The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-22
Our Relations with Mexico.

negotiations touching the official costume of
our Ministers in Europe, has been the project of q
treaty negotiated between Mexico and the United. .
States by Mr.. Ga,lsden of South Carolina: b 8
which we agree to give twenty millions Of d FL
lars cut of the Jnited States treasury in re
turn for n few millions of worthless acres, of
lan6 on the other side of the Bio Grande. The
history of this piece of diplomacy is not. less
remarkable than the character of the tres ty and
the terms agreed upon by the agents OF fine two
contracting Powers.
1t is well known that the project a. negc-
tiated With Santa Anna, without any authority
from the organ of the proper depa rtuent at
Washington. He who declared imself the
most astonished man in the countr y when de
received the democratic. nomination from Balti-
more, was again the most astoni' he'd man In
the country when he heard that ne had nego-
tiated bargain with the Dictat or of Mexico.
Nor,7yere the terms OF the treaty less rema.ka-
BILE OF the twenty rlillions to be paid by the
Usssed States, fifteen only were to go towards
the repletion of Santa Annals treasury; the ba-
Mexican and moonshine claims. Private inte-
pests had been abuldantly cared for at first by
aie contracting par ties, but these, being not SO
easy of adjustment as had been supposed, were
: waived by Santa Anna who had too mach at
stake to stick at trtcs. The interest he took
in the whole negotiation was as deep as might
have been imagined from the straits in which he
was placed.
For Santa Annals position was daily becom-
ing more critical. Arista's government had
been maintained just SO long as the annual
tribute from this country lasted. When it
ceased, he fell; and political and military agi-
tation commenced which soon led to q revolu-
ton. Santa Anna had been breeding abroad
over his past greatness, and nursing hopes of
Paradise regained. His time had come. He
returned, his mouth full of denuncistions of the
United States, and his pocket of private notes
and incipient treaties offensive and defensive
with all sorts of European Powers. He was on
the point. he insinuated Of forming an alliance
with France. England and Spain for the con-
solidation of his empire and the repression of
the Yankee barbarians of the North. No Ian
guage was strong enough to convey his hos
tility to this country. To these schemes he
soon added others for the extension of Mexican
authority over the contiguous provinces of Cen
trail America; and entered into secret nego-
tiation with the colonial authorities of Cuba for
the purpose of carrying his projects into execu-
ton to the detriment of our interests. our pros
poets and our commercial welfare. In the fur
therance of these views, he destroyed the con-
stitution of Mexico, suppressed the liberty Of
the press, reduced all the various States of the
republic to one uniform despotism, appointed
military governors, recalled the Jesuits to
power, and combined every military with every
ecclesiastical element to effect his ambitious de-
signs, and throw obstacles in the way Of Ameri-
can commerce. For many months these views
were generally promulgated as well in the Mexi-
Can journals as in the letters of Mexican
correspondents of American newspapers. Santa
Anna, however, soon found that the materials
of great nation were wanting in the popula-
ton of Mexico. He continued to Cypress trade
by every illegal exaction that could raise
money and enable him to proceed with the
work of reorganizing his army, and carrying
out his plans of Interior action. But nothing
but failure attended his efforts. Symptoms of
counter agitation began to make their appear
.ance, and were but feebly suppressed. At
length ray of hope shone upon the Dictator
in the approach of Mr.. Gadsden with his pro-
iect of a new treaty. He saw in the scheme
clear prospect of funds in abundance in return
for few millions of worthless wild lands
Surrounded with difficulties on every side.
and seeing the Eising tide of the counter revo-
luton about to overwhelm him. Santa Anna
jumped at the chance offered him, and ioyfully
agreed to the project which is now before the
United mates Senate Should this project be
ratified, he would pocket fifteen millions of
dollars, be enabled 70 complete the orraniza-
ton of his imperial government, extend his
empire over Central America and perhaps
carry out the schemes he has 50 long nurtured
in conjunctiob with Spain and the colonial
authorities Of Ceba.
From the preparations which have leen made
at Washington, and the lobby force that is be-
ing brought to bear, there seems strong ground
for anticipating that the treaty will be ratified
by that body. In full confidence OF this event
Santa Anna is making contracts for large sup
plies OF munitions of war. and is endeayoring
to obtain from all quarters Spanish officers FOR
his forces. His dream is still the organization
q grand Mexican army. with which he can
sweep over Central and South America and |
even possibly threaten the United States.
What must we think Of the diplomacy whose
only fruit is a scheme to supply this man with
the means of achieving designs like these? e.
furnish funds for the successful execution a
plans matured in deepest hostility to The United
States and in close concert with the govern
ments Of Europe? AZ a time when every dol
lar Of orr surplus revenue Is absolutely r.
qured for thc establishment Of our navy on
footing tint win cna'ln ne II nee. auv Ell
!. .g. fa' r. e, (. =.