Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-09-20
Our Relations with Mexico.

The want OF harmony that existed between
the United States and Mexico during the period
of Santa Annals sway, Is attributable chiefly 10
two cause.-the onerous restrictions imposed
bv the Mexican government upon trade, and the
association or suspected association of our
countrymen with the fillibusters and insurgents
who have in various quarters persistently pros
ecuted an armed opposition To the Dictator's
rule. The policy in respect TO trade interposes
an e~ffectual obstruction to everything like free
dom of commercial intercourse: and the strin-
gent regulations TO which it gave rise. and the
harsh manner in which they We're enforced,
were fruitful in irritating issues. especially with
Americans, who above all others were held to
strict compliance with every exactiOn. "a being
most suspected of eyasive and contraband par
poses.
But all penalties prescribed for infringement
of commercial restrictions were exacted with q
severity never before practised. The system of
monopolies, under which Santa Anna farmed
out different branches Of the revenue, or sold TO
private persons the right of dealing exclusively
in any one description of merchandise, para
lived commercial activity, by establishing a
standard of prices that imposed a narrow limit
on consumption, a. much As u high Tariff
would have done. The constant reclamations
which the Minister Of the United States was
called upon To make in behalf of his country
men wronged by undue application of stringent
and harrassing DEGREES, his uncompromising
opposition To the restrictive system. and the per-
sistent and vigorous efforts which he exerted 10
procure its abandonment. provoked that unscru-
pulous intrigue which resulted finally in the
suspension of diplomatic relations between the
two governments.
AS We have mentioned, one of the last acts of
Santa Anna, was the issuing of n Commission
providing for a convention 70 adjust points of
difference and restore the suspended intercourse.
But from information since received, We think
there was little prospect of an amieable issue
growing out of that Commission, and that our
only hope of permanent aIIelioration, lay III the
event now happily accomplished of Santa
Annals overthrow, and in the prospect of a re-
construction of the government upon a basis
providing for a more Just and wiser admlnistra-
ton. We learn that the bankers and others in
terested in maintaining the system of monopo-
lies and prohibitions, had taken alarm at Gen.
Gadsden's proposition for the renewal of nego-
~tiations, and had availed themselves of the hos
tility of the Minister Of Relations to greater
freedom of Intercourse and trade. to secure a
nomination of persons alike opposed to liberal
views. TO negotiate onthe part of Mexico.
1t was hoped to induce the acquiescence of
the United States in the existing restrictions,
and TO relieve Mexico of the liabilities incurred
to American citizens by her oppressive and lille
gal enforcement ofthem, by means Of a new ter
%ritorial arrangement, under which Santa Anna
should sell to us a strip of land, in considera-
ton, first, that We should pay him for it all it
might be worth, and, secondly, that we should
assume to satisfy the claims of our own citi-
zens upon the government of Mexico.
Any arrangement that would put money
in the pockets of the Dictator and his minions.
though at the sacrifice of the territorial integri
~ of tho Ranuhlia raeaiVaH lnsfapf annzidara
ton: but no persuasions ayailed to induce the
government to enter upon negotiations that pro-
posed pecuniary indemnity from Mexico. for
loss and damage incurred through the illegal
enforcement of fiscal regulations opposed alike
to the principles of Justice and the dictates Of
the public interest, and that sought the aband-
onlnent, or even the modification. Of a system
under which the recurrence of aggravated
wrongs created every day a new claim for in
demniiy.
or late years the trade of the United States
with Mexico has fourished most in a period of
war, or in intervals of revolution and anarchy,
when the pressure of armed hostility held back
the tyrannous hand of government, and happi-
ly suspended its restraints, always less efiica-
cious to accomplish good by protecting proper
ty, than potent TO infict evil by diseourging in
dividual enterprise and depressing the general
prosperity. An illustration is at hand, in the
large shipment OF heaVy domestic goods from tntS
port. as soon as it was known that Santa Anna
had fled. The demand for brown cottons to tx
port. suddenly became so great as to limit the
supply for a time. aud produce a firner market.
Our merchants were ready 10 take advantage of
the crisis, from having already enjoyed the prof
its of similar adventures: and in The circle OF
that trade it is banteringly said. that Mexicoin
one revolution takes in cotton goods enough 10
last her till another.
At such n time the national law is commonly
suspended, and a moderate fee to the Customs
Collector. or local authority of the district, Sc
cures the entrance of a cargo on terms that adj
NIT Of a large profit to the importer. Our hopes
are slight of any permanent modification, of the
commercial code. adapted to secure the bles-
sings of free trade and Of liberal intercourse
with strangers To the citizens Of long -misgovern-
ed Mexico. Bat the system Of restriction and
privileges has become so odious under Santa
Anna. that any party aspiring to rule, must
yield Tor the moment 10 the popular demand Tor
freedom; and under present influences. it may
be that our Minister will succeed in negotiating
a treaty that shall offer To commercial enterprise
an extended sphere of action.-Jonrnai Of Com
merce.