Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-12-23

This aspect Of the matter, in my opinion. de-
msnded serious attention. Il would have been I
great calamity for both nations had they been pre-
cptated into acts OF hostility, not the question
of tile to the island but merely concerning what
should be its condition during the Intervening
period whilst the two Governments might be EN-.
plo5ed in settling the question to which of them II
belongs. For this reason Lieutenant General Scot
was dispatched on the 17th September last to Wash
ing Territory to take immediate command of the
United States forces on the Pacific coast should he
deem this necessary. The main object of his mis-
sion to carry out the spirit of the precautionary
arrangement between the late Secretary of State
and the British minister, and thus to preserve
the peace and prevent collision between the British
and American autho tiles pending the negotiations
between the two governments. Entertaining no
doubt of the validity of our title, need scarcely
add that In any event, American citizens were to
be placed on footing at least as favorable as that
British subjects, it being understood that Captain
Pickets company should remain on the island. II
is proper to observe thet considering the distance
from the scene of action, and in ignorance of what
might have transpired on the spot before the Gen.
erals arrival, it was necessary to leave much TO his
discretion, and am happy to state that the event
has proven that this discretion could not have been
intrusted to mere competent hards. General Scot,
has recently returned from bis mission, having sue.
cessfully accomplished its Objects and there is no
longer any good rcas IN to apprehend collision be-
tween the forces Of the two countries during the
pendency of the existing negotiations.
l regret to inform you that there has been no
improvement in the affairs of Mexico since my last
annual message, and am again obliged to ask the
earnest attention of Congress to the unhappy condi
tion Of that republic.
The constituent Congress of Mexico. which ad.
journed on the I7th of February, 1857, adopted a
constitution and provided for popular election.
This took place in the following July, 1851 and
General Commonfort was chosen President almos
without opposition. At the same election a new
Congress was chosen, whose first session COM
menced on the 10th of September, 1851 b.
the constitution CT 1857 the Presidential term was
to begin on the lst of Decemb, r, 1857, and con-
tinue for four years. On that day General Common
fort appeared before the assembled Congress in the
City oi Mexico, took the oath to support the new
constitution, and duly inaugurated as President
Within a month afterwards lie had been driven
from the capitol, and a military rebellion had as
signed the supreme power of the Republic to Gen.
Zuloaga. The constitution provided that in the al
sence of the President bis Office should devolve
upon the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and,
General -Commonfort having left the country, this
functionsry, General Juarez, proceeded to form, at
Guanajuato, constitutional government. Before
this was officially known, however. at the capital
the government of Zuloaga had been recognized
by the entire diplomatic corps, including the Min
ister of the United States, the de facto govern
ment of Mexico. The constitutional President
nevertheless, maintained his position with 6rmness
and was soon established with bis cabinet at Vera
Cruz. Meanwhile, the government of Zuloaga was
earnestly resisted in many parts OF the republic
and even in the capital, portion Of the army hav.
ing pronounced against it, its functions were de-
clared Terminated, and an assembly of citizens was
invited for the choice Of new President. This
assembly elected Gen. Niramon, but that officer
repudated the plan under which he was chosen,
and Zaloaga was thus restored to his previous po-
sition. He assumed it, however, ouly to withdraw
from it, Miramon having become, by his appoint
ment, president Substitute" continues With that
title, at the head of the insurgens party.
In my last annual message communicated to
Congress the circumstances under which the late
Minister of the United States suspended his official
relations with the central government, and withdrew
from the country 1t was impossible to maintain
friendly intercourse with government, like that at
the capital, under whose usurped authority wrongs
were constantly committee d, but never redressed.
Had this been an established government, with its
power extending by the consent of the people,
over the whole of Mexico, resort to hostilities
against it would have been quite jusable, and in
deed necessary But the country was prey to
civil war; and it hoped that the success of the
constitutional President might lead to a condition
of things less injurious to the q. States. This
cess became so probable that, in Jan. last, en-
poyed reliable agent to visit Mexico, aud report
me the actual condition and prospects of the
tending parties. In consequence of his report,
and from information which reached me from other
sources favorable to the prospects of the cOns;tu
tional cause, felt justified in appointing q new
minister TO Mexico, who might embrace the earliest
suitable opportunity OF restoring our diplomatic re-
lations with that republic. For this purpose dis
tinguished citizen of Maryland was selected, who
proceeded on his mission the 9Th of March last,
with discretionary authority to recognize the gov
rnment of President Juarez, if ou his arrival in
Mexico he should find it entitled to such recog-
milton, according to the established practice OF the
United States. On the 7th of April following. Mr..
McLane presented his credentials to President
Jnarez, having no hesitation in proUouncing the
government Of Jaarez be ''the only existing gov
ernmeht OF the Republic" He was cordially re-
ceived by the auth. rites at Vera Cruz, and they
have ever since manifested the most friendly dis
position toward the United States. Unhapply, how
ever, the constitutional goverSpent has not been
able to establish its power the whole republic.
1t is supported by large majority of the people
and the States, but there important parts OF the
country where it can enforce no obedience. Gen
eraI Miramon maintains himself at the capital; and
in some of the distant provinces there military
governors who pay little respect to the DEGREES of
either government In the meantime the excessts
which always attend upon civil war, especially IN
Mexico. are constantly recurring Ou'rases OF the
worst description committed both upon persons
and property. There is scarcely any form of injury
which has not been suffered by our citizens in
Mexico during the last few years.
We have heen noninslly at with that republic,
hut $50 far the interests Of Of cit
iztns who have visited the country merchants, ship
masters, other capacities, concerned might
well have been at war" Life has been insecure proper
ty unprotected and trade impossible except risk Of loss
which prudent men cannot be expected to incur. Impor
tant contracts involving large expenditures, eLtere into
by the central government have been set at def by
the local governments. Peaceful Ann rcan residents,
cup ing th.r rghtul possessions have been suddenly
PEELED tie country, in defiance of treaties, and by
the mere force arbitrary power Even the of
Justice has not been CONTROL
Mramon permits the nteTv ntion Of government In all
suits where either par y is a foreigner
Vessels of the United States have been seized without
law, and sYlar officer who protested against such
has been fined and imprisoned for to the
autherities Military contributions have been levied in
violation Of every principle Of right and the American who
resisted the iawes demand had his property orcby
taken away and has been himself banished From conflict
authority different parts OF the countrv, tariff duties
which have been paid in have been exacted
again in another place Large numbers OF our eitzans
have arrested and imprisoned without any form of
examination any opportunity for hearing, and
whea released have drained their liberty after
much suffering and injury and without any hnpe
of redress The wholesale of Crabbe and his
socates without trial in Sonora well the seizure and
murder of four sick Americans who had taken shrer in
the house of American upon the soil Of the United
States, communicated to Congress at its last session
Murders of a still strocious character have been
committed in the heart of Mexico under the auhor
ty of Miramons government during the present year
Some these only worthy of barbarous age and,
they had not heen clearly proven, would have seemed
impossible in country which claims to be civilized. OF
description The brutal in April last By
order Of General Marqutz OF three American physicians
who seized in the hospital at Tacubaya while attend
ing and the dying of both parties and with
ont trial, without crime, hurried away to speedy
execution. Little less shocking the recent fate of Or
mond Chase who shot in Topic the 7h Of August
by order of the Mexican general, not only without
trial without any conjecture by his friends ot the