The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-03-20
rom he NeE YORK Spectator
The Expedition to Mexico.

bABNNhahohA ~
Surmises that the three Powers about TO make
4 demonstration on Mexico, had an Interior object
IN view, "a respects this country, have been hJat-
ing about for some time. IL is not alleged, how
ever, that any positive foundation for them exists
and we may reasonably dismiss all fears ON this
head for the present. All that can be known
with certainty Is that the tr~iIartlte treaty was
signed at London on the 3lst ult., that II stlpu-
lates for a united action on the part of Great
Britain, France and Spain that each Is 10 iur-
HIsh an equal naval force, while Spain supplies
twO-thirds of the proposed land army that these
forces shall occupy Vera Cruz and some other
ports on the Cult, reaching the coast probably
by the close OF this month that the ports are to
be seized and held only in the name OF the three
Powers, who engage themselves not 10 occupy
permanently any portion OF Mexican territory,
OF To obtain any exclusive advantages Tor one
country over the others that they will leave
Mexico entirely free to choose the form of her
government, using their good Offices alone for 4
restoration Of domestic tranquility. Should that
country express its preference Tor a monarchy, no
prince is 10 be selected from any royal family Of
the treaty-making Powers. On landing, the in
vaders are TO address Il statement Of their de-
mands 10 the government OF Mexico. III PrcsI-
dent Juarez fails To comply promptly, by paying
up the debts owing, and making reparatlon tor
insults and injuries sustained, an advance Will be
made upon the capital. As has been already
stated, our government has been invited to join
Llf III NtDlilH IONtI5s nIlCl VI Jun II VIII
not do.
By virtue of obligations contracted many years
ago, the revenues of Vera Cruz and ome other
Mexican ports were pledged as security TO pay the
interest and principal OF the national debt held
principally in Europe. y pledge Of revenue il
worth no more than Il mere promise, unless 1t
presupposes the right to collect such moneys, In
the event Of failure on the part of the government.
That collection, however, cannot take place with
out taking temporary possession OF the harbors,
custOm-houses and forts, If necessary, Of the cities
thus mOrtgaged.
On this ground, we fail to see any reason why
our government should protest against the inter
%yention, as has been alleged it has done or will
shortly do. If one state shall no longer resent
insults and barbarous outrages committed upon
Its citizens or subjects in another, nor be allowed
TO forclOse a mortgage put fairly .nto ITS posses
sion, we fail to see the necessity for having any
government at all, for the purpose of ensuring
protection against external enemies. Had those
powers gone TO Mexico, with the design OF annex
ing Its territory permanently to their dOmInIons,
the case would have worn an entirely different
aspect from what it now does but they stand
pledged to do nothing of the sort, and besides,
mutual jealousy affords an additional guaranty
on that head. Had Spain alone undertaken the
war, We might reasonably have supposed her to
have entertained notions OF reconquerinS the
country. So with France or Great Britain. In
such a case it would have been our duty to keep
- EAAaA - AOOh OeN aISb 'beN feI -17
principle of self-preseryation- Every nation IS
compelled to look, not only to its own area, but
to the neighbors lying on its borders.
But in the present case we fail to observe any
just grounds, either of apprehension as respects
ourselves, or of injustice as respects Mexico, in
the proposed Intervention. There can be no mis-
take that no security for the life or property of
foreigners has existed IN that country for some
years, or that the debts contracted in Western
Europe were made in good faith on the part of
its creditors. The political, social and industrial
condition of our Southern neighbors can hardly
be worse than it has been for some time. Indeed,
who knows but that such an application of exter-
nal pressure may be the means of allaying the
rampant spirit of faction and starting the people
on a fresh career? At all events, it will teach
them a wholesome lesson as respects the lives and
property of those who come among them to de-
velope the hidden wealth of n country which
they themselves abandon to neglect and ruin?
Ii is reported that the French contingent will
consist of three thousand men, with a battery of
artillery. Rear-Admiral Julien de la Grayierre
is entrusted with the naval expedition his flag
ship will be the MasSena. Col. Henriques COM
mands the marines. Gen. Prim will command
the Spanish land contingent; he has already en-
barked on the Herman COrtez for Mexico. 1t
reported that the British naval contingent
would be under the command of Rear-Admiral
Jones, whose flagship was to be the Phaeton, of
guns, and 4 complement of five hundred
and forty officers and men.