New-York daily tribune., 1859-12-28

hDtb Prevailed for some time
bat region, and ~ ous danger Of collision between tue
Isruer was app .ehended. The British had large
naval force ID u vicint, and iii bat an an OF simple
utoce 70 the .dmrs on that station TO stale at ne
"lstiy ana <ereeuy forbore 10 commit any hostile aci
Dui osefn red 70 refer the hoe affair TO his GoVen
nent ana await their Instructions. ,
1bs sQect Cf the ms;ter, in my opinion, demanded
,erout attention II would have been crest calamity
Tor 9th nations had they been preoptaed into acts OF
Do iy not en the question OF title TO the Island, out
erely concerning what sboud be lie condition during
the intervening period while the two Governments
might be employed in settling the question TO which OF
them il belongs. For this reason Lleuienant-euerAi
Scott was DISPATCHED the 18th Of September last TO
Washington Territory to take immediate command OF
the Unittd States forces the Pacific should he
deem this neeessary The main object Of his mission
was 10 carry out the spirit Of the precautionary ar
rangement between the late Secretary OF State ana the
Bntsh Mniser, and thus to preserve the peace ana
prevent collision between the British and American
authorities tending the negotiations between the tTo
Governments. Entertaining doubt Of the validity
Of our title need scarcely add that, in any event,
American citizens were to be placed q footing at
least as favorable ar that OF British subjects II beng
understood that Captain Pieketts company should re-
main on the island II proper 70 obserye that, con-
sidering the distance from the scene OF action and IN
ignorance Of what might have iranspired the spot
before the Generals arrival, II was necessary 70 leave
much 10 his discretion and | an happy to state the
event has proven that this discretion could not have
been intrusied 10 more competent hands. General
Scstt has recently retured from his mission, having
successfully accomplished It's Objects and there Is no
longer any good reason TO apprehend collision be-
tween the forces Of the two countries hzng the pen
dency Of the existing negotiations.
regret 10 inform you that there has been no I'M
prOvenent in the affairs OF Mexico snce my last an-
nual message and am again Obliged to ask the earn
ett attention Of Congress 10 the unhappy condition oi
thai republic.
The Constituent Congress Of Mexico, which ad-
journed the l7th Of February, 1857, adopted con-
ititution and provided for popular election This
took place in the following July uS57 aud General
Comonfori chosen President almost withoutoppo-
fiiiOn. Al the same election new Congress was cho-
sen whose first session commenced the 10th OF Sep
temher lS57. BY the Constitution OF 1881 the presl-
Dental term was TO begin on the lst OF December
ps51 and continue for four years on that day Ten
eral Comonfort appeared before the assembled Con-
gress in the City Of Mexico, took the oath tj support
the lew Con,tiution, and was duly inangnrated AS
President Within month afterward lie had been
driven from the capital and military re6eion had
assigned the supreme power Of the Republic to Gen.
Zuloaea. The Constitution provided that IN the ao-
renee of the President his Office should devoive upon
the Chief Justice Of the Supreme Court and, General
Comonfort having left the country, this functlonay
General JuareZ proceeded TO form, at Guanaluato, a
constitutional Government. Before this officially
known, however at the capital, the Government OF
Zuloaga had been recognized by the entire diplomatic
corps, including the Minister Of the United States
ss The de locto Government Of Mexico. The con
position with firmness, and was soon estab-
ished with his Cabinet at Vera Cruz. Nean-
hile, the Government ofZuOaga was earnestly resist
ed many parts of the Republic, and even in the capt
ial portion of the army having pronounced against
it. its functions were declared terminated, aud an
assembly Of citizens was invited for the choice Of
new President. This Assembly elected Gen. Hramon
but that officer repudated the plan under hch he was
chOseD and Zuloaga thus restored 70 his previous
position. He assumed il, however, only 10 withdraw
from IT, and hIamen, having become, by bis appoint
meDt, iPresident Substitute" continues, with that
title, at the head Of the insurgent party.
In my last annual message 1 communicated to Con-
Qres the circumstances under hich the late Minister
Of the United States suspended his Official relations
with the Central Government, and withdrew fro n the
country Ii impossible MAINTAIN friendly inter-
,oune with Government, like that at the Capital,
lnder whose usuIled authority wrongs were con-
dautly committed, but never redressed Had this been
established Government with its power exit nding,
~ the consent OF the people, the whole OF hexl
%, resort to hostiities against ii would have been
ue justfable, and indeed necessary. Bat the coun-
nv was prey 10 civil war; aud 1t was hoped that the
uccest of The constitutional President might lead to
OF Oon Of things less injurious TO the ubted States
This became probable that in January last,
employ ed reliable agent to visit Mexico and report
lie actual condition and tpecis OF the contend
DO parties In consequence Of his report aud from
ufuim alton which reached NE from other sources
avoIabe 10 the prospects Of the constitutional cause
eltustift in appointing Dew minister 70 McKee,
10 might embrace the earliest suitable opportunity OF
estoring our diplomatic relations with thai Republic.
or tbs purpose distinguished citizen Of Maryland
rejected, who proeet on his mission on the 9th
uarch last with Discretionary authority TO recognize
be Government Of President Juarez, if on his arrival
Mexico lie should find it entitled to such recognt on,
coIdDg to the established practice the United States.
On The 7tb OF April f. llosing, Mr. hcLane pre-
ented his credentials to President Juarez, having no
tsitstion Sin proDouncing the Government OF Juares
TO be the only existing Government of the Repub-
lic." He was cordially resolved by the authorities
Vera Cruz and they have ever since manifested the
,ost frieldy disposition towsd the United States.
Jnbappily, however, the Constitutional Government
b. able TO establish its power over the whole
republic 1t is supported by large majority of the
eope and the States but there are important parts OIL
he country where il can enforce no obedience. Gt n
dramon maintains himself at the capital; and in some
f the distant provinces there military governors
vho pay little respect TO the DEGREES OF either govern
neDt. In the mean time, the exees6es which always
tend upon civil war, especially in Mexico, are con-
family recurring. Outrages Of the worst description
re committed both upon persons and property. There
scarcely any form Of injury which has not been suf-
cred by oUr citizens in Mexico during the last few
iears. We have been nominally at peace with that
Republic, but, Z" 60 far as the interests of our
meree OF our citizens who have visited the coun-
Try merchants, shpmasters, or in other capacities,
. are concerned, we might as well have been
= at war" Life has been insecure, property un-
protected, and trade impossible, except at risk Of
oss which prudent men cannot be expected 10 incur.
Important contracts, involving large expenditures,
entered into by the Central Government, have been
.et at defiance by the local Governments. Peaceful
American residents, occupying their rightful posses
sions, baye been suddenly expelled the country in de-
fsnee Of treaties and by the mere force Of arbitrary
power. Even the of justice has not been safe
IRON control; and recent decree Of Airamon per-
mi's the intervention Of Government in all suits where
either party is foreigner. Vessels of the United
States have been seizt without law, and consular
Chcer hO protested against such seizure has been
ned and imprisoned for dsrepect TO the authorities.
Military Contributions have been levied, in violation Of
every principle of hit, and the American who re-
sisted the awless demand has had his property forci