The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-19

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But what We have to apprehend s plans for aresting
our extent and prosperity, the seizure Of positions
by which we might be annoyed and clrcumscrbed,
and the creation OF an influence and of schemes OF
policy offering powerful obstacles TO our future adj
vancement Motives have always existed and been
in operation for checking our progress but recent
events have added as well to their numbers as their
gravity. We have acquired an extensive territory
upon the shores OF the great OF the West and
our flag now waves in the breeze that comes from
the islands and continent OF Asia. Think you, Mr..
President, there IL maritime nation in Europe
which does not desire that every possible obstacle
ton between the Eastern and the Western portions
OF this magnificent republican empire? Not one.
And Nicaragua routes, and Panama routes, and Te-
huantepec routes, and all others, IL there are any
others TO be used by us, are SO many denominations in
their eyes to be tolerated only till they be closed
upon US by the occupation Of commanding positions,
wherever opportunities can be found or made for
sezng them. Considerations OF this nature far more
than their intrinsic value, give importance to Hon
duras, to the Colony Of the Bay Islands, to Sonora
to Chihuahua, and to other points, where European
ntrlgues have been at work to obtain possession All
we want is free and equal field for exerton, and if
we have not industry and enterprise enough to hold
our own way in the great career OF advancement we
deserve to fall behind our rivals and contemporaries
and ought to find no one Ito do US reverence" But
have no fear Of this, nor indeed has any one else
1t should therefore, be cardinal maxim -four policy
to preserve as far as we cam the integrity OF the cis
atlantic republics for 1t Is almost as much for their
munication should be open to all the world and free
to the competition Of every nation.
There has recently been an attempt to wrest So
nora from the Mexican dominion, which at first at
tracted some attention in this country but has ap-
parently failed, and the effort seems now rather to
be ridculed than condemned. The circumstances
connected with the origin Of that movement
are obscure but public ruOr at first assigned it to
French agents, made with view to the extension of
the jurisdiction of their country over that region
There are strong reasons for believing that this
lecture was right, though to what extent those
cerned acted from authority will probably never be
known, especially as the result was unfortunate and
such event generally leaves these secret political
agents to meet the consequences Of their own resron
sibity.
But, it is not little curious. that il was known
here that such movement would bic made before
we had any actual information of its occur
renee, and it was understood to be under the d.
rection Of French interests and with the design
OF French acquisition. j received letter myself,
from quarter l am net ut liberty to disclose,
some days before we heard Of the enterprise which
mentioned to my colleague and to other gentlemen,
foretelling the movement, and coupling it with de-
signs of permanent annexation; and document
has since reached this country which is worthy our
attention, and which goes far to confirm these anti
cpati0ns. 1t is memoir, published recently ut Paris,
by Mons. Dupasquier du Dommartin, . for the pur-
pose Of drawing the attention of European powers,
and especially of France to the purpose Of coonzng
Sonora and Northern Mexico, as the only means of
checking the rapid and formidable growth of the
of railroad route from the Mississippi to the Pacific
ocean. The writer has devoted himself for some
time to the careful study OF this subject has thorough
ly explored the region Of which he writes, and has
laid the foundation for the policy he recommends by
procuring through the aid of the French Minister in
Mexico large grants of land, for the purpose of
lonzaton, from the local authorities of Sonora and
chihuahua"
1t is well remarked by the New York Times, to
which paper owe the above extract, az well as the
translated memoir that the fact Of the commence
ment OF such colony, with the open av0wal OF such
a purpose, is of Itself sufficient to command the
prompt attention of the American people and go
vernment. And the interest is increased by the con-
sderation that such appeal is thus publicly made
for cooperation in the plan-made, too, in the
French capital where no such publication could ap-
pear without the consent Of the government-thata
French company obtained exclusive grants in Sonora
and that an attempt has been made to wrest that
region, by arms, from Mexico. All these may by pos
sibility be accidental condolences and not cO-ope
rating causes; but the suggestion requires a good
deal of national charity before it can become even
credible. wish there was time to lay this memoir
before the Senate for il is significant document,
advocating the very policy, from which we have so
much to fear in all our foreign relations. But must
confine myself to very general summary Of it, The
writer adyerts to our commercial interests, and to
their extension, to object to obtain absolute com
mand Of the commerce Of the world, and to the GER
tainty with which our projects ofaggrandzement will
be effected, from the wonderful progress we max
ing and shall make unless Europe nterfees to prevent
view to show, that from her state OF weakness and
division she will fall prey to the grasping rapa-
city Of the United States, unless saved by European
colonization. He also gives narrative of his ex-
ploratons in Mexico. and of his efforts to lay the
foundation for carrying his designs into effect. This
brief abstract must suffice for the general purpose
have in view.
! shall add to it the summary made by the author
himself He says /" From the preceding there re-
suit two facts
" First, that Mexico possesses the key of the
Northern continent, Of the Atlantic and the Pacific,
by land, and by these two seas, of all the commerce
which is carried on there.
Second that the existence of Mexico, pressed on
all parts by the United States, bangs only by q
thread.
1.-The whole question now is reduced to knowing
if Europe uW permit the United States TO obtain 80
much pOTcr.'
A French periodical, Of high and established char
acter, 4aaWdire dcs Depr M0ndcs for 1852,
has some remarks strongly corroboratvc Of the i'm
portance Of the suggestions of DIR. Dupasquier du
DOmmartin. "Some attempts says that Journal, "to
afford remedy for Mexican difficulties, have mean
time been recently made. We mention the COM
nencement Othe colonization of the state of Sonora,
which has been greatly aided by the French Minister"
lie who supp0ses that French diplomatic agent
would take such step without the instructions OF his
government, knows nothing of that punctilious SEN
tment of duty which animates his corps, and little Of
the responsibility he would encounter. Three hundred
trenchmcn,' says our authority, collected from
different parts OF the republic, are already settled
upon the lands granted by the government. Within
a few years, Frenchman, n. Dupasquier du DOM
martin, has shown lively interest in these projects
of cOlOnZation.n "Ths 1.-THE adop-
ton Of his plans,) will be the surest dyke against
the usurpations Of the American race
"Thcre is also involved the great interest OF
England fer Europe, in not allowing TO be ac-
complished in spite of her, perhaps against
her, and to her detriment, this new dismeInbcr-
ment Of the Spanish American empire" The
Courier DIES E,ats Uns, published Mt New
York, the wcllknown organ Of the French govern
made very pregnant alusion, whether carelessly
or carefully know not but certainly well worthy Of
attention. :" As yet" says the Courier, France
has not set her foot the American continent. We
may fear u'Lat she UW do, nc admit but, in good
faith she does not yet merit the least elimination"
This is honest enough, indeed, whether intended
prophecy or warning. II may be that il will
he found expedient TO irradate the new empire with
the lustre of conquest, and it also may be that the