The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-05-02

on Saturday, n the House of Representatives, the
Presidents message communicating, for the information
OF the House, certain correspondence relating TO the
affairs OF fucatan and submitting 10 the wisdom Of
Congress 10 adopt such measures as in their judgment,
may be expedlent TO prevent Yucatan from becoming
colony OF any European power, which in event
could be permitted by the United Staiesand at the
time TO rescue the white from determination ex-
pusion from their country--Mr j. r. Ingersoll,
ported IN the ntegencer OF yesterday morning. permitted
himself, substantially to charge the government, and
particularly the State Department with having manifest
ed an unwarraned unieelng indifference to the suerings
of the white in Yucaian, and with having
'agan and again turned deaf applications for
add made in their behalf To make such charge,
wholly uniounded as it is even to give it circulation
and countenance before having made due inquiry and
without proper information upon the subject, when
such information could have been readily gained
is certainly course of conduct incompatible with
that sense of justice and propriety for which we
have always been ready 10 give Mr.. Ingersoll credit
public man Yet perceive in this case that even
when, after his first statement his attention was again
called to the subject by Mr. Cobb in terms which should
surely have put him his guard, Mr. lngersoll did not
hesitate TO reiteate his assertion We copy this passage
of the lntellgencers report:
Mr. ConB said there remark which had fallen
from the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr j. R. Inger-
so which he regretted hear He regretted thar that
gentleman should deem il proper in anticipation of be
publications Of these documents and before the fnfoyafion
rich they contained could the country to ca,t cea,ur,
on the government here in reference course on this sub
Jccf He did not know how far these documents when
published, would justify those nputations or relieve the
government from them but would have been better TO
have allowed them to be printed and 20 the country
and then they would all be able form correct Judgment
to the proprey of the which the President has
pursued.
Mr.. lNGERsoIL explained. What he referred to was
this paper appeared the other day the different pa
zettes signed by Mr. Siera's name in which he said
that months ago. he made the first application the
Secretary of State to ohich he had received reply After
wards he made another application, the precise date Of
which he (r. ~ did recoec and that he had re-
ceived answer, and that he making third commu
nication He (Mr. ~ expressed his regret that such
course should have been pursued His friend from Geor-
gia knew that he not APT make com plants where
hey deserved But in this he expressed his
regret that much time should hare been aKooed to hare
elapsed phfn suffering humanity appealing for sccor
and he appealed to this House, in the name of that
humanity, let that delay be participated in by this
House. as had unfortunately been participated iM BIZ the
State Department.
Mr. Conn asked the gentleman from Pennsylvania if he
was dhs commissioner had been recognised? J"No;
he had not"1 Clearly, he had He would not how
go into discussion of this subject this time.
very brief explanation of the facts will show that
the charges and insinuatons here put forth against the
are only destitute of foundation but are
in fac, the very reverse OF the truth.
Yucatan is not yet recognised by government nor
SO far as we know. by any other, as an independent
power She is 10 US merely province of Mexico,
which, during the present war. has been part Of the
time bellgerent and part of the time (as at presently
neutral towards OF course her commissioner, Mr..
Sierra has been, and could be- received by our
in his official character nor could any Off
ca correspondence be had between the State Department
and him, recognising him in that capacity as such re-
cognon would necessarily recognise as independent the
government which sent him.
Still, in repeated personal interviews with the Secreta-
ny OF State Mr. Serras representations as the state of
affairs in Yucatan heard with all courtesy and con-
and when, in the latter part of November
last he made in writing suggestions and requests as
to the occupation by forces OF the port Of Laguna
and the island OF Carmen he readily informed OF the
which government intended pursue in that
matter II is admitted all sides to be most for
unate circumstance for Yucatan that the port and island
referred to not surrendered as Mr. Sierra was in
formed by the Secretary the oath of December last
that they could not be.
On the 18th Of March last Mr. Sierra asked for aid
for Yucaan from governments but in this very let
ter he stated expressly that he had Official informo
ton of the state of facts upon 1oich his request cas
founded. Such areques being its face without Off
cal authority, could of course, form proper basis
for the official action of government Yet, so far
was the administration from turning de al carr even
TO these unofficial representations, that pains were at
taken by Executive obtain early and reliable
information upon the subject from Commodore Perry
and other official sources Through these sources
satisfactory information obtained by government
only little more than week ago. The President de-
temined at once TO act in the matter and the present
bringing the whole subject before Congress is
the result OF that determination In fact so little ground
is there for the charge of Indifference or undue DELAY in
this proceeding the part of the State Department that
steps, preparatory intelligent action in the case were
taken Mr. Sierra made his first application for
aid, based upon official information. in the name and by
the authority of his government This his first author
lied application made upon such due advsement of
the facts, is contained in letter to the Secretary
of State bearing date of the Sd OF Aprila little more
than three weeks earlier than the date OF the Presidents
message. If there be for any charge here against
the government surely that charge should not be of in
difference, or want of promptitude
1t is not little unfortunate for the partisan character
and effect of Mr. ngcsos attack on the State Department