Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-01-11

present occasion to go further into the sub Jecr, and discuss the weight which ought to be attached to the statements of the British colonial authorities, contesing the accuracy | of the information on which this gallant l general acted; 1t was due to him that l should thus present his own reasons for is- suing the order to Pickett From these 1t is quite clear his object was to prevent the British authorities on Vancouver's island from exercising jurisdiction over American residents 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, serious danger of collision between the parties was appre- hended. The British had large naval force Tn the vicinity; and it Is but an act of simple justice to the admiral on that station to state he wisely and discreetly forebore to commit any hostile act, but determined to refer the whole affair to this government and await their instructions.
 This aspect of the matter, in my opinion, demanded serious attention. It would have l been great calamity for both nations had they been precipitated into acts of hostility not on the question of title to the island, but melely concerning what should be its condition during the intervening period whilst the two governments might be en- ployed in settling the question to which of them it belongs For this reason, Lieut. General Scott was dispatched on the l7th September last, to Washington territory, to take immediate command of the United States force on the Pacific coast should he deem this necessary. The main object of his mission was to carry out the spirit of 1 the precautionary arrangement between the late secretary of state and the British min ister, and thus preserve the peace and pre- vent collision between the British and Ame- rican authorities pending the Negotiations between the two governments
 Entertaining no doubt of the validity of our title, 1 need scarcely add that, in any event, American citizens were to be placed on footing at least as favorable as that of British subjects, 1t being understood that Capt. Pickett's company should remain on the island. It is proper to observe that considering the distance from the scene of action, and in ignorance of what might have transpired on the spot before the Gen erals arrival, 1t was necessary to leave much to his discretion, and I am happy to state the event has proven that this discre- tlon could not have been intrusted to more competent hands. Gen. Scott has recently returned from his mission, having success full accomplished its objects, and there is no longer any good reason to apprehend collision between the forces of the two coun- tries during the pendency of the existing negotiations.
 1 regret to inform you that there has been no improvement in the affairs of Mexico since my last annual message, and I am again obliged to ask the earnest attention of Congress to the unhappy condition of that republic.
 The constituent Congress of Mexico, which adjourned on the 17th of February, 1857, adopted a constitution and provided for popular election This took place in the following July, 1857, and General Comonfort was chosen President almost without opposition. At the same election new Congress was chosen, whose first session commenced on the 18th of Septem- Der, 1857. By the constitution of 1857 the presidential term was to begin on the lst of December, 1857, and continue for four years. On that day General Comon- fort appeared before the assembled Con- gress in the City of Mexico, took the oath to support the new constitution, and was duly inaugutated as President Within a month afterward he had been driven from the capital, and military rebellion had as- signed the supreme power of the republic to General Zuloaga. The constitution pro- vlded that in the absence of the President his office should devolve upon the chief justice of the supreme court, and, General Comonfort having left the country, this functionary, General Juarez, proceeded to form, at Guanajuato, a constitutional gov ernment.
 Before this was officially known, how ever, at the capital of the government of Zuloaga had been recognized by the entire diplomatic corps, including the minister of the United States, as the de facto govern ment of Mexico. The constitutional Pres- dent, nevertheless, maintained his position with frmness, and was soon established with his cabinetat Vera Cruz. Meanwhile, the government of Zuloaga was earnestly resisted in many parts ofrepublic, and even Tn the capital, portion of the army hay ing pronounced against it, its functions were declared terminated, and an assembly of citizens was invited for the choice of a new President. This assembly elected Gen. Miramon, but that officer repudiated the plan under which he was chosen, and Zuloaga was thus restored to his previous position. He assumed 1t, however, only to withdraw from 1t, and Miramon, having become, by his appointment, "President Substitute," continues, with that title, at the head of the insurgent party.
 In my last annul message 1 communicat- ed to Congress the circumstances under which the late minister of thet United States suspended his official relations with the central government, and withdrew from the country. It was impossible to maintain friendly intercourse witha government like that at the capital, under whose usurped au- thority wrongs were constantly committed, but never redressed. Had this been an es- tablished government, with its power ex- tending, by the consent of the people, over the whole of Mexico, resort to hostiiities against it would have been quite justifable, and indeed necessary. But the country was prey to civil war, and 1t was hoped that the success of the constitutional Presi- dent might lead to condition of things less injurious to the United States. This success became so probable that, in Janua- " last, 1 employed reliable agent to visit Mexico, and report to me the actual condi- tion and prospects of the contending par ties.
 In consequence of his report, and from information which reached me from other sources, favorable to the prospects of the constitutional cause, felt justified in ap pointing a new minister to Mexico, who might embrace the earliest suitable oppor- tunity of restoring our diplomatic relations with that republic. For this purpose a distinguished citizen of Maryland was se- lected, who proceeded on his mission the 9th of March last, with discretionary authority to recognize the government of President Juarez, if, on his arrival in Mexi- co. he should find 1t entitled to such recog- milton, according to the established practice