The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-01-03

Ni4sirE bN 4UrCe 10 70 ElA>Nct 10. .ES
t-espass he hal committed. The American
seized his rife and told Mr.. Dallas, il such az
attempt was made he would Il him on the
SPOT. The affair then ended
Under these circumstances the American settlers
presented Petition to the General through the
United States inspector Of customs, Nj Hubs, to
place force upon the island 10 protec: them from
the Indians IS well the oppressive interfs: erCe
Of the Authorities OF the Hudson Bay Company at
Eic;oria with their rights q. American citizens "
The General Immediately responded to this petition,
and ordered Cap'ain George l. Pickett, 9Th mint
r. TO establish his company or Bellevue, or San
Juan island, on some suitable position near the
harbJr al the southeastern extremity This o.
der was promptly obeyei and 8 military post vas
established at ths place designated The force
Afterwards increased that by the last return
the whole number Of troops then on tho Inland
amounted in the aggregate TO 69l men.
Wills. l do not deem il Iroper on the present
OCCASION TO e. further into the subject and discuss
the which ought II bs attached 20 the state
rnens Of the British colonisi authorities contest
ing the accuracy Of the Information on which the
gallant General srtei il was dus u him that
should thus present his own reasons for issuing the
order TO Captain Pickett. From these it is quito
clear bis object was 10 prevent the British suthori
tics on Vancouver, Island from exercising ju.n
diction over American residents On the Island Of
San Juan, As well as 20 protect them against the
incGlsions Of the indiana
Much excitement prevailed FOR some time
throughout that region, anu serious danger 81
collision between the parties was spprehend-
Ell. The British bad large naval force in
the vicinity and it is bU. an act OF simple
justice to the Admiral on tina; station to state
that he wisely AM discreetly forbors to CON-
nit any hostile act, on. determined 10 refer
the whole affair TO his government. and avail,
their instructions.
This aspect of me matter, in my opinion,
demanded seri0us attention. II would have
been great calamity for both nations had
they been precipitstei into acts Of hostility
not of the question 81 title 10 the island. bu ;
merely concernin. what should be its con-
dition during the intervening period whilst
the two governments might be employed in
settling the question to which Of them Il be-
longs. For this reason Lieutenant General
Scott was despatched on the 18th Septem-
Der last TO Washington territory to take i'm
mediate command OF the UnitedfJtates forces
on the Pacific coast should he deem this neces-
sary. The main object of his mission was to
carry out the spirit Of the precautionary ar
:apgement between the late Secretary OF State
and the British Minister, and thus to preserve
the peace and prevent collision between the
negotiation between the two governments.
Entertaining no doubt 0! the validity of our
title need scarcely add that, in any event, Amer
lean citizens were 70 be placed footing at least
favorable as that Of British subjects it being
understood that Captain Picke;ts company should
remain on the island 1t is proper to observe that
considering the distance from the scene Of action
and IN ignorance Of what might have :ranspired
on the spot before the Generals arrival twas ne
. Il. L
happy TO state the event has proven that this dis
erection could not have been instructed 10 more COM
petent hands. General Scot, has recently returned
from his mission, having successfully accomplished
lis objects, and there Is longer any good reason
10 apprehend collision between the forces Of the
two countries during the tendency Of the existing
negotiations.
regret 10 inform You that there has been no
! improvement in tho affairs Of Mexico since my
last annual message, and l am again Obliged to
ask the earnest attention Of Congress % the IN.
happy condition Of that republic.
The Constituent Congress Of Mexico, which ad-
journed on the l7th Of February, 1857, adopted .
constitution, and provided for a popular election
General Comnnfort was chosen President, almost
without oppo ition. At the same election a new
| Congress was chosen whose first session commenc-
ed on the 10Th of December, 1857. By the con-
s,ituton Of 1857 the presidential tern, was TO be-
gin the lst OF December 1857, AMI continue for
four years On that day General Comonsort ap-
peared before the assembled Congress in the city Of
Mexico took the oath TO support the new cons.itu-
ton, ami was daily inaugurated as President.
Within a month afterwards he had been driven
from the capitol, and a military rebellion had As.
signed tho supreme power Of the republic to Gene
| raj Zuloaya. The constitution provided th.t in
the absence Of the President, bis Office ehoud do
vclve upon the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
| and, General Comonfsrt having left the country,
this functi0nary, General JuareH proceeded to
fo~rr 1T Gusn.;nsto cons,;tatioual govern aon:.
| Before this was officially known however, at the
capitol, the government Of Zuloaga had been re-
cognzed by the entire diplomatic corps, including
the minister of United States, CO the de fsc.o gov
eminent Of Mexico.
The constitutional President. nevertheless
maintained his position with irmness, and
was soon established with his cabinet at Vera
Cruz. Meanwhile, the government Of Zuloaga
was earnestly resisted in many parts OF the
| republic. end even in the capital, u portion OF
the army having pronounced against il, its
| functions were declared terminated, and an
assembly of citizens was invited for the choice
OF new President. This assembly elected
General Miramon. but that officer repudiated
the plan under which he was chosen, and Zu-
losga was then restored 70 his previous posi-
ton. He assumed it however, only to
withdraw from it. and Miramon. having be-
| come by his appointment. President
| Substitute continues. with that title. ct the
| head of the insurgent party.
In my last annual message communicated
| TO Congress the circumstances under which
the late Minister of the United States suspend
ed his official relations with the central govern
ment, and withdrew from the country. 1t was
| IMPOSSIBLE to maintain friendly intercourse
with a government, like that at the capital
under whose usurped authority wrongs were
! constantly committed, but never redressed
| Had this been an established government,
with its power extending. by the consent OF
the people, over the whole OF Mexico, a resort
10 hosiilit.es against it would have been quite
iustltiable, and indeed necessary,
| But the country was prey 10 civil war; and I.
was hoped that the success Of the constitutional
Pfesdeot might lead To . condition Of things less
/ injurious 10 the United states This success be-
came 50 probable that, in January last, I employ
| ed a reliable agent to visit Mexico and report 70
me the actual condition and prospects Of the con-
| tending parties. In consequence Of bis report AND
| from information viii q reached me from other
sources favorable 10 the prospects Of the constu-
! tional cause | te, justified in appointing q new
minister 10 Mexico, who nigh, embrace the oar
lest suitable opportunity Of restoring our diplo-
matte relations with that republic For this purpose
distinguished citizen Of Maryland was selected.
! who proceeded on MS mission on the Sth Of March
last with discre ionary authority 10 recognize the
government Of President Juare, if, on his arrival
in Mexico, he should ind it entitled 20 such reooz.
ntion according 20 the established practice OF the
| United States On the 7th of April following M
! NcLane presented his credentials 70 President Ju.
srez, having no hesitation an pronouncing the
government Of Juare, 20 he the only existing gov.
eminent Of the republic" He vas cordially re-
| ceived by the authorities at Vera Cruz. and they
have ever since manifested the most friendly dis
/ position towards the United States
| Cnhappily, however, the constitutional govern
nent has no, beer able to establish iu power over
the whols repuolio. I; is supported BY large
sioriiy Of the people and the sta;es bot there are
upor;an; parts OF the country where it can ntorce
10 obedience Gen. Mirsman maintains himself
at the bapital; and in some Of the distant provn.
ces, there are military governors who pay little ~
spect to the DEGREES Of either government. IN the
mean time the excuses which always attend upon
civil war especially IN Mckee are constantly re-.
curing Outrages Of the worst description are
committed both in persons and property. There
Il scarcely any form Of injury which has not been
suffered by our citizens in Mexico during the last
few years We have been nominally at peace With
that republic, but 80 far As the interests Of our
commerce or Of our citizens who have visited the
coantry As merchants, shipmasters, Are in other
capacities, are concerned, we might a. well have
been in WAY" Life has been insecure property
unprotected, ard trade impossible excep, at . max