The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-16
OUR MEXICAN AND CENTRAL AMERICAN RELA

IJONS.
The public mind is kept in constant excitement
by false and foolish reports, and crude, absurd specu'
lations, wantonly put forth in the public press, IN re-
gard TO affairs in the central portions of the continent.
A Geographic report, wholly nnfounded and disproyed,
is heralded one day, and the next day or two is
made the text for a long article upon the policy of
the government, pretending to give at once its mo
tives and the secrets of its conduct.
For example, a short time since, Lord Malmesbury
assured Mr.. Dallas that no arrangements had been
entered into for sending o combined French and Eng
lish fleet with a view to attempt to ~subjngate Next
co. This assurance was true, though it is assumed,
by our American sensation paragraphists, to be false
In consequences of subsequent events. Measures
have been taken by the Spanish, and the French and
English governments for sending to Mexico, not
sleets from home, but some Of the vessels OF then
West India squadrons, toredress grievances of which
they complained. The Spanish vessels have already
gone back from Vera Cruz, and there is in the city a
letter from the French admiral saying, he had de-
sired ere this to leave Vera Cruz, and should have
left, had not the threatened approach OF Miramon
rendered it proper he should remain there in order
to be ready to afford protection to French citizens.
There is not the least reason TO believe from any
thing yet transpired that either the Frenci. or British
governments mediate any interference in the politi-
cal concerns of Mexico and it is known that Captain
Turner, the American commanding officer has en-
tered into an arrangement with the French and
British commanding officers, that the naval officers
of the three nations shall land together, should it
be necessary to afford protection to their respective
citizens. SO much for the " fleets
Again, to read the crude speculations in some Of
onr papers one might believe that our government
took the ground that the Monroe doctrine precluded
any European nation from going to war with Mexico
whatever cause might exist. Our government con-
tends for no such absurd principle. 1t maintains
and n,cans to take care, that the Spanish American
States shat not be again reduced to European domi-
nation. But l. does not maintain that those States
may commit just such wrongs as they please against
European powers withous being responsible to those
powers for their tortious acts. The views Of our gov.
ernment on this point are stated In a letter from Gen.
Cass to Mr.. Dodge, dated October 81, 1855, and pub
lished in the congressional documents by order of
the House of Representatives. In that letter Mr.,
Dodge is authorized to assure the Spanish govern
ment that, With respect to the canses of war be
tweeo Spain and Mexico, the United States have no
concern, ana do not undertake to Judge them. Nor
do they claim to inierpose in any hostilities which
may take place. Their policy of observation and
Interference is limited to the permanent subjugation
of any portion of the territory of Mexico, or any
other American State by any European power what
ever" This is the whole doctrine of our govern
ment-this is the head and front of our Monroe doc
trine. In response TO the declaration Of General
Cass, the Spanish minister assured Mr.. Dodge that
mis- government had not the remotes idea of attempt
ing TO resubjugate Mexico that all Il sought was
the redress of the injuries, of which it complained,
and the result has proved that they acted with
good faith for it's war vessels have returned to