Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-12-09

u R' r,r manner This IS due to our national
81, o. All the territory which we have
i'-'1 .;pre the origin of the Government
nv fair purchase, from France, Spain
r. ,t.rr,o or by the free and voluntary act
81. ~" "IrIopendent State of Texas, in blending
ii,.,irirs with our own. This course we
.,sr nursue. unless circumstances should
.. nbirh we do not now anticipate, render
'" fapartnre clearly justigable, under the
.,rite and overruling law Of selfpreserva-
NJ, Island Of Cuba from its geographical
..,n commands the mouth of the Missss-
.od is immence and annually increasing
foreign and coastwise, from the valley
.t,t noble river, now embracing half the
I'm States of the Union With that Is
n1drr the dominion of distant foreign
~, this trade, of vital Importance to these
',,s i exposed to the danger of being des-
-f IN time of war, and il has hitherto been
..red to perpetual injury and annoyance
.ra # peace Our relations with Spain
.5 op,ht to be of the most friendly charac
must always be placed in jeopardy, whilst
.a,i,ting BOlonial Government over the Is
"A .ball remain in its present condition.
Whilst the vOSseSsiOn of the island would be
,r,, ibportance to the United States its val
=. spain is, comparatively, unimportant-
~, was the relative situation of the parties
,.sr thc great Napoleon transferred Louisiana
,5e nlted States Jealous, as he ever was,
.,ba national honor and interests Of France,
=, rsrson throughout the world has imputed
.ne to him, for accepting pecuniary equiv
n, for this cession.
The publicity which has been given to our
.-ner negotiations upon this subject, and the
-ra appropriation which may be required to
he. the purpose, render it eXpedient, before
-,sng another attempt at negotiation, that |
.r,d Law the whole subject before Congress
This IS especially necessary, as it may become
.l,reasable to success that | should be in
-r,ted with the means of making an advance
the Spanish Goqernment Immediately after
he signing Of the treaty, without awaiting the
aafaton of it by the Senate. | am encour-
,,sI to make this suggestion by example of
NrJeferson, previous to the purchase of Lou
lana from France, and by that of Mr. Polk
n view of the acquisition of Territory from
Mexico, | refer the whole subject to Congress,
ana commend it to their careful consideration.
Trepeat the recommendation made in my
Message Of December last, in favor Of an ap-
rrnriation to be paid to the Spanish Gov.
tr the purpose of distribution among the
l'nants in the Amistad case" President
pix first made q similar recommendation in
December, lS47, and it was repeated by my
mediate predecessor in December, 1858. |
entertain no doubt that indemnity is fairly due
% these claimants under our treaty with Spain
Of the 9th October, 1885; and whilst de-
naqiing Justice, We ought to do justice An
appropriation promptly made for this purpose
could not fail to exert a favorable influence on
cut negotiations with Spain.
OUR RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.
Our position in relation to the Independent
States south of us on this Continent, and
specially those within the limits of North
America, is of peculiar character The north
--n boundary of Mexico is coincident with our
,ga southern boundary from ocean to ocean
lad We have necessarily deep interest in all
.at concerns the weIl-being and the fate of SC
.,ar a neighbor. We have always cherished
the kindest wishes for the success Of that re
public. and have indulged the hope that il
night at last, after all its trials enjoy peace and
rosncrity under a free and stable Government
We have never hitherto intcrfered, directly ol
odirectv, with its internal affairs, and it is a
l1tv which we owe to ourselves to protect the
integrity of its territory, against the hostile in
erereuce Of any other power. Our gcographica
OS.ti0n, our direct interest in all that concern:
Mexico. and our well-scttled policy in rcgarC
% the North American Continent, render th
IN indispensable duty.
Mexico has been in state Of constant re
5uton almost ever since it achieved its inde
eudencc. One military leader after another
asu,urped the Government in rapid succession
md the various Constitutions from time to time
iopted have been set at nought almost as Soor
S they we're proclaimed. The successive Gov
rnments have afforded no adequate protection
ither to Mexican citizens or foreign residents
gainst lawless violence Heretofore. sci
lre of the capital by military chieftain has
zen generally followed by at least the nomina
aomissiOn of the country to his rule for Il brie
Uiod, but not SO at the present crisis o
Mexican affairs A civil war has been raging
rsome time throughout the Republic, betweel
he Central Government at the city Of Mexico
which has cndeavored to Subyert the Consti
ution last framed by military power, and those
8AO maintain the authority of that Constitu
ton The antagonist parties each hold pos
session Of different States of the Republic, anC
The fortunes of war are constantly changing
Meanwhile the most reprehensblc means have
been employed by both parties toeXtort none.
from foreigners as well as natives, to carry Of
dis ruiuous contest. The truth is, that thi
fine country, blessed with a productive soil ant
benign climate, has been reduced by civil dis
'er>jon to a condition of almost hopeless
anarchy and imbecijty 1t would be i'll vail
Tor the Government to attempt to enforce pay
nent in money of the claims of American cit
izenS, now amounting to more than ten million
dollars, against Mexico, because she is deSti
''te Of all pecuniary means to satisfy these de
lauds.
Our late Minister was furnished with ampl
powers and Instructions for the adjustment o