The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-05

0sot< % Ay0nS N MeIfe-Fosfp0ne0seM OF
the Empire Grievous Tares on Imports
and Agricultural Professionalism One
Of Santa Anna's Means for Raising the
Wfnd-Restvictions on Trade-Ls Deteriora-
tion in Consequence - Complaints of American
Citisens IN Merico that their 1ppsvsunenf affords
them no Protection i6fcidtics ms0w phich dine
rican and English Merchants haze to iabor-7He
Hon. j. s. Grip.
It is a long time since have written, having no
thing Of any Importance to mpart, except the hack
neyed news Of his Serene Highness, and Don Juan,
Chief Of the Pintos, and other celebrities, who, by
the way have not been respectful in their treatment
to his Serene Hghness, who, Disguised at their auda
CITY, has again returned to the city Of Mexico, or, at
least, to Tuancingo, short distance from 1t. Aud
for what His strenuous efforts have been in vain;
nor could his venal followers alay the ferment in
that quarter that the banner of the San Jacinto
hero has not as yet been followed by victory. 1t
appears that they could not surprise, Cypress or
drive Don Juan from his stronghold in the noun lain
passes And the Saint has reason to dstrust some Of
his own party, who, with their serene master, are
viewing in prospective the fatal consequences while
the old tyant is incapable Of pity or remorse, but,
like the goaded animal, rushing on to his ruin, and
his dadem still held in reserve.
The deficit in the treasury the numerous public
wants, and the carpng cares Of the Minister of
Finance, have entangled the whole machinery
of the government, and ali parties seem to
be cropping their way in the dark. In fact, they
have .:,, -. but little light to guide them, and
now implicitly believed that joy bells will wei
come the conquering hero and that the gaes of the
city may be shut against him, and that even his
cupdity cannot induce him to continue much longer
and purple, the insignia Of his royalty must at least
for a time, Re deferred, the dsafection through
out the whole of this nominal republic forbids their
assumption, and call for redress in some shape to
the native, to the merchant, the trader, and to
every class, now grooming under the despotic rule Of
Santa Anna and his minions.
As proof, the Ministers of his Serene Highness
seem determined to crush the commerce of this
place in particular, by restrictions on imports, SO
numerous and fatal to the well being Of the place,
the prosperity Of the country, that it deprives
the merchant not only Of his industry but his CAPT
tai, and there is or seems to be, no help for him;
while the husbandman in his limited agricultural
pursuits, is taxed when he brings them to market to
nearly half the amount of their value and often, if
he utters complaint, the whole is taken away from
him. while he is sent under the care Of drill SER
geant to the quartet driven by guard of military,
under the seal Of God and Liberty.
Under date of February Is, 1854, we will give you
small specimen of the manner in which the Next
can government distributes justice. His Excelency
the Minister of Foreign Relations authorized Don
Juan M. Lusquette in behalf of Messrs. Stewart 4
Thompson, to introduce the cargo Of the English
public, under the Cevalos tariff, extending the
privilege Of introducing those goods into the nteri
or, at the low rates called for in that tariff to the
preudices of all those who hold large stocks under
the existing tariff, promulgated by Santa Anna.
All goods here pay thirty three per cent in the
existing tariff Of Santa Anna, and only six per
cent under the Cevalos Mark the great difference.
Then followed other cargoes, and other privileges
to the merchants at this port, and at the port of
Matamoras, making rs per cent difference in the
introduction under the existing tariff of TampicO,
which is, and has been, rigidy carried out to the
letter. We do not blame the officers Of this port
for carrying out their instructions, but we do re-
proach the Mexican government for not dealing out
its Justice with an even hand. Are we not entitled
to the same rights and mmunities as those of Mata-
moras and Mazatlan? Since the date alluded to,
those houses are enjoying benefits at the above
named places. to the ruin of merchants who hold
large stocks, introduced under the prospects Of the
sures are taken by the English and American
governments, the merchants must inevitably be
Frustrated in all commercial pursuits here, if not
utterly ruined 1t is exceedingly convenient for his
Serene Highness to raise the wind, when out Of
money and out of credit, by giving two dis
tinct tariffs, and receiving q little cash in
hand, as salye for the future; but all this
is done to the gain OF the tyrant and his colleagues
the government Of the United States calmly look
on and submit to the rdin of some Of her most
worthy citizens abroadl She must redeem her
pledge and protect both their persons and interests
abroad, and keep the rapacious and dishonest at
bay, who are now gloating over the ruin they have
wrought. And for what purpose For brief mo-
n, IL
dent Pierce and his cabinet to be aidcrs and abet
tors to this would-be Emperor, and listen to the
smooth tongue Of some of the lobby minions, inhu-
enced by Senior Atoche If SO, we may soon look
for a cockpit and bull ring, or the feats of San
Augustine and o mountebank. But we hope for
better things, as we ore well aware that strong
representations have been, and are being, made
daily through the different ministers and which, il
passed, must be attended to by the Mexican govern
ment, because the losses already sustained by the
merchants OF Tampico are very heavy; and, besides
the loss OF time and capital employed the outlay
goods, and State and municipal taxes, for their
commercial houses are ruinous; while, at tina same
time, the supreme government Of Mexico is virtually
closing the port against the estrance Of vessels.
Hence we see that whenever his serene saintship's
purse Is inadequate to the exigencies, he adopts
the most convenient means to replenish II, no mat
ter how unjust, and thus he fills his purse at the
sacrifice Of the many, and hucksters out the pub
lie domain. To him, the merchant or the soldier
who may have followed his fortunes, are alike the
victims Of his avarice dr his revenge; and when an
end is to be answered. the sword of his vengeance ia
never withheld. Thus he acts. not from the sacred
right Of justice, but for self; and hence sales
der the pretencc of collecting revenue, and two
tariffs under our mock republic and its affixed seal
Of God and Liberty.
Now. the worst feature Of all is that the merchant
dare not complain. His memorials and protests,
for offering Just complaint DEMONSTRATING against
the arbitrary measure u his Serene Highness-and
al We ..nericans here know that their government
has never afforded any protection to its citizens,
since the late war between the two countries, nor
even redress sought for their Consnl when lis
flag was insuted by people entering his house and
carrying of his property under false Pretences and
sacrificing It under the hammer. The Mexican gov.
erBment has both then and since admitted its IN
justice still, no redress or remuneration has been
made to that functionary up to the present moment
There were others in the same circumstances, and
we believe all have been paid but he, being an
American, remains unpaid.
These acts tell on the commerce of the United
States for il its Consul is not protected its citizens
have not much to hope for--at least In Mexico-nor
can it ever improve under the present rule.
But now, and especially during the treaty negotia
tions for the Tehuantepec route and the Mesla val
ley, party cques are considered paramount to all
Others because capital Is made out of them to ride
some old political hack into power, and give Next
cans weapons to break up American trade; and
wien the care-worn and hall ruined merchant COM
plains Of the oppressive and Illegal conduct Of the
Mexican government and its minions in power, he is
sometimes told, in scripture language "(Io thy way