The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1858-12-15

ION OF distant foreign power, thlS trade,
| of vital importance 10 these States, is ex-
posed TO the danger of being destroyed in
time of war, and il has hitherto been SUBJ
jected to perpetual injury and annoyance in
lime of peace. Our relations with Spain,
which ought 10 be of the most friendly
character, must always be placed in ieop-
| ardy, whilst The existing colonial govern
ment over the Island shall remain in its
present condition.
Whilst the possession of the Island would
be OF vast importance tothe u. States, lis
value TO Spain is, comp parative!y, unimpor-
tant. Such was the relative situation of the
! parties, when the great Napoleon transfer
red Louisiana TO the United States Jealous
as he ever was, of the national honor and
interests OF France, no person throughout
the world, has imputed blame to him, for
accepting pecuniary equivalent ior this
! cession
| The publicity which has been given 10
our former negotiations upon this subject,
ard The large appropriation which may be-
required to effect the purpose, render il
expedient, before making another attempt
TO renew the negotiation, that | should Law
the whole subject before Congress. This Is
especially necessary, as it NAV become
| indispensable 10 success, that / should be
intrnsted with the means of MAKING an
advance TO the Spanish government imme-
diately alter the signing of the treaty, wlthS
out awaiting the ratification of il by the
Senate am encouraged TO make this
suggestion, by the example Of Mr. Jefferson
| previous 10 the purchase of Louisiana from
France, aud by that of Mr. Polk in view of
the acquisition of territory from Mexico
] refer the whole subject 10 Congress, and
commend 1t to their careful consideration.
| repeat the recommendation made in nv
message OF December last, in favor of an
appropriation ''to be paid to the Spanish
| government for the purpose of distribution
among the claimants in the Amistad caseD
President Polk first made similar recon-
mendation IN December, lSi7, and il was
repeated by my immediate predecessor in
december, 1883 entertain no doubt that
indemnify is fairly due 10 these claimants
under our treaty with Spain of the 9th of
october, 1898; and whilst demanding justice
we ought TO do justice. An approximation
promptly made for this purpose, could not
tail TO exert favorable influence on our
negotiations with Spain
Our position in relation TO the independeut
States south OF us on this continent. and
especially those within the limits of North
America, is OF peculiar character. The
northern boundary of Mexico is coipcident
with our own southern boundary from ocean
to ocean and we must necessarily feel a
deep interest in all that concerns the we'll
being and the fate of so near a neiuhbor-
we nave always cherished the kindest
wishes Tor the success of that republic. and
have induged the hope that it might al last
a'ter all lis trials, enjoy peace and prosperity
under free anil sab g government. We have
never hitherto inlertered, directly or indi-
rectly, with its internal affairs, and il is a
DUTY which we owe 10 ourselves. TO protect
the integrity OF its territory, against the hos.
Tile interference OF any other power. Our
geographical position, our direct interest in
all that concerns Mexico, and our well
settled policy in regard to the North Ameri.
can continent, render this an Indispensable
duty.
Mexico has been in a state of constant
revolution, almost ever since it achieved lis
independence. One military leader after
another has usurped the government in rap
ID succession and the various constitutions
from tune TO time adopted, have been set at
naught almost as soon as they were pro-
claimed. The successive governments have
Afforded no adequate protection, either 10
Mexican citizens or foreign residents against
lawlsss violence. Heretofore a seizure of
the capital by military chieftain, has been
generally followed by at least the nominal
SUBMISSION oi the country TO his rule for
oriel period, but not so at the present crisis
OF Mexican affairs. A civil war has been
raging for some time throuc hout the republic.
between the central government al the city
| OF Mexico, which has endeavored to subyert
the constitution last framed by military pow
er, and those who maintain the authority of
that constitution, The antagonstc parties
each hold possession of different States of
lhe republic, and the fortunes of the war
CnnSlaptlv nhop,;,n NJ
most reprehenslble means have been EN-.
ployed BY both parties to extort money from
foreigners, as well as natives. TO carry on
TINS ruinous contest The truth is. that this
hhe country, blessed with productive soil
ana benign climate, has been reduced by
civil di>sension 10 a condition Of almost hone.
less anarchy and imbecility. Ii would be
vain Tor this governmental attempt to enforce
payment in money of the claims of Ameri.
can citizens, now amounting TO more than
ten millions dollars, against Mexico be.
cause she is destitute Of all pecuniary means
10 satisfy these demands.
Our late minister was furnished with am.
pie powers and instructions Tor the adjust.
ment OF all pending questions with the CEN
trail government OF Mexico and he perform.
ed his duty with zeal and abiliity. The
claims of our citizens. some of them ar;s;ny
out OF the violation of an express provision
OF the treaty OF Guadalupe Hidahyo, and 9th.
ers from gross injuries to persons as we'll "a
property, have remained unredressed and
even unoticed. circumstances against these
grievances, have been addressed without
elect 10 that government. Meantime. in
various parts of the republic, instances have
been numerous of the murder imprison.
ment, and plunder of our citizens, by differ
ent parties claiming aud exercising local
jurisdiction but the central government, al
though repeatedly urged thereto, have made
no effort either 10 punish the authors ofthese
outrages or TO prevent their recurrence. No
American citizen can now visit Mexico on
lawful business. without imminent danger
TO his person and property. There is no adj
equate protection 10 either; and in this re-
spect our treaty with that republic is almost
dead letter.
This stale of affairs was brought to crisis
in May last, ny The promulgaton OF decree
levyng contribution pro rata upon all the
republic between certain specified amounts,
whether held by Mexicans or foreigners
Mr.. Forsyth, regarding this decree in the
light of 'forced loan," formally protested
against its application to his countrymen,
and advised them not to pay the contribution,
butto suffer it TO be forcibly exacted Act.
ing upon this advice, an American citizen
refused 10 pay the contribution, and his
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