Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-12-16

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| instantly disappear. We would not. if we could,
acquire Cuba in any other manner. This il due to
our national character. All the territory which we
| have acquired since the origin of the government,
has been BY fair purchase from France, Spain, and
Mexico or by the free and voluntary act of the in
dependent State of Texas in blending her desinies
| with our own. This course We shall ever pursue,
unless circumstances should occur. which we do not
now anticipate. rendering departure from it clear
| law of self-preservatlon.
The Island of Cuba, from its geographical posi-
| tion, commands the mouth of the Mississippi, and
the immense and annually trade, foreign
and coastwise from the valley of that noble river.
| ion. With that Island under the dominion of a
distant foreign power, this trade, of vital impor-
being destroyed in time of war and it has hitherto
| been subjected to perpetual injury and annoyance
| in time of peace. Our relation with Spain. which
ought to be of the most friendly character must al
ways be placed in jeopardy, whilst the existing CO.
lonial government over the Island shall remain in
| its present condition.
vast Importance to the United States, its value to
| Spain is, comparatively, unimportant. Such was
the relative 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 through
cepting pecuniary equivalent for this session.
! The publicity which has been given to our
former negotiations upon this subject, and the
appropriation which may be required to effect the
purpose, render it expedient, before making an
| OlueT dtttulpl W IeutN utgOudllOu, tudt L
should lay the whole subject before Congress-
This is especially necessary, as it may become
Indispensable to success, that should be intrust
ed with the means of making an advance to the
| Spanish government Immediately after the sign
ing of the treaty, without awaiting the ratification
| of it by the Senate. / am encouraged to make
this suggestion, by the example of Mr.. Jefferson
previous to the purchase of Louisiana from France,
and by that of Mr. Polk in view of the acqusi-
- fr0r1, T rafo. tbax hnla
subject to Congress, and commend it to their care
full consideration.
Irepeat the recommendation made in my mes
sage of December last, in favor of an appropria-
ton "to be paid to the Spanish government for the
purpose of distributing among the claimants in the
Amistad case.'' President Polk first made
similar recommendation in December, 1s47, and
was repeated by my immediate predecessor in De-
cember, 1853. | entertain no doubt that indem-
nifty is fairly due to these claimants under our
treaty with Spain of the 9th October, 1895; and
whilst demanding justice we ought to do Justice
An appropriation promptly made for this purpose,
could not fail to exert a favorable influence on
our negotiations with Spain.
Our position in relation to the independent
States south of us this continent and especially
those within the limits of North America, is of a
peculiar character. The northern boundary Of
Mexico is coincident with our own southern
cessariy feel deep interest in all that concerns
the wel-being and the fate of so near a neighbor.
We have always cherished the kindest wishes for
the success of that republic, and have indulged
the hope that it might at last, after all its trials
enjoy peace and prosperity under a free and
stable government. We have never hitherto in
terfered, directly or indirectly, with its internal
affairs, and it is duty which we owe to ourselves
to protect the integrity of its territory, against
fha hostile iutprfarpnca of nthpr Our
geographical position, direct interest in, all
that concerns Mexico, and our well-settled policy
in regard to the North American continet render
this an Indispensable duty. -gs. sls=,...
Mexico has been in state of constant revolu-
ton, almost ever since it achieved its independ-
eDce One military leader after another has
usurped the government in rapid succession; and
the various constitutions from time to time adopt
ed, have been set at naught almost as soon as
they were proclaimed. The successive govern
ments have afforded adequate protection, either
to Mexican citizens or foreign residents, against
lawless violence. Heretofore, q seizure of the
capital by military chieftain, has been generally
followed by at least the nominal submission of the
country of his rule for brief PERIOD but not so at
the present crisis of Mexican affairs. civil war
has been raging for some time throughout the re-
public, between the central government at the
city of Mexico, which has endeavored to subyert
the constitution last framed, by military power,
and those who maintain the authority ofthat con-
stitution. The antagonist parties each hold pos
session of different States of the republic, and the
fortunes ofthe war are constantly changing. Mean
while, the most reprehensible means have been
employed by both parties to extOrt money from
foreigners well natives, to carry on this ruin
our contest. The truth is that this fine country,
blessed with productive soil and benign climate,
has been reduced by civil dissension to condi-
ton of almost hopeless anarchy and imbecility.-
1t wonld be vain for this government to attempt
to enforce payment in money of the claims of
American citizens, now amounting to more than
ten million dollars, against Mexico, because she
is destitute of all pecuniary means to satisfy these
demands. -t
Our late minister furnished with ample
powers and instructions for the adjustment of all
pending questions with the central government of
Mexico and he performed his duty with zeal and !
ability The claims of our citizens, some of them
arising out of the violation of express provision
of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and others !
from gross injuries to persons well as property,
have remained unredressed and even unnoticed. |
Remonstrances against these grievances, have
been addressed without effect to that government.
Meantime, in various parts of the republic, IN
stances have beed numerous of the murder, i'm
prisonment and plunder of our citizens, by differ
ent parties claiming and exercising local juris
diction; but the central government, although
peatedly 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, without i'm
minent danger to his person and property. There |
is no adequate protection to either; and in this
spect our treaty with that republic is almost dead
letter. a
This state of affairs was brought to crisis in |
May last, by the PRONUNCIATION of decree levying |
contribution pro rata upon all the capital in the
republic, between certain specified amounts, wheth
er held by Mexicans or foreigners. Mr.. Forsyth,
regarding this decree in the light of a ''forced /
loan," formally protested against its application
to his countrymen, and advised them not to pay |
the contribution, but to suffer it to be forcibly
acted Acting upon this advice, an American |
citizen refused to pay the contribution, and his
property was seized by armed men to satisfy the
amount. Not content with this, the government
proceeded still further, and issued decree banish
ing him from the country. Our minister immedi-
ately notified them that if this decree should be
carried into eaecuton he would feel it to be his
duty to adopt s.the most decided measures that
belong to the powers and obligations of the rep
resentative office" Notwithstanding this warn
ing, the banshment was enforced, and Mr.. Forsyth
promptly announced to the government the sus-
pension of the political relations of his legation
with them, until the pleasure of his own govern
ment should be ascertained.
This government did not regard the contribution
imposed by the decree of the 18th May last to be
in strictness "forced loan," and as much pro-
hibited by the 10th article of the treaty of 1896
between Great Britain and Mexico, TO the benefits
of which American citizens entitled by treaty;
vet the imposition of the contribution nforegn
ers was considered an unjust and oppressive L
measure. Besides, internal factions in other parts
of the republic were at the same time levying