The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-01-11

promptly O0eycu, ana military post was es
tablsh at the place designated. The fore,
was afterwards increased, so that by the las
return the whole number oi troops then OF
this island amounted in the aggregate 10 GO
men.
Whilst do not deem it proper on tht
present occasion to 20 further into the sub
ject, and discuss the weight which ought t,
be attached TO the statements of the British
colonial authorities, contesting the accuracy
Of the information on which the gallant Gen.
eral acted, il was due to him that | should
thus present his own reasons for issuing the
order TO Capt. Pickett. From these il is
quite clear his object was to prevent the
British authorities on vancouyer's island
from exercising jurisdiction over the Ameri,
can residents on the Island of San Juan, al
we'll as To protect them against the incursions
Of the Indians.
Much excitement prevailed for some time
throughout that region, aud serious danger ol
collision between the parties was apprehend.
ed. The British had large naval force in
the vicinity; and il is but an act Of simple
justice TO TIE admiral on that station to state
that he wisely and discreetly iorebore to
commit any hostile act, but determined "a
refer the whole affair to his government and
await their instructions.
This aspect Of the matter. in my opinion,
demanded serious attention. Ii would have
been a great calamity for both nations had
they been precipitated into acts Of hostility
not on the question Of title TO the island. but
merely concerning what should be its condi.
tion during the intervening period whilst the
two governments might be employed in set.
7 Ting the question as 10 which Of them it be.
longs. For this reason Lieut.. General Scott
was despatched, on the 18th September last
to Washington Territory to take immediate
command ofthe United States forces on the
Pacific coast should he deem this necessary
The main object Of his mission was 10 carry
out the spirit of the precautionary arrange
ment between the late Secretary OF State and
4 the British minister, and thus 10 preserve Tho
peace and prevent collision between ths
British and American authorities pending lht
negotiations between the two governments
Entertaining no doubt OF the validity Of Oui
| title, need scarcely add that, in any event
American citizens were 10 be placed on /
footing al least as favorable as that Of British
subjects, it being understood that Capt
\ Plckett's company shouldremain on the island
Its proper to observe that, considering tbs
distance from the scence OF action. and il
ignorance Of what might have transpired OF
The spot before the Generals arrival, it wa,
necessary to leave much to his discretion, ant
| am happy 10 state the event has proven tha
this discretion could not have been intrust.
ed to more competent hands. Gen. Scott ha.
recently returned from his mission, having
successfully accomplished its objects. and
there is no longer any good reason 70 appre.
bend collision between the forces o. th,
two countries during the pendency Of the
existing negotiations.
lregret 10 inform you that there has beer
no Improvement in the affairs 81 Mexico since
ny last annual message, aud am again oh
ligei 10 ask tie earnest attention Of Congres,
to the unhappy condition Of that republic.
Tie constituent Congress Of Mexico
which adjourned on the 18th OF February
1885,, adopted 4 constitution and provided
\ Tor popular election. This took place IN
the following Jolly. 1857. and Genera
GumOnlort was chosen President, amos
without opposition. Al the same election 4
new COngrss, was chosen, whose FIRST session
commenced on the 9th September. 1857.
By Tie consultation of 1857 the presidential
term was 10 begin On the lst Of December
1857. an,l continue for four years. On that
day Gen. COmonioit appeared before the as.
semblrd Congress in the city Of Mexico, took
the oath TO support the new constitution
aud was duly inaugaraied as President
Within month alterwsrd. he had been dri.
ven from The capital, and military rebellion
hal assigned the supreme power ol the &c,
public to Gen. Zlloaga. The constitution
provided that IL the absence Of the President
lis Office should deyolye upon tie Chief Jus
tice Of the Supreme Court, aud General Com
oalOrt having left the country, this function
ary, General JuareL, proceeded 10 form, a
Guansjuato, a constitutional government
before this was officially known, however, a
the capital, the government Of the Zuloaga
had been recognised by the entire diplomatic
corps, including the ministry Of the Unite,
States, as The de Jacio government of Mexico
The constitutional President. nevertheless
maintained his position with frmness, and
WIS soon established with his cabinet al Veri
Cruz. Meanwhile, the government Of Zulo
aga was earnestly resisted III many parts o
the republic, aud even in the capital, por
ton d the army having pronounced agains
il, its functions were declared terminated
and an assembly ofcitizcns was invited for th
clloice of new President. This assembl,
elected General Miramon, but that office
repudiated the plan under which he was cho
sen, and Zuloaga was thus restored to hi
previous position. lie assumed il, however
only to withdraw IRON IT, and Alirsmon, lay
ing become. by his appointment. Prc,iirn
Substitute. continues, with that title, at iii
head Of the in,urgent party.
In my last annual message communicate
10 Congress The circumstances under whicl
the late Minister OF the United States sus
pended his official relations with the centra
government, aud withdraw from the country
Il was impossible to maintain friendly inter
course with government, like that at III
capital under whose usurped authority wrong