Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-12-10

time Of war, and IL has ever hitherto been sub
jected 10 perpatual injury aud annoyances ID
time Of peace Our relations with SPAN, which
ought to be Of the most friendly character, must
always be placed in jeopardy while the exist.
ing Colonisl Government over the island shall
remain in its present condition. -7s "a "a
while the possession of the island would be
Of vast importance 10 the United States, It's val
ue TO Spain 10 comparatively unirnportant
Such was the reistive situation OF parties when
the great Napoleon transferred Louisiana 70 the
United States Jealous, A. he ever was, OF the
national honor and interest Of France, 90 person
throughout the world has imputed blame 10 hin,
for accepting pecuniary equivalent for this
The peblicity which has been given TO our
former negotiations upon this subject, and the
large appropriations which may be required To
effect the purpose, render IL expedient before
mskiog another nttemptto renew the pegotia-
tion, that should lay the whole subject before
Congress This is especially necessary, az it
may become indispeLsa sable to success that !
should be iptrusted with the means Of making
an advance 70 the Spanish 0overnmet immedi-
ately after the signing Of the treaty, without
awaiting tbs ratification of it by the Senate. II
am encouraged TO make this suggestion by ex-
ample Of MIR. Jefferson previous 70 the purchase
Of Louisiana from France, aud by that Of Mr..
Polk, In view OF the acquisition Of ofterrtory from
aud commend 1T 70 their careful consideration
repeat the recommendation ..ade in INV
message Of December last, in favor Of an apprc-
priation "to be paid to the Spanish Govern
ment for the purpose of distribution among the
claimants 10 the Amistad case.' President
Polk first made a similar Recommendation in
December, lS4T, aud II was repeated by my
Immediate predecessor in December, 1858 /
entertain no doubt that indemnity 10 fairly due
nlatfa
Of the 9Th Of October, 1895 /; and while de.
snanding justice We ought 10 do justice. An
appropriation promptly made for this purpose,
could not fail 10 exert favorable influence or
our negotiation with Spain.
Our position in relation to the independent
States south Of US on this continent, and espe-
cially those within the limits Of North Ameri.
ca, is Of peculiar character. The northern
boundary Of Mexico is coincdent with our own
southern boundary, from ocean TO ocean aud
we must necessarily feel deep interest In all
that concerns the well.being and fate Of so near
a neighbor. We have always cherished the
kindest wishes for the success Of that republic,
and have INDUCED the hope that it might at last,
after all ITS trials, enjoy peace aud prosperity
under free aud stable government We have
never hitherto interfered, directly or indirectly.
with its internal affairs, and it Is duty which
We owe 70 ourselves to protect the integrity Of
its territory against the hostile interference of
any other power. Our geographical position
our direct interest in all that concerns Mexico,
and our well-settled policy in regard to The
North American continent render this an in.
dispensible duty.
Hexico has been in a state Of constant reyo-
luton, almost ever since it achieved its inde-
pendence. One military leader after another
has usurped tho government in rapid success
siop, and the various constitutions from time to
time adopted have been set at naught almost as
soon "a they were proclaimed. The successive
Governments have afforded no adequate protec-
ton, either to Mexican citizens or foreign resi-
dents, against lawless violence Heretofore a
seizure Of the capital by a military chieftain
has been generally followed by at least the
nominal submission of the country to his rule
for brief PERIOD but not so at the present cri.
sis of Mexican atfsira. A civil war has been
raging for some time throughout the Republic
between the Central Government at the CITY Of
Mexico, which has endeavored to subyert the
Constitution last framed by military power, aud
those who maintain the authority Of that Con-
. tuition. The antagonist parties each hold
possession Of different States Of the Republic,
and the fortunes or war are constantly chang
ing. Mean while, the most reprehensible means
have been employed BY both parties to extort
money from foreigners as we'll as natives, 10 car.
ry on this ruinous contest, The truth is, that
this fine country. blessed with productive soil
dissension to q condition Of almost hopeless an
archy and imbecility. Il would be vain for
this qovernment to attempt to enforce payment
in money Of the claims Of American citizens,
now amounting TO more than ten million dol
lars, against Mexico. because she is destitute of
all pecuniary means to satisfy these demands.
Our late minister was furnished with ample
powers and instructions for the adjustment OF all
pending questions with the Central Government
| Of Mexico, and he performed his duty with zeal
and ability. The claims Of our citizens, some OF
them arising ont Of the violation Of the express
proYision Of the treaty OF, Guadalupe Hidalgo.
and others nom gross injuries to persona as well
! as property have remained unredressed and even
unnotfced. Remonstrances against these priey
ancss have been addressed without effect Ia tha,
Government Msantime, in various parts Of the
Republic, ilstancea have been nameroas of ths
nnudsr. impriscnmeat and piander Of our citi ial
Gems, by different parties claiming and exercising
| q local jurisdiction; but the Central Government
although repeatedly urged thereto, have made nc
effort either TO punish the authors OF these ont
loan citizen can now visit Mexico on lawful bust
| ness without imminent danger to his person and
property, There 10 no adequate protection tc
either; and In this respect our treaty with tha
Republic t. slIos. z dead letter.
May last by tho promulgation Of . decree levyina
contribution pro rata upon all the capital in the
Republic, between certain specified amounts
i whether held BY Mextcaus or foreignera. Mr.
Forsyth, regarding this decree IN the light Of I
forced ioan,n formally protested against its ap
plicaticn to bis countrymen. and advised them
not to pay the contribution, but to suffer II 10 bs
forcibIy exaoted. Acting upon this advice, a.
American citizen refused topay the contribution
| and bis property was seized BY armed men to sat
isfy the amount. Not content with this, the Gov
/ erhment proceeded still further and issued de
cree bapfahing hiM from the country. Our Min
isteF immediateiy notified them that IL this de
cree should be carried Into exeention he would
feel II TO be his duty to adopt ethe most decided
measures that belong 10 the powers and ebliga
tiops Of the representative otace,p Notvithstand
/ ing this warning. the banishment was enforced
and Mr.. Forsyth promptly announced TO the Gov
srnment the suspension Of the political relations
his own Government ahould be asesrtained
This Government did not regard the eontribu
ton imposed by the decree Of the 10Th of Mas
last to be In strictnsss eforced loan,n and d,
such pfohibited BY the tenth article Of the treaty
| Of 1895 between Great Britain and Mexico 10 ths
benefits OF which American citizens are entitled
by treaty. yet the imposition Of the contributior
upon foreigners was considered an unjust and op
pressive measure Besides internal factions II
other parts Of the Hepablic were at the same
i time levying similar exactions upon the propert,
Of our citizens and inierrupting their commeree
i There had been an entire failure on the part O
our Minister TO secure redress for the wrong
(which our citizens had endured, notWishstan din,
his peEsassring efforts: and from ths temper
manifested BY the Mexican GoyeFnment, he hat
repeatedly assured us that no favorable chang,
could be expected until the United Statea shonl.
give stFiking evidence Of their will and pewe
10 protect their citizensn and that severe chas
sening Is the ealy earthly remedy for our grIey