty of their seniors,
while the latter are playing the gentleman on shore
THIS state of things would not have been COM
planned of, il after the war had fairlyconcuded,
we had been sent home; but from vessels short in
officers, who have fled from the station, and made
shorter in crew, many OF whom having shipped
for the war; are entitled to their discharges, VIC
pre- NOT in a condition to interfere in the affairs of
Nucatan.
T. Slight vessels here, and not one purser.
Where's jhc assistant purser bill