The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-28


longer any good reason to apprebend collisSosbe-
tween the forces Of the two countries during the
PcIdency of The existing negotiations.
THE DEPLORABLK CONDITION or MEXICO.
lreeret 10 inform you that there has been no ius-
provsmeDt In the affairs Of Mexico since my last
annual message, and am again obliged TO ask the
earnest attention Of Congress TO the unhappy CON
tiiion Of that republic.
The constituent Congress of Mexico, which ad-
jourDed on the 18th Of February, 1857, adopted .
constitution and provided for popular election.
This took place in the following July Q857), and
General C0monfoIt was chosen President, almost
without opposition. AT the same election . new
Congress WAS chosen, whose first session com
metced ON the 10th of september, 1867. BY the
constitution Of 1857 the Presidential term was to
begin on the let Of December, 1857, and continue
Tor four years. On that day General Comonfort
appeared before the assembled Congress in the
e,ty Of Mexico, took the oath to support the new
constitution and was duly inaueurated as Presi-
dent. Within q month afterwards he had been
civen from the casdtal, and military rebellion had
assigned the supreme power II the republic to
Gen. Znloaga The constitution provided that in
the absence of the President his Office should de-
eolve npon the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,
and, Gen. CoDcnfort having left tie cauntsy. this
unctionafy, General JuareZ, proceeded to form, at
Gnapajuaro, a constitutional government. Before
his was officially known, however, at the capital,
the government Of Iuloaga had been recognized
by the entire diplomatic corps, including the Minis.
Ter OF the United States rs the dc JdctO govern
ment OF Mexico. The constitutional President,
nevertheless maintained his position with irnness,
and was soon established with his cabinet ut Vera
Cruz. Meanwhile, the government of Iuloaga was
earnestly resisted in many parts of the republic,
aud even in the capital, portion OF the army hav
eg pronounced against IL. its functions were de-
cal ed terminated, and an assembly Of citizens was
invited for the choice OF new President This
semby elected General Airamon, but that officer
populated The plan under which he chosen,
and Zul0aga Was thus restored to his previous po-
si'ion: He assumed it, however, only to withdraw
from it, and Miram0n having become by his ap-
pointInent "Presi lent Substitute" continues, with
That title, at the head OF the insurgent party.
In my last annual message ] communicated to
Congress the circumstances under which the late
Minister Of the United States suspended his Off
cial relations with the central government, and
withdrew from the country. Ii was impossible to
maintain friendly Intercourse with q government
ike that at the capital, under whose usurped au-
'hori'y wrongs were constantly committed but
redfessed. Had this been an established gov
eminent, with its power extending by the consent
Of the people, over the whole of Mexico. a resort
to bos'lites against would have been quite justi
liable, and, indeed necessary But the country was
a. prey to civil war; and it was hoped that the sue
cess OF the constitutional President might lead to
condition of things less injurious To the United
ctates- This success became so probable that, in
January last, | employed a reliable ageut to
visit Mexico, and report to me the actual con.
dition and prospects of the contendipg par
ues. In consequence OF his report. and from
Information which reached ms tiom other sources,
cause, felt justified in appointing new minister
10 Mexico, who might embrace the earliest suitable
opportunity OF restoring our diplomatic relations
vi that republic. For this purpose distin
euished citizen Of Maryland was selected who pro-
Gee ded on his mission on the eth of March last,
with discretionary authority to recognise the gov
eminent of President JuareZ, if on his arrival in
Mexico he should find it entitled to such recog-
nitios ding to the established practice of the
United States. On the 7th of april following, Mr..
McLane presented his credentials to President
Jualez, having no hesitation " in pronouncng the
government Of juarez to be the only existing
government of the republic He was cordially
received by the authorities at Vera Cruz. and hey
have ever since manifested the most friendly dis
| position towards the United States. Unhap-
] ply, however, the constitutional government
| has tot teen able to establish ais power over
ibc whole republic. 1t is supported by large ma
iorty of the people and the States but there are i'm
pof'aBt parts of the country where il eaforce
10 obedience. General Mramon maintains himself
at the caplal; and In Of the distant provinces
there are military governors who pay little respect
10 the DEGREES of either government. In the mean
time the excuses which always attebd upon civil
war especially in Mexico are constantly recurring
Outrages OF the worst description are committed
both upon persons and property. There is scarcely
any form Of injury which has not been suffered By
our citizens III Mexico during the last few years.
We have been Dominaiiy at peace with that repub-
lie, but $50 tar the interests of our commerce. or
OF our citizens who have visited the country as
merchants, shipmasters or in other capacities are
lite has been insecure, property unprotected, and
trade impossible except at risk of loss which pru-
dent men cannot be expected to incur. Important
contracts, involving large expenditures, entered
into by the central government, have been def
ance by the local governments Peaceful American
residents occupyln their rie htful possessions have
been suddenly expelled the country, in defiance of
treaties ard by the mere force of arbitrary power.
Even the course OF justice has not been safe from
contlo, and a recent decree of Mramon permits
ibe Intervention of government in all suits where
either party Is foreigner. Vessels Of the United
States have been seized without law, and consul
lar officer who protested against such seizure has
been fined AID imprisoned for di-respcct to the au-
Ihoities. Military contributions have been levied
in violation OF every principle of right, and the
American who resisted the lawless demand has had
his properly forciby taken away and has been him
sell baDished. From a conflict Of authority in diff
erent parts of the country tariff duties which have
been paid in one place have been exacted over
again in another place. Large numbers of our citi-
have been arrested and imprisoned with
out any form Of examination or any OPP
portunity for hearing. and even when
released have only obtained their liberty
after much suffering and injury and without anv
hope OF redress. The wholesale massacre of Crabbe
and his associates without trial in Sonora rs well
as the seizure and murder Of four sick Americans
who had taken shelter in the house of an Ameri-
can, upon the soil of the United States, was COM
municated to Congress at its last session. Murders
Of still more atrocious character have been COM
mitted in the very heart Of Mexico, under the
authority OF MiramoDs government, during the
present yenr. Some Of these were only worthy of
barbarous age, and, if they had not been clearly
proven, would have seemed impossible in q coun-
Try which claims to be civilized or this descrip-
on was the brutal massacre in April last, by order
ofGeneral Marquee, OF three American physicians,
who were seized in The b ,spital at Tacubaya while
attending upon the sick and dying of both parties,
and without uial, as without crime, were hurried
away to speedy execution. Little less shock
ing was the recent fate Of Ormond Chase, who
was shot in Topic on the 7th of August,
by order Of the same Mexican general, not
only without trial. but without any conjecture by
his friends of the cause of his arrest He is repre-
septed as youog man of good character and
intelligence, who had made numerous friends in
Topic by the courage and humanity which he had
displayed on several trying occasions, and his
death was as unexpected as it was shocking to the
whole community. Other outrages might be emu
mera'ed, but these are sufficient to illustrate the
wretched state Of the country and the unpro.
tected condition OF the persons and property Of
our citizens in Mexico.
In ali these cases our ministers have been con-
slant and faithful in their demands for redress but
hnth thew md This