Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-01-05

was afterwards increased, 80 that by the lest
return the VIII Die humber Of troops when on the
island amounted in the aggregate TO eSl men,
While do not deem it proper GU the pres
ent occasion to 20 further into the subject.
aud discuss the weight which ought to be at
! tached to the statements of the British Colo
NAL authorities, co8testing the accurately Of
the information on which the gallant General
acted, it was due TO him that / should thus
present bis own reasons for issuing the order
to Capt Pickett From these it is quite clear
! bis object was 10 prevent the British author.
tiles on Vaucouyer's Island from exercising
jurisdiction over American residents on the
Island of San Juan, as well as to protect them
against the incursious Of the Indians.
Much excitement prevailed for some time
throughout that region, and serious danger Of
collision between the perties was apprehen-
ded The British had large naval force i'm
the vicinity aud il is but an act of simple
! Justice TO the Admiral on that station 10 state
! that he wisely and discreetly forbore to con-
! nit any hostile act. but determined to refer
! the whole affair to his Government and await
! their instructions.
! This aspect of the matter. 10 my opinion, de-.
manded serious attention. 1t would have been
u great calamity for both nations had they
been precptated inte acts Of hostility not on
the question Of title to the island, but merely
concerning what should be lis condition during
The Intervening period while the TWO Govern
meuLs might be employed in eitling the ques-
ton TO which Of them it belongs, For this rea-
son Lieutenant Geucral Scott was dispatched
on the lTth Of September last TO Washington
! Territory to take immediate command of the
! United States forces on the Pacific coast
should he deem this necessary The main OBJ
/ ject OF bis mission was 10 carry out the spirit
of the precautionary arrangements between
/ the late Secretary Of State aud The British
Minister, and thus 10 preserve the peace and
| prevent collision between the British aud
American authorities pcudlng the negotiations
! between the two Governments. Entertaining
no doubt of the validity Of our title, ! need
scarcely adj that, III any event, American cit
izens were to be placed on a footing at least
as favorable as that Of British subjects, it
! being understood that Captain Picketts CON-
/ dany should remain on the island. 1t is prop
er 10 observe that, considering the distance
! from the scene of action, and in ignorance of
what might have trauspired on the spot before
the Generals arrival, il was necessary to leave
much 10 his discretion, aud | ain happy to
state the event has proven that this discretion
could not have been intrusled TO more coupe
tent hands. General Scott has recently re-
turned from his MISSION having successfully
accomplished its object, aud there is no longer
any good reason TO appreheud a collision be-
tween the forces of tue two countries during
TIE pGndcucy Of the existing negotiations.
/ | regret TO Inform YOU that there has been
no improvement in the affairs of Mexico since
my last annual message, aud l am again
obliged to ask the earnest attention Of Con.
gress 10 he unhappy condition Of that repub-
/ lie
The Constituent Congress Of Mexico, which
adjourned on the l7th Of February, 1857,
adopted a constitution aud provided for
popular election. This took place in the fol-
/ lowing July (lS57(, and General Comonfort
was chosen President, almost without 0pposi-
! ton. At the same election new Congress
was chosen whose first session commenced on
! the 9th of September (l857). By the Goa
stitution of 1851 the presidential term was to
/ begin on the lst of December (lS57l, aud
continue for four years On that day General
Cumonfort appeared before the assembled Con.
gre>s in the City Of Mexico, took the oath to
/ support the new Constitution, and was duly
inaugurated as President Within q month
aftcrward he had been driven from the capital
and military rebellion had assigned the So.
preme power OF the Republic 10 Gen Zul-
oaga. The Constitution provided that in the
absence of the President his Office should de.
volve upon the Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court, aud, General CUmonfort having lift
the country, this functionary, General JuarrZ.
proceeded to form, at Guanojuato, q con-
stitutioaal Government. Before this was Of
Ecmliy known, however, at the capital the
Government us Zuoaga had been recognized
hy the entire Diplomatic corps, including the
Minister of the United States as the de fdcto
Government Of Mexico. The constitutional
President, nevertheless, maintained his posi-
ton with hrInueSS. and was soon established
with his Cabinet AT Vera Cruz Meanwhile
the Government Of Zuloaga was earnestly re-
sisted in many parts of the Republic and even
in the capital u portion of the army having
pronounced against IT, its functions were de-
carcl terminated, and an assembly Of citizens
was invited for the choice of a new President.
This Assembly elect, Gen. Miriam n, ut that
officer repudiated the plan under which he was
chosen, and Zuloaga was thus restored 10 bis
preyious position. He assumed it, however.
only TO withdraw from il, and Miramon, haV-
ing become. by his appointment, President
Substitute" continues with that title, al tbs
head OF the iusurgent party.
In my last annual message, | communicated
to Congress the circumstances under which the
late Minister Of the United States suspended
his official relations with the Central Govern
ment, aud withdrew from the country. 1t was
impossible to maintain friendly intercourse
with Government, like that at the Caplal.
under whose usurptd authority wrongs were
constantly committed, but never redressed.
, Had this been an established Government.
, with its power extending, by the consent of
: the people over the whole of MeXica q resort