The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-04-10
BALTIMORE.
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1860

Mexican steamers and the change winch pubic
opinion has undergone in relation to the matter
after HEARING both sides. When the news of the
canture Of the steamers by the vessels Of the
SQUADRON under command of Captain JARVIS, off
Vera Cruz, first reached us from New Orleans,
we were not without misgivings as TO the prob
able face which subsequent DEVELOPMENTS
might put upon the transaction Certainly,
according 10 first accounts the Mexicans were
the aggressors. They had declined to disclose
lher nationality; had endeavored 10 escape the
observation and scrutiny of our men-ofwar: had
answered the peaceful hail of our sentry with n
broadside, and had themselves commenced the
action Of which their defeat and capture was only
hcineviable result. The story seemed improbable.
and we waited for further information before COM
hitting ourselves to its truth, or giving to our
officers all the credit TO which their conduct under
the circumstances, would seem TO have entitled
them. Further information has at length come
to hand, not indeed through TIE official channels
by which we expected it, but still in shape and
with the impress Of intrinsic probability upon il
that leave us little room to doubt its correctness.
The protests of the foreign naval commanders by
whom the capture of the steamers appears to have
been viewed as very great outrage, and I'll
statement Of Commodore MARIN, published from
his prison at New Orleans, throw new light
upon the whole business, and one winch is any
thing but favorable to Captain JARVIS. According
to Commodore MARIN, the captured steamers were
purchased at Havana by order and on account of
the MRAMoN Government of Mexico, which is
recognized by England, France, and Spain. One
was duly nationalized as Mexican steamer and
together with a new register took the new name
Of the General Mramon The naturalization of the
other was delayed until her arrival at Mexican
port, and was made dependent upon her acquitting
herself TO the satisfaction of her owners.
Both, with supplies of men and munitions Of war
for the army of MIRAMoN, then engaged in the
siege of Vera Cruz, left Havana on the 9th of
February, and on the 9th OF March, arrived
off Vera Cruz, passed the castle of San Juan
dUlloa, and the foreign men-of war at anchor at
SACRIFICES, without sautng or displaying any
colorS-of which omission, however, no notice
was taken by eithcr-and anchored at Anton Lii
Zardo. At 81 O'Clock, the same evening, the
steamers HdianoIa and Ware, in the service of the
JUARE Government, but with detachments of
STATES frigate SardnnaB and sloop PreJIe,
started for Anton Lizardo, towing the UNITED
STATES ship S1ydtQgG-wth what design is left TO
conjecture and subsequent events to make out, and
with what instructions from Captain JARVIS Gov
eminent has not yet disclosed. 1t was nearly
midnight wien the anchorage of MmAMoN's
steamers at Anton Lizardo was reached. Com
modorc MARIN perceiving the approach of three
vessels, two Of which he recognized as belonging
to the ,IUAREz Government, and anticipating an
immediate attack by superior numbers, attempted
TO make his escape His preparations for so doing
were arrested by two shots from the In3iano7a.
fired with The design of bringing him to- Find
ing himself thus completely caught, and unwilling
to surrender without, at least, show of fight,
MARIN opened fire upon his assailants His state
ment is explicit that he did not know at the time
that the third ship was an American man-of-war
which the Hdianola and JTdoe were towing, or that
the approaching vessels were under command of an
American officer, and certainly the fact of his
Offering resistance under circumstances where,
with knowledge resistance would have seemed
like madness, gives an air of likelihood TO his
statement Neither side showed any colors As
soon rs he did make the discovery of the real
character of his assailans, MARIN further states
That he ordered firing TO cease. Whether his orders
were obeyed or not he omits to mention, but how
ever that may be, the vessels were boarded and
captured, and, with their crews, sent to New
Orleans. where they now await the ac
uon OF the proper authorities. The queg-
ton which Commodore MARIN raises about
the unnecessary use of force on our side, and the
needless slaughter of his men, after resistance had
ceased, although of q very grave character, and
demanding the severest scrutiny into the conduct
OF our officers who were engaged in the action
are minor considerations compared with the i'm
portant inquiry rs to right to capture the
steamers at all. They were Mexican vessels, an
chored in Mexican port We are at peace with
Mexico, and unless first attacked ourselves had no
right to modest them. The JUAREz Government,
it is true, had pronounced the expedition of
Commodore MARIN piratica and had invited the
commander of our forces to intercept it, but
apart from his knowledge of the fact
that the steamers were public armed ships
OF the MRAMoN Government of Mexico, the Gov
eminent recognized by France Spain and Enc
land, Captain JARVIS ought to know, and doubt
less does know, that no declaration of JUAREz, or
of anybody else, could make them piratical, unless
they were so in fact. Piracy is an offence de-
fined by the law Of nations, and subjects those
VINO are guilty Off to capture by the ships and
punishment 10y the courts of every country That
offence, there is no pretence that Commodore
MARIN had committed or intended to commit
Lis purpose was simply to operate by sea against
the city OF Vera Cruz which MiRAMoN was be-
Sleglng on the land side. With that purpose
we had no right TO interfere except upon the
ground OF an alliance offensive and defensive
with the JUARz Government of Vera Cruz, and
III pursuance of a policy of active intervention
In the affairs Of Mexico. No such alliance has
been iormed-no such policy has been adopted,
at least, not with the sanction of the treaty
making power, which is the Senate, or of the
War-making power, which is Congress. Upon no
ground of public law we claim to proceed
against Commodore MARIN, and the vessels and
men under his command, as public enemies or as
vessels he adjudged lawful prize or the men be
held as prisoners. The capture of the former and
the detention Of the latter are equally illegal, and
constitute just ground of claim on the part of
MEXICO against this Government for damages. In
,he case oil stronger Government there is little
uo"ot pht that the claim would be enforced
III the case OF a stronger Government there is
ground for doubling whether the case would ever
have happened.