Polynesian., 1858-05-22
PerilOus state of MexicO---Q uestion of a
United States ts Protectorate.,,

Mexican affairs attract some attention here, and
the proposition to establish American Protecto-
rate over our sister Republic, is finding many ad-
vOcates. The argument in its behalf is q very
strong one, and its startling proportions vanish
when we come to consider it closely Mexico is
tumbling to pieces. With resources which should
make her one of the most prosperous nations on
the globe, and revenue which even now should
support liberal Government, and leave abundant
means for the payment of interest on her debt and
the gradual extinction of the principal she is
nevertheless, bankrupt, and wretched in the ex-
treue, and nuisance of bad neighborhood to 9TH
er nations which must be abated sooner or later by
foreign Intervention. Besides, citizens of the Uni
ted States have valid and just claims against her
amounting to over S5,0O0,O 600, moi including the
fraudulent Garay claim. These must be collected,
ought 10 be even if it is done by force. 1t would
be lasting disgrace to the United States if our
Government should let Mexico fall into absolute
ruin, and not secure these just demands.
England, too, will soon be wanting to save some
thing from the Mexican wreck for the settlement
of the vast sums for which British subjects hold
Mexican bonds. There are only two convenient
ways in which either of these creditor nations can
collect their dues,-the establishment Of " Pro-
tectorate, or the purchase of portion of her
territory. The former of these plans would give
peace and security to Mexico, draw an hundred
millions per annum from her silver mines, stimu-
late immigration, give her the means by increased
and we'll appropriated revenue to meet all her OBJ
legations, and at the same time develop her to the
rank of first class nation-for which her native
resources are abundant. 1t would be against the
Munroe doctrine policy of the United States to
permit England either to establish Mexican Pro-
tectOrate or to purchase sovereignty and terrific
rial domain on this continent, and if we object to
that, then as we cannot play the dog in the man.
ger, we must ourselves assume the duty of ena-
bling Mexico to settle. The day is past when pub
lie sentiment in the United States will consent to
to the purchase of Mexican territory for annexa-
ton, and to be quarIelled over in future years in
connection with the slavery question. Besides, if
we were to furnish Mexico with money for her
present needs in return for her territory it would
soon be exhausted, and the Republic would soon
| be as needy as ever.
By establishing a Protectorate, we should avoid
all these objections, and secure our own claims,
enable England to get hers, make Mexico q pros
| porous nation, and secure in her most valuable
neighbor and commercial customer. All this would
cost nothing but the exercise of our moral pow
er for Mexico herself would pay the expenses. and
there would be no difficulty in keeping the peace
in her borders when the fact was clear that any
attempt at revolt against the Government would
certainly be put down and punished by the United
States. We might name COmmonfOrt for instance,
the President of Mexico, with the Mexican Consti-
| IueiOi iOA SLoA pOhSlDlS "
States for the faithful performance of his duties
In all other respects the present form of govern
ment could be preserved. Its expenses would be
much less than those of the present Government,
while an honest and faithful administration of It's
revenue department would add millions to its pc
cuniary resources, even laying out of view its in
crease of population, capital and industrial wealth
and production which would be certain to follow
the establishment of firm Government in Mexico
giving perfect security to life and property there
These and similar considerations are presenting
themselves with good deal of force to American
statesmen. They are at least worthy of investi.
gation.-S. F. Bulletin. Apr. l.
The AREA OF UTAH.-It may be matter of in.
terest to our readers to know something of the
comparative extent of that Territory Of the Unit
ed States, whose chief officer is bidding defiance
to our Government. According to Cotton, the area
of Utah is, 569, ,l70 miles square. To engineer:
and few others, this will give just idea of it;
vast extent, but the majority of the people viii
form better estimate by being told that it is a,
large as the whole of the New England States