Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-11-12
From the Washington onion, Nov. 4.
The U. =. SlooOp plymouth at Tam

The Navy Department has received dis
| patches from Commander John A Dahlgreu,
commanding the United States sloop Ply
mouth, giving the particulars of the visit of
that vessel to Tampico, and of an interview
with President Juarez at Vera Cruz. The
date of the last letter is at Vera Cruz, Octo-
Der 18th.
The Plymouth reached Tampico on the Sd
of October, and Immediately communicated
| with the American Consul Franklin Chase,
| Esq. The Consul then transmitted to Com
mander Dahlgren copies of affidavits by Vic
! tor Bastien and Christian Herman Schultz,
citizens of the United States. Bastien de-
clares that "on the first day of October he
was arrested by an officer of the constitutional
army. who conducted him to the commissa-
riat, where a peremptory demand was made
upon him for the immediate payment of ST.
900, as a forced loan; that he refused to pay
it, and that the officer then escorted him by
force to the military barracks. where he was
incarcerated and remained until cOerced to
satisfy the said unjust execution" Schultz
is merchant of Tampico, who had imported
quantity of merchandise. valued at over
SIP 900, upon which he had paid, or secured
to be paid. to the local custom honse author
tiles belonging to the constitutional party,
the accruing duties. The merchandise was
destined to San Louis Potosi and Santa Bar
bara. which places are within the possession
of the central government The merchandise
appears to have been seized by the authorities
of the central government, and a demand
made upon Schultz for the payment of duties
second time to that party. This Schultz
protests against as in violation of the exist
ing treaties between the United States and
Mexico.
Commander Dabgren had an interview
with Gov. Cara, of Tampico, who assumed
the responsibility for the forced loan upon
Bastien, and that he was ready to make in-
dcmnity to him for the injury done. In reply
to inquiries. Gov. Cara said that he had
great dissemination to practice similar mo-
lestations upon citizens of the United States.
but necessity might compel him to resort to
like contributions on all merchants, in which
those of the United States would, of course,
be included. Commander Ddhlgren remon-
strated against the prOpriety of this course,
and reminded Gov. CARA that the United
States Government had fully approved of the
course of Mr.. Forsyth in resisting similar eX-
actions upon American residents at the city
of Mexico; and that a continuance of such
course would endanger the friendly relations !
between the two countries. Gov. Cara |
would bind himself to nothing further, but |
promised to write to his Government, that of
Juarez, for more particular instructions.
The case of Mr.. Shultz was then discussed. |
Gov. Cara observed that the United States |
must look to the Government of Mexico for |
the reparation Of any wrongs.
Commander Dahlgren makes the following
general remarks ubon the condition of Mex
leo: |
IL can hardly convey to the Department an
accurate idea of the wretched state to which |
affairs public and privateher [FampcOl and |
at Vera Cruz have been brought by the con-
duet of the parties that now distract the coun- |
try with civil war. Nature has lavished her |
every gift of soil and position that can be de-
sired to render the people happy and power
full; yet agriculture, commerce, and all indus
trial pursuits have been reduced to the lowest |
ebb by the feuds of the military banditti who !
wrangle for the last miserable yestigcs of |
private and public resources. There seems |
to be neither patriotism nor sense of CON-
mon decency left in these selfoOnstituted |
rulers that spring into power. plumber as far |
as their ability extends. and then make way |
for new horde of adventurers. Liberty |
there is none; it is the worst form of military |
license that now stalks rutblessly and without |
shame over the land. The time seems to be
at hand when the United States will be bound |
by every consideration OF humanity and poll |
CIV to interfere and abate an evil which must |
threaten the peace of this hemisphere. The !
leaders of Mexico are altogether |
reckless of any consequences that may ensue |
from the pursuit of plumber, and the citizens |
IF other countries are made to suffer as well |
as those of the United States"
Under date of the 10Th of October, at Vera |
Cruz, Commander Dahlgren gives the particu |
lars ofan interview with President Jaarez .rela- |
tive to the complaints of Bastien and Schultz |
lt Tampico. After detailing the case of the |
first, President Juarez declared ''that the |
practice (of levying forced loansl was impro-
per and should not be continued, and that he |
would so instruct Governor Cara by the |
next British packet. President Juarez exhi-
bited every disposition to prevent out citizens
rom being subjected to improper annoyances
and repeated his desire to sustain the best
with the United States. In re-
ply to note from Commander Dahlgren,
ur. Ocampo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs
" JuareZ, addressed him an official note I'M
Ter date of the 10th, in which he states that
With respect To forced loans exaeted from
orcgneIs, Mr.. Cara has been notified not to
make such levies in future, and to return at
,nce the sums exacted and make due indemni-
y. With respect to the case of Mr.. Schultz,
he cargo detained at Tautoyupuita, has been
ordered 10 be- released.