The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-01


some to gather in fat sheaves, others to CLEAN
stray ears. To one and all we say, onward!
The Tehuantepec Question-The sioo Contract
Consldered-PosItson OF the Administration.
We inquired few days ago whether the
New Orleans Company, or the American hold
ers of the grant to Garay. had compromised,
sold out, or abandoned their rights?"
After thorough inquiry in the most respon-
sible and intelligent quarters for information,
we are informed that the holders of the Garay
contract have done neither. Their opinion is
that it exists in unimpaired legality, and con-
stitutes the only means by which the govern
ment of the United States can acquire free
way across the Isthmus. 1t was employed for
that purpose by the late administration. and its
validity was affirmed by the Senate Committee
on Foreign Relations That body did not act
definitely upon the resolutions introduced by
the committee, for the very obvious reason
that it was not deemed altogether in good taste
to instruct new administration upon subject
in regard to which advice had been asked by
former one. 1t was time enough for the Senate
in our foreign relations when he had desired it.
The subject of Colonel Sloo and his movements
in Mexico probably never entered the minds
Of Senators.
The holders Of the Garay title to Te-
huantepec virtually withdrew the subject
from the Senate by presenting memorial
in regard to their case to the new Exc
cutive, where it is now pending. Until
the government shall have sanctioned the
spoliation complained of, this title will be con-
sidered by its friends the only valid one in re-
gard to that crossing that is before the public
Let us look at the grant commonly spoken of
as the 'Sloo contract" We find it was made
by the President ad interim Of Mexico to the
following parties -
William D. Lee, attorney for A. G. soo and his
associates and Messrs Ramon Olarte, Manuel Payno
and j. j. Pesado, for the Mexican associates and
contractors concerned in the enterprise Of the Te
huantepec inter-oceanic communication, and repre-
senting the whole company, which, under the name
Of the Mixed Company, is charged with the said
opening and communication, in concert with the
company named Oajaca and Felipe Garcia and his
associates with the agents of the States Of Chapas,
Tobssco and Oajaca.
Any one who would deem this, in any fair
sense an American contract, when but single
American appears, land he denationalized by
it's express provisions) would be duped by the
shallow device of the plated crown and sceptre
with which England endowed the dusky effgy
under whose shadow she intervenes in the af-
fairs Of Central America.
A careful examination of this Mexican con-
tract Qor such it is, and such it should be term
ed shows. That it is in no manner under
the control of American citizens; 2. That it
cannot receive the sanction of the present
American Executive; 3. That it cannot COM
mand the confidence of American capitalists.
A recital Of the parties has shown that what
ever American interests there may be in it il
subject to the controlling influence of numerous
Mexican States and persons. No act conld bind
the company without the assent OF majority
of the copartners, either in number or interest ;
and there is no where in it any authority to the
foreign grantees to perform any act of represen-
tation whatever. The Mexican government re-
serves fourth interest in the grant as a bonus
for the granted privileges. II moreover re-
serves right of representation equal to one
Mexican citizens during six months preferred
right Of subscription as to one-third part of the
whole capital. With one-third of the control in
the Mexican government itself it will only re-
ouire that the several States and individual
Mexicans shall have small share more than
sixth pert of the remainder and American control
becomes impossible. The recent protest issued
by certain Mexican partners, in regard to the
pledge of the contract to British capitalists,
(who, it appears had been resorted to in order
TO raise the bonus to be given to the Mexican
government shows their understanding is that
the unanimous consent Of all parties becomes
necessary to biad any one OF them. A transla-
ton of this protest has been published here but
there occurs in it a material bluDder, in stating
that the superstition ia entertained in foreign
country that the privilege of the four companies
has been hypothecated for that Of Sioo The
protest, as published in FL Sigto, states that
the companies have heard - that the privileges
conceded by the Mexican government, on the
9Th Of February. 1853, to the four associated
companies. has been bypothecated by the com
psDy 81 S!Go, AID t.at j. j. is.os,,sd 20 .fans-