The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-06-27
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
MEXICO.
Policy of the mInistra Ion colonization
vs.. FiIibMsterIng.

Several gentlemen residing in Louisiana,
Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas - about
twenty individuals, most Of whom are men of
note and influence in their localities have
written to me for information regarding the
projected Mexican movement, recently out
lined in this correspondence. The first two of
these letters ! answered privately but the
number has SO increased and the desire for
specific information seems so general, that 1t
becomes necessary to reply to all these in
quiries in bulk and by publication. In addi-
tion to the letters | have received from the
above mentioned individuals. the editor of the
DEMOCRAT writes to say that similar in
quries have poured into the office Of the
paper, apparently in still greater profusion
and to instruct mo to exhaust the subject for
the benefit Of his readers.
At the outset | may say, in general terms,
that the attitude recently assumed by our
government, and embodied in official form in
the orders issued to tho General commanding
the United States forces on the Rio Grande
frontier, has had the effect to suspend all
operations looking to irregular or fiIibuster-
ing expeditions, These expeditions were pos
sible only in case certain large capitalists in
Philadelphia New York and San Francisco.
who are interested In Southwestern develop
ment, could be induced to fsrnish the funds
required to organize and transport them to
the border or within striking distance of it,
The prospect Of obtaining the required tinan-
cal backing was at one time most fattering
and negotiations to that end were in an ad-
vanced state, when the announcement that
hn l..,I
OF the entire Mexican difficulty put an end to
them, at least for the time being, or until the
government shall have had time and oppor-
tunity to demonstrate whether or not it's
policy is up to the mark of the public require
ments.
This fact was intimated In my letter printed
in the DEMOcRATof June 10 which was as full
and explicit statement of the Mexican situa-
ton as can be CLEANED from my sources of in
formation at this time
Whatever is done with respect to Mexico
will be of an official character and the gov
ernment will not permit the situation to be
further complicated by irregular or filibus-
tering expeditions. Itcannot be doubted that
the stand taken in the issuance of the orders
to Gen. Ord was expedited if not absolutely
caused by the imminence of irregular action.
The scheme delineated in my letters and
dispatches of twosmonths ago and amplfied
in the press elsewhere, may be considered
and time must develop the re-
suits OF the policy of the government The
purposes of the government were distinctly
set forth in my letter of June 10 as follows:
l am assured upon high authority that the
IT nvpifr for,
Of the purpose of our government The OBJ
iect Is to assist Mexico in reforming her own
government, and to this end it is proposed
first to see that She has q government with
which ours can hold relations, and, second, to
make new treaty-to repair the errors and
oversights Of the treaty of Gaudaloupe Hi
ialgo-by which a closer comfy may be es-
tablished, better. opportunity and greater Sc
'urity afforded for. the operations of Ameri-
AN enterprise on Mexican soil, and the future
integrity OF our frontier guaranteed against
lhe incursions OF tho lawless marauders
which are the legitimate offspring of the
present anarchy.
Since the above extract was written-in fact
only two or three days ago-a New York paper
published sensational article to the effect
hat our government contemplated the an
lexation of the North Mexican States and the
ocation OF the boundary on the line running
across from Tampico to Ma
,atlan, and forming the present Southern
boundaries of the States of Tamaulipas, |
Neuvo Leon, Coahuila, Durango and |
oinaloa. This statement has no foun- |
lation beyond that suggestions to that
'ffect were recently advanced to the President |
~ Gen. Pillow, along with some published |
over the signature of that gen
leman, touching the intentions of President |
Polk and the failure of Nicholas First to carry
hem into effect in the treaty of Guadaloupe
Iidalgo.
The sensation, however, attracted the at
ention of the State Department, which has
eemed it necessary to assure the representa-
ives of Mexico that no territorial aggrandize-
nent is contemplated, but that the policy of
ur government is to assist Mexico in tran
utilizing herself, and then to make a new
reaty substantially as outlined in the above
eproduced passage from my letter in the
DEMOCRAT of June 10.
Now, as to the possibility Of a war growing
ut of these movements, which would afford
employment to the martially-in-
lined population of the Southwest, the letter
f June 10 contained the following:
IL is not expected mere Jf1aJ the project of
ccupation can be peacefully accomplished.
iut our government is abundantly satisfied
hat there will be no united resistance by the
Iexican people, in view of the facts that no
irfet t g aeg4Isit4n list On Of territory is contem
oration Of the condition of the law-abiding
lasses. Diaz will undoubtedly fight. He is
epresented to be desirous of war; being in
atuated enough to believe that the effect of it
iould BE- to unity the the Mexican people under
umiliation of the United States!
Under these circumstances we may fairly
ount on stirring events along our South
'estern frontier within the next twelve
lonths. Whether Or not it shall become
ecessary to include the City of Mexico i'm
le scheme Of occupation, will depend en-
re rely upon the behavior s Of the people Of
ountry, and upon the extent of disturbance 1
9a az may may prove Pre- capable Of making It is l
of diplomacy and display Of /,
over, showing at once the good intentions OF
II government, its determination to carry
lem out and its irresistible ability to enforce
$ determination, all the objects Sought may i