The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1858-12-17

coast .wiso, from the vally Of that noble
river, nov embracing half the sovereign
States of the Union. With that Island
under the dominion of distant foreign
power, this trade, of vital Importance
to these States, is exposed to the dan
ger Of being destroyed in time OF war
and it has hitherto been subjected to
perpetual injury and annoyancein 10 time
Of peace. Our relations with Spain,
which ought to bo of the most friendly
character, must always be placed in
jeopardy, whilst the existing colonial
govern ment over the Island shalt re-
main in it's present condition.
Whilst the possession Of the Island
would be of vast Importance to the Uni.
ted States, its value to Spain is, COM
paratlvoly, unimportant. Such was the
relative situation Of the parties, when
the great Napoleon transferred Louisiana
to the United States. Jealous, as cvcr
was, of the national honor and interests
of France, no person throughout the
world, has imputed blame to HIM for ac-
cepting pecuniary equivalent for this
cession.
The publicity which has been to our
former negotiations upon this subject
and tho large appropriation which may
be required to effect the purpose. rem
der it expediont, before making an"
other attempt to renew the negotiation,
that should lay the whole subject be-
fore Congress. This is especially neces-
sary, as It may become indispensable to
success that 1should be entrusted with
the means Of making ah advance to the
Spanish govornmert Immediately after
the signing Of the treaty, without await
ing the ratification Of it by The Senate.
am encouraged to make this suggestion
by the example Of Mr.. Jefferson previ-
GUS to tho purchase of Louisiana from
France, and by that of Mr. Polk in view
Of the acquisition of territory from
Mexico. l refer the whole subject to
Congress, and commend it to their care
ful consideration.
| repeat the recommendation made
in my message Of December lOst, in ia.
vor of an appropriation ito be paid to
the Spanish government for the purr
pose of distribution among the claimants
in the Amistad caso." President Polk
first made a similar recommendation in
December, 1S47, and it was repeated by
my immediate predecessor in December,
1853. I entertain no doubt that indem
nifty is fairly due to these claimcnts un-
der our treaty with Spain Of the 9th
October, 1853; and whilst demanding
justice we ought to do justice. An ap-
preparation promptly made for this
purpose could not fail to exert favor
able influence on our negotiations with
Spain.
Our position in relation to the inde-
pendent States south of us on this con-
tinent, and especially those within the
limits of North America, is ofa peculiar
character. The northern boundary Of
Mexico is concidcnt with our own
southern boundary from ocean to ocean;
and we must necessarily feel deep in
terest in all that concerns the well-be-
ing and the fate of so near neighbor.
We have always cherished the kindest
wishes for the success of that republic,
and have induldged the hope that it
might at last, after all its trials, enjoy
peace and prosperity under FREQ and
stable government. We have never
hitherto intcrfered, directly or indirect
ly, with its internal affairs, and it is a
duty which we owe to ourselves, to pro
tect the integrity ofits territory. against
the hostile interference of any other
power. Over geographical.position, our
direct interest IN all that concerns Mex
leo, and our we'll settled policy in rc-
gard to the North American continent,
render this an indispensable duty.
Mexico has been in state Of con-
slant revolution, almost ever since it
achieved it's independence. Our militia
ry leader after another has usurped the
government in rapid succession: and
the various constitutions from time to
time adopted, have been set at naught
almost as soon as they were proclaimed.
The successive governments have atfor-
ded no adequate protection, either 10
Mexican citizens or foreign residents,
against lawless violence. Here fore, q
seizure of the capital by q military
chieftain, has been general followed by
at least the nominal submission of the
country to his rule fora brief period,
but not so at the present crisis of Mex
lean affairs. A civil war has been rag
ing for some time throughout the re-
public, between the central government
q, the city of Mexico, which has endcav
ored to subvert the constitution last
framed, by military power, and those
who maintain the authority of that
constitution. The antagonist parties
each hold possession of different States
of the republic. and the fortunes of the