Year: 1860

4


sacredly protected in every quarter of the world


But it is question which relates to the future as


well as to the present and the past, and which in


wolves, indirectly at least the whole subject of our


duty to Mexico as a neighboring State. The


exercise of the power of the United States in


that country to redress the wrongs and protect


the rights of our own citizens is none the less to be


desired because efficient and necessary aid may


thus be rendered at the same time to restore
peace and order to Mexico itself. In the accom-
plshment of this result the people of the United
States must necessarily feel a deep and earnest


interest. Mexico ought to be rich and prosper


Gus and powerful Republic, for it possesses an ex


tensive territory fertile soil and an incalcuable


store of mineral wealth. She occupies an impor-
tant position between the Gulf and the ocean for


transit routes and for commerce. It is impossible


that such country as this can be given up to an
archy and ruin without an effort from any quarter
for its rescue and its safety7 Will the commercial


nation ofthe world, which have so many interests
| connected with it, remain wholly Indifferent to
such RESULT Can the United States especially,
which ought to share most largely in its CONNER
cial intercourse, allow their immediate neighbor
thus to dstroy itself and injure them? Yet,
without support from some quarter, it is impossi-
BILE to perceive how Mexico can resume her po-
sition among nations and enter upon career
which promises any good results. The aid which
she requires, and which the interest of all COM
mercal countries require that she should have, it
belongs to the government to render, not only by
virtue of our neighborhood to Mexico, along
whose territory we have a continuous frontier of
nearly thousand miles, but by virtue, also, OF
our established policy, which is inconsistant with
the intervention of any European Power in the
domestic concerns of that republic.


The wrongs which we have suffered from Mex
leo are before the world, and must deeply impress
every American citizen. A government which is
either unable or unwilling to redress such wrongs
is derelict to its highest duties. The difficulty
consists in selecting and enforcing the remedy.
We may in vain apply to the constitutional gov
ernment at Very Cruz although it is well disposed
to do us justice for adequate redress. Whilst its
authority is acknowledged in all the important
ports and throughout the sea coasts of the Repub-
Iic its power does not extend to the city of Mexi
co and the States in its vicinity, where nearly all
the recent outrages have been committed on
American citizens. We must penetrate into the
interior before we can reach the offenders and
this can only be done by passing through the ter
ritory in the occupation of the constitutional gov
ernment The most acceptable and least difficult
mode of accomplishing the object will be to act in
concert with the Government. Their consent
and their aid might, belive be obtained; but if
not, our obligation to protect our own citizens in
their Just rights, secured by treaty, would not be
the less imperative. For these reasons l recon-
mend to Congress to pass law authorizing the
President under such conditions as they may
deem expedient, to employ sufficient military
force to enter Mexico for the purpose of obtaining


indemnity for the past and security for the future
purposely refrain from any suggestions as to
whether this force shall consist of regular troops
or volunteers, or BOTH. This question may be
most appropriately left to the decision of Congress-
| would merely observe that, should volunteers be
selected, such force could be easily raised in this
country among those who sympathise with the suf-
ferng of our unfortunate fellow citizens in Mexico,
and with the unhappy condition ofthat Republic In
that event there is no reason to doubt that the
just claims of our citizens would be satisfied and
adequate redress obtained for the injuries inflicted
upon them. The constitutional government have
ever evinced q strong desire to do US Justice,
and this might be secured in advance by par
ticluar treaty.


1t may be said that these measures will, at least
indirectly, be inconsistent with our wise and set
tied policy not interfere in the domestic concerns
of foreign nations But does not the present case
constitute an exception? An adjoining Republic
is in state of anarchy and confusion from which
she has proved wholly unable to extricate herself.
Sheis entirely destitute of the power to maintain
peace upon her borders, or to prevent the incur
sions of banditti into our territory. In her fate
and in her fortune-in her power to establish and
maintain settled government-we have far
deeper interest, socially, commercially and pol |
htically, than any other nation. She is now
wreck upon the ocean, driven about as she is i'm
PEELED by different factions. As good neighbor |
shall we not extend to her helping hand to save |
herr If we do not, it would not be surprising |
should some other nation undertake the task, and |
thus force ointerfere under circumstances
of increased difficulty, for the maintenance of our
established policy.


Irepeat the recommendation contained in my
last annual Message, that authority may be given
to the President to esablish one or more tenn
porary military posts across the Mexican line in
Sonora and chihuahua, where these may be |
necessary to protect the lives and property of
American and Mexican citizens against the in |
cursions and depredatons of the Indians, as well |
as of the lawless rovers in that remote region
The establishment of one such post at point |
called Arispe, in Sonora, is country almost de- |
populated by the hostile inroads of the Indians |
from our side of the line, would, it is believed,
have prevented much injury and cruelties during |
the past season. A state of lawlessness and vi |
olence prevails on the distant frontier. Life and |
property are there wholly insecure. The popula- |
ton Of Arazona, now numbering more than ten |
thousand souls, are practically destitute of gov
ernment, oflaws, or of any regular administration |
ofjustce. Murder, rapine and other crimes are |



call the attention of Congress to the necessity for
establishing a Territorial Government over |
Arizona.


The Treaty with Nicaragua of the 18th of Feb |
ruary, 1857, to which referred in my last annual
Message, failed to receive the ratification of the
Government of that Republic, for reasons which |
need not enumerate. A similar Treaty has been |
since concluded between the parties. bearing date
on the / 9th March, 1859, which has already been /
ratified by the Nicaraguan Congress. This will |
be Immediately submitted to the Senate for their
ratification. Its provisions cannot think, fail to
be acceptable to the people of both countries.


Our claims against the Government of Costa |
Rica and Nicaragua remain unredressed, though |
they are pressed in an earnest manner, and not |
without hope ofsuccess.


l deem tito be my duty once more earnestly TO
recommend to Congress the passage of law
the President to employ the navalforce
at his command for the purpose of protecting the
lives and property Of American citizens passing in
transit across the Panama, Nicaragua aad Tehuan-
tepec routes, against sudden and lawess outbreaks
and depredations. I shall not repeat the argu-
ments employed in former Messages in support of
this measure. Suffice it to say that the lives of
many of our people, and the security of vast
Of treasure passing and repassing one or
more of these routes between the Atlantic and
Pacific, may be deeply involved in the action of
Congress on this subject.


woulo, also, again recommend to Congress that
authority be given to the President to employ the
naval force oprotect American merchant vessels,
their crews and cargoes, against violent and law
less seizure and confscaton in the ports of Mexico


H.. eb.NEa