The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1860-01-03

whist DO not deem II proper on the
present occasion to 90 further into the sub
ject, and discuss the weight which ought
To BE- attached TO the statements Of tho
British colonial authorities, contesting the
accuracy Of the information on which tho
gallant General acted, il was due 10 him
that should thus present his own reasons
for Issuing the order to Captain Pickett.
From these it is quite clear his object was
to prevent the British authorities on Van.
couyer's Island from exercising jurisdiction
over American residents on tho island Of
San Juan. 10 well "a 10 protect them
against the incursons of The Indians.
Much excitement prevailed for some
time Throughout that region, and serious
danger Of collision between the parties ap-
pretended. The British had large ma.
val force in tic naval force 10 the vicinity;
and it is bus m act Of simple justice to the
AGmi''l on that station to state that he
wisely and diqcroetly forbore to commit any
hostile act, but determined to refer the
whole niiair to his Coyernmen, aud await
their instructions.
This aspect Of tho matter, in my opinion
demanded serious attention. 1t would
Aaro been great calamity for both ma
tons had they been precpitated into acts
q hostility not on the question Of title to
tho island. but merely concerning what
should he its condition during the interve
ming period whilst the two Governments
might be employed in sitting the ques-
Lon t. which Of them it belongs For
ta.s reason Ilcutcnant- General Scott was
despatched on the 18th September last to
Washington Territory TO take immediate
command Of The United States forces on
,Le Paciic coast should he deem tLis nee
essay. The main object of his mission
was to cary or, the spirit Of the precau.
tommy arrangement between the late Sec
rotary OF State and the British minister,
and thus 70 preserve tho peace and prevent
collision between the British and American
authorities pending tho nogoiationsbetweer
The two Governments.
Entertaining no doubt of the validity Of .
our title, need scarcely add that, in any
event, American citizens were to be placed
on a footing at least rs favorable rs that
Of British subjects, it being understood
that Captain PicketPs company should re-
main on the island. 1t is proper TO observe
thCt, considering tho distanc" from tho
scene Of ,,fction, and in Ignorance Of what
might have transpired on the spot before
ths Generals arrival, it was necessary TO
leave much 10 his discrt tion, aud I AIN hap
py to state the event las proven that this
discretion could not have been intrustcd to
more competent hands. Gen. Scott has
recently returned from his mission, having
successfully accomplished his object, and
there is no lohger any good reason to ap.
prchcnl a collision between the forces of
tie two countries during the pendsncy Of
the negotiations.
regret to iaform you that there has
been ua improvement in the affairs of Mex.
ico since NY las. annual message, and am
again obliged to ask the earn ST. attention
Of Congress to the unhappy condition Of
that republic,
The Cousa,ueu; Congress of Mexico,
which adournei on the 18th Of February,
1857, adopted ! constitution, and provided
for popular election. This took place in
the following January, Qs57) Gen. Com.
moaf1r, was chosen President almost with.
ogt opposition. At Tho slmc election
new Congress was chosen, whose first ses.
sion commenced on The 10th of Sept, 1857.
By the constitution of 1857, the Presden-
tial torn was to commence on tie 1st Of
December, (lS57) and continue -four years
On ''a lay Gen. Commonf,rt appeared
before tho assembled Congress in the city
of M,x'gN. took the oath to supnor, tho
new constitution, and was duly iuargura
tel ~ Pres.d ut. Within month after.
wards he hid been driven from the capitol,
and q rebellion had assigned tho supreme
nova- Of tho republic to Con Zu!oga.-
The coa.ttution provide tha; in the ab.
seu,e Of the Pr7si lnnt his Office should de.
y lye upon the Chief Justice Of the Su
premc Count, and, Gen. Commonfort hav.
iug left the country. this funct;onary, Gen.
Tugrcz proceeded TO form at Guanajua'o,
q constitutional Goya'nm'nt. Brfbre this
was officially known, however. at the cap
ial, the Government Of Zuloaga had been
rcc7gn ,oI - the entire diplomatic corps,
including the minister of the United States,
a. the 10 j,ic,1 tiorarnment Of Mexico.
tn constitutional Present, nevertheless
maintained his position with firmness, and
was s1ru established with his cabinet a.
Vera Cruz. Meanwhile. tho government
Of ZuIonca was earnestly resisted in many
parts Of the republic, End even in the cap
;u'. "a portion of the army having pro
uourroi argin,ti', its functions were de:
c'arel terminated, and an assembly citti
zons were invited for the choice Of \ new
President. This assembly elected Generi!
Miramon. but that officer repu1iated the
plan under which he was chosen, ard Zu.
ioa-l was then restored to his previous 20
si,i0n. EIe assumed it, however, only to
withd,aw from II, and Miramon. having
become, bv his appointment President
Substitute" continues, with that title, at
the head Of the nsurgant party.
In my last ANIMAL message communI
Gated 10 Congress the circumstances under
which the late Minister Of the United
States suspended his Official relations with
tho central government, and wilhdred
from tho country. 1t was impossible to
maintain friendly intercourse with a gov
eminent like that at the capital, under
whose usurpcd authority wrongs were con
s,antly committed, but never redressed.--
Had this beer an established government.
with its power extending, by tho consent
Of the people, over the whole of Mexico, a
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