True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-12-15

on upon foreigners was considered an
MUST and oppressive measure. Besides, s
Internal factions in other parts Of The re- +
'ublic were al lhe same time levying SINH t
ar exactions upon the property Of our {
itizens, and interrupling their commerce.
There had been an entire failure on the
part of our midistel 10 secure redress for
he wrongs which our citizens had endured,
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 10 protect their citizens" and that
''severe chastening is the only earthly |
remedy for out grievances. From this
statement Of facts, it would have been worse
than idle TO direct MIR. Forsyth to retrace
his steps and resume diplomatic relations
with that government and ii was, there
fore, deemed proper 10 sanction his with
drawal of the legation from the city of
Mexico. ...a.-
Abundant cause now undoubtedly exists
for resort 10 hostililies against the gov
ernment still holding possession of the
capital Should they succeed in subduing
the constitutional forces, all reasonable
hope will then have expired of peaceful
settlement of our difficulties.
On the other hand, should the consttu.
tional party prevail, and their authority be
established over the republic, there is rea-
son to hope that they will be animated
by less unfrieudly spirit, and may grant
that redress to American citizens which
justice requires, so far as they may possess
the means.
! But for this expectation, should at once
have recommended 10 Congress 10 grant
: the necessary power to the President te
take possession of sufficient portion oi
, the remote and unsettled territory of Mex
leo, to be held in pledge until our Injuries
shall be redressed and our just demands
be satisfied. We have already exhausted
7 every milder means of obtaining justice
. In such case, this remedy of reprlsis il
r recognized by the law Of nations, not only
as just in ITSELF but as means OF prevent
e ing actual war.
n But there is another view Of our relation
with Mexico, arising from the unhapp.
!, condition of affairs along our southwestern
l. frontier, which demand immediate action
r In that remote region, where there are bu
). few white inhabitants, large bands of hos
s tile and predatory Indians roam promlscu
{ ously over the Mexican States of Chihua
: hua and Sonora, and our adjoining Terf
d tories. The local governments of the s
n States are perfectly helpless, and are KEEP
s in state of constant alarm by the Indians
e They have not the power, if they posses
l. sed the will, even TO restrain lawles
n Mexicans from passing the borders an
}. committing depredaIlons on our remot
VI settlers.
A state of anarchy and violence prevail
e throughout that distant frontier. The law
e are dead letter, and life and property ar
/, wholly insecure. For this reason tn
: settlement of Arizona is arrested, while
:, is of great importance that chain o
f inhabitants should extend all along it
$ southern border, sufficient for their owl
{ protection and that of the United State
r mail passing to and from California. Wei
Q founded apprehensions are now entertained
. that the Indians and wandering Mexican
, equally lawless, may break up the impor
7 tant stage and postal communication re
Gently established between our Atlantic
and Pacific possessions. This passes very
l near 10 the Mexican boundary, throughou
! the whole length of Arizona.
l can imagine no possible remedy 70
} these evils, and no mode of restoring Law
t and order on that remote and unsettled
' frontier, but for the Government of tn
, United States to assume temporary pro
f tectorate over the northern portions G
: Chihuahua and Sonora, and to establis
military posts within the same-and thi
! | earnestly recommend to Congress. Thi
: protection may be withdrawn as soon
? local governments shall BIZ established i
e these Mexican States, capable Of perform
ing their duties to the United States, re
, strainIng the lawless and preserving peac
8 along the border.
., ! do not doubt that this measure will b
) viewed in a friendly spirit by the govern
e, ments and people of Chihuahua and Sonc
!. ra, as it will prove equally effeclual for III
, protection of their citizens on that remot
t and lawless frontier, as for the citizens
the United States.
/. And, in this connection, permit me
g recall your attention to the condition {
r Arazonia. The population of that Teri
d tory, numbering, as is alleged, more tina
e len thousand souls, are practically witho'
y a government, without laws and withoI
n any regular administration of JUSTICE
IS Murder and other crimes are committe
/. with impunity. This state of things ca
: loudly for redress; and therefore repe
% my recommendation for the establishmeI
70 of Territorial government over Arazoni
is The political condition of the mario
|. isthmus of Central America through Whit
rs transit routes run, between the Atlant
e and Pacific Oceans presents subject
i deep interest 10 all commercial nations.
e is over these transits that large portic
s, of the trade and travel between the Eur
s. pean and Asiatc continents is destined
Ie pass. 70 the United States these rout
!, are of incaculable importance, as a meat
= of communication between their Asiai
le and Pacific possessions. The latter no
y extends throughout the seventeen degre
Of latitude on the Pacific coast, embracir
n -. - important State of California, and ii