Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-12-11

mexico, ana nc performed MS duty with zeal and
ability. The claims Of our citizens, some of them
arising out of violation of an express provision
of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and others
from gross injustice to persons as well us proper
~, have remained unredressed and even unDo-
tced. circumstances against these grievances
have been addressed without effect to that gov
eminent. Meantime in various parts of the re-
public, instances have been numerous of tho
murder, imprisonment and plumber of our citi-
zcns, by different parties claiming and exercising
a local jurisdiction; but the central government
although repeatedly urged thereto, have made NO
effort either TO punish the authors Of these out
RACES or to prevent their recurrence. No Ameri.
can citizen can now visit Mexico on lawful bust
ness without imminent danger to his person and
properly. There Is no adequate protection to
either; and in this respect our treaty with that
republic is almost dead letter.
This state OF affair brOug hit to q crisis in Nav
last by the promugation Of decree levying
Contribution pro rata upon oil the capital In tho
republic, between certain specified amour to,
whether held by Mexicans or foreigners. Mr.
Forsyth, regarding this decree In the light OF q
forced loan" formally protested against its np-
plication TO his countrymen, and advised them
not TO pay the contribution, but to suffer it TO DO
forciby exacted. Acting upon this advice, an
American citizen refused to pay the contribution,
and his properly seized by armed men to
satisfy the amount. Not content with this, the
government proceeded still further, and issued a
Gecree banishng him from the country. Our
minister Immediately notified them that IL this
decree should be carried into execution he would
feel 1t TO be his duty to adopt "the most decided
measures that belong TO :he powers and obliga-
tons of the representative Office" Notwth-
standing this warning, the punishment was
forced, and Mr. Forsyth promptly announced to
the government the suspension of political rela-
tons of his legation with them, until the pleasure
Of his own government should be ascertained.
This government did not regard the contribu-
ton imposed by the decree Of the 18th of May
last TO be in strictness forced Loan" and as
such prohibited by the tenth article of the treaty
OF 1926 between Great Britain and Mexico, to the
benefits OF which American citizens entitled
| by treaty; yet the imposition of the contribution
upon foreigners was considered an unjust and -p-
pfessive measure. Besides, internal factions in
| other parts of the republic were at the same time
levying similar eXactions upon the property Of
our citizens. and interrupting their commerce.
| There had been an entire failure on the part of
| our minister TO secure redress for the wrongs
| which our citizens had endured, Notwithstanding
| his persevering efforts. And from the temper
| manifested by the Mexican 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 Severe chast
| ening is the only earthly remedy for our grew
| ances. 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 1t was, therefore,
| deemed proper TO sanction his withdrawal of the
| legation from the city of Mexico.
| Abundant cause now undoubtedly exists, for
| u
| holding possession of the capital. Should they
| succeed in subdung the constitutional forces, all
| reasonable hope will then have expired of peace
| full settlement of our difficulties. On the other
hand, should the constitutional party prevail, and
their authority he established over the republic,
there is reason 10 hope that they will be animated
by less unfrieDdly spirit, and may grant that
dress 10 American citizens which justice requires,
SO far us they may possess the means. But for
this expectation, should at once have recon-
mended 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 redressed and our just demands be salts
fed. We have already exhausted every milder
means OF obtaining justice. In such a case, this
remedy of reprisas is recognized by the law OF
nations, not only as just to itself, but as a means
| of preventing actual war.
But there is another view of our relations with
Mexico, arising from the unhappy condition OF
affairs along our southwestern frontier, which de-
| mandB immediate action. In that remote regiO
where there are but few white inhabitants, large
hands Of hostile and predatory Indians roam
promiscuOusiy over the Mexican states ef Chihua
= hua and Sonora and our adjoining territories. Thu
local governments of these states are perfect,
helpless, and are kept in a state of constant
J alarm by the Indians They have not the power
II they possessed the will, restrain lawless
MeXicans from ,ssing the border and commit
ting depredations on our remote settlers A state
OF anarchy and violence prevails through bout thai
distant frontier. The laws are Il dead letter, aDG
life and properly are wholly insecure. For thi,
reason the settlement of Arizona is arrested
whilst 1t is of great importance that chain of in
} habitan,s should extend all along It's southern
border, sufficient for their own protection anC
that OF the United States mail passing to anc
from California Well founded apprehension.
are now entertained, that the Indians and wander
ing Mexicans equally lawless, may break up the
important stage and postal communication recent
ly established between our Atlantic and Pacific
| possessions. This passes very near to the Mexi
can boundary, throughout the whole length Of
Arizona. can imagine no possible remedy fol
these evils and no mode of restoring law and or
der on that remote and unsettled frontier, but fol
the government OF the United States to assume
protcctorate over the northern portions OF Chi
huahua and Sonora, and TO establish military
posts within the same and this is earnestly re
commented TO Congress: This protection may
be Withdrawn, US soon as local governments shall
J be established in these Mexican States, capable
, OF performing their duties TO the United States
restraining the lhwless and preserving heace along
Inc border DO not doubt that this measure will
be viewed in friendly spirit by the governments
and people of chihuahua and Sonora as il will
prove equally efectual for the protection of theiI
citizens on that remote and lawcss frontier as fol
citizens of the United States.
And in this connection permit me to recall you.
attention TO the condition of Arizona. The popu
lation OF that territory, numbering, as is alleged
more Than ten thousand souls, are practically
without government, without laws, and without
any regular administration OF justice Murder
and other crimes are committed with mpunty
This state of things calls loudly for redress and
therefore, repeat my recommendation for the es
adjustment of territorial government ovei
Arizona
The political condition of the narrow isihmus Of
Central America through which the transit routes
pass, between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
presents subject OF deep interest to all CONNER
cial nations. IL il over these transts that large
proportion Of the trade and travel between the
European and Asiatic continents is destined 10
pass To the United States these routes are of in
calcuable importai &c, as a means # communica
ton between their Atlantic and Pacific posses
sioDs. The latter now extend throughout seven,
teen degrees of latitude on the Pacific coast EN-
hracing The impo tant state of California and the
furnishing territories OF OREGON and Washington
All commercial nations, therefore, have deep
and direct interest, that these communication
shall be rendered secure from interruption. II an
arm OF the sea, connecting the two oceans, pene.
trated through Nicaragua and Costa kica, 1t could