The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-12-16
WHOLE NUMBER, 557

Whilst the possession OF the Island would
be OF vast importance 10 the United States,
it's value to Spain 10, comparatively, unidl4
portsnt. Such was the relative situation Of
the parties, when the great Napoleon trans.
ferfed Louisiana TO the United States. Jsal.
GUS, At he ever was, Of the nationsl honor
and interests Of France; DO person through.
out the world has Imputed blame TO him for
accepting peCuniaty equivalent fof this
cessiOn.
The publicity which hns been given to
our former negotiations upon this subject.
and the large appropriation which may b
required to feet The purpose, render II ex-
pedient, before making another attempt to
renew the negotiation, that should lay the
whole subject before Congress. This Is es4
pecially necessary; az il may become indis-
pensable to success that I should be entrust.
ed with the means Of making an advance TO
the Spanish government, Immediately after
the signing oil the treaty, without awaiting
the ratification of by the Senate. am en-
couroged to make this suggestion, BY the exs
ample of Mr.. Jefferson previous to the pnr-
chase of Louisiana from Francei and BY that
of Mr.. Polk, in view OF the acquisition OF
territory from Mexico. refer the whole sub
ject to Congress, and commend il to their
careful consideration.
repeat the recommendation made Ia my
message Of December last, in favor of an sp.
preparation "to be paid to the Spanish gov.
ernment for the purpose of distribution
among the claimants in the Atnistad case"
President Polk first made similar recon-.
mendstion in Dece mber, l647, nnd it was re.
peuted by my immediate predecessor In De-
cember, 1853. lentertain no doubt that in.
demnity is fairly due to these claimants un-
der our treaty with Spain, of the 9Th Octo-
ber, 1895 and whilst demanding justice we
ought to do justice. An appropriation, that 10
! promptly nude, Tor this purpose could not
, tail to exert favorable influence on our ne.
gotiations with Spain.
Our position in relation TO the independent
States south of US on this continents and es"
pecially those within the limits of North
America, is Of peculiar character, The
northern boundary Of Mexico is 'coincident
with our own southern boundary from ocean
to ocean ; und we must necessarily feel u
deep interest in all that concerns the we'll
I being and tile tate OF SO near neighbor.--
We have always cherished the kindest wish-
es for the success OF that republic, and have
INDUCED the hope that it might at last, after
all its trials, enjoy peace aud prosperity un-
der tree and stable government. We have
never hitherto interfe.ed, directly or indi-
; rectiy, with its internal affairs, and it is q
, duty which we owe TO ourselves to protect
the integrity of it's territory, against the hos.
: tile interference Of any other power. Our
, geographical position, our direct interest in
all that concerns Mexico, and our well-set-
) tied policy in regard to the North American
continent, render this an Indispensable duty.
Mexico has been in state of constant re-
D voluton almost ever since 1t achieved its in-
I dependence, One military leader after ano-
e ther has usurped the government in rapid
/. succession, and the various constitutions
$ from time to time adopted have been set at
d naught almost as soon as they were proclaim.
/, ed The successive governments have al
" turded no adequate protect!onj either to Mex
e icau citiseDs Or foreign residents, against
Is law!ess violence. Heretofore, seizure oil
D. the capital by military cheftain has been
re generally followed by at least the nominal
OF submission Of the country to his rule for q
ts brief period, but not so u the present crisil
3 Of Mexican affairs. A civil war has beei
in raging for some time throughout the republic
I, between the central government at the cit
- of Mexico, which has endeavored to subver
,e the constitution last framed, by military pow
D. er, and those who maintain the authority Q
nj that cons ,ilution. The antag onist partie
ba each hold possession of different States q
ur the republic, and. the fortunes Of the war al
OF constantly changing. Meanwhile, the moi
nd reprehensible means have been employed
X both parties to extort money from foreign
rt ers, as we'll as natives, to carry Oh this ruiz
". Gus contest. The truth is that this fine cous
at try, blessed with productive soil and b.
ii ngn climate, has been reduced, BY civil di
10 sension, tu a condition of almost hopelel
EN- anarchy uDd mbeeility, 1t would be yai
e. for this government to attempt to elfoFC
payment in money OF the claims Of Amer
20. eau citizens, now amounting to more tha
H. ten millions Of dollars, against Mexico, b,
e. cause she is destitute Of all pecuniary meal
I'D to satisfy these demands.
d Our late minister was furnished with an
III Pile powers and instructions for the adius
ast ment of all pending questions with the Gel
nd tral government of Mexico, aud be perforu
ny ed his duty with zeal and ability. The CLAIM
e. of our citizans, some of them arising ont
les the violation of an express provision OF th
OF treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and othe
lid from gross Injuries to persons as well
4 a property, have remained undressed and eve
let unnoticed Reno ns,rances against thel
for grievances have been addressed, witho
list effect, to that government. Meantimes
oa, various parts OF the republic, instances ha,
ar been numerous of the murder. imprisonmeI
OF and plunder Of our citizens, by different pa
In ties claiming and exercising local jurisdi
hat ton; but the central government, aIthouS
yer repeatedly urged thereto, have. made no 9
fort either to punish the authors Of the
by outraees or TO prevent their recurrencs.
We, No American citizen can now visit Mex
lire on lawful business, without imminent ds
On. ger to his person aud property. There
OF no adequate protection to either; and in u
lis respect our treaty with that republic 10
lire most dead letter. M s,
to This state Of aFairs was brought to c
DRY sis in May last, by the promulga.ion of 4
! oil cree levying contribution pro rata upon
ase the capital in the republic, between ceftl
the specified amounts, whether held by Ne
ent cans or foreigners. Mr.. Forsyth, regardi
1ies this decree in the. light ofa "fofced loan
yer formally protested against its application
,ur, his counrymen, and advised them not 70 p
de- the contribution, but to suffer it to be. fort
the bly, exacted. Acting spoB this adsices
ser. American ci,iz en- refused 10 pay the cont
button, and bis property was seized By afl
ical ed men to satisfy the amount. Not eonte
sip with this, the government proceeded ss
Iine further, and issued decree banishing hi
LEY from the,country. Our minister inmediat