The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-12-09

] enforce payment IN money OF the Chains Oh
| American citizens, now amounting TO more
! than ten millions of dollars, against Mexico
because she is destitute OF all pecunary means
| to satisfy these demands.
| Our late Minister was furnished with ample
| powers and instructions for the adjustment of
all pending questions with the Central Govern
! ment of Mexico and he performed his duty
with zeal and ability. The claims of our citi-
zens some of them arising out of the violation
of an express provision of the treaty of Guada-
lupe Hidalgo, and others from gross injuries to
persons as well as property, have remained un-
redressed and even unnoticed. Remonstrances
against these grievances have been addressed
without effect to that Government Meantime,
in various parts of the Republic, instances have
been numerous of the murder Imprisonment,
and plumber, of our citizens, by different parties
claiming and exercising local jurisdiction /;
but the Central Government, although repeated
ly urged thereto have made no effort either to
punish the authors of these outrages or to pre-
vent their recurrence. No American citizen
can now visit Mexico on lawful business with
out imminent danger to his person and proper
ty. There is no adequate protection to either;
and in this respect our treaty with that Repub-
lie is almost dead letter.
This state of affairs was brought to a crisis in
May last, by the PRONUNCIATION of decree levy
| ing contribution pro rata upon all the capital
in the Republic, between certain specified
amounts, whether held by Mexicans or foreign
ers. 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, but to
! suffer 1t to be fOrcibly exacted. Acting upon
this advice, an American citizen refused to paw
the contribution, and his property was seized
I by armed men to satisfy the amount. Not con-
| tent with this, the Government proceeded still
| further, and issued decree banishing him
from the country. Our Minister Immediately
notified them, that if this decree should be car
ried into execution, he would feel it to be his
duty to adopt " the most decided measures that
belong to the powers and obligations of the
representative office" Notwithstanding this
warning, the Punishment was enforced, and Mr..
Forsyth promptly announced to the Govern
ment the suspension of the political relations
of his legation with them, until the pleasure of
his own Government should be ascertained.
This Government did not regard the contri-
button imposed by the decree of the 18th May
last to be in strictness forced loan," and as
such prohibited by the 10th article Of the treaty
of 1926, between Great Britain and Mexico, to
the benefits of which American citizens are en-
titled by treaty; yet the imposition of the con-
tributon upon foreigners was considered an un-
just and oppressive measure. Besides, internal
factions in other parts of the Republic were at
the same time leyying similar exactions upon
the property of our citizens, and interruptng
their commerce. There had been an entire
failure on the part of our Minister to secure re-
| dress for the wrongs which our citizens had en-
| dured, Notwithstanding his persevering efforts
And, from the temper manifested by the Next
can Government, he had repeatedly assured us
that no favorable change could be expected
until the United States should {" give striking
evidence of their will and power TO protect their
citizens" and that z severe Christening is the
only earthly remedy for our grievances" From
this statement of facts, it would have been
worse than idle to direct Mr.. Forsyth to retrace
his steps, and resume diplomatic relations with
that Government; and it was therefore deemed
| proper to sanction his withdrawal of the lega-
/ ton from the city of Mexico.
Abundant cause now undoubtedly exists for
a resort to hostilities against the Government
still holding possession of the capital. Should
they succeed in subduing the constitutional
| forces, all reasonable hope will then have ex-
pired of peaceful settlement of our Difficult
ties.
On the other hand, should the constitutional
party prevail, and their authority be established
over the Republic, there is reason to hope that
they will be animated by less unfriendly spirit
and may grant that redress to American cit-
zens which justice requires, so far as they may
possess the means. But for this expectation,
should at once have recommended to Congress
to grant the necessary power to the President
to take possession of sufficient portion of the
remote and unsettled territory of Mexico, to be
held in pledge until our INJURIES shall be re-
dressed and our Just demands be satisfied. We
have already exhausted every milder means of
obtaining Justice. In such a case, this remedy
of reprisals is recognised by the law of nations,
not only as Just in itself, but as means of pre-
venting actual war.
But there is another view of our relations
nth Mexico arising from the unhappy cond-
..~n of affairs along our southwestern frontier,
which demands immediate action. In that re-
mote region, where there are but few white in
| habtants large bands of hostile and predatory
| Indians roam promiscuously over the Mexican
States of Chihuahua and Sonora, and our ad-
joining Territories. The local Governments of
these States are perfectly helpless, and are kept
i'll state of constant alarm by the Indians.
They have not the power, if they possessed the
will, even to restrain lawless Mexcans from
passing the border and committing depredations
| on our remote settlers. A state of anarchy and
violence prevails throughout that distant from
tier. The laws are dead letter, and life and
property wholly insecure. For this reason,
the settlement of Arizona is arrested, whilst it
is of great Importance that chain of inhabit-
ants should extend all along its southern Dor
der, sufficient for their own protection, and that
of the United States mail, passing to and from
California. Wel-founded apprehensions are
now entertained that the Indians and wander
ing Mexicans equally lawless, may break up the
important stage and postal communication re-
Gently established between our Atlantic and
Pacific possessions. This passes very near to
the Mexican boundary, throughout the whole
length of Arizona. l can imagine no possible
remedy for these evils, at:d no mode of restoring
law and order on that remote and unsettled
frontier, but for the Government of the United
States to assume a temporary protectorate over
the northern portions of chihuahua and Sonora,
and to establish military posts within the same
and this l earnestly recommend to Congress.
This protection may be withdrawn as soon as
local Governments shall Be established in these
Mexican States, capable pf performing their
duties TO the United States, restraining the law
less, and preserving peace along the border.
do not doubt that this measure will be view
ed in friendly spirit by TIE Governments and
people of chihuahua and Sonora, as it will
prove equally efectua for me protection of their
citizens on that remote ana lawless frontier as
for citizens of the United States.
And, IN this connection, permit me to recall
your attention to the condition of Arizona. The
population of that Territory, numbering, as is
alleged, more than ten thousand souls, are
practically without Government, without laws,
and without any regular administration of JUS
tice. Murder and other crimes are committed
with IMMUNITY. This state IF things calls loudly
for redress I; and L there ore repeat my recon-
mendation for the establiahment of a Territorial
Government over Arizona.
Tha l.t,< al I