The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-05-03

honorable to resist participation in the fatal results of
war on the side Of those from whom Yucatan has re-
ceived nothing but repeated acts OF injustice Upon wht
grounds could my country be reproached for such con
duct!
Nevertheless Mr. Secretary, the port OF Laguna de
Terminos belonging the Stale OF Yucatan and all lis de-
tendencies, have been occupied. IN military manner, py
the naval forces of the United States since the acknow
edgment and acceptance OF the neutrality Oh ;,.ns
and, what is injurious to our small ana lnslsnh
cant vessels, and the fruits OF our SOL anu ihuusy'
duty has been laid them so exorbant and runous AS
To he i'm many cases. greater than the value OF the goods
themselves introduced This is of the points which
the government of Yucalan has charged me to submit 10
the Justice and the correct principles OF the government
the limited States and this object the present note is
directed which earnestly pray the Hon Mr. Buchanan
to consider and to give me notice IN the manner which
he may judge most convenient OF the resolution taken
BY the national government subject OF the most vital
importance to Yucatan
The city of Carmen, Laguna,) from its insular posi-
ton, is separated from the main land of Yucatan; and
the people of Yucatan have great interests there invested
in commercial houses and industrial enterprise Its
ations extend to all the neghborng towns and farms in
the territory of Yucatan and those situated in
the province of Peten and the republic of Guatemala
Consider, sir, how runous and destructive must be
tariff Of duties so extremely effects and mer-
chandise introduced from absolute necessity into Car
for this introduction depends, literally speak
ing, the preservation OF the enterprise OF the citizens OF
fucatan IL tina, place In the dependencies OF the Lagu-
ma de Terminus. nothing is produced but Campeachy
wood and everything for the subsistence of the people
must be introduced from the continent. The condition
of Laguna, and Of the interests at that place, rendered
|
pied by the forces OF the United States.
! have Just been in Vera Cruz and Tampco aud know
from information there received from sure and certain
sources that all the productions and goods coming from
the interior of Mexico, from places subject TO Mexico
and consequently nimca to the United States pay there
the lowest duties while at Laguna, from the phys
ica and natural necessity of crossing small arm Of The
sea- the fruits OF soil and industry, and little
sells, are charged with duties so heavy and ruinous
Why is this difference, Mr. Secretary Why is Yucatan
whose neutrality is acknowledged treated in
by equal to that in which places occupied by
the enemy regarded, when has, the contrary,
much right to the consideration of the United States
i Even though the military occupation Of Laguna
planned, by means tariff OF duties be defended,
the produce of which forms but atom in the immens
y of the vast and powerful resources of the United
States; but which, to my country, ncalculabe
loss and injury not the least being that of its appendng
preexts another faction for embarrassing the
government OF Yucatan in the course which it proposes
to pursue, and will pursue IN the present war All this
has been stated verbally and in writing to Commodore
Perry, whom had the honor by order of my govern
m:nt to visit on board the soop Germantown off
Vera Cruz in the latter part OF September The Commo-
dore will, doubt have taken into consideration the
powerful alleged by the government of Yucatan
and hope that they will be received favorably by the
government of the United States.
Other Inconvenience less serious and important,
arise from this state of things In laguna there is no
court OF justice, nor district nor circuit judge any
thing in fine, equivalent to institution necessary to
guaranty the rights of individuals The decisions on
confscations flow from the authority of the militia
ry governor, without any resource appeal any
court whatsoever. do not mean by this to say that
Il Renueman gov
ernor Of Laguna fails in the observance of the most
| rigid principles of equity, does not punctually
follow the regulations in force on such matters but in
addition to the inconvenience of this of things the
governor may in the application of the regulations
in which case, the apseved party has This
has Just happened and the victim an unfortunate and
honorable trader OF Yucatan, Uose Jesus Coaya0 who
has been suddenly reduced TO misery after many
OF labor, by an OMISSION almost involuntary on his part
in making declaration Of the goods which he bring
ing from Campeachy to Laguna in canoe or small
sci under his care. On this point shall address your
exceency separately in another note accompanied by
the proof of the claim of Cotaya.
j The government OF Yucatan knows that the motive al
legged for the military occupation of Laguna is to prevent
the contraband trade which might be carried through
the interior routes, with the adjoining State of Tobasco
This contraband trade IS not impossible your excel
lency well knows that selfnterest anddesre of gain
so powerful with many individuals that they are in
many to be withheld by the distant consdera
ton that their conduct might inure their country. This
not the fault OF any government so long as employs
all the means to prevent it. This might be effected 1
catan to regard the occupation of the island of
Carmen moral attack their honor and dig
whilst they, the contrary regard that occupation
entirely useless and Intellectual for the object pro-
posed by the United States in the present war with Mex
ico The government of Yucaan, therefore, authorizes
me solicit from the justice of the government of the
United States the cessation of the occupation of the
island, promising on its part to display the utmost ZEAL
trade, leaving the vessels OF the American squadron
which the government of the United States may think
proper to maintain at that port and its dependencies free
to cooperate IN such suppression Our government de-
sres the cessation Of the occupation of the island not
only because it considers this to be in all respects just
but because it disapproves, fine, OF this ominous tariff
of duties which weighs upon little vessels and upon
the produce of the soil of Yucaan, whose citizens suffer
in their own homes from runous tax laid upon them
by friendly nation from whose justice they confidently
hope for reparation of these evils.
have the honor to solicit this from your exceency,
and at the time to offer you all the respect and
sideraon with which have the honor to be your excel
lency's most obedent servant,
JUSTO SIERRA.
To the Hon. JAMES BUCHANAN,
Secretary of State