The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1860-01-07

u tDt ants OF the neighbOrhOOd OF the line In
qtestion, the exercise of the same spirit Of for
bearance which is inculcated by ron (Mr. Marcy
on the authorities and citizens Of the United
States.r
Thus matters remained upon the faith of tl,is
arrangement until the 9th Of July last, VIII IN
General Harney paid visit to the Island. lie
ond upon it twenty-five American residents
with their fimilies, and also an establishment Of
the Hudson Bay Company for the purpose Of
raising sheep. A short time before his arrival
one Of these residents had shot an animal be-
longing TO the company, whilst trespassing upon
hi- premises, for which. however, he offered to
pay twice its value but that was refused Soon
after, the " chief actor of the company at victo-
ris MIR. Dilles, son-in-law Of Governor Douglas,
came to the Island in the British sloop-of-w ii
Satellite and threatened to t,ke this Americ IN
tMF. CUTLERY by force to Victoria, to answer for
the tresplss he had committed. The Aneric IN
seized his ride, and told Mr.. Dales that II any
attempt was made he would kill him on the
spot. The affair then ended"
Under these circumstances the American set
tiers presenteda petition to the General Through
the United States Inspector Of Customs, Mr..
Hubs, to place force upon the Island, to pro-
tect them from the Indians as well as the opprcs-
Sive interference Of the authorities of the Hud-
son Bay Company at Victoria with their rights
a. American citizens The General Immediately
responded to this petition, and Capt lin Geo f.
Picket, 9th Infantry, to /" establish his company
on Bellevue, or SIN Juan Island, on some suit A.
bic position near the Harbor at the southeastern
ex remity." This order was promptly obeyed,
and military post was established at the place
de .ignated. The force was afterwards increased,
so that by the last return, the whole number of
troops then on the Island amounted in the ag-
greglte to 69l men.
Whilst do not deem it proper on the present
occasion to go further into the subject, and dis.
cuss the weight which ought to be attached to
the statements of the British colonial authori-
ties contesting the accuracy of the information
on which the gallant General acted, it was due
to him that should thus present his own reasons
for issuing the order to Captain Picket From
these it is quite clear his object was to prevent
the British Authorities on Vancouvre's Island
from exercising jurisdiction over American resi-
dents on the Island of San Juan, as well as
to protect them against the incursions of the
Indians.
Much excitement prevailed for some time
throughout that region, and serious danger Of
COLI sion between the parties was apprehended
The British had large naval force in the vicini-
"; and it Is but an act of simple justice to the
Admiral on that station to state that he wisely
and discreetly forbore to commit any hostile act,
but determined to refer the whole affair to his
Government and await their instructions.
The aspect OF the matter, in my opinion, de-
manded serious attention. 1t would have been a
grait calamity for both nations had they been
preeipitated into acts of hostility, not on the
question OF title to the island. but merely con-
ceriiing what should be its condition during the
intervening period whilst the two governments
might he employed in settling the question to
|. Al. - IL. Az II
General Scott was dispatched ON the 18th Sep
temher last to Washington Territory to take iul-
mediate command of the United States forces on
the Pacific Coast should he deem this necessary.
The main object of his mission WAS to carry out
the spirit of the prec autionary arrangements be-
tween the late Secretary of State and the British
Minister, and thus to preserve the peace and
prevent collision between the British and Ameri-
can Authorities pending the negotiation between
the two Governments Entertaining 10 doubt OF
the validity of orr title need scarcely add that,
in any event, American citizens were TO be placed
on footing at least as favorable as that of Brit
ish subjects, it being understood that Captain
Picke;'s company should remain on the Island.
1t is proper to observe that, considering the dis
tlnce from the scene of action, and in ig-
norance of what might have transpired on the
spot before the Generals arrival, il was necessa-
py IN state the event has proven that this dis
cretioa could not have been entrusted to more
competent hands, General Scott has recently
returned from from his mission having success
fully accomplished its object, and there is no
longer any good reason to apprehend COLI.
sion between the forces of the two countries
during the pendencv of the existing ncgotia-
tions.
MEXICO.
| regret to inform yon that there has been no
Improvement in the affairs of Mexico since my
last annual message, and am again obliged to
ask the ernest attention of Congress to the un-
happy condition of that Republic.
TIE constituent Congress of Mexico, which
adjourned on the 18th of February, 1857, adopt.
ed constitution and provided for popular
election This took place in the following July
Usa7), and General Comonfort was chosen Pres
ileut, almost without opposition. At the same
election new Congress was chosen, whose first
session commenced ON the 10th of September
1884 Ry the constitution of 1857, the Pres
dcntial term was to begin on the lst of Decem
bef, 1857 and continue for four years. On that
day General Comonfort appeared before the as
sen,bled Congress in the City of Mexico, took
the oath to support the new constitution, and
was duly inaugurated as President. Within d
month afterwards he I'D been driven from the
capital, and military rebellion had assigned the
supreme power of the Republic to Gen. Zuloaga
The constitution provided that in the absence O.
the President his office should devolve upon tho
Chief Justice Of the Supreme Court, and Gen
Comoniort having left the country, this function.
ary Gen. Juarez, proceeded to form, at Gund
justo a constitutional government. BefoLe this
WAS officially known, however, at the capital, the
government of Zuloaga had been recognized b.
the entire diplomatic corps, including the Minis
ter of the United States, as the de facto govern
ment of Mexico The constitutional President
nevertheless maintained his position With firnnes
and was soon established with his cabinet a
Vera Cruz Meanwhile, the government OF Zu
loaga was earnestly resisted in many parts of thu
Republic, and even in the capital portion 0
the army having pronounced against its function
were declared terminated, and an assembly 0
citizens was invited for the choice Of a new Pres
ident. This assembly elected General Miramon
but that officer repudlted the plan under whicl
he was chosen, and Zuloaga was thus restored Il
his previous position. He assumed it, however
onlg to withdraw from it, and Miramon having
become by his appointment President Substi
tute,' continues with that title, at the head o
| the insurgent party.
In nv last annual message communicated Z
| Congress the circumstances under which the lat
Minister Of the United States suspended his off
cial relations with the central government, an
Withdrew from the country. 1t was impossibl
to maintain friendly intercourse with govern
ment. like that ut the capital, under whose usa'rr
ed authority wrongs were constantly committe
| but never redressed. Had this been an estal
lished government, with its power extending b
the consent of the people, over the whole {
| Mexico, resort to hostilities against it woul
| have been quite jusfifable, and indeed necessar,
| But the country was prey to civil war; and
| was hoped thtt the success of the constitutions
President might lead to a condition OF things les
injurious to the United States. This success b.
| came SO probable that, in January fast, en-
rloyed a reliable agent to visit Mexico, and r,
port to me the actual condition and prospects I
the contending parties. In consequence Of h
report, and from information which reached m
from other sources, favorable to the prospects I
the constitutional cause, felt justified in Al
nointing a new minister TO Mexico, who mFgi
embrace the earliest suitable opportunity OF r
storing ous diplomatic relations with thai repn
lic For this purpose distinguished citizen
MARYLAND was selected, who proceeded on
mission on the 9th Of March last, with discr
tionary authority to recognize the government
President Juarez, IL on his arrival in Mexico
should find il entitled to such recognition, a
oording to the established practice of the Unit,
States. On the 7th Of April following, y
L.