The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-12-11

Notwithstanding this warning, the Danish
ment was enforced, and Mr.. Forsyth prompt
ly announced to The government the suspen-
sion Of the political relations Of his legation
with them, until tie pleasure of his own
government should be ascertained.
This government did not regard the con-
tribu,ion imposed by the decree Of the 10Th
of May last 10 be in strctness forced loan,
add such prohibited by the tenth article of
the treaty OF 1926 between Great Britain
and i:eXjco, to the benafi;s OF which Amer
lean citizens are entitled by .rea,r; yet the
imposition Of the contribution upon foaejen-
ers was considered an unjust and oppressive
measure. Besides, internal factions in other
parts of the repahlic were at the same time
ievying similar exactionS upon the property
OF our citizens and interrup,ing their com
'heTce. There had been an entire failure on
the part Of oar minister to secure redress
for the wrongs which our citizens had en-
dured, notwithstanding his Perseyering ef-
forts. And from the temper manifested by
the Mexican goverenmnt, he had repeatedly
assured us that ne favorable change could
be expected until the United States should
give striking evidence of their will and
power to protect their citizens and that
severe ehastisement is the only earthly
eemedy for our gr evances.' From this
statement Of facts it would have worse than
idle to direct Mr.. Forsyth to rctrace his
/ steps and resume diplomatic relations with
that government; and as 1t WAS, therefore,
deemed proper to sanction his withdraw al
Of the legation from the city of Mexico.
Abundant cause nov undoubtedly exists,
for a resort to hostiii.ies against the govern
ment still holding possession Of the csritsl.
! Should they succeed in suhduing the constl-
| tutlonal forces, all reasonable hope will then
have expired Of a peaceful settlement Of our
difficulties.
On the other hsn,i, should the constitu-
! tional party prevail, and their authority be
established over the republic, there is rea-
son to hope that they will be animated by
a less friendly spirit, and may grant tha,
redress to American citizens which juctice
requires, as far as they may possess the
means. But for this expectation, | sheu d
at once have recommended to Congress to
grant the necessary power to the President,
/ 20 take possession Of sufficient portion OF
! the remote and unsettled territory of Mexi-
! CO, to be held in pledge until oar injuries
/ shall be redresscd and cur just demands be
! satisfied. We have already exhausted eve
~ nIlder means of obtaining justice. In
such case, this remedy Of reprisas is re-
cocniZed by the law Of nations, not only as
just 10 itse.i, but as a means Of prevent z
actual war
Bat there IS another view OF our relations
with Mexico, arising from the unhappy con-
diticn Of Affairs along our southwestern
frontier. which demands immediate action.
In that remote region, where there are bat
few white inhabitants, large bands of hostile
and predatory Indians roam promi~euoGs,y
over the Mexican States of Chihuahua and
Sonora and our adjoining territories. The
local governments Of these States are per-
fectly helpless, and are kepc in state OF
constant alarm by the Indians. They aave
not the power, If they possessed the Will,
even 10 restrain ia"iess AieSicaus from pass
ing the border and committing depreaato7s
on our remote settlers. A state Of anarchy
and violence pTSvaiii throughout that dlstsn:
frontier. The laws are a dead letter, and
life anc property are wholly insecure. For
this reason the settlement of AraZona is ar
rested, whilst it is Of great Importance that
a chain of inhabitants sieuld extend al
along it southern border, sufficient for their
ewn protection and that Of iha United States
mail passing to and from California Wei
founded approximations a:e now entertained
that the Indians and wandering Mexicans,
equally lawicss may break up the import
ant stage aud ICSta! G m:nunication recently
established between our J Uantic and Pacific
Ta5SaSsiOns.-1 passes very near TO ths
Mexican boundary, throughout tie vho!e
length Of AraZona. | can imagine ne pos
sibe remedy for these evils, and no mode 81
restoring law and order on that remote and
unsettled frontier, 5ut for the government
of the United States TO assume a temporary
protectora;e over the northern portions oi
Chihuahua and Sonora, and t, establish
/ military ostS within the same; and this
. is earnestly recommended to Congress.
! This protection may be Withdrawn, a. soon
as local governments shall be established IN
these Mexican States, capable of perform
ing their duties to the United States restrain
ing the iawless, aad preserving peace along
the border.
| do net doubt that this measure will be
viewed in friendly spirit by the govern
ments and people of Chihuaiiua and Sonora
as it will prove equally etectual for The pro
lection of their citizens on that remote and
iaY!ess frontier, as 10. citizens of the Unite j
States.
And in tnis connection permit iae 10 re-
call your attention to the condition of Ari
iona The population OF that territory,
numbering, as is alleged, more than ten
thousand souls, are practically without q
I government, without laws and without an
! regular administration of justice. Murder
and other crimes sre committed with impu-
/ nity This state Of thing calls loudly tor
! redress; and |, therefore, repeat my recon-
mendaton for the establishment Of terri
/ torial government over Arizona.
| The political condition of the narrowisth-
mus Of Central America through which tran
/ sit routes pass, between the Atlantic and
/ Pacific oceans, presents a subject of deep in
! terest to all commercial nations. 1t is over
these transitS that large proportion of the
trade and travel between the European and
Asiatic continents is destined to pass To
/ the United States these routes are of meal
culable Importance, as means Of comnuni-
cation between their Atlantic and Pacific
possessions Tie latter now extend through
out seventeen degrees of latitude On the Pa
+ cfic coast, embracing the important State of
California and the hourishing territories of
Oregon and Washington. All commercial
nations, therefore, have deep aud direct
/ interest, that these communications shall be
rendered secure from interruption.
Ii an ann of the sea, connecting the
two oceans, penetrated through Nicara-
qua and Costa Rca, it could not he pre-
tended that these States would have the
4, right TO arrest or retard its navigation to the
injury Of other nations. The transi. by
land over this narrow isthmus occupies
nearly the same pos ton. 1t is highway
/ in which they themselves have little inter
est: when compared with the vast interests
Of the rest of the world. Whilst their right
of sovereignty ought to be respected, it is
tho duty OF Other nations to require, that
this important passage shall not he inter
rupted, by the civil wars and revolutionary
outbreaks which have 50 frequent Y occurred
in that region. Tne stake is tco important
to be left at the mercy of rival ccmpan mics,
claiming to hold conncctir. contracts with
Nicaragua. The commerce OF other nations
is not t. stand still and await the adjustment
| 81 Tn. ,,ay,rp