The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-12-16
SOED SERIES. VOL. 10, NO. 30
rERNS $3.50 in Advanced

I of different States of the republic, and the
fortuneg of war are constantly changing.
Meanwhile, the most reprehen.ible means
have been employed by both parties to extort
money from foreigners, as well as natives, to
carry on this runous contest. The truth is,
that this fine country, blessed with a produc-
tive soil and benign climate, has been re-
duced by civil. dissension to a condition OF
almost hopeless anarchy and irnbecility. Ii
would be vain for this government to attempt
| to enforce payment in money Of the claims OF
American citizens, now amounting to more
then ten million dollars against Mexico, be-
cause she is destitute of all pecuniary means
to satisfy these demands.
Our late minister was furnished with nm-
| pie powers and instructions for the adjustment
! of ell 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 out of the VIOLA
tion of an express provision Of the treaty OF
Guadalupe Hidalg,o, and others from gross in
iuries to ersons as well as property, have re-
maiued unredressed and even unnoticed.-
Remonstrances against these grievances have
been addressed without effect to that govern
inent Meantime, in various parts of the re-
public; instances have been numerous of the
murder. imprisonment and pluder Of our citi-
zens, by different parties claiming and exerci.
sing q local jurisdiction but the central
government. althouyh repeatedly urged there
to, have made no effort either 10 punish the
authors of these outrages or to prevent their
recurrence. No American citizen can now
visit Mexico on lawful business without inn
minent danger to his person and property
There is no adequate protection TO either; and
in this respect our treaty with that republic
is almost dead letter. @#
L., og Fr,s 1rc.r .r~htt tn a nj
in May last by the PRONUNCIATION of a decree
levying q contribution pro rota upon all the
capital in the republic, between certain sps-
cited amount whether held by Mexicaus or
foreigners Mr.. Forsyth regarding this de-
cree in the light of a .forced lean," formally
protested AGAINST its application TO his coun-
trymen, and advised them not to pay the con-
tribution but to suffer il to be forcibly exacted.
Acting upon this advice, an American citizen
refused to pay the contribution, and his pro-
perty was seized by armed men to satisfy the
amount Not content with this, the govern
ment proceeded still further, and issued q de-
cree banishirg him from the country. Our
Minister Immediately notified them that if
| this decree should be carried into execution,
lie would feel it to be his duty to adopt "tho
most decided measures that belong to the pow
ers and obligations of the representative
office" Notwithstanding, this warming, the
banishment was enforced, and MIR. Forsyth
promptly announced to the government the
suspen sion of the political relations of his le-
CATION with them, until the pleasure of his own
government should be aseertained. s
This government did not regard the con-
tribution imposed by the decree Of the 18th OF
May last 10 be in strictness l'forced loan,
and as such prohibited bv the tenth article or
the treaty of 1925 between Great Britain and
/ ~ hap of ,rbt A
citizens are entitled by treaty; yet the inn
position of the contribution upon foreigners
was considered an unju and oppressive nea-
sure resides internal factions in other parts
of the republic were at the same time levy
ing similar exactions upon the property OF
our citizens and interrupting their commerce.
There had been an entire failure on the part
of our minister to secure redress for tho
wrongs which our citizens had endured, not
withstanding his presevering 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 oftheir win and power to protect
their citizens, and that severe chastisemeut
is the only earthly remedy Tor ourgrievances."
From this statement of facts it would have
been worse than idle TO direct Mr.. Forsyth to
re trace his steps and resume diplomatic re.
latiuus with that government; and 1t was,
therefore deemed proper to sanction his with
drawal of the legation from the city of Mexico.
Abundant cause now undoubtedly exists, for
a resort to hostilities against the government
still holding possession ofthe capital. Should
they succeed in subduing the constitutional
forces, all reasonable hope will then have ex
pired of peaceful settlement of our difhcul.
ties. Ea
On the other hand, should the constitutions
al party prevail, and their authority be estab-
lshed over the republic, theiris reason to hope
that they wiibs animated by less unfriend.
ly spirit and may grant that redress to Amer
ican citizens which justice requires. as far as
they may possess the means. But for this ex-
pecta,ion should at once have recommended
to Congress to grant the necessary power to
the President, to take possession OF sutflciens
portion of the remote and unsettled territory
of Mexico, to be held in pledge until cur in
iuries shall be redressed and our just demands
be satisfied. We have already exhausted
every milder means of obtaining justice: In
such case, this remedy of reprsals is reeog-
nj ised by the law of nations, not only as just
to itself, bat as a means OF preventing actual
war. f@A%s se
But there is another view OF our relation
with Mexico, arising from the unhappy con-
dition of sffairs along our southwestern from
tier. which demands immediate, action In
that remote region, where there are but few
white inhabitants, large bands of hostile and
predatory indians roam promiscuously over
the Mexican States of Chihuahua and Sonora
and our adjoining territories. The local gov
ernments of these States are perfectly help.
less aud are kept in q state of constant alarm
by the Indians. They have not the power, il
they possessed the will, even 70 restrain lay
less Mexicans from passing the border and
committing depreiaticns on our remote Eset-
Tiers A state OF anarchy and violence pre-
walls throughout that distant frontier. The
laws are u dead letter, and life and property
are wholly insecure. For this reason tho
settlement of arizona is arrested, whilst it 10
OF grea importance that Chain of intabi-
tants should exteul eli along its southern bor-
der, sufficient for their own protection andthst
of the United States mail passing to and from
California. Well foun,ied apprehensons are
now entertained, that the Indians, and wan
derlng Nexicaas, aluasly lawless, may break
up the important stage and postal communi-
cation recently established between our At
lantic and Pacific possessions. This passes
varv npar 10 she Mex lean houndSry throagh.