The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-01-19
WASHINGTON, D. G.
REMARKS OF HON. [. F. S. FOSTER,


OF CONNECTICUT,
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES,
JANUARY 4, 1860,
On that portion of the Presidents Message phieh
relates to The subject Of AericO.
Mr.. HARLAN having concluded his speech,
Mr.. FOSTER obtained the floor.
Mr.. SLIDELL asked if he would give way for
a motion to go into Executive session.
Mr.. FOSTER replied, that he should occupy
but short time, but would give way if there
was any pressing necessity for an Executive
session.
Mr.. SLIDELL said there was nothing pressing,
and he would renew the motion after the Sen
ator had finished his remarks.
Mr.. FOSTER. The question before the
Senate, Mr.. President, is the motion of the
honorable Senator from Indiana Mr.. BRIGHT
10 print the annual message Of the President
OF the United States, with the accompanying
documents The debate which has arisen upon
that question has been confined to a single
topic-Slavery. 1t is a topic, unfortunately,
not new In this chamber or in this country, and
the agitation of it, as it has been termed, is
usually charged to the Republican party, some
times the Abolition party. l shall by no means
be surprised if that claim shall be urged on
the present occasion. The Senate, however,
will bear witness that this topic is introduced
in the message of the President, not claimed to
be and not being member of that party. The
debate which has arisen, IN which that topic
was introduced, came from the other side OF
the chamber, and was introduced by an honor
able Senator not a member of that party. For
4
sicn on that topic. ! have a few remarks to
make upon another subject treated in the mes
sage of the President, different altogether from
that topic, to which l shall eonfine the OBJ.
servatioDs propose 10 make. That subject is
the subject of Mexico, as treated in the com
munication of the Executive. The President
informs u, on the eighth page Of his message
as printed in the pamphlet, as to our neighbor
ing Republic of Mexico as follows:
al regret inform you that there has been improve
meni IN the affairs Of Mexico since my last annual message
and am again obliged TO ask the attention Con
Rress to the unhappy condition OF That Republic"
He then goes on to state what has occurred
within the past two years, so far as the organ
5zstion of the Government of Mexico is con.
cerned, stating the time when and the circum.
stances following the election Of General Co
nonfort as President; that within q month
after his election, in 1857, his Government was
overturned by military rebellion, and he lef
the country; that General Zuloaga was placed
at the head of the iusurgent military Govern
ment of that Republic; that, by virtue of 6
provision in the Constitution of that Republic
IN the absence Of the President, the Chief JUS
tice Of the Supreme Court took his place; thai
General Juarez, then occupying the position o.
Chief Justice OF the Supreme Court, became
under that provision of the Constitution, tho
President Of the Republic; that he, however
not being in possession Of the capital, and Gen
eral ZulOaga being in possession, was recog
missed by the representatives Of foreign Govern
sments, including our own, as being, de tactO
the head of the Government Of that Republic
that, after a time, General Zuloagas Govern
ment getting involved in a difficulty, new
election to the Office Of President was holden
at which election General Miramon was elected
President. He, however, not cognising the va
Hdity of the proceedings by which he was de
cared elected, declined acting and that left Cen
eral Zuloaga still Presidento OF the Republic. Zu-
lOaga. however, declined TO olfciate longer, and
transferred his authority to &iramon, as 8 Presi-
dent substitute" and he still acts as " head Of
the insurgemt party The President SAYS
further, that General Juarez, claiming to be
the constitutional President, has his Government
at Vera Cruz, and with him, as the constitu
tional head Of the Mexican Government, our
Executive has had negotiations, has sent e
him Minister, but that the Government c
General Juarez has not the power to carry intC
effect any treaty made by his Government, 70
being In possession Of the capital; the country
is still torn by factions, General Juarez being
~ Vera Cruz, having possession OF the coat
General MiramOn maintaining himself at tbS
capital, and many OF the distant provinces o
the Republic, under military Governors, pa,
Il. =
ment; that life liberty, and property, through
out the Republic, have very little protection
that American citizens within the Republic
who, according TO the provisions of treaties be
tween that Government and this, are entitled t
full protection, have frequently been despoileC
of everything, even life itself; in a word, tina
the grossest outrages have been committed on
our citizens in Mexico, contrary TO the provis
ions of treaties, and In violation Of all law anC
the rights of common humanity; that
Peaceful American residents, occupying their rightfu
possessions have been suddenly expelled the country
defiance treaties 10y the force OF arbitrary power
Large numbers al our citizens have been arrcste
and imprisoned without any form OF examination, any oi
portnity Tor hearrig and oven Wien released have OIL
obtained heir liberty acr much suffering and injury,
without any hope Of redress"
Many other grievances are narrated; SOM
%anton and cold-blooded murders have beer
committed in Mexico, of all which the Presi
he quotes from communication from the Min
ister of the United States at Mexico, written IL
August last, in which he said:
hope the President viii authorized 10 ask ask iron
Congress the power 10 enter Mexico with the military
of the United States at tie cali Of tic constitutional athor
tiles order protect the ana the treaty rights
the United states Unless such power upo
him neither the one Ia r the other VII be rsrectj in u,
existing state Of anarchy and disorder and The outrage
already perpetraed viii be chastised and as as
sured yon in my No 3 all these evils must increase INT
of urip 1cart
country"
The President then adds:
II have been reluctantly led the same opinion and
justice 10 my countfymen vino have suffered wrongs oI
Mexico and who may stu! suffer them, feel bound to
nounce this conclusion to Congress"
After speaking of the private claims whic
our citizens have against Mexico, the Presiden
says:
as to the present the past aud winch involves ndrec
at least tie whole subject OF our duty 10 Mexico neg
boring State"
And then, on the tenth page of the messag,
ne says:
" For these feasons, recommend Congress pas7
law authorizing the President under such the
may deem eNIedeit, 20 employ sucicnt military force
Mexico for the purpose OF obtaining indemnity for Il
past and security the future. puTposey fro
any suggestion as to whether this force shall consist OF re-
Oiar trOfs volunteers, or both. Tbs question may
most appropriately lott TO the decision Of Congress.
merely observe ta should volunteers be selected, such
force could be easily raised tbs country among those WI
Synf1t1Ze Win s1itcfDeS
zens Mexico, anu V h tie unhappy condition OF that
public such 10 the forces Of the constitution
Government would enable reach the city of Ne
icO and extend its power the whole Republic. In ID
event there 20 doubt that The just Of o.
ezens would be satisfied and adequate redress obtain
Tor the Injuries inflicted upon them The constitutional Go
eminent have evnccd strong desire jCs;ic
and this might be secured in advance by p7eInina
treaty"
That is substantially what the President con
municates to US in regard to our relations wit
the Republic Of Mexico; and, for one, | mu