Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-01-04

I
| net, but determined to refer the whole affair tC
ais government and await their Instructions.
This aspect of the latter, in nv opinion de
nanded serious attention. II would have beer
I great calamity for both nations had they beer
Jrecipitated into acts of hostility not on tn,
question Oftille 10 the island, but merely con
:erning Nhat should be its condition during
the Intervening Ierind whilst the two govern
nents might be employed in Settlirg the que~
tion to which Of them it belonged For th
reason Lieutrnant General Scott was despatch
ed on the l7th of September last to WaShing.
ton Territory To take immediate command O
the Uuit'd States forces on the Pacific cOaSl
should he deem this necessary. The main OBJ.
lrct of hIs mission was TO carry out the spirit o
the precautionary arrangement between the lat,
Secretary of State and the British Minister and
thus 10 preserve the peace and prevent collision
between the British and American authorities
pending the negotiations between the govern
ments. Entertaining no doubt Of the validity
Of or title | need scarcely add that in any
event American citizens wee To be laced on !
fIoting al lsaSt a. favorable as that of British
subjects, it being understood that Pickett's CON-
ranv should remain or the island. II is proper
tn observe that, considering the distance from
the scene Of action. and in Ignorance Of what
had tranS2ired Oh the spot before the General :
arrival. it was necessary to leave much 10 his
discretion and | am happy 10 state the event
has proven that this discretion cOuld not have
been entrusted to more cOmpSteat hands. Gan-
eral Scott has recently returned from ms mis-
sion. having successfully accomplished its Ol =
icctS. and there Is no longer any good reason
tn appTehend collision between the forces Of
the two countries during the pendency Of :he
existing negotiations.
regret to inform YOU that there has been no
affairs If MsxJcf,
last annual message, and am again obliged to
ask the earnest attention of Congress to the un-
hanpy condition Of that republic.
The constituent Congress of Mexico, which
adjourned on the 18th Of February, 1851, adopt
ed a constitution and provided tor 4 popular
election. This took place in the following July,
1851, and General COmonfort was chosen Presi-
dent. almost without opposition. At the same
election new Congress was chosen, whose first
SESSION commenced on the 18th of September,
1851. By the constitution Of 1857. the Presi-
dental term was to begin on the lst Of December,
1851. AMI continue for four years. On that day
General COmonlori appeared bcfI-ethe asssemb-
led Congress IN the citv of Mexico, took oath to
support the new constitution. and was duly in
augurated rs President. Within month after
warlS he had been driven from the capital, and
4 military rebellion had assigned the supreme
power of the republic to Gen. Zuloaga. The
constitution that in the absence of the President
his office should devnlye upon the Chief Justice
Of the Suprrm, Court, and General COmonfort
having left the country. his funciionary Gener-
al Juarez. proceeded TO form at Guanjiuato. 4
constitutional government.
Before this was officially known. however. at
the capital. the government of Zuluaga had
been recognized by the entire diplomatic corps.
including the Minister Of the inited States A.
the de fIcto government of Mexico. The con-
stitutional President. nevertheless, maintained
his uOSiti0n with h-mnCsS. aud Was sDOn e7Stab-
lishcd with his cabinet at Vera Cruz. Mean
while. the government of Zuloaga was earnestly
resisted in many parts Of the republic, and even
in thecapital portion Of the army having pro-
noInced against il, its functions were declared
terminated, and an assembly of citizens was
invited for the choice of I new President. This
assembly elected General MIramOn. but that
officer repudrat-d the plan under which he was
ch hOsea. and Zuluaga was thus restored TO his
previous position. He assumed it, however.
only to Withdraw from it. AMI Miramon having
b'come by his appointment president Sub
stitute.' continues. with that title, at the head
of the insurgent party.
In my last annual message / communicated
To Congress the circumstances under which the
late Minister Of the United States suspended
his official relations with the central govern
mani, and Withdrew from the country. 1t was
impossible TO maintain friendly intercourse with
4 government, like that at the capital under
whose usurped authority wrongs were constant
Is committed, but never redreS,ed. Had this
been an established government. with its power
extending. bv the consent of the people. over
ths whole of Mexico. n resort 10 hOStilities Il
Gainst 1t would have been quite justiiable, and
indeed necessary. But the country vas prey
of civil war; and it was hoped that the success
of the constitutional President might lrad to
condition Ofthngs less injurious to the United
States. This success became So probable that,
in January last, l employed a reliable agent TO
visit Mexico. and report to me the actual cOndi-
ton and prospects ofihe cOntending parties
In cons qUence Of his report and from iufnrina-
ton which reached me from other sources. favor
able Ia the prospects of the constitutional cause
| trlt Justified III appointing new Minister To-
IeXicO. who might embrace the earliest suitable
opportunity Of restoring Onr diplomatic relations
with that republic. Forthis purpose Il distin-
guished citizen Of Maryland was selected. who
proceeded on his mission on the Sth of March
last, with discretionary authority to recognize
The government of President .Iuarez, if on his
arrival in Mexico he shOuld find it entitled to
such recognition. accOnling to the established
practice of the United States. On the 7th Of
A pril following. Mr.. McLane presented his Gre
ientials to President Juarez, hav ng no hesita-
ion I'm pronouucing the government of Juarez
.c the only existing government Ofthe republic"
lie was cordially received by the authorities at
Vera Cruz and they have ever since manifested
me most friendly disposition tox ards the United
States. Unhappily, however. the cOnstitUtisnal
government has not been able to establish its /
power over the whole republic. 1t is supported
by Il large majority of the people and the States
fhnrq mt pf fha nrr,tr
where it can eniGrce no obedience. Gen. Mira !
non maintains himself At the capital; and in /
some Of the distant provinces there are n ltary
governors who paw little respect to the DEGREES
II either government. In the meantime the ex- (
,eSseS which always attend upon civil war, eS-
Drciallv in Mexico. are constantly recurring I
jutrage- Il the worst description are committed .
luth upon persons and property. There is /
.calcely any form of injury which has not been I
uifered by our citizens III Mexico during the 4
last few years
We ave been nOminallv at peace with that .
epublic bat $50 far as the interests of our COM
nerce ~ Of our citizens who have visited the
country rs merchants, shipmasters. or in other
apacIties, are concerned, We might rs well
lave been at war" Life hrs been insecure, pro-
,ertv unprotected. and trade impossible except
It a risk Of loss which prudent men cannot be
expected 10 incur; important contracts. involving
arge EXPENDITURES, entered into BY the central
government, have been ST at defiance by the local
government. Peaceful American residents. &C.
upving their rightful possessions. have been
u1denly expelled the country, in defiance of
reaties. and by the mere furce Of arbitrary pow
r. Even the course of justice has not been safe
rom contrnl. and recent decree of Miiamnn
,ermits the Intervention of Government in all
,uits where either party is I foreigner. YES
els of the United States have been seized with
,ut law. and consular officer who protested
gainst such seizure has been fined and impris-
med for di.reSpect to the authorities. Military
contributions have been levied in violation Of
,verv principle Of right. and the American who
esisted the lawleSs demand has had his proper
Y forcibly taken away. and has been himself
JaniShed.
From conflict of authority in different parts
If the country, tariff duties which have been i
laid in one place have been exacted over again
"a another place. Large numbers of our citi-
.ens have been arrested and imprisoned with
put any fnrm of examination or any Opportu-
lity for hearing. and even when released have 4
1nly obtained their liberty after much suffering
md injury, and without any hope of redress
Tbs wholesale massacre Of Carbbe and his as-j