The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-01-06
VOL. 5, NO. %.

HFdfdttig IeSpoli1td 10 Iiils peifiODs ana OTueT-
ed Captain George E. Pickett, 9Th infantry,
ITO establish his company on Bellevue, or San
Juan ISLAND, on some suitable position near the
harbor at fHe southeastern extremity" This
order was promptly obeyed, and military post
was established at the place designated, The
force was afterwards increased, SO that by the
last return The whole number OF troops then on
the lsacd amounted in the aggregate to 69I
men.
Whilst | do not deem il proper on the pres
ent occasion 10 90 further iuto the subject and
discuss the weight which ought TO BE- attached
TO the statements of the British colonial author
lies, coauStlug the accuracy OF the informa-
lion on winch the gallant General acted,
1t was due to him that l should thus present hls
.own reasons for issuing the order 10 Captain
Pickett. From these it is quite clear his object
was TO prevent the British authorities on Van
COVERS island from exercising jurisdiction over
American residents On the Island OF san Juan,
as well as 10 protect them against the iacursioas
of the Indians.
Much excitement prevailed for some time
throughout that region, and serious danger Of
collision between the parties was appFehended.
The British had large naval force in the VI
cinity: and it is but act OF simple justice to
the admiral on that station to state that be WISE
ly and discreetv ior5ore 10 commit any hostile
act, but determined to refer the whole affair to
his government and await their Instructions.
This aspect OF the matter, in my opinion, de-
manded serious attention. 1t would have been
a great calamity for both nations had they been
precipitated into acts of hostility not on the
qneslioa Of title to the island, but merely con-
cernIng what should be IFS condition during the
period whilst the two governments
might be employed ia settling the question TO
which of them it belongs. For this reason
Lieutenant General Scott was despatched on the
/ 7th September last to Washington Territory
to take immediate command of the United States
forces on the Pacific coast should he deem this
necessary. The main object of his mission was
to carry out the spirit Of the precautionary ar
between tbs late Secretary of State
and the British minister, and thus to preserve
the peace and prevent collision between the
British and American authorities pending the
negotiations between tie two governments.
90 doubt ofthe validity OF our title,
need scarcely add that, in any event, Ameri-
can citizens were 10 be placed on a footiag at
least as favorable as that of British Subjects il be-
ing understood that Captain Pickett's company
should remain 90 the island. Its proper 10 OBJ
serxsr isdt, considering the distance fromth
scene Of action, and in fgnoraace of what might
have transpired on the spot before the Generals
arrival, il was necessary TO leave much to his
discretion, and I am happy to state the event
Jas proven that this discretion could not have
,een intrusted TO more competent hands Gen.
scott has recently returned from his mission,
lavins successfully accomplished It's objects, and
here IS no longer any good reason to appreheld
collision between the forces of the tWo coun-
rles during the pendency Of the existing nego-
latioDS.
Iregret % inform you that there has been no
in the affairs of Mexico since my
ast annual message, and 1 am again obliged to
sk the earnest attention Of Congress . the
Unhappy condition ofthat republic
The constituent Congress Of Mexico, which
diourned on The 18th February, 1857, adopted
constitution and provided for popular cleo
ion. This took place in the following july.
1871 and General Comonfort was chosen
resident, almost without opposition At the
lme election a new Congress was chosen, whose
rst session commenced on the 10th of Septem-
er, IIS57.l By the constitution of 1887 the
term was to begin on the 1st of
december, 1891 and continue for four wears.
IN that day General Comonfort appeared belors
De assembled Congress IN the CITY OF Mexico,
ook the oath to support toe new constitution,
I'D was duly InauguTated as President. Within
month afterwards he had been driven from
he capital, and military rebellion had assign-
the supreme power of The republic to Gene--
T,,ia
le absence of the President hIs office shoud
evolve upon The Chief Justice of the Suprme
ouFi, and, Gen. ComoDtort having lit the
ountry, this iuncIionary, General Juar.z, pro-
aeded to form, at Guanauato, constitutional
overnmeut. Before this was cfiicsiy known,
oweVer, at the capital, the governnent of Zulo-
"a bad been recognized by the epFe diplomat
corps, including the minister OF the United
.ates, as the de facfo governrent OF Mexico.
he constitutional President, severtheless, main
ined his position with frpness, and was soon
tablished with his csJinet at Vera Cruz.
Ieanwhie, the governuent'of Zuloaga was ear
estly resisted in NAM parts of the republic,
ID even in the capiai, portion OF the army
lying pronounced igainSt 1t, It's functions weie
scared terminated, and an assembly of ciii-
ms was Invuedior the choice of new PreSl-
mt. This assembly elected General Miramon,
1t That ofitef rePudiated the plan under which
. was chosen, and Zuoaga was thus restored
his precious position. He assumed it, how
'er, OILY TO withdraw from it, and Miramon,
lving become, BY his appointment, "Preadent
lbsMute,' codtinues, with that title, at The
.sd OF The nsurgent party.
10 my last annual message | communicated
Congress the circumstances under which the
e Minister OF the United States suspended his
ieial relations with the central government,
d Withdrew from the country. 1t was impos-
lie 10 MAINTAIN friendly intercourse with
vernmeni. Ike that at the capital, under
lsnrnad aitfhnrifu