Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-12-22

HrSl maue similar rrec0mmendatl0n Tn Deceil- Der, 1847, and it was repeated by my immediate predecessor in December, 1853. entertain no doubt that indemnity is fairly due to these claimants under our treaty with Spain Of the 27th October l795. An appropriation prompt ly made for this purpose, could not fail to exert favorable influence on our negotiations 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 coincident with our own southern boundary from ocean to ocean; and we must necessarily feel deep interest in all that concerns the well being and the fate of so near a neighbor. We have always cherished the kindest wishes for the success of that republic, and have indulged the hope that 1t might at last, after all its trials, enjoy peace and prospe- rity under free and stable government. We have never hitherto interfered directly or indl- rectly, with its internal affairs, and it is duty which we owe to ourselves. to protect the lnte- gritty of Its territory, against the hostile inter, ference of any other power Our geoSraphlcai position, our direct interest in all that concerns Mexico, and our well-setted policy in regard to the North American continent, render this an indispensable duty.
  lution, almost ever since it achieved its nde- pendence. One military leader after another has usurped the government in rapid succession; and the various constitutions from time to time adopted have been set at naught almost as soon as they were proclaimed. The successive gov ernments have afforded no adequate protection | either to Mexican citizens Or to foreign residents, against lawless violence. Heretofore, seizure | of the capital by military cheitaln, has been | generally followed by at least the nominal sub- mission of the country to his rule for brief | period, but not So at the present caiss of Mex ican affairs. civil war has been raging for some time throughout the republic, between the central government at the city of Mexico, which has endeavored to subvert the constitu- tion last framed, by military power, and those who maintain the authority of that constitu- tion.
 The antagonist parties each hold possession of different States of the republic, and the for tunes of the war are constantly chaDging.- Meanwhile, the most reprehensible means have been employed by both parties to extort money from foreigners, as well as natives, to carry on this ruinous contest. The truth is that this fine country, blessed with productive soil and a benign climate, has been reduced by civil dis sention to condition of almost hopeless anar-
 
 government to attempt to enforce payment in money of the claims of American citizens, now amounting to more than ten million dollars, 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 govern ment of Mexico, and he performed his duty with zeal and ability. The claims of our citi- zens, some of them arising out of the violation of an express provision of the treaty of Gua- dalupe Hidalgo, and others from gross injuries to persons as well as property, have remained unredressed and even unnotlced. Remonstrances against these grievances have been addressed without effect to that government. Meantime in various parts of the republic, instances have been numerous of the murder, imprisonment, and plunder of our ctlzens by different parties claiming and exercising local jurisdiction; but the central government, although repeatedly urged thereto have made no effort either tp punish the authors of these outrages or 10 pre- vent their recurrence. No American citizen can now visit Mexico on lawful business with out imminent 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.
 
 May last, by the promulgaton of decree levy ing contribution pro rata upon all the capital in the republic, between certain specified amounts whether held by Mexicans or foreign CTS. MT. Forsyth, regarding this decree in he light of a. forced loan," protested against its application to his countrymen, and advised | them not to pay the contribution, but to suffer It to be forcibly exacted. Acting upon this ad- 1 vice, an American citizen refused to pay the | contribution, and his property was seized by armed men to satisfy the amount. Not content with this, the government proceeded still fur ther and issued decree banishing him from the country. Our minise immediately notified them that if this decree should be carried into execution, he would feel it to be his duty to adopt " the most decided measure that belong to the powers and obligations of the represen- tative olfice." Notwithstanding this warning the punishment was enforced, and MT. Forsyth promptly announced to the government the suspension of the political relations of his lega- tion with them, until the pleasure of his own government should be ascertaned
 This gover ment did not regard the contri- button imposed hv the 10th May last to be m strctness a forced loan," and as such prohi- bited by the tenth article of the treaty of 1926 between Great Britain and Mexico, to the bene- fits of which American citizens are entitled by treaty; vet the imposition of the contribution upon foreigners was considered an unjust and | oppressive measure. Besides. internal factions | ln other parts of the republic were at the same | time levying similar exactons upon the proper ty of our citizens aud lnteTruptlng their com merce. There had been entire failure on the | part Of our minister 10 secure redress for the | wrongs which our citizens had endured, not | withstaI ding his perseverlng efforts. And from | the temper manifested by he M excan govern. | ment he had repeatedly assured Us that no fa- vorabe change could be expected until the | United States should "give striking evidence of their will and power to protect their cili. | zens.' and that " severe christening Is the only | earthly remedy for our grievances" From ths statement of facts, 1t would have been worse than idle, to direct MT. Forsyth to retrace his | steps, and resume diplomatic relations with that | government; and it was, therefore, deem"d pro. per to sanction his withdrawal of the legation from the city of Mexico.
 Abundant cause now undoubtedly exists. for a resort to hostities against the government | still holding possession of the capital Should | they succeed in subduing the constitutional forces, all reasonable hope will then have ex- pired of peaceful settlement of our difficult | ties.
 On the other hand should the constitutional party prevail, and their authority be establish ed over the republic, there is reason to hope that they will be animated by a less unfriendly | spirit. and may grant that redress to American citizens which justice requires, so far as they may possess the means. But for this expecta- tion, should at once have recommended 10 Congress to grant the necessary power to the President, to take possession oi asutfi icient DOT tion of the remote and unsettled territory of Mexico, to be held in pledge until our injuries shall be redressed and our just demands be sa- tisfied. We have already exhausted every | mider means of obtaining justice. In such a case this remedy of repriSals is recognised by the law of nations, not only as just in itsclf but | as means of preventing actual war
 But there is another view of our relations | with Mexc, a,ising from the unhappy coudI- | ton of affairs along southwestern frontier, | which demands immediate action. IL. that re- mote region, where there are but few white in- | habitants, large bands of hostile and predatory | Indians roam promiscuously over the Mexican | State of Chihuahua aud Sonora, and our ad- joining territories. The focal governments of | these States are perfectly helpless, and are kept | in state of constal. alarm by the indans-