The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1860-01-06

of the people, over the Whole of MEXICO, |
resort TO hostilities against it would have |
been quite justidsble and, indeed, necessa-
ry. But the country WAS prey to civil |
war and it was hoped that the success of
the Constitutional President might lead
to condition Of things less injurious to
the United States. This success became
80 probable that, in January last, | en-
ployed reliable agent to visit Mexico,anl
report to me the actual condition and
prospects Of the contending parties. In
consequence of his report, and from infor-
nation which reached me from other
sources favorable to the prospects of the
constitutional cause, I felt justified in sp
pointing new Minister to Mexico, who
might embrace the earliest suitable oppor-
tunity Questioning our diplomatic relations
with that Republic.
For this purpose distinguished citi
zen of Maryland was selected, who pro-
ceeded on his mission on the 18th of
March last, with discretionary authority
to recognize the government of President
Juarez, if, on his arrival in Mexico. he
should find it entitled to such recognition,
according to the established practice of
the United States. On the 18th of April
following, Mr. McLane e.entcl lis Gre
dentials TO President Juarez, having 10
hesitation Sin pronouncing the govern
ment of Juarez to be the only existing
government of the Republic" lie was
cordially received by the authorities at
Vera Cruz, and they have ever since man
ifestel the most friendly disposition to
wards the United States UnhappiIy,
however, the Constitutional Government
| has not been able to establish its power
over the whole Republic. 1t is supported
by large majority Of the people of the
States, but there are important parts Of
! the country where 1t can enforce no ODE
dience. Gen. Miramon maintains him
self at the Capital; and in some of the dis
tant provinces there are military COVER
nors who pay little respect to the DEGREES
Of either government.
In the mean time, the excuses which
always attend upon civil war, especially in
Mexico, are constantly recurring. Outra-
ges Of the worst description are committed
on persons and property. There is scarce
ly any form of injury which has not been
suffered by our citizens in Mexico during
the last few years. We have been non-
nally at peace with the Republic, but $50
far as the interests of our commerce or of
our citizens who have visited the country
IS merchants, shipmasters, or in other ca
Pacties, are concerned, we might az well
have been at war" Life has been inse-
cure, property unprotected, and trade i'm
possible except at risk of loss which pru-
dent men cannot be expected TO incur
important contracts, involving large ex-
pen'iitures, entered into by the Central
Government have been set at defiance by
the local governments. Peaceful Ameri-
can residen ts, occupying their rightful
possessions, have been suddenly expelled
the country, in defiance of treaties, and by
The mere force Of arbitrary power.
The wholesale massacre of Crabbe and
his associates without trial in Sonora, as
we'll as the seizure and murder of four sick
Americans upon the soil of the United
States, was communicated to Congress at
its last session. Murders of still more
atrocious character have been committed
in the very heart of Mexico, under the au-
thority of Miramon's government, during
the present year. Some of these were on
Iy worthy Of a barbarous age, and, if they
had not been clearly proven, would have
seemed impossible in a country which
claims to be civilized OF this descrip-
ton was the brutal massacre, N April last,
! by order of General Marquee, of three
American physicians, who were seized in
the hospital at Tacubaya while attending
to the sick and dying of both parties, and
without trial, as without crime, were hur-
ried away to speedy execution.
Little less shocking was the fate of Or
mond Chase, who was shot in Topic on
the 7th of August, by order of the same
Mexican General not only without trial
but without conjecture by his friends of
the cause ofhis arrest. He is represented
as young man Of good character and in
teilgence, who had made numerous friends
IN lepc 10y the courage and humanity
which he had displayed on several trying
occasions, and his death was as unexpect-
ed as it was shocking to the whole com
munlty. Other outrages might be emu
merated, but these are sufficient to Illus
| trate the wretched state of the country,
and the unprotected condition of the per
sons and property of our citizens in Mexi-
| co.
| In all these cases our ministers have
been constant and faithful in their demands
for redress, bat both they and this govern
ment, which they have successfully repre-
scented, have been wholly powcrIess to
make their demands elective Their tes-
timony in this respect, and in reference to
the on Y remedy which, in their Judgment,
would meet the exigencv, has been both
uniform and emphatic. "Nothing but a
manifestation Of the power of the United
States (wrote our late Minister in 1860
and of its purpose to punish these wrongs
will avail. | assure you that the univer-
sal belief here is that there is nothing to
be apprehended from the Government of
the United States, and that local Mexican
officials cannot commit these outrages up
on American citizens with absolute impu-
nity.' 81 hope the President" wrote our
present minister in August last, twill feel
authorized TO ask from Congress the pow