Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-12-15

embracing hh'i ihe sovereign siaips VI ihe
Union.
with that island under N dominion ora
distant iorcign power Ibis inde,o e,oltiihl I'm.
poftanco 20 these States, isuAposud ~ the
danger vt being destroyed in time of war.
and II has hitherto been subjected 10 Der.
petual injury and annoyance In ,ime of
peace Our relations with Spain, which
ought TO be of the most friendly character.
must always be placed ir jeopardy, whilst
the existing colonial government over the
island shall remain in It's present condi-
ton,
/ Whist tho ,,osscssion Of the Island
would bo o. vast importance to the Uni
tea Stetes, It's value to Spain is compara
lively unimportant. Such was the rela-
tive situation Of the parties when the
great Napoleon transferred 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
a pecuniary equivalent for this cession.
Tho publicity which has been given to
our former negotiations on this subject,
and tho large appropriation which may be
required to effect the purpose, render it
IeXpedient, before making another att
tempt TO renew the negotiation, that
should lay the whole subject before Con
gress. This is especially necessary, as il
may become indispensable to success,
that I,should be entrusted with the means
of making an advance to the Spanish gov
ernmont Immediately after the signing of
the treaty, without awaiting the ratilica-
! ton of it by the Senate. lam encouraged
TO make this suggestion, by the example
of Mr.. Jefferson previous to the purchase
of Louisiana from France, and that of Mr..
Polk in view of the acquisition OF territory
from Mexico. re er the whole subject
to Congress and commend it to their care
ful attention.
repeat the recommendation made in
my message of December last, in favor of
an appropriation "to be paid to the Span
ish government, for the purpose Of distri-
button among the claimants in the Amis-
tad case" President Polk made similar
recommendation in December, 1871, and
it was repeated ty my immediate prede-
cessor in December, 1853. | entertain no
doubt that indemnity is fairly due to these
claimants under our treaty with Spain of
the 9th October, 1895; and whilst de
manding justice we ought to do justice.
An appropriation promptly made Cor this
purpose, could not fail TO exert tavora-
bic influence on our negotiations with
Spain.
Our position in relation to the iudepen.
dent 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 coin
cident with our own southern boundary
from ocean to ocean and we must neces
sarily feel deep interest i'll all that con-
Germs the well being and the fate of so
near a neighbor. We have always cher
ished the kindest feelings for the success
of that republic, and have INDUCED the
hope that it might at last, after all its tri-
ais, enjoy peace and prosperity under n
free and stable government. We have ney-
or hitherto interfered directly or indirect,
ly, with its internal affairs, and it is duty
we owe to ourselves, TO protect the integ.
rity of its territory, against the hostile III
reference Of any other power. Our geo
graphical position, our direct intcrestin all
that concerns Mexico, and our well set.
tied policy in regard TO the North Ameri
can continent, render this an indispcnsa-
hle duty.
Mexico has been in q state of revolution
almost ever since it achieved its indepen-
dence. One military leader after another
has usurped the government in rapid sue
cession; and the variuos constitutions
from time 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
to Mexican citizens or foreign resi-
dents, against lawless violence.-Hereto-
fore, a seizure of the capital by military
cbieftain, has been generally followed by
at least the nominal submission of the coun-
try to his rule for a brief period, but not
so at the present crisis of Mexican affairs.
A civil war has been raging for some
time throughout the republic, which has
endeavored to subvert the constitution last
framed, by military power, and those who
maintain the authority of that constitution.
The antagonist parties hold possession of
different States of the republic, and the
fortunes of war are constantly changing.
Meanwhile, the most reprehesible means
have been employed by both parties to ex
tort money from foreigners, as well as ma
tives, to carry on this ruinous contest.
The truth is, that this fine country bles-
ed with productive soil and benign eli
mate, 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 payment
in money Of the claims of Amerinan citi-
zens, now amounting to more than ten mil
lions of dollars; against Mexico, because
she is destitute of all pecuniary means to
satisfy these demands.
Our late minister was furnished with
ample powers and instructions for the ad-
justment of all pending questions with the
central government of Mexico, and he per-
formed his duty with zeal and ability
The claims of some OF our citizens, some
of them arising out of the violation of an
express provision of the treaty of Gauda-
lupe Hidalgo, and Others from gross inju-
ries to persons as well as property, have
remained unredressed and even unnoticed
Remonstrances against these grievances,
have been addressed without effect to the