The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-12-22
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
(CaneMded.)

A civil war has been raging for some
time throughout the republic, between the
central government at the city of Mexico,
which has endeavored to subvert the con-
stitution last framed by military power,
and those who maintain the authority of
that constitution. The antagonistic par
ties each hold possession of different
States of the Republic, and the fortunes
Of war are constantly changing. Mean
while, the most reprehensible means have
been employed by both parties to extort
money from foreigners, as well as natives
to carry on this ruinous contest The
truth is, that this fine country, blessed
with productive soil and benign clim-
ate, has been. reduced by civil dissension
to condition of almost hopeless anarchy
and imbecility.. 1t would be vain for this
government to attempt to enforce pay
ment in money of the claims of American
citizens, now amounting to more than ten
millions of dollars, against Mexico. be-
cause she is destitute of all pecuniary
means to satisfy these demands.
| stts-e %. E-, s..ss
Our late minister was furnished with
ample powers and instructions for the ad-
|justment of all pending questions with
the central government of Mexico, aud
he performed his duty with zeal and abil-
|ity. The claims of our citizens, some of
them arising out of the violation Of an
express provision of the treaty of Gaud-
ulupe Hidalgo, and others from gross in
juries to persons as well as property, have
remained unredressed and even unnoticed.
Remonstrances against these grievances
have been addressed without effect to that
of the republic, instances have been numer-
Gus of the murder, imprisonment and plum
der of our citizens, by different parties
claiming and exercising local jurisdic-
ton; but the central government, al
though repeatedly, urged thereto, have
thors OF these 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 40 adequate
protection to either; and in this respect
our treaty with that republic is almost a
dead letter. 5t be ~
This state of affairs was brought to 9
crisis in May last by the PRONUNCIATION O
q decree ievying a contribution pro rott
upon all the capital in the republic, be-
tween certain specified amounts, heth
er held by Mexicans OF foreigners. Mr.
Forsyth, regarding this decree in the
light of f'forced loan," formally protest
ea against its application TO hiscouatrymel
and advised them not to pay ..'55' ."5 coutri
button, but to suffer it to be lorcibIy ex
acted. O. s-A sts q 10
t Acting upon this advice, an American
refused. to pay the contribution and his
propertNwas seized by armed men to sat
|isfy the aMQuut. Not content with thi
the governmAQt proceeded still further
and issued a decree banishing him from
the country. Our minister immediate!y
notified them that if this decree shoult
I be carried into execution he would feel i
to be his duty to adopt "the most decid
ed measures that belong to the power
and obligations Of the representative of
fce." Notwithstanding this warning, tt,
} banishment was enforced, and Mr.. For
syth promptly announced to the govern
ment the suspension of the political rela
: tions of his legation with them, until tn,
!, pleasure of his own government should
be ascertained.
: This government did not regard tn,
contribution imposed by the decree o
the 18th of May last to be in strictness
"forced loan," and as such prohibited b,
the tenth article of the treaty of 1926
between Great Britain and Mexico, t,
:. the benefits of which American citizen
are entitled by treaty; yet the imposition
of the contribution upon foreigners wa
considerda p an unjust and Oppressive
measure Besides, internal factions il
other parts of the republic were at tn
same time levying similar exactions upol
the property of our citizens, and inter
, rupting their commerce. There ha,
been an entire failure on the part of ou
Minister to secure redress for the wong
which our citizens had endured, notwith
standing his persevering efforts. An
, from the temper manifested by the Mexi
! can government, he had repeatedly assur
ed us that no favorable change could b
expected until the United States shoul
"give striking evidence of their will an
power to protect their citizens" an
: that "severe Christening is the only earth
= ly remedy for our grievances" Fror
:. this statement of facts it would have bee
: worse than idle to direct Mr. Forsyth t
retrace his steps and resume diplomat
. relations with that government; and
: was, therefore, deemed proper to sanotio
), his withdrawal of the legation from tn
e city of Mexico.
n Abundant cause now undoubtedly ex
d lists for a resort to hostilities against tn
i government still holding possession Q
9 the capital. Should they succeed i
1 subduing the constitutional forces, a
a hlo hnpo will than hozo