The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1858-12-17

against these grievances, nave Decn au-
dressed without effect to that govern
ment. Meantinie,in various parts Of the
republic, instances have been numerous
Of tho murder, imprisonment,and plum
der of our citizens, by different parties
claiming and exercising local jurisdic-
ton; but the central government, al
though repeatedly urged thereto, have
made nc effort either TO punish the au-
thors of these outrages or to prevent
their recurrence. No American citizen
con now visit Mexico on lawful business,
without immediate danger to his person
and property. 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
crisis in May last, 6y the promulgation
of docl ee lcvying contribution pro
rata upon all capital in the republic,
between certain specified amounts,
wether held by Moxicans or foreigners,
Mr.. Forsyth, regarding this decree in
the light Of forced loan" formally
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
advice, an American citizen refused to|
pay the contribution, and his property
was seized by armed men to satisfy the
amount Not content with this thcl
government proceed still further, and is
sued q decree banishing him from tn
country. Our minister Immediately
notified them that if this decree should
be carried into execution he would feel
it to he bis duty to adopt 'the most dc.
cided measures that belong to the pow,
ers and obligations ofthe representative
Office" Notwithstanding this warning,
the banishment was enforced, and Mr..
Forsyth promptly announced 70 the
government the suspension of the politr
cal relations of his legation with them,
until the pleasure of his own govern
mept should be ascertalned.
This government did not regard the
imposed by tho decree of
the 18th May last to be in strictness
"forced loan,' and as such prohibited
by the 10th article ofthe treaty of 1926 |
between Great Britain and Mexico, to
the beuefits of which American citizens
are entitled by treaty; yet tho imposi-
tion of the contribution upon foreigners
was considered an unjust and oppress-
i've measure. Besides, internal factions
in cithor parts of the republic were at
the same time levying similar exactions
upon the property Of our citizens, and
interrupting their commerce. There
had been an entire failure on the part
ofour minister, to secure redress for the
wrongs which our citizens had endured,
Notwithstanding his perseveriug efforts.
And from the temper manifested by the
Mexican government, he had repeated
ly assured us that no favorable change
could be expected, until the United
States should "givo striking evidence
of their will and power to protect thcir
citizens and that "sovere Christening is
the only earthly remedy for our griev-
ances." From this statement of facts, it
would have been worse than idle, to
direct Mr.. Forsyth to retrace his steps
and resume diplomatic relations with
that government; and it was, therefore,
deemed proper to sanction his with
drawal of tho legation from the city of
Mexico.
Abundant cause now undoubtedly ex
lists, for resort to hostilities against
tho government still holding possession
of the capital. Should they succeed in
subduing tho constitut onal, forces, all
reasonable hope will then have expired
of peaceful settlement Of our Difficult
ties.
On the other hand. should the consti.
tutional party prevail and their authori
ty be established over the republic,
thero is reason to hode that they will
be animated by less unfriendly spirit.
and may grant that redress to Ameri.
can citizens which justice requires, so
far as they may possess the means. But
for this expectation, should at oncel
have recommenLcd to Congress to grant
tho necessary power to the President, to
take possession of sufficient portion OF
the remote and unsettled territory of
Mexico, to be held in pledge until our|
injuries shall be rcdressed and our Just
demands be satisfied, We have already
exhausted every milder means of obtain
ing justice. In such case, this remedy
ofreprisals is recognized by the law of
nations, not,only as just in itself, but as
means of preventing actual war.
But there is another view of our rela-
tions with Mexico, arising from the un
happy condition of affairs along our
southwestern frontier, which demands
immediate action. In that remote re.
gion, where there are but few white
Inhabitants, large band. of hostile and
predatory Indians roam promiscuously
over the Mexican States of Chihuahua