The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-12-15

for the purpose Of distribution among
The claimants in the Amistad case" Pres.
lent Polk first made similar recommends
lion in December, l847. and it was repeated
by my immediate predecessor in December,
1855. entertain no doubt that indemnity
is fairly due to these claimants under our
treaty with Spain Of the eth October, 1885,
and whilst demanding justice We ought to-
do justice. An appropriation promptly ma,le
Tor that purpose. could not fail to exert a ia
voratle influence on our negotiations with
Spain.
Our position in relation TO the independent
States south Of Us on this continent, and es-
pecialy those within the limits Of North
America. is Of a peculiar character. The
northern boundary OF Mexico is coincident
with our own southern boundary from ocean
to ocean; and we must necessarily feel deep
interest in all that concerns the well being
and the fate Of so near aneighbor. We have
always cherished the klndest wishes for the
success 81 that republic. and have INDUCED
the hope that il might at last. after nil its tri.
ais, enjoy peace and prosperity under free
and stable government. We have never hi
therto ateriered. directly Or indirectly, with
its internal affairs, and il is duty which we
owe to ourselves, TO protect the integrity Of
its territory against the hostile interference
Of any other pnwer. Our geographical posi-.
ton, our direct interest in all that concerns
Mexico, and our well-setted policy in re.
gard to the North American continent, rem
der this an indispensable duty,
Mexico has been in state ol constant reyo.
luton. almost ever since itachiesed is .nde.
peodence. One military leader after another
has usurpe the government IN rapid success
sion and the various constitutions frpm time
to time adopted, have been sci at naught al
most as soon as they were proclaimed. The
successive governments have afforded no ale-
qlste protection, either to Mexican citizens
or foreign residents, against lawless violence,
Heretofore, 4 seizure Of the capital BY mill.
tary chieftain, has been generally followed
BY at least the nominal submission Of the
country 10 his rule for brief period, but not
80 at the present crisis of Mexican Affairs.
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 subyert the constitution last
framed. by military pnwer. and those who
maintain the authority Of that constitution.
The antagonist parties each hold possession
of different States Of the republic, and tie
fortunes uf the war are constantly changing
Meanwhile, The most reprelensible means
have been emposr,l BY both parties 10 estart
money from Foreigners, a. well a natives, TO
carry on this rninons contest. The truth is.
that this fine country. blessed with q prodnc.
live soil and benign climate, has been e.
dused by civil dis,entInn to condition Of
almost hopeless anarchy and imbecility. II
would be vain for this government 70 attempt
. enforce payment in mnney Of the claims
Of American citizens, now amounting 70 more
than ten million doiars. against Mexico, be-
cause she j. destitute d all pecuniary means
u satisfy these demands.
Dur late minister was furnished with an.
pie powers and instructions for tie adjust
ment Of all pending questions with the cen.
trail government ol Mexico. and lie performed
his duts With zeal and ability The claims
Of our citizens, some Of them arising out 81 the
yinlatinn II an express provision u the treaty
N Guadalupe HiIaigo, and others fron gfoss
injuries 10 persons a. well as property, have
remained unredressed and even unnptlced.
RESPONSIVENESS against these grievances,
have been addressed without effect to that
gusernment. Meanwhile. ~ various parts oi
the repnblic, instances have been numerous
II the murder, imprisonment, and plun,er d
or citizens. BY different parties claiming
aud exercising ! local jurisdiction but tie
central government. although repeatedly urg-
Ell thereto. have made no effort ether u
punish the authors II these untrages Or %
prevent their recurrence. No American cit.
zen can npw visit Mexico On lawful business,
without imminent danger t. bis person anil
property. There i 10 adequate protection
ii either AMI IL tins respect nur treaty with
that republic i almost dead letter.
Tins state u affair. was brought toa ctisis
IL MAY la.t. By The PRONUNCIATION u decree
ls,sing contribution pIo rata npun Al lhe
capital ii thr republic. betarcn CERTAIN spe.
CITED amounts, whether hrii ~ Meaean.
or foreigners. Mr. FORSYTH, lrganilng this
decree n Tie ligl., pf I fureed lon" e..
mallg protested again.i II application y H.
.ruuifynsn. asd advised sIirm NJ n pas the
Contribution. bit II spArf i y be larelbly
exacled. Actug ~ II ihis adslce, a. amsrl.
can citizen refused 10 pay Tie contribution.
and III property vas seized ~ armed men
10 satisfy tie smognl. MOI content With tbs,
The government proceeded still further. and
ISSUED decree hahi.bing him lrnm Tie enun.
tfy. Or minister Immediately notified tbeln
that II this decree should b. carried INTO er.
eeu,ipn, he would fee il 10 be bis duty q
adopt che most decided measures that BE-.
long u The pDwers aud Obligations Of tie III.
preventative Office Notwithstanding this
warning. Tie bani.hment was enforced, all
Mr. F0fsyih promptly announced % tie ~.
yefnmen, the suspension 81 the political rsld.
ttons u his legation with them. Until The
pleasure u his osn government should be
aseertsinch.
TIis government did not regard lie con.
tributipn imposed BY the decree nf The 18th
May last 10 be 10 sitictness forced loan. Z
and ~ such prohibited BY The 10th article
81 Tie treaty u 1876 between Great Britain
and MeHiep. 10 Tie benefit. u which Amer.