The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-12-28

This aspect OF the matter, IN my opiniens |
demanded serious attention It would have
been a great calamity for both nations had
they been precipitated into acts of hostility, |
not on the question of title TO the-island. but |
merely concerning what should be its condi- |
ton during the intervening period whilst the
two Governments might be employed In set
ting the question to which of them it belongs
For this reason 1t Gen, Scott was despatched |
on the 18th September last to Washington
Territory to take immediate command OF the
q. States forces on the Pacific coast, should he |
ieen this necessary. The main object Of his
mission was to carry out the spirit OF the pro-
DICTIONARY arrangement between the late &C.
retarT of State and the British Minister, and
thus TO preserve the peace and prevent coills-
ioa between the British and American author
tiles pending the negotiations between the
two Governments. Entertaining no doubt OF
The validity of our title, I need scarcely add
that, in any event. American citizens were to
be placed on footing at least as favorable as
that of British subjects, it being understood
that Capt Pickett's company should remain
on the island II is proper to observe that,
considering the distance from the scene of ae-
tion, ard in ignorance of what might have i
transpired on the spot before the Generals 8 ar
rival, it was necessary TO leave much to his
discretion, and am happy to state the event
has proven that this discretion could not have
been entrusted to more competent hands
Gen. Scott has recently returned from his
mission, having successfully accomplished its
objects and there is no longer any good rea,
son to apprehend a collision between the for
ces of the two countries during the pendency
of the existing negotiations.
MEXICO.
l regret to inform you that there has been
no improvement in the affairs of Mexico since
my last ANIMAL message, and am again obh-
ged to ask the earnest attention of Congress
to the unhappy condition of that Republic
The constituent Congress of Mexico which adjourned
on the 18th of February, 1851 adopted constitution
and provided for popular election This took place in
President almost without opposition. At the same
election Congress chosen whose hrs session
commenced on the the Eth Of sePtemSer ls5 fy the
on the 1st Of December s57) and continue for four
years On that day Gen Comoufot appeared before the
assembled Congress in the city Of Mexico took the oath
to support the constitution and duly inaugura
ted as President Within month afterwards he had
had been driven from the capital and military rebel
lion had assigned the supreme power of the republic to
Gen Zuloago The constitution provided that in the
absence of the President his Office should deyolye upon
the Chief Justice OF the Supreme Court and Gen Co
monfort having LETT the country, this fmctonary Gen.
Juarez proceeded to FORM at Guanaguato constitution
al government Before this was officially known how
at the capital the Government of Zuloaga had been
recognized by the entire diplomatic corps including the
ment of Mexico. The Constitutional President never
theess maintained his position with hnlness and
established with mis- cabinet at Vera Cruz Mean
while the Government Of Zuoaga earnestly resisted
in auy parts of the Republic, and even in the capital
portion Of the army having pronounced against it its
functions were declared Terminated and assembly of
citizens invited for the choice of President
This assembly elected Gen Airamon but that officer
puiated the plan under which he was chosen and Zu
loaga thus restored to his previous position He
sumed it. however, only to withdraw from it, and Mira
rnon having become. by his appointment, @Presdent
Substitute continues, with that title at the head of the
Insurgent Party.
| In my last annual message communicated to Com
gress the circumstances under which the late Minister
the United states suspended his official relations tn
the Central Government and withdrew from the count
ry. 1t was mpo sibe to maintain friendly intercourse
with Government like that at the capital under whose
usurped authority wrongs were constantly committed,
but never redressed Had this been established Gov
ernen with its power extending by the consent of the
people over the whole of Mex CO. resort to hostiies
against 1t would have been quite jnsfa5e and indeed
necessary. But the country prey to civil war; and
hoped that the of the Constitutional Pre-
dent might leai to condition of things less injurious
the Un ted States This success became so probable
that in January last employed reliable agent to visit
Mexico and report to the actual condition and pros
pecis of the conendcng parties In consequence of his
report and from Information which reached from
other sources favorable to the prospect of the consi
tut onal cause, felt u titled in appointing Minis
ter to Mexico who might embrace the earliest suitable
opportunity of ny diplomatic relations with
that Republic For thus purpose distingu shed citizen
Of Maryland was selected who proceeded on his ssion
the sth of March last with discretion ry authority
recognize the Government of President Juarez f on his
val in Mexico he should find it entitled such
cogntion, according to the established practice of the
United States, On the 7th Of April following Mr. Nc
presented his credent resident
ing no hesitat on in pronouncing the Government o
to be the only existing Government of the Re-
publ e lie was cordially received by the author ties al
Vera Cruz and they have ever since manifested the
friendly spositon towards the United States Unhap
ply, however, the Constitutional Government has NOT
been able to establish its power over the whole Republic
Its supported by large majority of the people o.
the States but there important parts of the country
where it can enforce no obedience General MiramoI
maintains himself at the CapitaI and in of the
distant provinces there military Governors who pay
little respect to the DEGREES Of either Government In
the meanume the excuses which always attend upon
civil war; especially in Mexico constantly recurring
Outrages of the worst description commi ted both
nry which has lot een red by our lSr n
Mexico during the last few Gears We have been nom
inally peace with that Republic but $50 far the in
teress of of citizens who have
itee the country merchants shipmasters in Other
capacities concerned; we might we'll have been
wr" Life has been insecure property unprotectedaad
trade impossible except at fisk of loss which prudes
cannst be expected to incur Important contracts
It Sy q G .e ess Pay
ernnaents. Peaceful American residents, occupying
their rightiu nave been suddenly expelled
force of arbitrary power Even the course OF justice
has not been safe from control and recent decree
Mamon permits the Intervention OF Government In al
suits where either party is foreigner Vessels of the
United States have been seized without law and
snlr officer who pro Sled against such seizure has beer
fined and imprisoned for dsrespee to the authorities
Military contributions have been levied in violation o.
every principle OF right ana the Aeriecn who resisted
the swess demand has had his property forcib takeI
away, and has been himself punished. From eonHic
Of authority in different parts Of the country tariff du
ss which have been paid in one place have been exact
cd over ag hin IN ano her place.
Large numbers of our citizens have been arrested
imprisoned without any form of examination any op
poltnly for Es9ring. and even when released hav
only obtained their liberty after much suffering and in
Jury and without any hops Of redress The wholesa.
sonor, well as tho seizure and murder of four scl
Americans who had taken shelter in the house of
American upon the soil of the United States was com
rnancated TO Concess at its last session. Murders of
still more atrocious character have boon committed il
very heart OF Mexico, under the authority of Mira
mons Government, during the present year. Some o
these only worthy OF barbarous age, and if the
had not been clearly proven would have seemed impos
sblen country which claims to be civilized OF thi
description the brutal massacre in April last by OF
der Of Gem Marquee, Of three American physicians VIII
upon the sick and dying both parties and without tia
I without crime hurried away speedy execu
ton Little less shocking the fate of Ormond Chase
who shot Tepic the lth of August by order
the same Mexican General not only without trial. bu
without any conjecture By his friends OF the hi
arrest He is rep esentedas young Of good chal
/ acter and intelligence who had made friend
in Tepic by the and humanity which he had dis
played several trying occasions and his death
unexpected as it was shocking to the whole community
0ho- might be eauierated but these su
Client to illus rate The wreched state Of the country
the Unprotected condition of the persons and property
our citizens in Mexico.
. In all these cases our ministers have been cor
stant aud faithful in their demands for redress
but both they aud this Government, which the,
3 have suecessiFely represented, have been who'll.
= poWeriess TO make tneir demands enectlve.-
n Their stimony in this respect, and in referenc
IT to the only remedy which, in their judgmen
L would meet the exigeney, has been both uniforr
g and emphatic Nothing but manifestation
'f the power of the Government of the Unite
% States (wrote our late minister in 1866 and {
u its purpose to punish these wrongs will avail
'e assure you that the universal belief hereis tn;
le there is nothing to be apprehended from til
r. Government of the United States, and that loc,
ie Mexican officials cannot commit these outrage
10 | unou American citizens with absolute imDunity
y f'I hope the President (wrote our present nil
,e lister in August las "will feel authorized to
le from Congress the power to enter Mexico wit
Is the military force Of the United States, at IL