The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-01-06
WHOLE NO., 521.

that, in any event. American citizens wers
to bo placed on footing at loaet as favora-
bic as that Of British subjects, IL being un
dcrstood that Capt Pickett's company ehouid
remain on the island. II is proper to OBJ.
serve that, considering tho distance from
the scene of action, and in ignorance Of
what might have transpired ON the spot
before the Generals arrival, it was necessarv
TO leave much to his discretion, and / am
happy to state tho event has proven that
TINS discretion could not have boon entrust-
cd to moro competent hands. Con. Scott
has recently returned from his mission.
having successfully accomplished its objects
and there is no longer any good reason to
apprehond collision between the forces Of
the two countries during the pendency Of
the existing negotiations,
MEXICO.
! regret 10 inform you that there has been
no improvement in the affairs of Mexico
since my last annual message, and am
again obliged to ask the earnest attention Of
Congress to the unhappy condition of that
Republic
Tho constituent Congress of Mexico.
which adjourned On the 9Th of February.
1857, adopted constitution and provided
Tor popular election. This took place in
tho following July, Q857) and Gen. Com
oniort was chosen President, almost without
opposltlon; and at tho same election new
Congress whose first session commenced on
the 10Th of September, (ls57) By the con.
stitution of 1857 tho presidential torn was
to begin on tho lst of December, Qs571
and continue on for four years. On that
day Gen. Comonfort appeared before tho
assembled Congress in the city of Mexico,
took the oath to support tho Eew Constitu-
ton. and was duly iuaugurated as President.
Within month afterwards he had boen
driven from tho capital, and military re.
bclion had assigned tho supreme power of
the republic to Gen. Zuloaga. The Consti-
tuition provided that in the absence of the
President, his Office should devolvo upon the
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and.
Gen. Comonfort, having left tho country,
THIS functionary, Gen Juarez, proceeded TO
form, at Guanaguato, Constitutional Gov
ernment Before this was officially known.
however, at tho capital, the Government Of
Luioaga had been recognized by tho entire
diplomatic corps, including the Minister OF
the United States, as the DE FAcTo Govern
ment OF Mexico. Tho Constitutional Presi-
dent, nevertheless, maintained bis position
with firmuess, and was soon established
with his cabinet at Vera Cruz Meanwhile,
resisted in many parts of tho Republic, and
even in the capital, a portion of the army
having pronounced against il, its functions
were declared terminated, and an assembly
of citizens was invited for tho choice of a
new President. This assembly elected Gen.
Miramon, but that officer repudiated the
plan under which he was chosen, and Zuloa.
ga was thus restored to his previous
position. lie assumed it, however, only to
FROM II, and Miramon. having be.
come, by his appointment. president Sub.
stitute. continues, with that title, at the
head of the lnsurgent Party.
In my last annual message commuui-
Gated to Congress tho circumstances under
which the late Minister of the United States
suspended his official relations with tho
Central Government, and withdrew from the
country. 1t was impossible to maintain
friendly intercourse with Government,
ike that at the capital under whose usurped
authority wrongs were constantly COM
mitted, but never redressed. Had this been
an established Government. with its power
oxtending,by the consent of the people over
the whole oil Mexico, 2 resort TO hoStiilies
against it would have been quite iustiRable,
and, indeed, necessary. But the country
was prey to civil war; and il was hoped
that the success of the Constitutional Presi-
dent might lead to condition Of things less
injurious to the United States. This success
became SO probable that in January last,
employed reliable agent to visit Mexico,
and report TO me the actual condition acd
prospects Of the contending parties In
consequence of bis report, and from infor-
nation which reached mo from other
sources, favorable to the prospect of tho
constitutional cause, felt justified in ap.
pointing new Minister to Mexico. who
might embrace the earliest suitable oppor-
tunity OF restoring our diplomatic relations
with that Republic For this purpose
distinguished citizen of Maryland was
selected, who proceeded on bis mission on
The sth of March last. with discretionary
authority to recognize the Government of
President Jus.ez, If on his arriya! in Mexico
no should fud it entitled to such recog.
ntion, according to the established practice
1t the United States. On the 7th OF April
following, Mr.. McLane presented his cre-
ientials to President Juarez, having no
hesitation sin prououncing the Government
IT Juarez to be the only existing Govern.
nent of the Republic" He was cordially
-eceved by the authorities at Vera Cruz,
Ind they have ever tince manifested the
most friendly disposition towards the United
States. Unhappily however, the Constitu-
ional Government has not been able to es-
ablish its power over the whole Republic.
1t 10 supported by large majority of the
ooople OF the States, but there hro impor-
ant parts OF the country where il can on.
torce no obedience. General Miramon
maintains himself at tho Capital; and in
iome OF the distant provinces there are
military Governors who pay little respect to
he decrces Of either Government. In the
Meantime the eXcesses which always attend
lpon civil war, especially in Mexico, arc
constantly recurring. Outrages of the worst
description are committed both upon per-
ons and property. There ia scarcely any
orm of injury which has not beon suffered
y our citizens in MEXICO during the last
ew years. We have been noIninally at
eace with that Republic, but $50 lar as the
interests Of our commerce or of cur citizens
rho have visited the country as merchants,
hipmasters or in other capacities, arc con-
orned, We might as we'll have been at war"
'ife has boon insecure, property unprotected
nd trade impossible except at q risk OF loss
Ihich prudest men cannot be expected to
lcur. Important contracts involving large
Expenditures, entered into by the Central
government. have been set at doiauce BY
o local governments.
Peaceful american residents, occupying
heir rightfui possessions, havo been sud.
enly expelled the country, in defiance Of
reaties, and by the nero forco OF arbitrary
Ower. Even tho course Of justice has not
cen safe from control, and o recent decree
a. 4.