The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-30
MEXICO.

The British blockade of MazatIan-Adii.
tionai ParticuIars-Private History Of the
Aiiair-iiow the Foreign Merchants Saved
the City FROM Observation-Disclosures
Views Of This Humane Cenduct-Smugglina
As "a Fine Art--The blockade Anects Market
Prices-The Role of the United States
MAzATLAN, July q 1868.
The blockade of this port by the English man-of.
war Chanticeer continues to be fruitful source of
discussion, an event plethoric with suggestions,
There are some nations, like some individuals
who are eternaly at war with themselves or with
the world. Mexico is fair illustration Of the,
former and England OF the latter. Her Britain
mic Majesty's servants have scarcely been
released from prison and insults in the heart OF Abys
sinia under the magidcent but Inflated King Theo-
dorus, when the world is aroused and aarmed again
at the "gross and outrageous insults" offered her
Britannia Maestys subjects in the land Of the Aztecs
under the reign Of the proud and noble Indian Pres
dent, Don Benito Juarez. John Bull, fred with q
wrath worthy of the gods, proclaimed war against
his dark skinned Majesty Theodorus, and the nations
Of the earth first learned the successful results
through the remarkably able and graphic reports OF
the HERALD correspondent accompan ing the Eng
lish army. The intelligence Of the gross and,
outrageous insults bestowed upon Captain Bridge
Of the Chanticeer, and his paymaster, Mr. Wallace,
Dy tne custom house OFFICIALS Vi poft WSie hios
given to the American and European public by the
HERALD correspondent. The correspondence inter-
changed between General Corona military COM
mander of Northwestern Mexico, and Captain.
Bridge relative to the affair, with many interesting
incidents growing out Of the blockade. were imme-
diately telegraphed from this point via san Fran
cisco for your readers; but the subject is by
exhausted.
If her Maesty's government considered the con-
duct of King Theodorus towards Consul Cameron
and his associates legitimate basis for declara-
ton Of war; and expended millions OF money in the
equipment and organization OF q great army to-
avenge outraged honor is 1t not logical conclusion
that the conduct Of the Mexican authorities towards
Captain Bridge may lead to q war between the Brit
ish lion and the Mexican eagle At the time that the
commander of the Chanticleer was, as he alleges,
insulted in most gross and outrageous manner he
was dressed in full uniform, with all the insignia Of
his rank senior captain Of her Majestys fleet on
the northwest coast Of Mexico and shore for the
purpose Of trying to amicably arrange the difficulty
under discussion While in the act Of going aboard
his vessel he was arrested on the wharf as a SNUG
gler by three and brought to the Custom
House and there suffered the aforesaid outrages &c.
alleged This the day after the arrest Of Pay
master Wallace and the cOnsca ton Of $685. in gold
$40 eagle dollars pieces which he had upon his per-
claimed he smuggling out OF the country without
paying the duty thereon and contrary to the laws Of
the republic regarding the expectation Of the money.
Mr.. Haverman, an employee OF the Custom House
in the capacity of Ell Vista appraiser being called in
as Interpreter, declares most positively that Paymas
ter Wallace denied repeatedly that he had any
money upon his person, and that finally he
(Haverman told the Paymaster that the money
was In certain pockets, pointing to them and
asking said Paymaster to deliver it without fur
ther trouble About this time Captain Bridge who
was standing outside, entered the Custom House,
and, as Haverman and other Custom House employees
assert, addressed PaymaSter Wallace and ordered
him to come out and not to be insulted by the
wards Mexcans. The conduct Of the captain on the
occasion reported to have been very overbearing
OF the Chanticeer who, the contrary that
some OF the Custom House employees used towards
Spanish language or to any other and which, ac-
count OF its extreme besality, we will not here
affair and as it is an AFFAIR of national importance,
we place 1t upon record, that the public may have
oil the bearings OF the case from an independent and
unparalleled standpoint.
The HERALD correspondent has called upon both
General Corona and Captain Bridge. Each of these
gentlemen Is confident IN receiving the appreciation
Of his government and OF having acted In conformity
to the laws governing their positions Should the gov
eInments Of England and Mexico sustain the Official
conduct Of their representatives as it is believed
they will, then war is Inevitable. spark igntes
q magazine, and this little AFFAIR OF honor NAV arouse
two nations to arms. England has always been
proud and jealous OF her navy and in this case will
undoubtedly seek and demand ample redress. At
least this Is the opinion now prevalent People are
anxiousy awaiting the expected orders from the
naval department in London which no doubt will
be first conveyedtO the British Admiral stationed at
Victoria, Vancouvers island
England must not think because Mexico is without
navy, because she Is but recovering from the shock
OF the Macmillan struggle and still torn and dis
tracted by civil war and revolutions that the British
by the naval Meet e ia At All eared SY S as
Mexicans, should he shake his massive name land
Right the reverse. The nation that prevented the
great Napoleon Ill. from establishing monarchy on
the western Continent is but little alarmed OF rival
nation shaking to its foundations at the threatened
invasion OF handful OF Infatuated Fenians. on the
very point OF honor involved In this blockade Mexico
would to-day rise In arms against England rather
than submit TO any humiliation. The Mexicans have
but little love and less respect for the English
government, owing to many causes First, England
aided and allotted the French onslaught on Mexi-
can republicanism; secondly, England nsulted the
Mexican republic by virtually declaring her an out
law and withdrawing her diplomatic representatives
the Mexican people unanimous in the belief that
the English navy, stationed on this coast for the hast
upon millions Of dollars BY s smuggling in IN the most
shameful and barefaced manner Again, Mexico
feels that England holds her in supreme contempt,
settle these little differences OF opinion Mexico is
eager and willing TO meet the flower OF Old Eng
valiant and patriotic Mexicans VINO declare that
England dare not throw down the glove, even at an
Mexico 70 be helpless at sea. viii take delight il
bombarding defenceless towns and causing anguish
In the hearts OF tmid and lovely woman:
gestive Of the influence smuggling has had In set
Ting the blockade difficuly at present under
stood. 1t will be remembered that the telegraphic
reports forwarded the HERALD settled the fact That
General Corona and Captain Bridge could not come
to amicable adjustment Of the dispute. and
quently the latter made preparations to lombard
the city, as nothing else was LETT to aveng, his
wounded honor. Just at the last hqnr the Prussan
and English Consuls, backed by others, addressed
Captain Bridge, requesting him to from the
threatened bombdrdment, owing to the defenceless
state OF the city, that innocent people might lie in-
jured and for various other reasons. The Mcxcans
assert that this very kind ON the part II the
foreign merchants and looks very humane on the
face OF it. but that going down deeper there
IL strata OF base selfishness to be discovered,
worthy, they assert OF the breeders OF revolutions
fn,aank,y the foreign mcrChautsl and OF the oval