Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-12-16

destintes with our own This course we snail
ever pursue, unless circumstances should occur,
which we do not anticipate, rendering a depart
ure from it clearly justi6able, under the imper-
alive and everything law Of self-preservatlon
The Island of Cuba, from its geographical
position commands the mouth OF the Mississippi,
and its immense and annually increasing trade,
foreign and coastwise, from the valley OF that
noble river, now embracing half the sovereign
States of the Union. With that island under
the dominion of distant foreign power, this
trade, of vital Importance to these States, is ex-
posed to the danger of being destroyed in time
Of war, and it has hitherto been subjected to
perpetual injury and annoyance in time of
peace Our relations with Spain, which onght
to be of the most friendly character, must al
ways be placed in jeopardy, whilst the existing
colonial government over the island shall re-
main in the present condition.
While the possession of the island would be
of vast Importance to the United States, its
value to Spain is, comparatively unimportant.
Such was the relative situation of the parties
when the great Napoleon transferred Louisiana
to the United States. Jealous, as he ever was,
of the national honor and interests of France,
no person throughout the world has imputed
blame to him for accepting pccuniary equiva-
lent for this cession.
The publicity which has been given to our
former negotiations upon this subject, and the
large appropriation which may be required to
effect the purpose, render it expedient, before
making another attempt to renew the negotia.
ton, that should lay the whole subject before
Congress. This is especially necessary as it may
become indispensable to success, that should
be instructed with the means of making an ad-
vance to the Spanish government Immediately
after the signing of the treaty, without await
ing Che ratification of it by the Senate. am
encouraged to make this suggestion by exmaple
of Mr.. Jefferson previous to the purchase of
Louisiana from France, and by that of Mr. Polk
! in view of the acquisition of territory from
Mexico. refer the whole subject to Congress,
and commend it to their careful consideration
repeat the recommendation made in my mes
sage of December last, in favor of an appropria-
ton ''to be paid to the Spanish government for
the purpose of distribution among the claimants
in the Amistad case" President Polk first
made similar recommendation in December,
1917, and it was repeated by my immediate
predecessor, in December, 1858. / entertained
no loubt that indemnity is fairly due these
claimants under our treaty with Spain of the
37th October, 1895 and whilst demanding JUS
tlcc we ought to do Justice. An Appropriation
promptly made for this purpose could not fail
to exHrta favorable influence on our negotiations
with Spain.
Our petition in relation to the independent
States South of us ON this continent. especially
those within the limits of North America, is of
peculiar character. The northern boundry OF
I Mexico is concidcnt with our own southern
: boundary, from ocean to ocean and we must
necessarily feel deep interest IN all that con
Germs the wel-being and the fate of so near ii
neighbor. We have always cherished the kind
est wishes for the success of that republic, aud
have INDUCED the hope that it might at last
after all its trials, enjoy peace and prosperity
under Tree and stable government. We have
never hitherto interfered, directly or indirectly
with its internal affairs, and it is a duty which
we owe to 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 indis
pensabe duty.
Mexico has been in state of constant revo
2 luton, almost ever since it achieved its indie
0 pendence. One military leader after another
has usurped the government in rapid succession
and the various constitutions from time to timt
f adopted have been set at naught almost us s)or
rs they were proclaimed. The successive gov
e ernments have afforded no adequate protection
either to Mexican citizens or foreign residents
against awlcss violence. Heretofore, a seizur
: of the capital by military chleftain has beer
e generally followed by at least the nominal sub
S mission of the country to his rule for brie
b period, but not so at the present crisis of Mexi
: can affairs A civil war has been raging fo
s some time throughout the republic, between tn
t central government at abe city of Mexico, whcl
t has endoavorcd to subvcrt tho constitution las
i framed by military power, and those VINO main
It tain the authority of that constitution. Tn
. antagonist parties each hold possession of differ
II ent states Of the republic, and the fortunes O
d war are constantly changing. Meanwhile, th'
t most reprehenslble means have been employs
d by both parties to extort money from Foreigners
It as well as natives, to carry on this ruinous Con
II test. Tho truth is, that this fine country
Y blessed with productive s)il and b,nsn eli
l. mate, has been reduced by civil discussion t,
% condition Of almost hopeless anarchy and imbe
cility. 1t would be vain for this government
10 to attempt to enforce lyment in money Of tn
Is claims OF American citizens, now amounting t.
10 more than ten million dollars, against Mckee
e because she is destitute of all pscunAry moan
: to satisfy these demands.
It Our late mister was furnished with ampl
& powers and instructions for the adjustment
Is all p,nding questions with the central govern
ID ment of Mexico, and he performed his duty wit
i zeal and ability. The clnims of our citizens
D. some of them arising out of the violation of ~
/. express provision of the treaty Of Gaudilul
4 Hidalgo, and Others from gross injuries to pr
is sons as well as property, have remained unr
rs dressed and even unnoticed Remonstranc;
h. against these grievances have b,on addr 'ss
to without effect to that government. MMntum
es in various parts of the Republic, instances hay
I'd been numerous of the murder, imprisonmeu
ne and plumber of our citizens, by different plrtl
ty claiming and exercising local Jurisdiction bl
It, the central government. although repelted
be urged thereto, have made no effort either
Te punish the authors of thesa outrages or to pr
sh vent their recurrence No Am ricln citiz
D. can now visit Mexico on lawful business witho,
II imminent danger to his person or prJp,rt
,ir There is no adequate protection to either III
mt in this respect our treaty with that Republic
is almost dead letter
n This state of affairs was bought to 4 crisis
ny May last by the promulgationuf II decroo lev
ur ing contribution pro rata upon all the capt.
r. of the republic, between certain spacf
ID. amounts, whether held by Mexiclns or foreig
en- ers. Mr.. Forsyth, regarding this decree IN Il
n light OF " forced Loan formerly protest
10 against its application to his countrymen, al
ID advised them not to pay tho contribution, b
en- to suffer it to be forcibly exacted Acting up
this advice, an American citizen fuaed to %
m the contribution. and his property was seized
nd armed men to satisfy the amount. Not c,nta
he with this, the government proceeded still f.
RI ther, and issued decree banishng him fra
nd the country. Our minister Immediately no
III fed them that if this decree should be carri
ex- into execution he would feel 1t to b, his duty
he adopt =" the most decided measures that belo
I'd. to the powers and obligations of the represent
ted tive Office" Notwithstanding this warnin
of the banishmeut was enforced, and Mr.. Forsy
uar nrnm ntly annnunc,d tn tho povarn,nant Al, -,