The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-22

postal treaty ana cOmmerclal treaty, Wnicn
| latter contemplated moderate and fixed tariff;
but this being matter In which other nations
were to have an equal participation, and a thor
ough revision of the tariff requiring careful
study and much time, it was allowed to remain
in abeyance, but with a thorough understand
ing between the American Minister and the
Juarez Cabinet as to the basis of this most i'm
portant point in the negotiation.
Thus we have the outline Of a treaty as far
as agreed upon, and which could long ere this
have been signed, sealed, and delivered, be-
tween the two Governments, but for the fatal
instructions Of oar Administration TO Mr.. Nc
Lane. Though having no defined policy rela-
tive to Mexican affairs generally. the Admins
tration had one fixed point in its diplomacy,
and that was acquisition Of territory. Mr.. Nc
Lane had positive instructions to this end.
This fact is patent to everybody here. On open
ing the negotiations, he was obliged TO throw
in demand for the sale of Lower California,
| Sonora, chihuahua, and part of Coahuila
The consequence of this demand for territory
was suspicious and uncomfortable feeling on
the part of the Mexican officials, which serious
ly retarded all negotiations. They at once and
decidedly refused TO aceede to any such sale
Advices of this fact were forwarded to Wash
| ingtOn in May By Col Johnson, of the army,
who had been sent out by the Administration
| with indecent haste, to say the least, TO pass up
to the aforesaid Mexican territory, and select
sites for military posts, that the wretched and
ruinous farce now being enacted in New Mex
leo and Arizona might be extended further
down into Mexican territory. On receiving
positive advices from Mr.. McLane, by the hands
of Col. johnson, that no treaty with Mexico,
dependent on the sale of the territory above
mentioned could be made, and urgently recon-
mending withdrawal of the demand, the Ad-
ministration acceded so far as to narrow down
its ultaadt3n to the transfer of Lower California
! for consideration. Mr. McLane received these
advices, and was again obliged to write to
Washington stating that it was useless TO en-
deavor to effect treaty with Mexico, unless all
idea of purchasing territory was abandoned.
These advices were forwarded by special mes
senger July 9th, and on the 10th August the
Brooklyn returned with adviees to Mr.. McLane,
directing him to relinquish all demands for
territory, and conclude the treaty as it then
stood. But, in the mean time, important changes
had taken place in the Cabinet of Juarez.
| Lerdo de Telada, really the most important
man of all, had gone on a special mission to
the United States and Senior Fuente had be-
come Minister of Foreign Affairs in place of
! Ocampo, so that when Mr.. McLane went to
conclude negotiations, he found that new coun-
sells prevailed in the Juarez Cabinet. The
stipulations providing for the protection of the
rights of way, DC, by American forces, as well
as several other points which had been agreed
upon, were opened up anew, and thrown out, as
improper concessions on the part of the Mexi
can Government.
This is the precise point at which Mr.. Nc
Lane was obliged to leave the negotiations
Any extended comment is unnecessary. The
conduct of the Juarez Cabinet is open to the
severest censure, and while we may with Justice
accuse its members of unfairness and trihing,
we must not forget that the want of an honest,
fair and intelligent policy on the part of our
own Government lost the important treaty that
might have been made, and forfeited the conf
dence and respect Of the Mexican officials, by
which the peculiar spirit of Mexican diplomacy
was called up to retard those measures of vital
Importance to both countries
Those officials could not forget that forci-
! BILE seizure of certain Mexican States had been
recommended by President Buchanan in his
annual message, and they had good reason to
believe that members of this same Presidents
Cabinet, and attaches of various grades, were
purchasing Guaymas lots and ranches through
out the aforesaid States in anticipation, and
| figuring up the results of fat army contracts
consequent upon the distribution of several
thousand efficient beef-eaters in the shape of
! United States soldiers throughout the borders
! thereof.
| 1t is probable that the Liberal leaders in
| Vera Cruz have, ere this, found out their error,
and there is every reason to believe that the
treaty, as it now stands will yet be concluded.
! This will be the case unless unhappy changes
take place in Mexico before negotiations are
resumed. The appearance of Senior Fuente
in the Cabinet of Juarez is very bad feature.
| This new Minister of Foreign Relations is a
lawyer from Saltillo, and in politics a noderd-
! dor. The term Moderator. in Mexico, signi-
| fees traitor TO the Liberal cause. Comonfort
was Moderator, Robles is a Moderator, and
| all such characters are the curse and ruin of
the Liberal party; and it is consummate
piece of stupidity TO ever admit one of them
into its ranks. A Moderator will obtain the
confidence of the Liberal party and then sell
it to the Church party for money and power,
without the slightest hesitation or conjunction.
Nothing has actually traRspired in the Cabi-
net of Juarez to give authority for stating that
some new plan, like a compromise with the
Church party, has been entertained or adopted,
but there is good reason to believe that Fuente
was brought into the Cabinet BY the Comonfort
interest, and that this official is now working
for the Elk President. Let the case be as 1t
may, the writer does not hesitate to say that any
Moderator IN Vera Graz would sell that city
and the whole Liberal party to the blood thirsty
fanatcal faction in the city of Mexico on very
low terms. That faction was at its last gasp
and it is particularly unfortunate that the treaty
should have failed, and Mr.. McLane departed,
at this moment. The Miramon Government
will certainly take courage, and it is probable
that we shall soon hear of active preparations
being made for decided demonstration upon
Vera Cruz. If Mr.. McLane on his return finds
the Liberals in this predioament, they will be
likely to conclude almost any kind of a treaty.
Mr. McLane has evidently been in a peculiarly
trying position Shut up IN that hot district,
with i'll health, poor accommodations, and in
adequate mail facilities, he has borne up
against all kinds of discouragements with IN
yielding determination, and, IN all matters de
pending on his own Judgment and discretion,
his course has been prompt, bold, and wise
but, owing TO the hampering instructions of the
Administration, his mission has not yet come
TO a successful termination. Ii is to be hoped
that, on his return, the opportunity will be at
forded him TO accomplish all that Is desirable,
and that he viii receive the approval and sup
port from his cOuntrymen which his honesty and
patriotism deserve.
Had Senior Lerdo de Tejada,remained in Vera
Cruz there is no doubt that the treaty would
have been concluded. He is the strongest man
in Mexico. He is the author Of the laws des-
tined to overthrow the Church and its party in
Mexico and, as such, stands head and shout
ders above all others as the bold and pure
champion of Mexican freedom. This gentle
man is now in the United Statas and though
he is enlarging his ideas, and gaining much
useful knowledge he had better hurry back TO
his own country, and prepare to keep bis party
clear OF the breakers, which there is every rea-