Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-12-10

the isl,nd shall remain in its present condi
ton.
Whilst the possession of the island wou'
be OF vast Importance Of the United States, it
value to SPAN is, comparatively, unimportant
Such was the relative situation ct the part,es
when the Great Napoleon transferred Louisi
ana to tie United States. Jealous, as he eve,
YEAS, of the national honor and interests o
France, no person t roughout the world has
imputed blame TO him, Tor accepting pecu-
mary equivalent for this cession.
the lu0iic;ty which has been given to gu,
former negt t:ations upon This subjsct,and the
large appropr alton which may be required tc
eli ct the purpose, render it expedent before
mixing another attempt to renew the nepoti.
alton. that should .ay the whole subject be-
tore Congress. This IL especially nece. sary,
as it may become indispensab to success,
| that l should be lntrusted with the means o,
making ar advance TO the Spauis govern IN ent
lmmedIate!y after the signing OF the treaty,
without awaiting the ratification of it by the
Senate. am encouraged to make this sug
gestion by example OF Mr.. Jefferson previous
10 the purchase Of Louisiana from France. and
and by thar Of Mr.. Polk i'll view of the acoui-
$ ton OF territory from Mexico. l refer the
whole subject to Congress, and commend it
to their careful consideration.
repeat the teeommen dat ion made in nv
message of December last, in favor OF an an.
preparation 40 be pad to the Spanish govern
mt Tor the purpose of distribution among
| the Claimants III the Amistad case Presi
dent Polk first ade similar recommenda.
ton in December, 1917, ard 1t was repeated
~ my immediate pi.d tces or i'll Dee III Der.
1888. entertain no doubt that indemnity is
fatty due to these claimants under our treaty
with Span Of the 9th October, 1875, and
whilst demand ne justice We ought to do JUS
tee. An appropriation promptly made for
this purpose, could not tai to exert a tavora-
bic influence ON our negotiations with Spain
Our position III relation TO the independ ent
States South OF II, on thi. continent. and es
peeaiy those wi hin the limits of North
America, 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 ali that concerns the wel-beinp
and the fate OF so near neighber We have
always cherished the kiDdest wishes for the
success of that repu bic, and have INDUCED
the hope that 1t might at last, after all its tri-
ais, enj ~ peace and prosperity under a free
and stable government. We lave never hith
eric in,ertered, directly or IN directly with its
internal affairs, and It is duty which we owe
to ourselves, to protect the integrity of its ter
ritory, against the hostile inter erencc of any
othtr power. Our geographical position, our
direct Interest in all that concerns Mexi %. and
our well settled policy in regard to the North
Amer ican continent, render tn is an indispen-
SADIE duty.
Mexico has been in state of constant rev.
oiuliou a most ever since 1t achivedifs indie
pendence. One military leader after ano,h.
81 has usurped the government in rand suc.
cession, and TIE various const buttons from
time to time adopted have been set at naught
almos, as soon as they were proclaimed, The
successive governments have atf5rted no AIDE
quate protection, either TO Mexican Citizens
or foreign residents, against lawles violence.
heretofore, SEIZURE OF the capital by mil.
itaiy chlettain las been generally followed by
at least the nominal SUBMISSION OF the coun.
try to his rule tor brief period, but not an
at the present crisis OF Mexican affairs.
evil war has been raging for some time
throughout tie republic, between the central
government and the city of Mexico, which,
has erdeavored TO subvert the constitution
last framed by military power, ard those no
MAINTAIN the authority of that constitution.
The antagohistic parties each hold possession
of different States of the republic, ana the
fortunes OF war are constantly changing.
Meanwhile, the most reprehensible means
have been employed by both parties to extort
money from foreigners, as we'll as natives, to
carry on this ruinous contest. The truth is |
that tins fine country, blessed with a produc.
tive SOIL and benign climate, has been re.
denced by civil dissension to a condition of
almost hopeless anarchy and imhecility. l, |
would De VAIN tor tins government to attempt
to enforce payment In money of the claims OF |
Amer can citizens, now amounting to more |
thar, ynD y,lt fcit.re "
cause she Is destitute OF all pecuniary means |
to satisfy these demands.
Our late munster was furnished with
amp!e powers and instructions for the adjust
aeEt OF all pending questions with the CEN |
raj government Of Mexico, and claims or our
cltizAns, >oiue OF them arising out of the VIC. !
latl0n OF an express provision of the treaty |
OF Guadalupe Hldalgo, and others from gross ,
INJURIES 10 persons as well as property, have
remained unrt dressed and even unnoticed. |
circumstances against these grievances have
oeen addressed without effect to that govern. |
ment. Near time, in various parts OF the re.
public, instances Lave been numerous of the |
murder, imprisonment and plunder of our
citizens, bT different parties laiming and ex. |
relsns ioca risd ction but the central |
= Vernmen', although repeatedly urged there,
10, tsNe n ade no Ell rt either to punish the
NNt'''A' va tHNSV phliiSEs VI 10 prevent their
recurrence. NJ American CITIZEN can now
visit Mexico on lawful business without emil
nent danger to his person and property. There
is no adequate protection 10 either: and in
this 'espec' our treaty with that repu bl C is
almost dead letter.
This state of affairs was brought to crisis in
May last, by the promu CATION of a decree
levying contribution pro rata upon all the
capital IN the repu bic between certain sncitied
amounts; whether held by Mexicans or for
eigners. MIR. Forsyth, Regarding this decree
in the light nf a "forced loan," formally pro.
tested against ITS application to h 5 country
men, and ADVISED them not to pay the coptri.
button, but to suffer it to be torcibly exacted.
Acting upon this advice, an American citizen
refused to pay the contr button, and his prop.
erty was seized by armed men to satisfy the
amount. Net content with this, the govern.
ment proceeded still further. and issued a de-
cree hanIshing him from the country. Our
M nister immediately notified them that il
this decree should be carried into execution he |
would ieei 1t to be his duty to adopt "the IN ost
decide m-asu'es that belong TO the powers
and onl,sat'ons OF the representative Office"
Notwi'hs tarding this warning, the ban,sb
ment was enforced and Mr.. Forsyth prompts
y announcei 10 the government the susnen.
o. I ne polit relations of HIS legation with
them, until the pleasure of his own govern. |
ment should be ascertain, d.
Tins government did not regard the con. |
tribulons imposed by the decree of the 10th |
Of May last, to be in s'rictness "forced loan
and as such prohibited by the tenth article of |
the treaty OF 1926 between Great Britain and |
NICK co, to the benefits OF which American
Citizens are entitled by treaty yet the impo
sItlon ct the contribution upou FOREIGNER.
was considered ali unjust and oppressive
Besides, internal factions in o,he
parts OF the republic we've at the same tin,