New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-03
TmE EXPEDITION TO MEXICO.

1t 10 evident that the French, Spanish,
and British expedition against Mexico il
in no sense a violation OF the principle
known a. the Monroe doctrine. The
European Powers who have undertaken to
compel Mexico TO pay her debts and make re-
dress for the injuries she has committed are
engaged in legitimate aud ordinary process OF
war. IL was rot the intention OF President
Monroe, in his famous message OF 1873, 10
pIedee the United States 10 the protection Of
the Spanish American Republics against all
offensive measures on the part OF European
Powers as is very often crudely or disngenu-
ously alleged. The position which he took was
amply that tho United States could not look
with indifference upon European Intervention in
the affairs Of the reyotcd colonies Of Spain for
the purpose Of suppressing their Independence
OF compelling them 70 accept a mcnarchicsl
form Of government. The declaration was in-
tended TO meet particular crsis which has
long since passed away with the Holy Alliance,
at which Monroe's manifesto was specially
aimed. But il probably never entered into the
thoughts Of that President or his advisers 10
prohibit forever the Powers Of Europe from
waging war on this continent The Spanish.
American Republics are not under our protec'
ton, and if they give cause Of war to other
nations We are not bound to shiold them from
the consequences.
The injuries for which England seeks redress
are, fret, the refusal or neglect Of the Mexican
Government TO meet its acknowledged oblga-
tiSns to English creditors to whom il owes
upward of fifty millions of dollars, the payment
of which has been guaranteed by solemn tres-
ties. The Mexican Government, in this mat
ter, stands in the Same relation TO England
that France did in 1884 TO the United States
when President Jackson threatened her with
reprisals if abe did not pay her debts due to
American claimants. The only difference is
that the Mexican case is far worse, far more
fragrant and outrageous than that OF France.
The debt was originally contracted about 1879,
and il appears that by reductions Of interest,
and By other methods of confiscaton, the Brit
ish creditors, between that year and 1850,
we're neeced Of sums estimated at not less than
sIxty millions of dollars. In 1850 the interest
on their bonds was cut down TO three per cent
The creditors submitted to the reduction in the
vain hope of getting even this moderate return
for their money. But a long series Of eyasons
and outraces eliminated in November, 1850,
in an act which certainly would have
justified Great Britain in declaring i'm
mediate war. British naval commander
earlier in the year had cOntriyed to obtain
from the present Mexican authorities at Vera
Cruz drafts in favor of toe British creditors
to tho amount Of $500, 600, which were sent to
Mexico City aud converted into specie, which
was deposited in the house Of the British Min
lister for safe keeping. The Minister soon after
suspended his relations with the Government,
and withdrew to Jelapa. He had scarcely
gone from the capital when Mexican Colonel,
with baud OF soldiers, acting under the au-
thority of the Mexican Government, broke into
his premises, tore of the seal Of the British
Legation from the treasure, and carried II
away. In addition to this outrage, for which
no atonement has ever been made, it is alleged
that within year twenty-three Enelishmen
have been murdered in Mexico, while many
others have narrowly escaped assassination,
without any punishment having been inflicted
on the perpetrators of these crimes.
The complaints of France are OF . similar
kind to those Of England, the amount due from
Mexico to FrcLch creditors being about one.half
of the sum claimed by the English capitalists.
Spain. in addition to demand for the payment
of debts due to Spanish subjects, claims salts
faction for an insult to her Minister, Senior
Pacheco, who was dismissed from the country
in last January by President Juarez IN conse-