Washington sentinel., 1853-10-11
MEXICo--HER BAD TREATMENT OF
AMERICANS.

-NWftUtNI
Sth publishes a letter from its correspondent at
Matamoras, under date of September 10th, IN
which il is stated that great uneasiness and
distrust prevail among the Americans resident
in Mexico. The letter is short and to the
point II complains bitterly of the grievances
and expressions that Mexican officials, from
Santa Anna down to the lowest taX-gatherers
practice on American traders and merchants.
studiouSly and Systematically pursuing such
course as must inevitably result in a war with
the Cnited States. We make some extracts
from this letter:
There is general sentiment OF distrust aud
uneasneSs. yet no one knows exactly what he
fears, or what he wishes. either for that matter.
There is every chance, how ever. that Mexico will
get mp brush with the United States merely 10
have another settlement OF boundaries and get an
other bag of millions from Uncle sam treasury.
There is end 10 the impostons and rob-
berries the Mexican officials playing oil on
Americans, and il is said here that it Is done by
Santa Annals orders, on purpose 10 excite war.
His friend, General Ampudia, is making hot water
for the Americans about Monterey In this end.
The Judge OF the district court who is little better
than common swindler, looks up excuses 10 rob
Americans under all sorts of pleas. and then Gen
eral Ampudia steps in with his military law and
prison discipline 10 COW the victims into silence.
Again the writer says
Santa Annals officials made all the goods that
crossed The American frontier pay duties twice
over, and III some cases have coulScated them out
| and out. The excuse offered j.. that the duties
paid under the old law, and recepted IN full by
| their own custon-house officers. do not come up
10 the new law published by Santa Anna. The
goods Were brought in lawfully and all the dues
| demanded by the Mexican law, as it was then un
der>tood by their own officers were regularly paid
by the owners. But when the goods We're for
warded into the interior that there was no
chance Of help i'll any way, the new decree of
Santa Anna was made TO apply To them. aud If the
parties had money and influence, they brlbcd the
officials they got olfby paying duty the second
timc but ii they could not do this. their goods
were seized as contraband and conhscaied.
Some of the parties have gone 10 the city Of
| Mexico. and others are about leaving ior Wash
ington about il, but / never heard of any of the
| hundred and one ourages on American citizens
| being redresscd al either place.
There seems TO he in operation regular sys-
TEN Of plumber and robbery. Ifwhat the writer
says be correct, the whole Mexican governments
implicated in these netarious transactions. For
when the President untes with the Judges, the
judges with the military, and the military with
| the lower functionaries, it cannot be doubted
that it is the deliberate and settled purpose and
policy of the Mexican government, to oppress
American merchants. to cucumber with oner-
Gus, nav, with double taxes, American mcr.
chandize and in the event of manly refusal
to meet the iniquitous demands of the officials
to subject all goods carried over the frontier to
confscation.
The correspondent of the Democrat states
that great anxiety prevails as to the character
of our new minister to Mexico, General Gads
den. He says:
with all this Gen. Gadsdcn will have chance TO
| show US what stuff he is made OF pretty soon. IT
! he Is a man OF mere way just the stuffed hgnre
OF an American minister, the AleNlcans will have
| il all their own way. and American fabrics and
American traders may give up the country TO the
English but if there is the soul and sense of man.
hood in him. he will bring Santa Annas black cat.
tie back TO the straight road.
There is no ground for any uneasiness
on this score. General Gadsden had all the
attributes of true manhood and every requisite
qualification for the post he fills As TO sue
cumbng TO that braggart and tyrant who now
guides the destinies of feeble Mexico the idea
Is absurd. President Pierce's bold and manly
avowals in reference to the protection OF Ameri
can citizens in foreign countries. and his recent
declarations and conduct in the Koszta Difficult
" should quiet the apprehensions of our cit
zens wherever they may be.