The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-03-14

What Il - ana What 1t May Become.
We learn by recent adviees from Europe that
the quarrel between Mexico ard Spain threatens
to become serious affair. The Spanish press
in giving currency to some very exaggerated
statements Of recent events in Mexico, is very
unanimous in calling upon the government to
innict summary punishment for the outrages
supposed to have been committed; and 1t is said
that the Cabinet of Madrid has 80 far acceded
to public opinion ~ to direct that ship of the
line, q frigste, . brig aud two steamers shall
proceed from Cadiz to Cuba, in order to rein
force the Spanish fleet there and that two thousand
men will be sent to strengthen the Spanish army
Much Of this excitement is due to the exagge-
ration that has been used in narrating events,
and to the desire of the government to draw of
public attention from the election now going on
in Spain. But it is not improbable that under
he corrective Of better information, an exhaust.
I'd treasury, and sober second thought, Spain
will moderate her ire and pacific solution will
be found. The quarrel has not been one Of sud-
den growth, however, and its history is, in few
words, as follows
The NAL administration of justice in Mexico
had given rise to claims against that government
by Spanish subjects, in the same manner that it
had given rise to claims by the citizens and sub
jects of other nations After long continued
attempts to obtain an adjustment Of these claims
the Spanish Minister finally succeeded in negotiat-
ing convention in 1851, which was modified
and extended by another, in 1853, by President
Santa Anna. Under this convention commits
sion was appointed to examine and pass upon
the claims, and performed the greater part, if not
all, of the work, and partial payments were
made in Mexican scrip. When Santa Anna was
driven from the country, and Comonfort came
into power, it was found by the latter that an
extensive system Of Garainerism and Galphinism
had been practiced in this matter of Spanish
claims, and he not only refused to pay the ba
lance of scrip due on the fraudulent claims but
endeavored to get back that which had been
issued ON them.
This led to protest and some harsh inter
course on the part of the Spanish Minister, and
the exhibition of Spanish naval force in the
harbor of Vera Cruz. The result was that the
Mexicans, instead OF becoming inundated at this
demonstration on the part of Spain, became
more firm as regarded the government and o0
the side of the people the old bitter feeling
against the mother country was aroused. Be-
sides looking to her own resources, Mexico turned
her eyes to this country and on the part of the
flibusters, some strong propositions, bearing on
Cuba, were made to her. But the quarrel did
not come to head during these disputes, which
occurred last year; and the expedition against
Mexico, which was said to have been reparing
in Havana, was dissolved. IntercoI1k was
again resumed, and population of some of the
most obnoxious claims took place.
A resumption Of good feeling on the part of
The people was not so easy a matter-the more
50 as Spanish agents were found conniving with
the clergy in their attempts at rebellion-and it
was generally believed in Mexico that the
Spanish government, the priests and Santa Anna,
were conspiring to subjuga.e the republic once
more to the Spanish crown. Taking advantage
of this state of popular irritation, q party of
bandits attacked the hacienda of San Vicente
belonging to Spanisrd in the district of Cuer-
lavaca, on the 18th of December last aud.
houting death to the Spaniards" put
everal Of them to death, among whom
vas boy fifteen years old. The local
government immediately arrested the porter OF
he estate, on suspicion of being an accomplce,
md the general government, at the request of the
spanish Charge, caused other arrests TO be made
On the 18th Of January, nine prisoners were held
IN the charge, and the case was in the hands of
he tribunals. But il did not go on with the ra.
pidiiy which the Spanish representative desired,
or on the 10th Of January he addressed note to
he government, demanding immediate action,
accusing the authorities OF want Of will to do
Justice, and fixing the term Of eight days for the
arrest, trial and punishment of the criminals
On the 10th he wrote again, stating that he had
not received proper satisfaction in the matter.
and be demanded his passports which we're givep
10 him, with temperate reply to his note set
ting forth that the conduct Of the government did
not, with proper selfrespect, decline his request.
Although the relations between the two gov
we're thus suspended by the hasty &C.
ton Of the Spanish Charge, President Comonfori
declared that he did not consider his friendly re
lations with Spain broken of, aud Senior LARA.
qua, who had been appointed Minister to
Spain some weeks previously, departed i'm
for Madrid /, is not proba-
bic that when all the facts come before
the court at Madrid, IL will persist in carrying
out its benigerent intentions toward Mexico
To do so would be to insist upon creating the most
serious complications, both here and in Earope.
Spain Is in condition TO make a handsome
dash at Mexico, though it is very doubtful If she
could carry on long war at arms length across
the Atlantic. Twenty years Of peace, even from
violent civil commotiou, has enabled her TO &C.
quire a respectable feet Of steamships aud
sailing vessels and 10 bring into exisgenco nm