Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1860-03-29
The Complications in The Gull.


The Complications In the Gulf
7sahs EdhoE ef ths Enpivs-CtH a
The recent events 10 the Gulf, OF Vera
Cruz, are Of 30 serious a nature as 10 attract
the most earnest attention Of The people IL
has been tho faalt Of American journals in
general, without distinction Of party or localh
ty,exoepting New Orleans and Mobile, to look
upon affairs in Mexico and our relations
with that country as upon something second-
ary, or even lower in importance. Even
the bloody inroads Of Cortinas band upon
American territory, and the sack Of
Brownsville, in Texas, could not overcome
this apathy, and il took a naval skirmish
aud naval victory TO bring our position
10 regard to our IN lated neighbor into
prominent notice. In this, IL for nothing
else, the capture Of the two steamers, Mi
ramon and Marquee, may be called God
sond. Our public men in Congress and out
Of il will now, by force of circumstances, be
compelled to take their position ia regard to
this cminently American question. Parties
will have to speak out upon it The people
win have to decide either Cor or against tho
proposed American solution Of this cxclu.
sively American dilicuIty.
for one rejoice in this prompt action Of
Commodore Jarvis, not only because ho did
right under the circumstances, but also be-
cause he gave a practical application TO the
theoretical principle Of our "maniIest des,
tiny" That he did right under the circum.
stances, there can bo no doubt The United
States have recognized as the only constitu.
tional de jure and de fActo government of
Mexico that at the head of which
stands juarez. With this government we
hold diplomatic intercourse; to It we look
for redress of grievances; and with it we
have concluded q treaty now waiting its
ratification by the Senate of the United S
1t was known that two war steamers we're
to be fitted out at the HAVANA, with tho
connivance, il not with the assistance of
the Spanish government officials at that
place. IL was known that these steamers
were to sail under the Mexican Gag, under
the command Of Mexican officers in open
rebellion to the constitutional government.
and were to be used to blockade and bonn
bard the harbor Of Vera Cruz. II was also
known that General Almonte, formerly
minister of Mexico to the United States
and well known at Washington for his
onmity Of the United States and his hatred
Of its people, and who is now in Europe as
Miramon's ambassador to France and Spain,
had concluded treaty with her most Catho.
lic Majesty, Queen Isabella, a secret article
of which provides for the actual interference
of Spain in behalf of Miramon as against
Juarez, and for eventually placing Spanish
prince upon the Mexican throne. 1t was
also known that France was informed of
that treaty, and gave it q tacit consent
1t was also known that already once be,
fore, in lS47, the same party in Mexico
which now supports Miramon, had made
similar arrangement with Spain, and that
Louis Philippe, then King of France, also
assented to it, that several French and Span, |
ish war vessels were then in the port of Ha,
vana, with instructions to sail for Vera |
Cruz and support the plans of the Imper,
a"i'oso At AACAtOOs lHon lu6 american NIOVt |
crnment, under the shrewd management of |
Mr. Buchanan, Secretary of State, succeed.
ed in thwarting the whole project by covert.
ly facilitating the return of Santa Anna to
Mexico.
Taking all these things together the les
sons of the past and the moves of the pre-,
sent, Jnarez was justly alarmed at these
menacing prospects of European interyen-
ton in the affairs of Mexico No other
power but the United States had recognized
the legality and constitutionality of his
Government, and with no other power was
he in official diplomatic correspondence
To the representatives of the United States
he therefore communicated his official proc.
lamation, that the two steamers fitted ont
for war purposes OF Havana, if sailing un-
der the Mexican flag, were not national yes,
sells of war, and If found in any hostile dem
onstration were to be considered as pirates
and outlaws under the law of natiors.
In due course of time the two steamers
made their appearance off Anton Lizardo
near Vera Cruz They had hoisted the
Mexican flag. The American steamer
Saratoga hailed them to show their true
cOlors. No response was made. According
to national custom the Saratoga fred shot
forward to make them lay-to. The answer
was salvo from the ships guns and mus
kerry. In response broadside from the
Saratoga brought the MARQUEE to stand
still, and after short conflict both steamers
surrendered. Under these circumstances :
every American, no matter what his partv
prejudces may be, will not hesitate to saw Z
that the American commander acted right
The vessels being declared piratical bv
their own government, every public armed
ship Of any nation was justified in inter,
cepting and capturing them. One of them
having fred into the American frigate. that c
ship was compelled, by every consideration
OF law and justice, to rotaliate and take the
offending ship, Thus far the immediate {
circumstances of the affair show our of5eers
in the Gull to have been clearly in the night
Looking however, at the matter in con-
neetion with high political considerations,
it appears that Capt Jarvis not only acted
right, not only followed the dictates of duty
and international justice, but that be con-
ferred national and lasting benefit upon
l.