New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-03-12
Peonage and Kidnappiug.


have justly excited attention, has often
taken occasion to castigate Congress, and
the Free Sellers in that body especially
for making an ado about black slavery and
not attempting to remove the curse of Pc
onage from New-Mexico. In publishing
her letters, we have not felt called upon
to notice structures so evidently unjust and
erroneous. The fact that during the strug-
gle in the session of 1849-5O Mr.. SEWARD
made an earnest and persistent effort to
effect the abolition of Peonage is too fresh
and clear in the public mind to require to
be recalled, and we. could not doubt that
every reader would make the correction
for himself.
The cases of Kidnapping on the frontier,
of which our correspondent has Indignantly
detailed several, are not surprising. I'm
der the Mexican law Peonage, or enslave-
ment for debt, is recognized institution.
The debtor, who cannot or will not pay, is
handed over to his creditor to work out the
claim; and although he is nominally en-
titled to be free when his labor shall have
paid the amount, such is the adroitness of
the creditor, and the Incidence and stupidity
of the debtor, that the charges for living,
interest and what not, are perpetually
swelled and the peon never escapes from
~ Hh1nconIa IL Il, r
free Of all negro blood, are thus held in hope
less slavery, and others are constantly sink
ing into it. Such was the state of thingsin
New Mexico when coded to the United
States. The majority in Congress, loving
slavery and unwilling to touch it in a1y
form, refused to do anything to remove
this odious and fatal evil from that terri
tory. As far as New-Mexico is concerned,
Peonage remains there just the same us
across the line in the Mexican province of
chihuahua, and we do not see much more
harm in being made peon south than
north of the boundary. 1t is true, that in
the parts of New-Mexico and of Coahuila,
which in the division of our national plum
der were yielded to Texas, the Texan laws
ID % away with PeOnage, to supply its place
with slavery of the more orthodox and
regular kind. But it is not to be expected
that the population on the frontier should
at once respect the change, or the Mexican
creditor instantaneously forego the usual
remedy because his debtor has gone over
10 the other side. 1t is natural in such
circumstances that kidnapping should be
practced. No doubt that is great out
srsge. 1t should be prevented and pun
ished. The flag of this model Republic
ought to protect against such wrong every
person beneath its folds. But we confess
that we cannot admire the consistency or
appreciate the sincerity Of those who cry
out against this form of man-stealing on a
remote frontier, and yet do their best to
maintain and guard another, a worse,
more flagrant, and a million times more
frequent form of the same outrage at homo
and within the shadow of their own meet
lighthouses.
However, it is not the friends OF Free
Soil who have to bear the reproach OF toll
Grating in silence this new evil. No
sooner had the matter been brought 10
public notice than MIR. SEWARD introduced
in the Senate a resolution calling on the
Executive for information. The resolution
was adopted, and the subjoined Message
and documents sent in reply. The Session
being near its end, no legislative action
could be had, but it will be seen by the
letter of Mr.. Webster that steps have been
taken with the Mexican Government to
insure the return of the kidnapped and pre-
vent the repetition of the act.
TO THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
In answer 10 the Resolution OF the Senate Of
the goth utimo calling for information respecting
a forcible abduction Of any citizen OF the United
States from the territory of New Mexico, and bis
CONVEYANCE within the limits of the Mexican Re.
public, transmit Report from the Secretary OF
State, and the documents which accom- panied II.
WILLARD FILLMORE.
Warrington, Sd March, 1851