The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-17
MEXICO.

MEXICO.
.>o1-~~>~~~~~~.~~~~
ne Case Of Gsverner GaIan-Cenduct Of tho
lgaxjcsp Authorities Towards the Prisoner,
Knswi.s Hin % He American Cisizen-
RsbSeries and Revelutions-Necessiry Of Ac-
don on tho Part Of the American Govern
ss.s In Defence Of Its Citizens I'm Mexico.
MAZATLAN, June To- 1868.
wishing to address the American people and the
American government upon subject which prom
es TO take high rank in international lava subject
IN which the people and the government OF the
Vnted States are most deeply interested-I avail my
se of the columns OF the HERALD to give full and
unprejudiced review OF the shameful conduct of the
MEXICAN authorities towards an American citizen,
CHARLES Fernandez Gaan, prisoner In this city,
and late acting Governor Of Lower California. Be-
fore entering into the International issues OF the
and the comfy Of nations with regard to citizenship,
we win briefly sketch the history Of the prisoner and
the important facts relating to his Official conduct in
Lower California.
Governor Galan is the son OF Spaniard and
Mexican lady and was born in 1880 on board of an
English vessel OF Gibraltar. The Governors father
resided In Mexico many years previous to $780, was
married here but being obliged to fly from his
adopted home in consequence OF the law, which
provided that Spaniards should leave the country
under penalty Of death, his wife followed him to
Spain and their first child born during the trip
At the age Of thirteen young Galan, who remained
In Spain up to that time, accompanied his father to
the city Of Mexico, where, boy, he received en-
pioyment In dry goods store. He soon wearied OF
the monotony OF life behind counter and the
tyranny of his employer and upon the breaking out
Of the Mexican war he solicited and obtained
cadetcy in the Military College at Chapultepec In
remarkably short time he graduated with the rank
OF lieutenant was attached to the Fourth battalion
OF light infantry, went to the field and re-
manned throughout the After peace was de-
clared, feeling harassed worn out and disappointed,
thrsting for liberty that gave security to life and
property, and wishing to link his future fortunes
with progressive people, he left the capital and
made his way to San Bias, partly on horseback and
partly on foot with the intention Of going to Cali
f0rnia. He finally succeeded in obtaining passage
on board OF an Italian brig, and was shipwrecked OF
the Baja California coast, washed on the beach south
Of Rosario, from whence he made his way to Sonora,
Tuolumne county, Upper California where he
NAMED for many years. Owing to his former edu-
cation and his being q good English scholar he
thought OF and was advised to read law and become
q member of the American bar. He read long and
assiduOusly, and was admitted to practice by the
Supreme Court OF California in October, 1867 he
having previously received his naturalization papers
as an American citizen in Stanislaus county.
Governor Galan is thirty eight years Of age, OF me-
dunn height, firmly and compactly built He has
nne, open face, splendid forehead speaks nuently
the English, Spanish and French languages, and Is
In appearance studious, thinking man.
In 1868, being attacked with the California fever
for silver mining, he went to La Paz San Antonio,
In Lower California. rs president and supernten-
dent OF mining company, in which position he
NAMED some time. The then Governor OF the terri
tory lP. NJ Navarrete) offered Mr. Galan the office OF
Chief Justice Of the territory. Mr.. Galan objected
sured him that being the son Of q Mexican woman,
having served in the Mexican army, being married
to Mexican lady and owning real estate In Mexico
any one OF which conditions made him Mexican
citizen, he TO all intents and purposes good
Mexican as the Governor himself. without re-
nouncing his American citizenship, which he would
not and will not do he accepted the office, looking
dividual with whom he might enter into civil con-
tract. He did not take, and has not taken,
nor will he take any oaths to support any
other constitution or laws than those OF the
government OF which he Is q citizen. He remained
Chief Justice until after the election Of the next
Governor, Senior Gilbert who for the purpose OF in.
creasing Mr.. Galans salary, appointed him Judge Of
the First Resort Civil Judge, Constitutional Judge
filled tiii some time after the occupation of Mazaan
by the French and the rumors OF their going over 10
Bala California. Circumstances soon afterwards
called Mr.. Galan to private life, until, during
stormy epoch of the territory, lie accepted the ap
pointment OF Judge Advocate offered by Navarrete,
who held the reins OF government by virtue OF revo
lu ION. The position accepted merely TO inves-
ugate an atrocious murder committed upon some
natVes instgated as t was then reported BY ons
Navarro, the chief OF the anti American party. The
ee n NE g Of ne
though they were exiled but Providence dis
posed Of them all and prevented their com
This murder revealed 10 the astonished Americans
that there was party opposed 10 them, and that 1t
profit from increase OF foreigners-a party whose
interest II was to keep the people In the utmost
ignorance that they might reap the benefit OF their
influence old residents the sons Of old resi-
dents. Very soon this enmity and hatred showed
itself IN many annoyances TO the American Consul,
To American ships coming into port, TO American
mining companies and 10 American interests gener-
ally. may hereafter gvea complete history OF that
epoch, for the purpose OF letting Americans know
the plain, unvarnshed truth about affairs in Mexico,
which they are very far from knowing, notwith-
standing all that has been sald and written
deposed from power and exiled from the
country by his enemies, the ant-Amerlcan party,
who tTiurnphed and placed In power as Governor
Senior Antonio Pedrin the same man whom Navar.
rete mad overthrown. TINS Pedrin was more incap-
able OF governing than the deposed chieftain and
was In fact the evil genius who kept the territory in
blood for three years, acting in the meantime but
tool IN he hands OF the bitter anti-American fac
ton composed Of Hidalgo and Navarro families.
VINO after the death OF Ramon, recognized Manuel
Navarro as chief thereof. pedrn appointed Navarro
as Collector of the Port and 10y intrigue suppressed
hall the vote Of the people so that fisso Hdalgo.
one OF the regning family should go 10 Mexico IA
their member TO Congress. SO II was done. Just
half the citizens did not vote: the municipalities OF
san Jose, Mulege, COnu ndu ana part or santiago
were not represented at the Convention owing 10
the Governors wilful neglect in not sending the pro
camalion In time. To understand better the events
following II Is necessary to give slight outline OF
tn state OF things as they actually existed In the
country NJ that time.
The wal hal ceased. month or 40 before this
election the troops sent ny the territory To dght the
invaders returned under very peculiar circum-
stances u was reported by OF the officers who
had arrived IN advance OF their regiment that the
Colonel had ayOwed his determination oil becoming
Governor, 10y iar OF 10y fOu means, and that he had
assurances from the Gcner0l-in-chci. Corona, that
he would support him. These reports having been
confirmed, Governor Pedr,n had CooSe Gotta ar
rested az soon as he landed and the troops dlsarned
and disOanded The officers Of tne battalion who
had betrayed Gotta were not friendly to the reigning
famiics they were all from the humble people, and
had risen IN the world 10y hard knocks against the
French, and considered that they had right 10
become something IN their own country much
better than the "stay at homes Nayarros and