The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-01
are to be the conditions of Mexicos Can any

are to be the conditions Of Mexicos Can any
one tell us?
On that matter pleasant anecdote is going
the round of fashionable circles in the city of
Mexico. AT social diplomatic banquet, in
which the President of Mexico figured as one
of the distinguished, the humor OF conversation
turned upon the Mesilla valley-during the
passage of wit on which question, our minister,
Gadsden, in jovial manner, said to Santa
Anna, "Oh, but, General, we must have the
Mesilla valley" Indeed, General" replied
Santa Anna; "how are you to get il? You
cannot annex it without consent. 1t will be an
act of war; "Good for our military profession,
General" said Gadsden, laughing. " One hun
dred and fifty millions war expenses for the
Mesilla valley will be paying dear for it," re-
turned General Santa Anna. True, your Ex-
cellency, war is more expensive game than
game at bowls,' said Gadsden. "Well," re-
turned General Santa Anna, II make your
Excellency one little proposition. Your own
government may keep seventy-fve millions of
the one hundred and fifty, for internal improve
ments within its own limits, and will take
the other seventy-fve millions for similar
purpose within Mexican limits, and Mexico
shall give you the Mesilla valley at one half
your proposed venture for it." At this re-
partee, our minister, Gadsden, is said to have
opened his eyes wide, and good humoredly
filing his glass, arose, giving for toast Pros
perity to the United Mexican States" Santa
Anna Immediately after gave for toast laying
special emphasis on the word united, Prospe-
whole subject was then passed over in the
midst of uproarious mirth.
Our spols and abolition Cabinet will thus
have to look ahead. or we shall certainly be
out-generaled by the pleasantries Of these keen
witted Mexicans. By some mysterious infu-
ence it would appear they have quite abandoned
all notions OF the Empire" So, also, of the
Spanish Alliance"-it is repealed. The Spanish
Minister is reported to have retired in dudgeon
from the Mexican capital and the intermina-
BILE swagger of war preparation turns out, at
last, a mere Mexican mode of expediting peace
in the broadcast sense of that term. Well, it is
wise, if not cunning. We cannot knock man
down who is so very polite in his diplomacy as
to prevent our becoming angry Mexico would
thus constrain us to be friendly, whether we will
or no, protesting she has no other intention but
that of being herself good, just and friendly
neighbor.
Our latest intelligence from the city Of
Mexico tells us also, Of an embryo proposition.
In the shape of an inquiry by Gen. Gadsden, as
to whether if our government determine to
construct railroad near to the demarcation
line of the two countries, but within United
States limits-whether the Mexican government
will be disposed to be friendly to such an under
taking, and aid it, so far as is necessary to
grant the fright Of way" across-in other
words, permit it to cut off point here and
there in the boundary line, to enable the road to
60 like ourselves and our prosperity. straight
ahead ; and whether such boundary line points,
severed by such road would be relinquished
for the equivalent of few millions of Uncle
Sans California dollars. 1t is plain the favor
able reply to the embryo proposition embraced
in the foregoing questions, will, in o great mea-
sure, be dependent upon the contingency as to
the number" Of points the plan of any such
road would necessarily intersect. But Mexican
letters and papers of a still later date are now
on their way from New Orleans When they
arrive we shall have something further to say
on all these interesting subjects.