The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-19
had with General Arista the President OF the Mexican
republic, he says that Arsta told him

Tha, Mexico poor and oppressed; but SO far as ho
had in his power guard and her honor he
she should only be free from just reproaoh
but should stand upon elevated grounds before the world
every particular In reference 10 matter OF 30 much Inn
porance tha alhoug she had BEEN and at this mo
ment badly treated by many OF my countymen, stil rom
his sincere wish 10 ooncede the United States In
preference TO any other power all the privileges which
might be necessary accomplish the greatest enterprises
aiusion must be made TO the Garay grant
ready said he, TO into treaty with you which
think will be satisfactory TO both countries'"
How was this Garay grant looked upon in Mexicoi
Let me show you how II was looked upon there. Mr..
Lelche IN has letter 10 Mr. Webster OF the 29th October
1851, says
Il appeas There Is fixed prejudice from end of
this country to the other against the Gaay grant,
which you know the treaty is predicated."
In the same letter he says
opposed by the clergy by the press, by both houses
Of Congre.. by every political party by every faction and
Here, tben was grant odious to Mexico; odous to
every class Mexico annuled by the Congress Of Mex
leo; the holders OF which were nohed from the hrs
assignment which made that Mexico would never
recognise them And yet the great interest OF the age
this communication between the two oceans is to be sus-
pended the progress OF society, the great interests OF
commerce and of social intercourse and all the interests
of humanity. which Intimately connected with the
opening OF this transit between the two oceans are sus
pended and blocked by what the Mexican Minister OF
Foreign Relations has well termed frigd mercan-
ule speculation.
And. sir to such degree had this Garay grant mag
when treaty 10 be formed for the opening of this
way between the two oceans, made by this gov
ernmen condition oil the treaty that the actual holder OF
that grant should give his consent TO II before It should
be submitted 10 the Senate And Mr.. Peter A. Hargous
comes forward and notifies Mr. Webster that he, Peter
A. Hargons is the man who stands, like the Apgel with
the flaming sword at the gate OF Paradise, and that no
treaty OF peace shall come before the American Senate
until he gives his consent 10 IT, Yes, sir, was rpar-
trpar,e convention with France and England in refer
ence TO Cuba bat we were willing 10 enter into treaty.
one party OF which the United States Of America,
another the republic oi Mexico and the third Peter A.
Hargous. Mr. Hargous says that Mr. Webster sub nit
ted The treaty TO him, and he made various suggestions
OF modification to it. Now ask. is not that mos, hi-
initiating position tor this country to stand IN! But there
is another fact that have upon the very best authority.
which, in my humble Judgment is disgraceful 10 the
American government, and will state it. When your
minister goes to Mexico-and will do Mr.. Letcher the
Justice say that told he did not begin the prac.
cehe is the guest, he is led at the board, and lodged
in the bed of this very Mr. Hargous.
Mr. SEWARD That is not true OF the present minis
Mr. HALE do not say anything Of the present min
lister but IL Is true, as am informed on authority which
cannot doubt, and abundance OF which Is now IN this
city, that when, for years back, minister is sent from
this country and the frontiers OF Mexico, he
tax en- possession OF by Mr. Hargous fed at his board,
lodged his bed and kept there and considered instead
of being the representative OF this government as sort
OF attache 10 Mr.. HaGgous
Mr. MASON. ask the senator state the authority
on which he makes the declaration that the American
minister in Mexico lodged al the house and lived at the
claim
Mr. HALE. do not say which Of the Hsrgousss il
IS for understand there are two brothers oil them IN one
firm do say which OF them II is
Mr.. MASON | am uniformed about the fact, but 1t
very serious charge TO be made in reference TO gen
tleman who represented this country abroad and sub
nit the senator that he state the name OF the person
upon whose authority he makes the charge.
Mr. HALE. | will state the aahoniy and have
the name OF Mr. Buckingham Smith, who was secretary
of lega, alton Mexico. will give him the authority OF
Mr. La Vega the present secretary OF legation oil Mexico
MIR MASON Then the senator will allow us to know
what the charge is do understand him TO say that the
American minister lived the house OF this MIR Hsr-
gous who is now the representative oil this CLAIM
Mr. HALE One OF the Hargouses
Mr. MASON. | want direct answer-yea or nay.
Mr. HALE suppose IL is both. The hrm Is Har-
Mr. SEWARD Peter A. Hargous lives in New York,
and his brother lives in Mexico.
Mr. HALE. am told that one OF them lives IN New
York, and the other in Mexico II zone OF the brothers
understand they are associated.
Mr.. MASON. understand then. the senator does
make the charge that the American minister lived al
the house OF the representative oil this claimi
Mr.. HALE. say that the American minister lived at
the house of or the other OF them, Peter A. Har-
gous his brother, both. | said ! would do Mr..
Lecher the justice 10 say that did not believe he began
the practice but that II was matter which was IN ex
isence before his time. Whether IT Peter or his
brother do not know. and that is matter II was
one OF them say that for the American minister TO be
the guest and 10 be residing IN The house OF one oil the
time when he urging the claim OF these Hargonses
and when the claim OF Hsrgous prevented the rahcaton
Of treaty between the two governments, fact that
ought TO be known. Whether II coniers honor or dis
grace will not trouble myself TO say.
Mexico only made these professions oil the fresl-
dent Ars,a that they willing to execute treaty Tor
the opening OF this way il the Garay grant was not In
sisted upon but the minister OF Mexico, Mr Ramirez,
rave evidence OF the sincerity with which he entertained
these seniments by the fact that he transmitted TO this
government Tor its acceptance and ratification, treaty IN
which this right of way fully secured, and secured
as a neutral pass for all friendly nations The govern:
nent Of the United States did not accept and did not send
to the Senate that treaty, fer the sole reason, as MT
Letcher, months afterwards, the published cores
pondence shows, informed the Mexican minister that II
did not take care OF the Garay grant That was the
whole OF IT, That the reason assigned by Mr
Leicher in the correspondence which has been suomuea
TO the Senate and published, why this treaty was eecea
IL was because the Garay grant stood m he way nee
two great nations, Mexico and the government Oh me
United S,aiesaye, sir, here two hemispheres nad 10
stand apart and refrain from all the conveniences OF com
nerciaf intercourse which might be opened TO them by
means of this ineroceanc communication, because the
n,ivate interest. OF specuating company thrown
n ,be say The nations had TO stand back, commerce
10 stand SILL progress cease and humanity not 90
because this mercantile speculation thrown
in the way. And now our government ~ called upon TO
eyy war against the republic OF Mexico because che
do what she has told you she cannot and will
do what is repugnan not only TO the opinions OF her
government and her tribunals but is hateful and odlous
to every class of her people.
| will trouble the Senate with reading the state
ment which have before me- giving an analysis OF the
different changes which have taken place in the affairs OF
the government of Mexico far this grant ~ con-
cerned My object is simply TO state the general vews