The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-02-28

of singular importance, both in respect to the
magnitude OF the interests it involves and as
shaping the future policy of our government to-
wards Mexico. In consideration of the sum of
four millions of dollars, one half of which is TO be
paid in cash, Immediately after the ratification
of the treaty. and the other half to be appropria-
ted TO the liquidation of the claims of American
citizens against the government of Mexico the
latter agrees to cede to the UNITED STATES per-
petual right of way, across Mexican territory, by
three separate and distinct routes, two of which
are to start from specified points on the Atlantic
coast and the third from Arizona, at or near the
thirty-fourth degree of longitude we from Wash
ington, and all three TO debouch upon the
Pacific at the ports hereafter mentioned
The first route thus opened to travel and traffic
is that which crosses the Isthmus of Tehuantepec,
commencing at the mouth of the Coatzacoalcos
river, and ending at the port of Ventosa.
The second, it is proposed, shall begin either
at Camargo, or Matamoras on the Rio Grande
and proceed thence, via Monterey, to the port of
Mazatlan, on the Gulf of California.
The Rancho de Nogales, occupying position
near TO- and about midway of the boundary line
between Arizona and Sonora, is suggested as the
point of departure for third route which, passing
through Magdaena and Eermoso would find its
western terminus at the port of Guaymas On
the routes thus constituted, it is agreed that all
American travellers, and all through merchandise,
shall be exempted from toll or tax, similar right
of way being also extended TO the mails of the
UNITED STATES, and to its troops, and military
stores, and munitions of war--but liberty of tram
sit with respect to the latter, is restricted to the
route across the Isthmus, and to that which, COM
mencing on the boundary line of Arizona terri
tory, terminates at the port of Guaymas.
Reserving the right of sovereignty over all of
these routes the Mexican Government represented
by JUAREz, engages to afford adequate protection
TO person and property; but, in the event of its
inability 10 do so, the UNITED STATES are empow-
cred to employ force for that purpose at
the request of the Mexican Minister at Wash
ington, that of the local authorities nearest the
point of disturbance. The treaty also proposes TO
allow of the introduction into Mexico and the
UNITED STATES, respectively, of any or all such
articles of merchandise mentioned in list
annexed under conditions of perfect reciprocity,
'wheher they be considered free of duty, or at
'rate of duty 10 be fixed by the Congress of the
'UNITED STATES" 1t further provides, that
American citizens residing or temporarily soiourn-
ing in Mexico shall be protected in the free exer-
else of heir religious belief, and relieved, hence
FORTH from the operation of forced loans
By Il supplementary article" it is stipulated
that if, in consequence of the existing civil war
and the disturbed condition of the inland frontier
the terms of the compact are violated, it shall be
obligatory on the government within whose ter
ritory the outrage has been committed to proceed
at once to redress the grievance. If from any
canse it finds itself unequal TO the task it shall
accept the assistance of the government whose
citizens or property are endangered, and permits.
sion is accorded to the military forces of the two
Republics, either singly or in cooperation with
each other to cross the boundary line of the re-
spective territories and seize the offenders and
hand them 10 the local authorities for pun
ishment
1t may be seen from the above synopsis of the
terms of the treaty, that the latter not only places
American citizens in position such as they have
never before enjoyed in Mexico, but grants COM
mercial privileges of an extraordinary character
to all of our countrymen who may think proper
to profit by them. Independently of the advan-
tages to be derived from choice of routes to the
Pacific, and to our possessions on that coast-a
concession that cannot fail to prove of great
value to US in the probable event of rapid extern
sion of our trade with China, Australia, Japan
and the Islands of the Indian Archipeago-the
proposal embodied in the treaty to exchange tthe
natural, industrial, or manufactured products of
RpD0hlics of
"ciprocity" opens a noble field to American en-
terprse, while it exhibits a spirit of enlightened
craftsmanship which, if met by us in frank and
liberal manner might go far towards elevating
Mexico to her appropriate rank among nations
The conditions required of us, and upon which
the ratification of the treaty depends are two,
and both are of kind which only an exhausted
State could be induced to ask. The money COZ
sideraion is not at all difficult of adjustment but
whether it would be wise in us to assume a quasi
protectorae over Republic which has become
thoroughly disorganized by an almost uninter-
rupted succession of civil wars, is matter thai
requires to be well considered before we consent
to enter into engagements from which we cannot
subsequently withdraw with honor By the trea-
ty of Tacubaya, we agreed to protect the North
ern frontiers of Mexico from Indian incursions
That obligation soon became source of infinite
trouble to lis, and the purchase soon afterwards o.
the Mesilla Valley was regarded with less dssatis
faction than it otherwise would have been, be
cause, by the terms of sale, we were relieved from
pledge which we had found difficult to keep
"heeher the government Of JUAREz possesses
the requisite authority at this time to enter upon
treaty with us, is question which maj
be appropriately left to the decision of the Senate
We may remark, however, that under the provi
sions Of the Mexican Constitution. which wen
into effect on the 18th of March, 1857, he is Ger
tainly the Legitimate successor of CoMoNFoRT. A
President of the Supreme Court, the office of Pro
visenal Chief Magistrate devolved upon JUAREz
in the absence of the actual President of the Re
public and his appointment to that position b,
CoMoNFoRT was, therefore, in strict conformit,
with the Mexican law upon tie subjoot- But
his powers in this respect should be conceded
there yet remainS-if we are not mistaken-on
other difficulty to be overcome. To be entirel,
valid, the treaty, which has been drawn up unde
his auspices, requires the sanction of Mexican
Congress. As no Congress of Liberal Deputie
has been in session since the early part of 1858
and as the distracted condition of the country
offers insuperable obstacles to a meeting of TIL
Representatives of the various Departments, eithe
at Vera Cruz or elsewhere, it is difficult to under
stand how the treaty, even if it is ratified by tn
Senate of the UNITED STATES, can be made prac
tically operative until it is concurred in by tn
popular branch of the Mexican government II
however, a clear and satisfactory understanding
can be reached on these points, the adoption O
the treaty could scarcely fail to prove of sigma
advantage to the best interests of both Republics
|
the SHoEMAKERs SrRIKE.-The teegra ms tina
publish show that there isbut little prospect of
satisfactory adjustment of the troubles of the Massa
chusetts shoemakers. A large meeting was held a
Lynn on Saturday night, which was addressed b,
Mr.. Draper, the Jupiter Tonans of the movement
and several others of the craft, and also by a law
yer. The speakers counseled peaceful but deter
mined resistance to the "bosses;" whom the
termed the oppressors of the poor, and encourag
the "strikers" to hold out, assuring them that tn
manufacturers would soon be forced to accede t
their demands. The strike has spread to the mar
ufacturing towns of New Hampshire, and meeting
and other demonstrations have been made in Dove