Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-01-06

is an act Of simple justice TO the admiral
on that station to state that BE- wisely aud
discreeuy forbore to commit any hostile
act, but determined to refer the whole a.
fair to his government, and await their
instructions.
This aspect Of the matter, in my opin-
ion, demanded serious attention. Il would
have been a great calamity for both na-
tons had they been precipitsted into acts
oftostility not on the question Of title to
the island, but merely concerning what
should be its condition during the inter
yening period whilst the two governments
might be employed 10 settling the ques-
ton to which Of them il belongs. For
this reason Lieutenant General Scott was
dispatched on The 18th September last to
Washington Territory, TO take immediate
command Of the United States forces on
the Pacific coast, should he deem this ne
cessary.
The main object Of bis mission was 10
carry out the spirit Of the precautionary
arrangement between the late Secretary
Of State and the British Minister, and
thus TO preserve the peace aud prevent
collision between the British aad Ameri-
can authorities pending the negotiations
between the two governments. Enter
tanning no doubt Of the validity Of our
title. need scarcely add that, 10 any
event. American citizens were to be
placed on q footing a; beast as favorable
~ that Of British subjects, IT being IN
d-rstood that Captain Picksu's company
should remain On the island. It's proper
to observe that, considering the distance
from the scence Of action, and in'iguor-
ance Of what might have trsnsHired on
the spot before the Generals arrival Z,
was necessary 10 leave much to his dis
erection, and am happy 10 state the event
has proven that this discretion could not
have been entrusted 10 more competent
hands. Gen Scott has recently returned
from his mission, having successfully &C
compli,hed its Objects, and there is no
longer any good reason to apprehend Il
collision between the forces of the two
countries during thu tendency Of the ex-
listing negotiations.
Iregret to inform you that there has
been no improvement iu the affairs Of
Mexico since my last snnusl message,
and ! am again obliged to ask the earn
est attention Of Congress to the unhappy
condition Of that republic.
The constituent Congress Of Mexico,
which adjourned on the 18th Of February,
1857. adopted a constitution and proyid-
ed for a popular election. This took
place in the following July U5j7) and
General Comoafort WA chosen president
almost without opposition. A, tAe same
election a new Congress was chosen
whose first session commenced On the
10th Of September, 1857. BY the con
sd,ution Of 1857, the Presidential term
was to beuin on the lst of December
1857. and continue for four wears. On
ha, .dav General Comonfort apneared
before the assembled Congress in ths
Cnv ofNTax;eo took the oath to snrror,
,bo now cors,;,r,;oD and was 5,Iy in
aurprated a. President Within montI
ar,srvsrI, ne had been driven from IN,
.,,it,f and a military ,,t-lI:on b.5 -.
signed the SUPREME mower Of the republa
10 Gen. Zuloaga. The constitution nrovid
ed that in the absence Of the President
his Office should deyolye upop the Chic
Justice Of The Supreme Court; aad Gen
Comore7rt having LETT .he country hi
ruuctiouary. Gen. Juarez. proceeded {,
form. at Guaga;u,o CONGREGATIONAL GOV
erpment
p.e,-. ,t;s a.,- ,tg.,;oIl,. L,as.r Lon.
ever nj the cs,i,,I the government q
Zuloara had seen recogriz.d by the on
tire diplom.tic corps iacIpd;pg the Min