Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-01-05

nut never reUrebseu. Decn I'm chtaD-
lished government, with its power extending, by
the consent of the people, over the whole Of Mex
leo, n resort to hostilities against it would have
been Quito justifable, and indeed necessary
But the country was prey to civil war; and it
was hoped that the success of the constitutional
President mightlead to a condition of things less
injurious to the United States. This success be-
came so probable that, il January last, en-
ployed reliable agent to visit Mexico, and re-
port to me the actual condition md prospects Of
the CONTROLLING parties. In consequence Of his
report and from information which reached me
from other sources, favorable to the prospects of
the constitutional cause, I felt justified in ap-
pointing n new minister to Mexico, who might
EN- race the earliest suitable opportunity of re-
storing our diplomaticrelations with that repub-
lie. For this purpose distinguished citizen of
Maryland was selected, who proceeded on his
mission on the Sth of March last, with discre-
tionary authorityto recognize the government of
President Juarez, if'on his arrival in Mexico he
should find it entitled to such recognition accor-
ding to the established practice Of the U. States.
On the 9TH of April following, Mr.. McLane pre-
sented his credentials to President Juarez, hav-
ing n hesitation Sin pronouncing the govern
ment of Juarez to he the only existing govern
ment of the Republic" He was cordially re-
ceived by the auth orites at Vera Cruz, and they
have ever since manifested the most friendly dis
position towards the United States. Unhappily,
however, the constitutional government has not
been able to establish its power over the whole
republic. 1t is supported by large minority of
the people and the States, but there are impor-
tant parts of the country where it can enforce no
obedience. General Miramon main tains himself
NJ tI,e capital; and in come of the distant prov
bccs there are military governors W no nav little
rcanec, IN the DEGREES Of either government In
III, mean time the excuses which always attend
upon civil war, especially in Mexico, are con-
staItly recurring. 0utrnges of the worst des-
cription arc committed both upon persons and
propcr,y. There is scarcely any form of injury
which has not been suffered by our citizens in
Mexico duriny the last few years.
We have beeh ndminaily at peace with that
repullir r.t $50 far a. the interests of our COM
mtrge Or of our citizens who have visited the
c6ilntry ns mcrchnuts administers, or other ca
paciti,s, nre concerned we might as well have
been at war" Life has been insecure, property
unprotected and trude impussible except a. rink
of loss which prudent men cannot be expected to
incur Important rontracts involving large "
penditurcs, entered into by the central govern
ment have been set ut defiance by the local gov
ernmentg. Peaceful American residents, occu-
plying their rightfu possessions, have been sud-
denly expelled from the country, in Defiance of
treaties, and by the mere force of arbitrary pow
cr. Even the course of justice has not been safe
from control, and recent decree Of MrumOn
permits the intervention of government in all
suits whrrc either party il a foreigner. NessclE
of the United States have been seized without
law, and II consular officer who protested aghnst
such seizure has been fined and imprisoned for
disrespccttoth he authorities. Military cdntriLu-
tions have been levied in violation Of every prin-
ciple of ight, and the American who resisted the
lneless demand has had his property forcb|y ia
ktri awny, and has been himself banished From
comic, of authority in different parts Of the
country, tariff duties which have been paid in
one place have been exacted overngain in anoth-
err place. large numbers of our citizens have
been arrested ard imprisoned without any form
of examination or any Opportunity for hearing,
and even when released have only obtained their
liberty after much suffering and niquity aud with
out any hope of redress. The wholesale massa-
ere OF Crabbe and his associates without trial in
Sonora. rs well as the seizure and murder of four
sick Americans who had taken shelter in the
house of nm American, upon the soil Of the Uni
ted States, was communicated to Congress ut its
last session. Murders of still more atrocious
character have been committed in the very henrt
Of Mexico, under the authority Of Miramon's go
vcruinent, during the present year. Some Of
these were only worthy of barbarous nge, and
fthey hud not been clearly proven. would have
seemed impossible in country which claims to
be civilize /. 0fthis description was the brutal
massacre in April last, by order of Gen. Mar
quez, Of three American physcuns. who were
seized in the hospital at TGcubaya while atte7:d-
ing upon the sick and the dying OF both parties,
and without trial, ms without CRIME were hurried
away to speedy execution. Little less shocking
was the recent fate of Ormond Chase, who WAS
shot in Topic on the eth Of August by order of
the si'tnc Mexican general, not only without
trial, but without any con lecture by his friends
Of the cause of his arrest. He is represented as
II yorrng man of good character and ntelligence,
" lfo had made numerous friends in Topic by the
courage and humanity which he had displayed
ON sevcrnl trying occasions, and his death WINS
as unexpected as it was shocking to the whole
community. Other ouirages nigh; lie enumera-
ted, but these are sufficient to illustrate the
wretchcd state Of the country and the unproiect-
ed condition of the persons and property Of cur
citizens in Mexico.
In ull these cases our ministers have been con
stunt and faithful in their demands for redress
but both they and this Government which tn, y
have succcssively represented, have been wholly
puwcrrss to make their demands effective. Then
tc.timouy in this re pect and in reference to The
only remedy which, in their judgments. would
meet the eXigency, Inns been both uniform and
emphatic. Nothing but manifestation Of the
power Of the Government of the United States
(wIo,c or minister in 1850 and of its purpose
To punish these wrongs will avail. / assure yo,
that the universal is that theI il moth
ing to be nppreheI dcd from the Government o
the United states, aud that local Mexican off
ciais can commit these outraecs upcn American
ciri.cus with absolute imrunity" II hone tn
President" wrote our present minister in Angus
| LASH "will feel authorized TO ask from Conpres
| tie power to enter Mexico with the miitar
| forces q; the U. States at the call of the consti
tuli.n nal authorities in order to protect the cit
! z,i,suu,l the ,reaty rights of the L. States. Tn
| le,. such n powcr il conferred upon him. neithe
the one nor the other viii be respected in the ex
listing STATE of anarchy and disorder, an the out
sulrcu,ly pcrpetrnted will never be chastised
and. as assured YOU in my No. 30, all thcs
evil, must increase until every vestigo Of orde
| aud government disappears from the country.
| 7 h,S. Lrrn rcIuc,nniIy led TO the same opinior
| and in iu.,i,a to my copptrymen who have sui
fered wrong. from Mexico. and who may still sui
fer them. | feel bound to announce this conclu
sion to Congress.
The ease presented. however is rot merely
ease ofindiyidunl claims although our Just claim
against Mexico have reached n very large amour
Mr. is it merely the case of protection TO the live