The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-05-03
PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
yAvvAaRs OF YucATAS.
DOCUMENTS ACCOMPANYING THE PREsDENTs AEssA6E
IN RELATION TO THE AFFAIRS or YUcArAH1

AwRAARo W IuCAIA"- Ed I
[DocuMrNrs ACCOMPANYING THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
IN RELATION TO THE AFFAIRS or YucArAH.l
Mr. Sierra to Nh. Buchanan
lTransarios.l tu
rs is ~ I'd WAsHIsoroN November "a, ls47
SIR On the occasion of the reception which you were
ple zsed 10 grant Monday the 22d instant,
placed your hands the credentials of my appointment
commissioner and special agent Of the government Of
Yucatan near that Of the United States, which you de-
signed 10 accept with your characteristic kindness and
courtesy, In short conference between u.s. YOU ad-
mitted as most expeditions and simple, the plan that
catan might nave to expose to the just consideration
of the government of the United States in series OF
ment being thus infinitely informed with regard 10 them
such measures might be taken should be considered
most just and conormable with the policy o the United
States. According to this agreement 4 about pre-
sent you the first memorial; before doing which, how
ever, you will permit TO exhibit slight sketch OF
the political situation OF Yucatan which is the more ne,
cessary as observe with regret newspapers OF
the Union, that exact idea does not seem to prevail
with regard to it, at least that the dignity and good
ial OF the people have been forgotten as wen as the en-
tent oil the sacrifices which they have made, and will
continue make in order preserve their actual posi-
lion. maintaining the most rigid and honest neutrality in
the war now existing between Mexico ana the United
States
Yucatan sir has been integral part Of the Mexican
nation ever since the consummaon, in 1921, of its pol
zeal independence Of SPAN, OF which was, ike the
other provinces of New Spain colony. Being in full
and absolute liberty to DO whatsoever might seem most
suitable for her interests and welfare, Yucatan ncopora
ted herse!: spontaneously in the nation, until the
dissolution Of the ephemeral empire founded by Don Au
gusn de Iturbide. Not knowing the course which the
affairs of Mexico might take, she then remained indie
pendent-be internal administration being conducted in
all respects agreeably to the republican system, while
awaiting with calmness and prudence the termination OF
the discussions of the constituent Mexican Congress,
which was assembled in the latter part OF the year 1923
The result of these discussions the compact of Octo-
Der 1924 which founded the conederacy Of the Mexi
can United States; and this compact was deliberately
cd hy xuh,c hAcn ofoH N
the new republic If by this act, immature, indeed,
she ceased ENJOY all the exceptions to which she might
from her poverty, and from various other moral and
teral elements comprehended within herself, it was
nevertheless, believed that she might thus better devel
op the, principles OF that beautiful theory which has
made the republic founded by the immortal Washington
Free great happy, and powerful nation, and that her
social condition would continue improving In this she
what extreme the folly and the delnquences of those
who have been charged with the direction Of the affairs
Of Mexico have brought the adjoining republic. The
fate OF the Mexican people, worthy indeed of better lot
has constantly depended the military factions which
have succeeded each other without interruption bearing
down the republic. pagng it, and turning it to theiI
been left without blood and without life. One of these
factions destroyed the federal compact, and by the
of brutal soldery, misguided by a crowd of gene
rails and cher officers, brave men for the most part when
engaged in expressing their fellow citizens the Mexi-
republic fell PROSTATE and powerless, Yucatan
underwent the same fate with the other States but it
was not without powerful effort In 1910 her people
broke in instruction, beat the forces of Mexico and
proclaimed the federal system compatible with union In
the time. she separated herself from Mexico; she
formed constitution worthy of the most civilized PEG.
principles, preferng TO suffer all the OF injustice OF
The Mexican government all the oppression and abuses
OF the faction power rather than desst from of its
just pretensons. What did the Mexican government
rather General Santa Anna, who had constituted him
self the supreme dictator of the repubcdo under these
circumstances The whole world knows, the United
well 40 mar mn opuln o1 and
bestowed the utmost encOmums the honor, the vaor
and the energetic consancy Of the people of Yucatan
ron such Mexico had never before possessed; nay,
more than resisting them as the enemy were met, and
the conditions of peace were dictated to them.
This peace was based on the convention of December
H. Is43 which secured to Yucatan the first and most
sentia exceptions to which she righuly entitled and
especially relieved her from the immediate influence of the
government for the oppression of the people On these
bases she accepted Incorporation consentng to follow the
lot of Mexico but General Santa Anna bindy and OBJ
stinatey violated the convention of December On the
first occasion, he caused the order Of February 81 1884,
10 be issued closing the ports OF the republic against the
principal productions of the soil and industry of Yucaan
and subjected the country to and unjust
TONS Yucatan demonstrated against these acts of vio
lence. She protested in the most solemn manner, and
would not engage in another war, because some hope
entertained that justice would be done to the
try. Vain was the hope Instead of obtaining what
was 50 Justly demanded the people learned with indig
ing express provision that il should not be subjected to
alteration had been discussed in the chamber of deputies
and that this body had gone far declare il null
and void, and of no force Yucatan then made solemn
declarations OF January 1916, whereby she resumed her
sovereignty and coRvoked extraordinary Congress-
iix defnitively the destiny of the country.
The war existing between Mexico and the United
States then The Mexican government took some
measures and even sent Col Don Juan Cano induce
fucatan TO cooperate in the Yucatan openly resist
ed prctenson absurd and untnely; and refused to
make sacrifice which, besides being entirely useless to
Mexico and immensely prejudcia 10 Yucatan she de-
sired to preserve her commerce and friendly relations with
of the war, Mexico should find herself in
situation TO attack Yucaan, it was clearly seen and
proved that only in consequence of the critical position in
which the Mexican government had placed itself towards
the United States, did it endeavor draw Yucatan and
compromise her in this unfortunate struggle Don Juan
Cano returned to Mexico bearing the decided negative of
the government of Yucatan
AT that time. unhappily for my poor country the fatal
man who has caused the msforunes of Mexico was in
exile IN the neghboring island of Cuba General Santa
Anna by Intgues and management, induced some inhu-
entail persons IN Yucatan believe that some moral
force and the support OF the public opinion of the coun
try, necessary to overthrow General Paredes who
was Iaborng Tor the establishment of foreign monarch
and to make an honorable peace with the United States
which he certain TO be enabled to effect The men
in pows, believed him in good faith and eau sed the
traodnary Congress to issue the decree of the 18th An
gust, 1916, by which Santa Anna proclaimed Pres
dent of the Mexican republic The people of Yucatan
however, resisted such declaration, which would in
vove them again in the disturbances of Mexico They
and proclaimed the programme of the Sth of Deem
Der last declaring that it not their desire to follow
the lot OF Mexico the present The existing govern