The New York herald., 1869-04-21
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What Americans In Mexico Think OF Prsst-
dent Grant-Disastr0us Condition of Ameri-
can Affairs i'm This Countrywide Direful
Record md Its Consequences-An interest-
ing Subject for the President and His Cabi-
net.
MAzArLAN, March 4, 1859.
What win Grants inaugural say about Mexican
aairsS This the question that has been often and
repeatedly asked your correspondent ana which to-
day forms the principal topic In American circles
here and elsewhere throughout the republic OF Mex
ico We receipt OF several private letters from
American superintendents. miners and business
men, requesting us to forward them HERALDs con-
tanning said inaugural and your editorial comments
thereon. These letters magnificent evidences OF
the intense activity OF the American mind
an activity that marks the career OF our country
men, whether they be found In the tropics or at
the North Pole. What these inquiries mean Is
worthy OF rejection. They are strong evidences OF
the firm conviction people have that the foreign
policy OF our government under President Grant
will be marked by vigorous and emphatic course
while at the same time in q manner consistent with
the highest courteses and cOmities known 10 civil
lized nations What the policy OF the United States
under the administration will be toward Mexico
is question Of deep interest to all Americans.
Looking at the condition of American interests
here now, we find them in a most prostrate condi-
tion. There Is scarcely q road or q mountain pass
throughout all this vast Northwestern country that
does not exhibit the skeletons Of American energy
an energy which, with all its vitality, had to sue
cumb to the pressure OF bad laws and worse preju-
dices. Go whore you will among the mining regions
and you see steam engines boilers, machinery
and mining material lying in heaps useless and rot
ting. The value OF these alone amounts to hundreds
OF thousands OF dollars, yes, to millions. These
sad evidences OF the decay and desoation
that mark this fair land. Go to the agrlcultu raj
lands OF the Presidio valley, days ride from here
or iess and you will most lamentable skeleton
Of American industry. In 1864 and 1866 this valley
was thoroughly Americanized. 1t was then pleas
to pass to that part OF the country. On either
side OF the public road were splendid farms, with
fine cotton and corn fields fine gardens, laden with
the choicest fruits Of the earth and everything nd
eating an era OF prosperity. But wars and revOlu-
tions broke up that 1lourishing community; their
fields were trampied upon and laid waste, their
mules and cattle stolen, their abOrers forced into
bands Of marauding soldiers called armies, their
lives ut the mercy OF drunken bandit chiefs, and
thus multitude Of barbarous influences oyerran
and destroyed this proud and prosperous little set
tlement as enectually as the Vandal Goths under
Alarlc ,rampled upon the greatness and
OF those who formed tne Presdio col.
ony but rve remain. These are working
tue toiiers OF the sea. They are buoyed up by the
hope that sooner or later Heaven will do them that
justice 70 which astute legislators seem blind. Of
penniless condition. 30 to speak; some had scarcely
enough to pay their passage to San Francisco,
best way they could with their toes sticking out
through their boots and sheir nnmentionaoies de-
cidedy the worse fo- wear. Two words picture
the change from what was to what is--prosperity
and des0ation. WHAT we have writLsn Is no fancy
SKETCH neither are the assertions mere statements.
The black and hdeous record is written on all sides,
with American graves as periods In che passages OF
the mutilated work.
The actual condition of American citizens and
American Interests in Mexico to-day are disgrace
To us as people and nation. or the wretcled
condition OF our commerce In Mexican waters
have written freely and fully During the last year
an American steamship company sunk 100000 in
the fruitless enterprise OF attempting to establish
regular line OF steamers between San Francisco and
The Gulf ports, ana extending from Acapulco TO
steamer, making forty day trips, between the Gulf
ports and San Francisco. Even this viii not be the
case should the Custom House authorizes attempt to
collect tonnage, lighthouse aud passenger duties, as
IL now seems probable they will Under the contract
last year these duties were not colectable. II Hrevyed
the Steamer would have to pay at the rate OF one
dollar per ton on her carrying capacity, and thus
the tonnage duties on such a steamship
trip: then there would be three dollars per
head for passengers charged TO the ship
besides large percentage Tor lighthouse, while no
such thing as a lighthouse exists. All these things
added together would make an Item OF great Impor-
tance to steamer barely paying her way. Another
Item may be added, that OF sending pilots aboard
whether they are wanted or n0t-and they never
are-and charging the snip good round sums for un
asked Tor services When the steamers OF last year
made their first trips the captains commanding were
unable TO ind anything the shape OF pilot yet
on second trips every port OF great or little mpor
tance had its government pilot lording ibover the
high seas within his jurisdiction. These provost
marshas OF the great deep will now find their
patton gone, from the TACT that the condition OF
Affairs calling them into existence no longer con-
times Then the wind-about and drawing way OF
dong business In tile Custom House Is a constant
source OF irritation, delay and waste Of valuable
time. steamer never can get of when she
is advertised There's always something wrong at
the Custom House. Delays follow delays until the
best nasured men are exhausted In patience. These
things are mentioned TO show the American ship
owner, merchant and business man what they have
to expect IN dealing with the enlightened and civil
ized citizens OF this sister republic. Many OF them
have already had q disastrous experience, but to
those who have not thus been blessed the news may
prove TO be OF saving interest.
As we write the HERALD this letter for the special
Information OF General Grant and his new Cabinet
wewill touch upon other points that have striking
signibcaton upon the subject under discussion,
points that must awaken inquiry and create marked
IMPRESSION not only upon those hoDored with guid-
ing the destnes OF the great republic for the next
presidential term but upon the American people at
large. We Will CLASSIFY those points TO maze them
as clear and forcibe as possible:--
FUst-What has our government done to demand
redress for the murder OF American citizens on Tue
Vera Cruz Railroad for those murdered La the state
tins city; for those Dutchered IN Lower California
as lately reported In special correspondence to the
HERALD from La Paz; for the notorious aud shame
fu outragcs on American citizens Ia Monterey, and
for other murders aud outragcs that dcle and
blackcn the history OF tO-day2
Second--iias Mexico a government that gives
protection to life and property and Is 1t u govern
ment de yJSIcto and de ture?
Th,yd--is II not great moral crime that conn
try so tDexbaustbly rich IN mineral and Agricultural
lands, so delightful IN climate and so bost by nature
IN every respect, should be mare butcher shop IN
which TO slaughter humanity
F0le.tl--Is not the conviction almost universal
that tho United states Is IN hOaOr bound 20 that
Mexico has true republican government, where la
Dor shall be encouraged and protected and hunan
life held sacredg
FLrh-what arc the dangers awaiting the govern
ment ana people OF the united states AZ a conse-
quence OF our false pamperng 70 a republican dos.
pOilsm?