Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-12-19

stonal government has not been able tn establish its
power the whole republic. II is supported by large
majority Of the people and the States but there i'm
porant parts of the country where it can enforce no ODE
dence General Mramon maintains himself at the cap
ita and IN at the distant provinces there mill
tay governors who pay little respect the DEGREES
either government In the time the which
always attend upon civil war, especially in Mexico
constantly recurring Outrages OF the worst description
committed both upon persons and property There
Is scarcely any form oi injury which has not been su
f.Ied by citizens in Mexico during the last few
years We have been nominally 1T peace with that
republic, but 80 far the interests OF commerce
Of or citiz-ns who have visited the country merchants
shpmasters, or in other capacities, concerned
might "a well have been at war Life has been inSc-
cure, property unprotected and trade impossible except
at risk OF loss which prudent cannot be expected
to incur. Important contracts, involving large expend
lures entered into by the central government have been
set ut defiance 10y the local governments Peaceful Amer
lean residents occupying their ghtful possessions have
been suddenly expelled tue country in defiance of trca
ties and hy the foce of arbitrary power Even the
course OF justice has not been sale from conro and
recent decree Of Mirmon permits the intervention of
government III all suits where either party is foreigner
Vessels Of the United States have been seized without
law, aud consular officer who protested against such
seizure has been fined and imprisoned for disrespect to
the authorities Military contributions have been levied
III violation Of every principle Of right and the American
who resisted the lawless demand has had his property
torCiby taken away. and has been himself banished
From conflict OF authority in different parts of the
try, tariff duties which have been paid in one place have
been exactsd over again in another place Large num-
bcrs of citizens have been arrested and imprisoned
without any form Of examination any opportunity for
II hearing aud even when released have only obtained
their liberty after much suffering and injury and without
any hope OF redress Tie wholesale of Cabbe
and his associates without Trial III Sonora rs well as the
seizure and murder of four sick Americans who had taken
shelter in the house OF an Anclicln upon the soil OF the
United States communicated to Congress at its last
session. Murders OF still more atocous character have
been committed in the very heart OF Mexico under the
authority OF Mamon's government, during tue present
year Some Of these only worthy OF "a baIbarous
age and if they had not been clearly proven, would have
seemed mpossb in country which claims to he civil
lied. ~ this description the brutal massacre in
April last by order OF Gen Marquee, Of three American
physicins who seized in the hospital at Iacubaya
while attending upon the sick and the dying of both par
ties, and without !ral, without crime were hurried
away to speedy execution Little less shocking the
recent fate Of Ornond Chase who shot in Topic
the eth of August by order oil the same Mexican general
not only without trial. but without any conjecture by
his friends OF the OF his arrest He is represented
~ young of good character and intelligence, who
had made friends in Topic by the courage and
humanity which hc mad displayed on several trying
sions, and his death unexpected II was shock
Ing to the whole community. Other outagcl might be
enumerated but these arc sufficient To illustrate the
wrctchcd state OF the county and the unprotected con
tou vi the persons and property Of our citizens III Mexico
In all these ministers have been constant and
faithful in their demands for redress but both they and
this Government which they have successfully represent
ed have been wholly powerrSs to make their demands
effective Their testimony in this respect and in refer
to the only remedy which, in their judgments would
meet the exgency, has been 10Th uniform and emphatic
Nothing bHt manifestation OF the power of the Gov
evnmUnt OF the United States (wrote late minister III
1856 and purpose punish these wrongs will avail
assure YOU that the universal belief here Is that there is
nothing to be appehended from the Government OF the
United States and that local Mexican oicals commit
these outrages upon American citizens with absolute m
punity" Il hope the President wrote our present
minister in August lUs wil feel authozcd to ask from
Congress the power T. enter Mexico with the military
forces OF the United States 1T the call of the constitutional
authorities in order to protect the citizens and the treaty
ghto the United States Unless such power conferred
upon him. neither the the other will be respected
in the existing state Of anarchy and disorder and the
outraecS already perperacd will never be chassed and
as assured you in my No % all these evils must in
until every vcstgr Of order and government dis
appears from the county l have been reluctantly e
the opinion, and in justice To my countymen who
have suffered wrongs FROM Mexico, aud who may still suffer
them feel bound to announce this conclusion to Con-
gress.
Tho presented, however, is not merely case OF
individual claims although just claims against Mexico
have reached very large amount. Nor Is 1t merely
the of protection the lives and property OF the few
Americans who may still remain in Mexico although the
life and property Of every American citizen ought to I've
sicrcdy protected in every quarter OF the world But
is question which relates To the future well the
present and the past and which Involves indirectly At
least the whole subject OF our duty 10 Mexico neigh
boring State The exercise Of the power OF the United
States IN that country redress the wrongs and protect
the rights of citizens is the less t. he dc
sired because efficient and necessary aid may thus be
dcre, the time peace and order to Mexico
itself In the accomplishment Of thi, result the people
of the United States necessarily feel deep aud Games,
interest Mexico ought IT, be rich and prosperous and
powerful republic. She possesses an extensive territory
fertile SOIL and an inc,culabe store OF mineral wealth
She occupies important position between the Gulf and
the for transit routes and Tor commerce. Is it pos
sle that such 4 country this be given up TO an
.rcy aud ruin without effort from any quarter for its
rescue and its safety Will the commercial nations OF
the world which have many interests connected with
It. remain wholly Indifferent Ia such result? Can the
United States especially which ought to share most
largely in its commercial intercourse, allow their i'm
mediate ncghbor thus to destroy itself and nure them
Yet without support from quarter 1t is impossible
to perceive how Mexico can her position among
nations and enter upon which promises any good
results The aid which she requires, and which the In
ercsts of all commercial require that she should
have belongs to this Government to render not only
by virtue Of our ncghhorhood To Mexico, along whose
territory we have continuous frontier Of nearly thou
md miles but by virtue also of established policy,
which is inconsistent with the Intervention ot any Euro
pean Power in the domestic Of that republic.
The wrongs which Sc have suffered from Mexico
before the world aud must deeply impress every Amer
can citizen government which is either unable or
willing to redress such wrongs deIclict 10 its highest
duties The difficulty consists III selecting and enforcing
the remedy We may i'll vain apply to the constitutional
government at Vera Cruz although it is well disposed to
do US justice, for adequate redress. Whilst its authority
i all