Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-12-17

be necessary and advisable" " for the I
purpose of adjusting the differences be-
tween the United States and the repub-
lie of Paraguay, in connection with the
attack on the United States steamer Wa
ter Witch, and with other measures re-
ferred to- in his annual message. And
on the 18th July following, they made an
appropriation to defray the expenses and
compensation of a commissioner to that
republic, should the President deem it
proper to make such an appointment.
In compliance with these enactments
l have appointed commissioner, who
has proceeded to Paraguay, with full
powers and instructions to settle these
differences in an amicable and peaceful
manner, if this be practicable. His ex-
perience and discretion justify the hope
that he may prove successful in convin-
cling the Paraguayan government that it
is due both to honor and justice that they
should voluntarily and promptly make
atonement for the wrongs which they
have committed against the United States,
and indemnify our injured citizens whom
they have forcibly despoiled of their
property.
Should our commissioner prove I'M
successful, after a sincere and earnes!
effort to accomplish the object of his mis-
sion, then no alternative will remain but
the employment of force to obtain "just
f satisfaction" from Paraguay. In view of
this contingency, the Secretary of the
: Navy, under my direction, has fitted out
and dispatched naval force, to rendez-
5 vous near Buenos AyreS, which, it is be-
r lieved, will prove sufficient for the occa-
;, sion. 1t is my earnest desire, however,
e that it may not be necessary to resort to
= this last alternative.
5 Mexico has been in a state of constant
l. revolution, almost ever since it achieved
= its independence. One military leader
It after another has usurped the govern
r, ment in rapid succession, and the various
z, constitutions from time to time adopted
1t have been set at naught almost as soon as
$ they were proclaimed. The successive
governments have afforded no adequate
d protection, either to Mexican citizens OF
e foreign residents, against lawless violence
J. Heretofore, seizure of the capital by
Ie a military chieftain has been generally
n followed by at least the nominal submis.
l. sion of the country to his rule for a brie
Ie period, but not so at the present crisis o
J. Mexican affairs. A civil war has beer
1t raging for some time throughout the re
Or public, between the central government
is at the city of Mexico, which has endea
vored to subvert the constitution las
to framed by military power, and thos
b. who maintain the authority of that con
n stitution. The antagonist parties eacl
e, hold possession of different states of tn
b. republic, and the fortunes of war ar
at constantly changing. Meanwhile, tn
re most reprehensible means have been en-
ry ployed by both parties to extort none
IS, from foreigners, as we'll as natives, t
be carry on this ruinous contest. The trut
he is, that this fine country, blessed with
er productive soil and benign climate, he
it. been reduced by civil dissension 10 col
tie. dition of almost hopeless anarchy an
on imbecility. 1t would be vain for tn
to government to attempt to enforce pa,
ce, ment in money of the claims of Amer
he can citizens, now amounting to more thu
l ten million dollars, against Mexico, b
md cause she is destitute of all pecunia
on. means to satisfy these demands.
in Our late minister was furnished wi
vor ample powers and instructions for t
the adjustment of all pending questions wi
, of central government of Mexico, and
the performed his duty with zeal and abb
irst ty. The claims of our citizens, some
De- them arising out of the violation of
my express provision of the treaty of GU
Der, dalupe Hidalgo, and others from gre
en- injuries to persons as well as proper
der have remained unredressed and even |
eto- noticed. Remonstrances against tht
tice grievances have been addressed witht
ria effect TO that government. Meantin
,ose in various parts of the Republic, instan
flu have been numerous of the murder,
prisonment and plumber of our citIze
,en- by different parties claiming and ex
emf. cising local jurisdiction but the c.
S of trail government, although repeatet
rae urged thereto, have made no effort eitl
xico to punish the authors of these outra
fern or to prevent the recurrence. No Am
we lean citizen can now visit Mexico
t in lawful business without imminent dan
the to his person and property. There is