Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1858-07-15

Mexican Government to American citizens.
The Minister'S denial, however seems to
have been based upon an inference, and not
upon official knowledge II such grant
had been made, SAYS he, It would have been
promulgated, as II has not been promulga-
ted it cannot have been made. and would
be invalid If it had.
Perhaps this argument is not quite con-
elusive; and in spite OF it, and the official
denial which it seems to involve, we ven
ture to assure Senior Robes that the Mex
lean Government has made extensive
grants of land, not only in Sonora, but
elsewhere, to parties who are citizens of
the United States, and who intended to in
s;st on their alledged rights should there
be any disposition on the part of the Gov
ernnent which Senior Robes represents to
modest them, circumstance however, of
which there has been no further indication
than the statement of Senior Robes already
alluded to. Thirty-nine million acres of
land--a large portion of it teerning with
mineral wealth-is no small acquisition for
any private company, but citizen of the
United States, certain enterprlsing ex-
sea captain by the name of lsham, now of
California. soieuFning, however, we be-
lieve in Washington; is in possession OF
grants from the Mexican Government of
double and treble that amount of acres
Sometime during the Presidency of Com
onfort, Captain 1shan was in Mexico, and
there entered into formal and binding
contrast with the Mexican Government to
undertake and effect a scientific survey Of
Mexican States; of Lower California. So
nora. chihuahua. Sinaloa and Durango,
for which service certain compensation and
privileges, differing slightly with refer
ence.to the different States. were guaranteed
TO Captain Isham or his assigns. The
terms of the contract generally thus con-
veyel to Cap, Isham the following impor-
tant concessions:
i. One-third of all the public lands of
the aforesaid five Mexican States was grant
Ell in fee, on condition of the performance
of the contract
3 The accompanying right to preempt
the remaining two-thirds on the same CON
dition
3. The surveying parties and colonies
organized for he purpose OF making sur
veyss have the privilege of importing all
their instruments. material, supplies, &C.,
tree of duty.
f. The exclusive right of steam naviga-
ton between San Francisco or other
American ports and Guaymas, or other
ports in the Gulf of California, is secured
to Captain Isharn, his associates or assigns
for term of years-ten, if we recollect
rightly.
Various other rights and privileges in-
volving minute details, with reference to-
the progress of the surveys, the appropri-
alton of lands unclaimed as private proper
sy, at short notice, &c, &C., are also con-
tanned in the contract, or grant, in which it
is made the duty of the Governors, Judges
and other officials of the FIVE States men,
toned to cooperate with the grantees in
every point, TO afford The surveyors all
possible assistance, de-, &c, while the lead
er of the surveying party is also created
sort OF Commissioner, with the rank of
Colonel in the Mexican army, whose priv
ilege it is to act for the Mexican Govern
ment in case of default by his officials
The details are elaborate, and seem to pro-
vide for every contingency; but they can
not be all here stated with precision The
grant, or decree is signed by the Comon-
fort, and vas delivered, and the rights
under it vested before the revolution which
drove him from power. Under it, Capt.
Isham organized in California, last fall,
party of about. leo men embracing the
most competent engineers and surveyors to
be found In that State; that sailed from
San Francisco to Guaymas about Decem-
Der, and are said to be now in Sonora, en-
gagged IN carrying on the surveys called for
by the contract
Captain Isham has been In New York
some time the past winter negotiating for
money--also in Washington and in both
places has succeeded in setting several
reading politicians and fnanciers nearly
crazy with excitement The affair seems
salmosttoo gigantic for belief, and the pros
pect IT opens for political and financial
speculation almost inevitably compels one
TO recall the brilliant aud disastrous history
of the South Sea Bubble, and to couple the
name Of Isham In advance with that OF
Law. On the other hand the grant of
President Comonfort to the retired sea cap
tail VI hof mn may NC luc iOuutatlOil
of future financial, commercial and polit-
ical results rivaling. or even exceeding the
full blown glories of the Governor and
Company. of Gentlemen trading to the
East Indies
Ii is not known whether the present
Mexican Government have any intention
Of disputing the validity Of the grant
fommonfort himself maintains that he had
full power to make it, and that it is bind
ing on the county The rival Governors
Of Sonora are said to be both the friends oil
lsham and his claims; and it is also said
that no opposition has yet manifested itself
among the officials of either of the other
states included in the grant. If the Gov
eminent itself undertake to repudiatc it,
then We suppose. of course, that it will be-
come aquestion Of diplomscy-the subject,
very likely, of hostilities, and finally, no
doubt. the means of the total absorption by
this country. of all Lower California. So
nora. chihuahua, Durango, and SinaIoa-
the development OF immense riches in silver
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