The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-12-23

AFFAIRS, ana 10 make known the interest which
this Government attaches TO this subject re-
minding him, at the same time, Of the policy
concerning it which has been repeatedly de-
clared by the United States, and which will, in
all human probability, never be departed from.
| With respect to the causes of war between
Spain and Mexico, the United States have no
concern. and do not undertake to Judge them ;
nor do they claim to interfere in any hostilities
which may take place. Their policy of obser-
walton and Interference is limited to the perma-
nent subjugation of any portion of the territory
OF Mexico or any other American State to any
European Power whatever.
1T is very desirable that this Government
should know whether Spain is about to send a
force to Mexico; and, f SO, what is its strength,
and also what are the alleged causes and
avowed designs. / will therefore thank YOU to
comm unicate all the information you can pro.
cure upon these points, and upon any others
connected with this subject, which you NAV
deem important
Il am, sir, your obedient servant
-. "LEwIs CAss.
To C. n. Dodge, Madrid"
An extract from dispatch from Mr. Dodge
to Mr.. Cass, dated Madrid, November 18th,
says
Sir: l had the honor on the 18th to re-
ceive your number sc, dated 24th ult., asking
information respecting the threatened hostili-
ties between Spain and Mexico, and expressing
the well-known determination of the United
States to resist the subjugation by the European
Powers of the day of the independent States of
our continent, with view 20 exercise protect
crate or any other political influence over the pol
icy and institutions Of such States On the same
day, sought and obtained an interview with
Calderon Collantes, Her Catholic Maestv's
Minister OF State, causing your dispatch to be
read and translated to him, and at his request
nave since furnished him with copy OF the
same.
de took no exception whatever to any of
the views or determinations therein expressed
he assured me most earnestly that, in the move
ment which duty, honor, and selfrespect, had
constrained his Government to make against
Mexico, Spain had not the most remote inten-
ton OF interfering with the well-known policyof
the United States, as expounded By President
Monroe and reiterated by yourself, or OF at
tempting anything for the present more than to
afford protection to her citizens, and obtain re-
dress for injuries done them he averring that
they had been robbed and maltreated in the
most inhuman manner.
He said that they would not receive back nor
attempt to govern Mexico, nor any of the
South American States, were she or they to re-
quest such government tomorrow that all
Spain expected or desired in that quartar was
retention in peace of her present possessions.
he went ONTO say that the enormities recently
perpetrated upon his countrymen were of such
an atrocious character as to demand the presence
OF a suitable naval force off Vera Cruz and
Tampico, but that no troops to operate on land
had been sent and that the officers in command
had been instructed to avoid, if possible, any
conflict with Mexicans.
/ 90 Az avplopoforv of what bac baav, Jono orJ
the reason for doing it, send you transla-
ton of number one of memorandum of observa-
tons Of Minister of State, furnished to me- after
the interview, by MIR. Comyn, Assistant Secre-,
tary OF State, gentleman who, when holding
diplomatic situation in London, was well
known to Mr.. Buchanan You will remember
that have always given it my impression
that there would be no war, for the reason that
have always believed that England and France
would have sufficient influence to prevent il;
but, to my surprise, now learn from Mr.. Col
lantes himself, as well as from the Here &C.
ours a hiatus that in matters of recent com
plant the Spanish Government have rejected
in the most emphatic manner the proffered in
tervention of England
g remain respectfully, ETC.,
HI &C. A. DoDGE.
I" To the Hon. Mr. Cass, Secretary of State
MEMORANDUM.
The excuses committed in st. Louis Potosi,
by the constitutional troops, upon the subjects
of her Catholic Majesty induced the Captain
General and Governor of Cuba to send to
Tampico some vessels of war; in order to guard
against a repetition at the last-named point of
the outrages suffered at the former place. These
vessels entered the harbor of Tampico with
permission from the Governor of the place, and
remained quiet spectators of the conflict which
was then raging, when Gen. La Cara imposed
upon Spaniards large tax, putting in
prison and injuring those who from want of
meaus were unable to pay it.
The Captain General of Cuba then deter
mined upon sending to Tampico other vessels
of the royal navy. The expedition of these
vessels has for its sole object that of obtaining
from Gen. La Cara reparation for losses and
damages caused to the subjects of her Catholic
Majesty; the refunding of amounts exacted
from them, and satisfaction for these outrages.
If to obtain this end, it should be necessary to
employ force, any measures which may be
adopted will tend exclusively to the accomplish
ment OF that object, and protect Spaniards
against excuses of Mexicans These meas
ures will have to be proportioned to the extent
OF the evil they may have to encounter, but will
never have any other object than the one above
indicated
The instructions given to the commander Of
the frigate Berenegula, who is chief of the sta
ton at Iampico, also includes protection u
other foreign subjects whose interests may be
prejudiced. The assembling Of respectable
naval force at Sacrafcios is for the same pur-
pose.
knowing the tendency of the Mexicans to
engage in bitter persecution of Spanards
the Spanish Government has believed it to be
its duty to assemble sufficient means to force
them to respect the lives and property of its
subjects. These two expeditions not de-
signed to interfere in any manner in the interi-
or affairs of the Mexican Republic.
Letters from Captain Mcintosh
Next follow dispatches received by the
Secretary of the Navy from Commodore Nc
lntosh, dated Nov. 26th, in which he says he
had heard report that an officer was sent from
the British frigate Valorous, to board the steam
er Washington. He then says l am taking
immediate measures TO get full particulars from
Captain Jarvis, and will report them in full by
the next opportunity, but, according TO my
present understanding of the matter, it looks
like renewal of the scenes which lately occur
red around the Island of Cuba, changed only
from Africans to flibusters. You may rely on
my taking prompt and efficient measures to
protect the honor of our flag. Should it become
necessary, and if really her Britannia Majestys
officers have instructions to board and examine
American merchant vessels under the very
guns of the ships of my squadron, the time must
be very short before most serious consequences
may be anticipated"
In subsequent dispatch, dated December |
Sd, he says;
BY copies of correspondence with Captain !
Aldham, the Secretary will perceive Captain A. |
claims prOtectOrate over the harbor of Grey /