Worcester daily spy., 1858-12-07

priSOnmCnt and plunucr OF our CluZens, ny
different parties claiming and exercising local
jurisdiction but the central government al
though reDeatedy urged thereto, have made
no effort either to punish the authors OF these
outrages or to prevent their recurrence. NO
American citizen can now visit Mexico on law
full business without imminent danger 10 MS
person and propertv. There is no adequate
protection to either; and in this respect our
treaty with that republic IS almost a dead
letter
This state of affairs was brought to a Crisis
in NAV last by the PRONUNCIATION OF decree
levvinr n contribution pro rata upon all the
canitai in the republic, between certain speci-
fed amounts, whether held by MeXicans or
fornioners. Mr. Forsyth, regarding this decree
in tle liubt of forced loan" formally pro-
tested against its application to his country
men. and advised them not to pay the contri-
hutton. but to suffer it to be fOrcibly eXacted.
Acting upon this advice an American citizen
refused to pay the contribution, and his prop
erty was seized by armed men to satisfy the
amount. Not content with this, the govern
ment proceeded still further, and issued de-
cree banishing him from the country. Our
Minister Immediately noticed them that if this
decree should be carried into execution he
would feel it to be his duty to adopt " the
most decided measures that belong to the pow
ers and obligations of the representative office"
Notwithstanding this warning, the baniShment
was enforced, and Mr.. Forsyth promptly an
nounced to the government the suspension of
the political relations of his legation withthem,
until the pleasure of his own government
should be asCcrtained.
This government did not regard the contri-
button imposed by the decree of the 18th of
NAV last to he in strictness "forced loan"
and as such prohibited by the tenth article of
the treaty of 1926 between Great Britain and
Mexico, to the benefits of which American
citizen are entitled by treaty yet the lmposl-
ton of the contribution upon foreigners was
considered an unjust and oppressive measure
Besides, interal actions in parts of the republic
were at the same time levying similar eXactions
upon the property Of our citizens, and inter
rupting their commerce. TheJe had been an
intire failue on the part of our Minister to Sc
cure redress for the wrongs which our citizens
had endured, notwithstanding his persevering
efforts And from the temper manifested by
the Mexican government, he had repeatedly
assured us that no favorable chance could be
expected until the United States should give
striking evidence of their will and power to
protect their citizens" and that "seyere chast-
ening is the only earthly remedy for our griev-
ances" From the statement of facts it would
have been worse than idle to direct Mr.. Forsyth
to retrace his steps and resume diplomatic re-
lations with that government; and 1t was,
therefore, deemed proper to sanction his with
drawal of the legation from the city of Mexico.
Abundant cause now undoubtedly exists, Tor
a resort to hostilities 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 settementOf our difficulties.
On the other hand, should the constitutional
party prevail, and their authority be estab
lished over the republic, there is reason to
hope that they will be animated by "a less un-
friendly spirit, and may grant that redress to
American citizens which justice requires, so
far as they may possess the means But for
this expectation, ] should at once have recon-
mended to Congress to grant the necessary
power to the President to take possession of
a sufficient portion of the remote and unsettled
territory of Mexico, to be held in pledge until
cur injuries shall be redressed and our just de-
mands be satisfied We have already eX
hausted every milder means Of obtaining
justice. In such a case, this remedy of repris-
ais is recognized by the law of nations, not
only as Just to itself, but as a means of pre-
venting actual war.
But there is another view of Onr relations
with Mexico, arising from the unhappy condi-
ton of affairs along our southwestern frontier,
which demands immediate action. In that re-
mote region, where there are but few white in
habitants, large bands of hostile and predatory
Indians roam prOmiscuously over the Mexican
States of Chihuahua and Sonora and our adj
Joining Territories. The local governments
of these States are perfectly helpless, and are
kept in a state of constant alarm by the In
diaus. They have not the power, if they pos
sessed the will, even to restrain lawless .MeXi-
cans from passing the border and committing
depredations on our remote settlers. A state
,e aud SyiolnOno 1,ra1roilc
that distant frontier. The laws are a dead
letter, and life and property are wholly
insecure. For this reason the settlement
of Arizona is arrested, whilst it is of
great Importance that chain Of inhabitants
should extend all along its southern border
sufficient for their own protection and that of
the United States mail passing to and from
California. Well founded apprehensons are
now entertained that the Indians, and wand
ering Mexicans equally lawless, may break up
the important stage and postal communication,
recently established between our Atlantic and
Pacific possessions. This passes very near
the Mexican boundary, throughout the whole
length of Arizona | can iWagne no possible
remedy for these evils, and no mode of restOr-
ing law and order to that remote and unsettled
frontier, but for the government Of the United
States to assume temporary prOtectorate over
the northern portions of Chihuahua and So
nora, and to establish military posts within
the same; and this is earnestly recommended
to Congress. This protection may be with
drawn, as soon as local governments shall be
established in these Mexican States capable
of performing their duties to the United
States, restraining the lawless and preserving
peace along the border.
do not doubt that this measure will be viewed in a
friendly spirit by the government and people of Chihua
hua aud Sonora as it will prove equally ehectual for the
protection oi thelr ctzeS on tntt remote anu laWless
frontier, as for citizens of the United States
And in this connection permit me to recall your atten
tion to condition of Arizona. The population of that
Territory numbering as is alleged more than ten thou
sand souls practically without government without
laws, and without regular administration Of Justice
Murder and other crimes are committed with impunity.
This state of things calls loudly for redress and there
FORE repeat my recommendation for the establishment of
The political condition of the narrowishmus of Central
America through which transit routes between the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans, presents subject of deep in
teres to all commercial nations II IS over these trass
tna large proportion o. me iraae an9 ttave5 between
TO the United States these routes are OF ncalculabe inn
pOrance as means of communication between their At
iantc and Pacific possessions. The latter extend
throughout seventeen degrees of latitude on the Pacific
the dourishng Territories Oregon and Washington.
All commercial nations therefore have deep and direct
interest that these communications shall be rendered Sc
from interruption. If an arm Of the sea, connecting
the two oceans penetrated ihIoug Nlcargga anu Costa
Rea, cOnld not be pretended tat these states would
have the right to arrest reard its navigation to the in
ury other nations. The transit by land over this mar
row sthmus occupies nearly the same posu0n II Is
highway In which they themselves have little interest,
hcn compared with the vast Interests of the rest of the
world Whilst their rights Of sovereignty ought to be
speced is the duty of other nations to require that this
important passage shall not be interrupted by the civil
and revolutionary outbreaks which have so fire.
1uenty occurred IN that region The stake too impor
be left at the rival companies claiming
to hold eonaictng contracts with Nicaragua The com
Of other nations is not to stand still and await the
adjustment Of such petty controversies The government
of the United states expect no more than this and they
could derive any advantage from the Nicaragua transit
not common to the rest of the world Its neutrality and
protection for the common use of all nations is their
only object They have objection that Nicaragua shall