The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-19
shss N hua1tcSec Treaty~-T2se Latest Dss-
closures-S1r. Websscrss Daulomacv

closures-dr. Wcbsscr's Diplomacy.
few days ago We published telegraphic de-
spatch from Washington, announcing that the Pre-
sident of Mexico had addressed letter to the
President of the United States, demonstrating
against being dragooDed by the threats Of into
the ratification Of the Tehuantepec treaty; but
p'cading, at the time the disposition OF Mexico
to grant TO the government of the United States
the desired intef-oceanic communication across the
Mexican republic, upon the most liberal and salts
factory terms. This information has been since
coroboratcd, from several sources at Washington;
and, though the question has been studiously
avoided by the official organs, advised that
the letter OF A,ista has produced quite sensation
in the cabinet, and among certain classes of agents,
lobby members, and others, who have been fltten-
ing for the last three years upon Galpbn Chicka-
saw, Florida and Mexican claims. This fact is
very curious; and, together, with certain other
curious facts, will well repay brief review Of the
whole subject
President Arista, in his letter to President Fill
more, says that there is something very mysterious
in the deep anxiety and interest evnccd by GO
verrment for the ratification Of the Garay treaty.
We think 50, too. The arrest of Captain Levy for
daring to write letter to Arsta in favor Of another
project, is my sterous thing, which cannot be
counted for upon the merits Of tho provocaton to
our government. There was in that letter, no sub
stantal provocation. Levy arrested upon q
pretence; and the 1imsiness of the prctencc, and
the intense solicude Of Mr.. Webster for the rights
of the New Orleans company, demand other
explanation. 1t is also somewhat singular that
Arista should address his letter directly in his own
person, to the President The usual course, in cor
| rospondence between two governments, is, to con-
duct it through their ministers of foreign affairs,
respectively. Perhaps the alarming threats Of Mr..
Letcher, and the consequent urgency of the case,
induced Arista, in this instance, devate from the
usual course But it is equally apparent in his ap
peal that there was to him mystery in the matter
aggravating his suspicious Of foul play, and urging
him to direct demand upon the head of our 60
vernmen, as the only safe and dsinterested medium
of redress. All this, say, is very curious; and
while concede that Mr.. Webster has been guided
in this business by the most lively and comprehen-
sive ideas of the purest patriotism, still
for the sensation which the letter of Arista
| has excited among certain parties Mt Washington
| And this is the The rejection Of the Garay
| treaty ruins magnificent speculation, upon which
millions of money to be realized, without the
necessary investment Of a dollar.
| strong point in the appeal Of Arista, as we are
4
ratify the Garay treaty, involves necessarily, the
right to reject t-that the treaty submitted to
the alternative of rejection, in being submitted for
ratification and that Mexico violates no compact,
no international obligation, no individual rights, in
rejecting the treaty. He, therefore, pleads that
the rejection of the treaty-all parties interested
having submitted themselves to the risk-lawfuy
puts end to the treaty, and the grant involved in
1 fba fronf md hat onrun Cor frnr
having the right to threaten war, has no right to
complain, on account of the decision of Mexico. We
think it will puzzle Mr.. Webster to overcome this
little point of law. But Arista clinchss the argu-
ment, by declaring that the popular sentiment of
Mexico is unanimous against the Garay grant, and
that it cannot be admitted even at the hazard Of
another rupture with the United States.
| This letter of President Arista will doubtless re-
main in the hands of the President till the return of
Mr.. Webster to Washington. We shall have, then,
some reason to expect modification of the late
belgerent instructions upon which Mr.. Letcher has
recently been guided, in his conferences with the
Mexican government. Furthermore, abandoning the
| immense grant of land for colonization purposes,
which included in the Garay treaty, there will
be no difficulty, we are assured, of securing the
Tehuantepec right of way, with oil the necessary
privileges, from the Mexican government.
| The secret influences operating in the Mexican
capital against the Garay treaty. have yet to be dis
closed The late revolutionary movements in some
of the exterior departments, in the name of Santa
Anna betIay the hand Of that arch inriguer in the
game. How far he may be financially implicated in
the contingent profits Of the Garay grant, is, of
course dependent upon the discretion Of the parties
interested to divulge. But it is highly probable
+, thai suspicious of Santa Anna actuated, to some
| extent, the government of Arsta in rejecting the
! treaty. We have not doubt, however, that the
controlling power at the bottom was the power Of
the clergy, against this grant Of tract of land,
sixty miles wide, across the Mexican republic, for
purposes of American colonization. The clergy Of
Mexico are the supreme power of the country. They
hold the bulk of the real estate Of the country, and
their spiritual control all classes is absolute and
almost unlimited. The introduction Of settlement
of Americans, with their notions of religion. free
dom, along the Tehuantepec route, would be but
planting another Texas on the South flank Of poor
Mexico-a colony which would be dangerous to
the despotism of the priesthood throughout the
republic. And it is this single consideration which
makes the risk of preferable, with the Mexican
government, to the introduction of settlement of
g Yankees within the limits Of the republic from
one ocean to the other. Our institutions are OPP
posed to priestly despotsm; and while the latter is
! supreme in Mexico it is natural that colonization
there by citizens Of the United States should be re-
sisted as far as possible.
We come now to the remarkable diplomacy Of Mr..
Webster in Mexico and in Ce ntral America and the
Illuminating contrast between the policy pursued in
the one quarter, and that pursued in the other In
Mexico, MIR. Le,eher is instructed to threaten war,
unless certain treaty is ratified after it has been
rejected; and the government organs in the United
States echo the threat. But alas Mexico is
weak, and may be bullied with immunity. Utterly
helpless, she may, perhaps, be frightened into sub
mission to our demands, just or unjust. On the
ether hand, British power is supreme in Central