The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-12-14
BLOCK. LIBERTY STREET.
,cntion will be submitted Immediately to the

vention will be submitted Immediately TO the
Senate for their constitutional action.
The claims Of our countrymen upon the
republic Of Nicaragua have not yet been pro-
viied for by treaty, although diligent efforts
for this purpose have been made by our Min
ister resident to that republic. These are
still continued, with fair prospect Of sue
GEES.
MEXICO.
Our relations with Mexico remain In most
unsatisfactory condition. In my last two an.
nual messages l discussed extensively the
subject Of these relations, and do not now
propose to repeat at length the facts and ar
guments then presented. They proved con-
clusively that our citizens residing in Mexico,
and our merchants trading thereto, had SUI.
fered series OF wrongs and ouirages such as
we have never patiently borne from any
other nation. For these our successive min
listers, invoking the faith Of treaties, had, in
the name of their country, persistently de.
manded redress and dndemnifcation, but with
out the slightest effect. Indeed, so confident
had the Mexican authorities become of our
patient endurance, that they universally be-
lieved they might commit these outrnges
upon American citizens with absolute impu-
nifty. Thus wrote our minister In 1856, and
expressed the opinion that "nothlng but
manifestation Of the power Of the Govern.
ment, and Of its purpose to punish these
wrongs sill avail"
Afterwards, in 1857, came the adoption Of
a new Constitution for Mexico, the election
Of President and Congress under its provi-
sions, and the inauguration of the President.
Within one short month, however. the Presi-
dent was expelled from the capital by rebel
lion in the army, and the supreme power OF
the Republic was assigned to General Zsloaga.
This usurper was in his turn soon compelled
TO retire and give place to General Miranion.
Under the Constitution which had thus
been adopted. Senior Juarex. rs Chief JUS
tice of the Supreme Court, became the law
fu President OF the Republic, and it was for
the maintenance OF the Constitution aud his
authority derived from It, that the civil war
commenced. and still continues to be prose.
culed.
Throughout the year 1853 the constitutions
al party grew stronger and stronger. In the
previous history of Mexico successful mill
tary revolution at the capital had almost uni-
versally been the signal for submission
throughout the Republic. Not so on the
present occasion. A majority of the citizens
Nphe'buNioiua bo'N
ernment. When this was recognized, in
April, 1859, by the Government OF the United
States, its authority extended over large
majority Of the Mexican States and people,
including Vera Cruz and all the other impor-
tant seaports of the Republic. From that
period our commerce with Mexico begun TO
revive, and the constitutional government has
afforded 1t all the protection in their power.
Meanwhile the government Of Miramon
still held sway at the capital aud over the
surrounding country. and continued its out
RACES against the few American citizens who
still had the courage 20 remain within its
poSer. To cap the climax After the battle
Of Tacubaya, in April, lS50.Gen. Marquee or
dered three citizens oil the United States,
two of them physicians, TO be- seized in the
hospital mt that place, taken out and shot,
without crime anu without trial. Thi, was
doos, notw i,ii..iiiuiinR our unr,' coun-
tryinen were the moment engaged in aii1rd-
ing relief to the soldiers Of both parties who
had been wounded in the battle, without
making any distinction between them.
The time had arrived, In my opinion,
when this government was bound to exert its
power to ayenge and redress the wrongs Of
our citizens and afford them protection In
Mexico. The interposing obstacle was that
the portion of the country under the sway OF
SIramon could not be reached without pass |
Ing over territory under the jurisdiction OF |
the constitutional government. Under these
circumstances / deemed it my duty TO recom-
mend TO Congress. IN my last annual Message.
the employment Of a sufficient military force
TO penetrate into the interior, where the gov
crnment of Miramon was TO be found, with,
or, IL need be, without the consent OF the
Juarez government, though II was not doubt
ed that this consent could be obtained.
Never have | had clearer conviction on
any subject than that OF the justice as well
ms wisdom OF such a policy. No other al
teruative was left, except the abandonment
Of our fellow citizens, who have gone to
Mexico under the faith Of treaties, 10 the sys.
tematic injustice, cruelty and oppression OF
Miramon's government. BESIDES, IL is almost
certain that the simple authority TO employ
this force would OF itself have accomplished
all our objects without striking single blow.
The constitutional government would then
ere this have been established at the city Of
Mexico, and would have been ready and will
ing, to the extent of its ability, to do US jus.
tice.
In addition-nnd I deem this most i'm
portant Observation-Disclosures govern-
ments would have been deprived OF oil pre-
text to interfere IN the territorial and domes-
tic concerns OF Mexico. We should thus
have beea relieved from the obligation of re-
sisting even by force, should this become
necessary, any attempt by these governments
to deprive our neighboring Republic OF por-
tions of her territory; duty from which
we could not shrink without abandoning
the traditional and established policy Of the
American people. am happy TO observe
that, firmly relying upon the justice and
good faith OF these governments, there Is no
present danger that such contingency will
happen.
Having discovered that my recommenda.
tions would not be sustained by Congress, the
next alternative was TO accomplish, In some
degree. ii possible, the same objects by treaty
stipula,ions with the constitutional govern
ment. Snch treaties were accordingly con-
cluded by our late able and excellent Minis.
ter to Mexico. and on the ith of January
last were submitted to the Senate for ra,if.
cation. As these have not yet received the
iinal action Of that body, IL would be improp-
er for me TO present detailed statement Of
their provisions. Still | may be permitted
to express the opinion In advance that they
are calculated to promote the agricultural,
manufacturing and commercial interests Of
the country. and to secure our just influence
with All adjoining republic as to whose for.
tunes and tate We can never feel indifferent;
whilst at the same time they provide for the
payment of considerable amount towards
The satisfaction Of the claims Of our injured
fellow citizens.
KANSAS AND UTAH.
At the period Of my Inauguration was
confronted in Kansas by a revolutionary gov.
eminent, existing under what is called the
Topeka constitution. It's avowed object was
to subdue the territorial government oy force.
and to inaugurate what was called the Tope.
ka government In its stead. To accomplish
this object an extensive military organization
was formed, aud Its command entrusted TO
the most violent revolutionary leaders. I'm
der these circumstances, it became my impe.
rative duty to exert the whole constitutional