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

he whole subiec: before Congress. This Ii,
s especially necessary, as il may become u
to success, that should be in
ntrus!ed with the means Of making an ad, p
vance 10 the Spanish Government imme- Ia
diateIy after the signing Of the treaty, c
without awaiting The ratification OF it by I
The Senate. l am encouraged to make p
this suggestion, by the example OF Mr.. I
Jefferson previous to the purchase Of Lou Z
isiana from France, and by that Of Mr..
Polk in view of the acquisition Of territory |
from Mexico. Irefer the whole subject {
10 Congress, and commend it to their care
full consideration.
repeat the recommendation made in
my message Of December last, in favor of
an appropriation "o be paid to the Span.
ish Government for the purpose Of distri-
button among the claimants in the Amisad
case.', President Polk first made a SINH
lar recommendation in Dec, 1917, and it
was repeated by my immediate predeces-
sor in Dec, 1853 entertain no doubt
that indemnity is fairly due 10 these claim
ants, under our treaty with Spain Of the
2s.h October, l796. An appropriation
promptly made for this purpose could not
fail to exert favorable influence on our
negotiations with Spain.
Our position in relation to the iudepen-
dent States south of us on this continent;
and especially those within the limits Of
North America. is Of peculiar character.
The northern boundary, Of Mexico is
co.incident with our own southern boun.
dlry from ocean to ocean; and we
must necessarily feel deep interest
in all that concerns the we'll being and
the fate of so near neighbor. We have
always cherished the kindest wishes for
the success of that republic, and have in
dulged the hope that it might al last, after
all its trials, enjoy peace and prosperity
under free and stable government. We
) have never hitherto interlered, directly, or
! indirectly, with its internal affairs, and
t it is duty which we owe to ourselves,
to protect the integrity of its territory
/. against the hostile interference Of any 9th
h er power. Our geographical position, ouI
. direct interest in all that concerns Mexico,
n aud our well settled policy in regard to the
h North American continent render this al
}. Indispensable duty.
J. Mexico has been in State Of revolution
e almost ever since it achieved its indepen
IS dence. One military leader after another
j. has usurped the government in rapid sue
If cession and the various constitutions
e from time to time adopted, have been sci
d at naught almost as soon as proclaimed
The successive governments have afforded
n no adequate protection, either TO Mexican
= citizens or foreign residents, agains! Iaw!es
# violence. Heretofore, seizure of tht
d capital by military chieftan has been fol
n lowed by at least the nominal submission
n of the country. to his rule for brief pc
s rod, bnt not so at the present cricis o
II Mexican affairs.
t A civil war has been raging for some
:, time throughout the republic, between the
d central Government at the city of Mexico
II which has endeavored to subvert the con.
e1 stitntion last framed, by military power
r and those VINO maintain the authority oI
, that constitution. The antagonist parties
. each hold possession Of different States oi
, the republic, and the fortunes of the war
y are constantly changing. Meanwhile the
most reprehensible means have been en-.
, pIoyed by both parties TO extort money
f from foreigners, las well as natives, TO carry
on this ruinous contest. The truth is,
that this fine country, blessed with pro-
ductive soil and benign climate, has been
reduced by civil dissention to condition
of almost hopeless anarchy and imbecilily
1t would be vain for this government 10
3 attempt to enforce payment in money. oi
the claims Of American citizens, now
e amounting to more than $l0,0G0,0O0,
against Mexico, because she is destitute oI
= all pecuniary means to satisfy these de.
mands.
Our late minister was furnished with
ample powers and instructions for the ad-
f iustment of all pending questions with the
central government Of Mexico, and he
, performed his duty with zeal and ability.
, The claim Of our citizens, some of them
arising out of the violation of an express
provision of the treaty of Guadalupe,
, Hindalgo, and others from gross injuries
to persons as well as property, have re
mained unredressed and even unnotced
Remonstrances against these grievances
have been addressed without effect 10 iha
, government.
, Meantime, in various parts Of the repub
lie instances have been numerous, Of tht
> murder, Imprisonment and pIunder o' ou
citizens by different parties claiming ant
r exercising local Jurisdiction; but thu
central government, although repeatedly
J urged thereto, have made no effort eilhe
to punish the authors of these ou TRACE
or 10 prevent their recurrence. No Amer
. ican citizen can now visit Mexico on law
I full business without imminent danger Il
his person and property. There is n
r adequate protection 10 either, and in thi
respect our treaty with that republic is al
, most dead letter. This state of affair
!. was brought TO a cricis in may last, by tn
f promulgation Of decree levying conri
button pro rata upon all the capital in tn
republic, between certain specified amounts
whether held by Mexicaus or foreigners
= Mr.. Forsythe regarding this decree in III
light of "forced losn," formally protes
' ted against its application to his country
e men, and advised them not to pay til
=. contribution, but to suffer it to be forcbl,
q cxacted
!. Acting upon this advice, an American