The Sun. — 1858-12-20 (London, England)

OUR RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.  " Our position in relation to the independent states south of us on this continent, and especially those within the limits of North America, is of a peculiar character. The northern boundary of Mexico is coincident with our own southern boundary from ocean to ocean ; and we must necessarily feel a deep interest in all that concerns the well-being of so near a neighbour. We have always cherished the kindest wishes for the success of that republic, and have indulged the hope that it might at last, after all its trials, enjoy peace and prosperity under a free and stable government. We have never hitherto interfered, directly or indirectly, with its internal affairs, and it is a duty which we owe to ourselves to protect the integrity of its territory against the hostile interference of any other power. Our geographical position, our direct interest in all that concerns Mexico, and our well-settled policy in regard to the North American continent render this an indispensable duty. " Mexico has been in a state of constant revolution almost ever since it achieved its independence. One military leader after another has usurped the government in rapid succession, and the various constitutions from time to time adopted have been set at nought almost as soon as they were proclaimed. The successive governments have afforded no adequate protection, either to Mexican citizens or foreign residents against lawless violence. Here. tofore a seizure of the capital:by a military chieftain has been generally followed by at least the nominal submission of the country to his rule for a 'brief period ; but not so at the present crisis of Mexican affairs. A civil war has been raging for some time throughthe republic, between the central government at the city of Mexico, which has endeavoured to subvert the constitution last framed by military power, and those who maintain the authority of that constitution. .The antagonist parties each holding possession of, different states of the republic, and the fortunes of war are constantly changing. Meanwhile the most reprehensible means have been employed by both parties to extort money, from foreigners as well as natives, to carry on this ruinous contest. The truth is, that this fine country, blessed with a productive soil and a benign climate, has been reduced by civil dissension to a condition of almost hopeless anarchy and imbecility. It would be in vain for this government to attempt to enforce payment in money of the claims of American citizens, now amounting to more than ten million dollars, against Mexico,because she is destitute of all pecuniary means to satisfy these demands. " Our late minister was furnished with ample powers and instructions for the adjustment of all pending questions with the central government of Mexico, and he performed his duty with zeal and ability. The claims of our citizens, some of them arising out of the violation of an express provision of the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, and others from gross injuries to persons as well as property, have remained unredressed, and even unnoticed. Remonstrances against these grievances have been addressed without effect to that Government. instances have in various parts of the republic, have been numerous of the murder, imprisonment, and plunder of our citizens by different parties claiming and exercising a local jurisdiction; but the central government, although repeatedly urged thereto, have made nä effort either to punish the authors of these outrages or to prevent their recurrence. No American citizen can now visit Mexico on lawful business without imminent danger to his person and property. There is no adequate protection'toeither; and in this respect our treaty with  that republic is almost a dead letter. " This state of affairs was brought to a crisis in May last, by the promulgation:bf a decree levying a contribution pro rata upon all the capital in the republic between certain specified amounts, whether held by Mexicans or foreigners. Mr. Forsyth, regarding this decree in the light of a forced loan, formally protested against its application to his countrymen, and advised them not to pay the contribution, but to suffer it to be forcibly exacted, Acting upon this advice an American citizen refused to pay the contribution, and his property