Newspapers / Fayetteville Observer [Semi-Weekly, 1851-1865] … / Dec. 29, 1859, edition 1 / Page 4
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OBSERVER. {^Continued from third paijr..) generations. This uiijj;ht tend to l>arbari2e, de moralize, and exasperate the whole mass, and pro duce most deplorable consequences. The eftect on the existing slave would, if pos sible, be still more deplorable. At present- he is treated with kindness and humanity. He is well fed, well clothed, and not overworked. His cou- dition is incomparably better than that of the coolies which modern nations of lii^h civilization have employed as a substitute for African slaves. Hoth the philanthropy and the self-interest of the master have couibined to produce this humane re sult. But let this trade be re-opened, and what will be the eftect'f The same, to a con.siderable ^ ^ ertent, as on a neighboring island—the only spot) be immediately submitted to the .'5enate. now on earth vheye the Airican slave-trade is o oi openly tolerated: and this in detiaiice ot solemn abundantly able at any published as suoh for the information and guid ance of our merchants trading with the Chinese empire. It affords me mueh satiafaetion to inform you that all our difficulties with the republic of I**™- guay have been satisfactorily adjusted. It happily did not become necessary to employ the force for this purpose which Congre.ss h*d pomtuaud, under their joint resolution of _d June, 1868. On the contrary, the President of that republic, in a friendly spirit, acceded promptly to the just and reasonable demands of the Grovern- ment of the U. S. Our commissioner arrived at Assumption, t> > capital.'of-the ^republic on the 25th of January, 18o9, and left it on the 1/th of February, havint' in three weeks ablv and suc cessfully accomplished all the objects of his mi^ sion. The treaties which he has concluded will treaties wit'i a power _ ^ moniont to enforce their execution. Ihere the master, intent uj;yn proscut i^ain, extorts from the slaves ui much labor as his physical powers are (•apa’.'lo of eudiirinj!'—knowing that, whed death comes to his relief, his place can be supplied at a price reduced .to the lovvi't point by the competi tion of rival African blavt'-traJers, Shou’d this vver be the ca.e in our country—which I vio not deem possible—the prasent useful character ot the domestic institution, wherein tl o.se too old and too young to work are provided .'or w.th care and humanity, and liose ca{iable of labor are not overta.sked, wuuld undergo an uiifi>rtunate change. The feeling of reoi]>rocal dependence and attach ment which now exi.sts between muster and sli'.ve would be converted into mutual distru.-5t and hos tility. liut we are obliged as a (’hristian and moral nation te consider what would l>e the effect upon unhappy Africa itself if wt; shoulil reopen the slave-trade. This wi)ulil give the trade an im pulse and extension which it has neVer had even in its palmiest day.-^ The numerous victims re quired to supplv it would convert the whole slave coast intti a perfect Pandeinuninm, f.«r which this eoujitry would be held responsible in the eyes both of God and man. Its peity tribes would then be constantly engaged in preilatory wars against each other tor tlie purpo.^e of seizing slaves tos upply the American marki t. All hope.s of Afr'ean civilization would tlius be ended. On the other h;Mid, when a market for African slaves shall no longer be furnished in (,’uba. and thus all the world b; closed again't this trade, we may then indulge a reasonable hope for the grad ual improvement of .Vtriea. The chiet motive of war among the tribes will eea:e whenever there is no longer any demand for slav»->. The resources of that lertile but miserable country might then be developed by the hand of industry and afl'ord .subjects lor legitimate toreiirn and domestic con)- merce. In this manner (’liristianity and civili zation may irradually penetrate the e.xisting gloom. The wisdom of the course pursued by this »ov- ernment towards (’hina has been vindicated by the event. Whilst we sustained a neutral position in the war waged by tireat liritaiji ami France against the Chinese empire, our late minister, in obedience to his instructions, judiciously co-ope- rated with the ministtT' of tlu-'e pinvers in all peaceful measures to secure ^«y treaty the just concessions demanded l.'v the interests of forei commerce. The result is that 'atisfa.-tory treaties have been c'>nclurled with (’hina by the respective ministers of the 1' S . t ’.reat Briuiin, France and Russia Our • treaty, *r trfneral convention ot peace, amity, and e >nHuerce.” with that empire was concluded at Tient-'in OM the l>fh June, and wa.s ratified by the Presi«Jent. by and with the advice and consent of the .Senate, on the ;il>t December followini; On the loth iJeeember. .John K Ward, a distinguished citizen ot treoriria. was duly eoin- missioned as envov extraordiimr. an! minittr plenipotentiary to Ciiina. He left the I'nite.l States for the place ot hi'i d^-atination on the .")th of February, bearin- with him the r.ititied copy ot this treaty, and arrived at ShunL'hai on the 28th May. From thence h;.* prtjceeded to Peking on the l^ith June, but did not arrive in that city until the 27th July. .Vecording to the terms of the treaty the ratitieations were to be exchanged on (jr before the l"th Juno. This was rendered impossible i.v reiisons and events beyond hi* control, not nece>s.irv to detail; but still it is due to the (.'bin .se .iuthorities at Shanghai to state that they always a^ured him no advantaL'C should betaken of’the delay, and this pledire has been faithfully redeemed On the arrival of Mr. Ward at IV kinu' he re quested and audi«'nce ot the Kiupetor to present his letter ot credence. Tlii^ he did not obtain, in con.sequence ot !iis very proper refu';»l to sub mit to the humiliatin'.: ceremonie'i required Ijy the etiquette ot this strange pt'ople in approachifiir their sovereign. \everthele.-> the interviews on thi.s question were conducted in the most friendly spirit and '.jth ;i.Il due regar 1 t > hi.~ jtersorial fecl- ings ati J the honor ot i,is C(nritry. When a pre- *entatian to lii .'f ije.-ty was tounl to be impossi ble, the lei.'ji of-ffijd -nci- Iroiti the i-’resident w.is received with peciliar honor- by Kw -iliang. “the tmperar s prime i.aini^ier and ihe second man in the empire to the Kmper.r h; nsjf." T'le ratifi cations of the treaty were aft. . ward. , on the Itith ot Augu't, exchan^'ed in |..-operf ;rn at I’ei 'sail;;. As the exchange did not take plac • u *tii after the day prescribed by thetreay. it is deemed proper, betoreits puolicati jn, a ain to ~ .bniit it to the .Senate. It is but simple justice to the Chinese authori ties to observe, that, throuL^hont the whole tran>- action, they a}>pear to have acted in good faith and in a friendly .spirit towards the I*. S. It is true this has been done after their own peculiar fashion; but we ought to regard with a lenient eye the ancient customs of an einjiire dating back for thousands of years, so far as this may be consis tent with our own national honor. The conduct of our minister on the occasion has received my entire approbation. In order ^) carry out the spirit of this treaty, an to give it full effect, it became necessary to conclude two suppplinient.al conventions—the one for the adjustment and satisfaction of the claims of our citizens, and the other to fix the tariff on imports and exports, and to regulate the transit duties and trade of our merchants with China. This duty wa« satisfactorily performed by our late minister. These conventions bear date at Shanghai on the >Sth November 18'»S. Having been considered in the light of binding agree- ujents subsidiary to the princij)al treaty, and to be carried into e.xecution without delay, they do not provide for any formal ratification or exchange of ratifications by the contracting parties. This wa.s not deemed neces.sary by the Chinese, who are already proceeding in good tiiitli to satisfy the claims of our citizens, and, it is hoped, to carry out the other provisions of the conventions. Still 1 thought it was proper to submit them to the Senate, by which they were ratified on the 3d March, ISoU. The ratified eojties^ however, did not reach Shanghai until after the departure of our minister te 1 eking, and these conventions could not, therefore, bo exchanged at the .same time with the principle treaty. No doubt is en tertained that they will be ratified and exchanged by the Chinese government, should this be thought advisable; but under the circumstances presented 1 shall consider them binding, engagements from tteir date on both parties, and cause them to be [n the view that the^employment of other than peaceful means ight become necessary to obtain “just satisfaction” from Paraguay, a strong naval force was concentrated in the waters ol the La Plata to await contingencies, whilst our coiuinis sioner ascended the rivers t) Assumption. ^ Ihe Navy Department is entitled to great credit for the promptness,' efficiency, and ec.onomy with which this expedition was fitted out and conduct ed. It consLsisted of nineteen armed vessels, great and small, carrying 200 guns and 2,f)06 men, all under the command of the veteran and gallant Shubrick. The entire expenses of the expedition have been defrayed out of the ordinary appropria tions for the naval service, except the sum of S289,U00, applied to the purcha.se of seven of the steamers, constituting a part of it, under the au thority of the naval appropriation act of the 3d March last. It is believed that these steamers are worth'more than their’cost,' and'they are all now usefuUy and actively employed in the naval service. The appearance of so large a forcc, fitted out in such a promj)t manner, in the far distant waters of the La Pl^ta, and the admirable conduct of the officers and men empli>yed in it, have liad a hap py effect in favor of our country throughout all tliat reuh>te portion of the world. Our relations with the great empires of France and Russia, as well as with all other governments on the continent of Furope, unless we may except that of Spain, happily continue to be of the mo.'^t friendly character. In my la.st annual message I presented a state ment of the un.satisfactory condition of our rela tions with Spain; and I regret to say that this ha.s not materially improved. Without special refer ence to other claims, even the "I’uban claims,” the payment of which has been ably urged by our ministers, and in which more than a hundred of our citizens are directly interested, remain un- sati.'fied, notwithstanding both their j'j->tice and their amount (S12'',ijo-> ) had been reeogiii.sed and ascertained f>y the Spanish government it«df' I again recommend that an appropriation be made "to be paid to tl e S}>anish government for the purpose of distribution amonr the claimants in the Ami.-tad ca.se" in common with two of my predece.-isurs, 1 entertiiin no doubt that this required by our treaty with S()ain of the 27th Oc tober, 1795. The failure to discharge this obli gation h;is been employed by the cabinent of *>lad- rid as a rea.«*jn against the settlement of our claims. I need not repeat the arirnments which I urg»‘d in luy lust annur^l me.3aire in favor ot the acquisi tion of Cuba by fair purchase .'ly opinions on that mea.^ure remain unchan^red. 1, therefore, ai^ain invite the .serious attention of Cwngn ss t7 this important subject. Without a rec.’i>rnition of this policy on their part, it will be alnio-t impos sible to institute aOgotiations with any reasonable prospect of success I’ntil a recent period there was good reason to believe that I should be able to announce lo vou on the present oeca.sion that uur diflicultie'? with '.Ireat Britain, arising out of the (.'laytjn and Bulwer treaty, had been finally adju'^te«l in a man net alike honorable and satisfactory tn both par tie-. From causes, howt.-ver, which the iiriti.-h governuietjt had not anticipated, they have not yet completed treaty arrangements with the re publics ut Hotkduras and Nicarasiua, in j)ursuanee of the understanding l>et ween the two governments. It i>, nevertheless, confidently expected that this :iood Work will ere long be accomplished ^\ hilst indulging tfie hope that noother subject remained which could disturb the iro.»d under standing between the two countries, the question ari.-ing o'lt of the adverse claims ot the f.arties to the Island of .''an Juan, under the Oiegun tr*iaty of the l.'»th of June, auddeiily i.-.sumed a threatening prominence. In order to prevent un fortunate collisions on that remote frontier, the late Secretary of State, on the I7th July, 1^5r>, addressed a note to Mr. Cramptoii, then British mini.ster at W itshington, communicatin:; to him a copy of the instructions which he [Mr Marcy had given, on the I4th .Julv, to (iov- Stevens, ol Washington Territory, having a special reterence to an “appreheiided contliet between our citizens and the British .subjecLs on the Island of San Juan. lo prevent this, the governor wa.s in structed "that the otliccrs ol the Territorv should ib.-'tain trom all acts on the disputed grounds which are calculated to provoke any eontlicts, so tr as it can be done without implying the con cession to the authorities of iireat Britain of an exclusive right over the premises. The titU on :ht to be settled belore either fiarty should at te ajit to exclude the other by force, or exercise complete and exclusive sovereign rights within the fairly-disputed limits." In acknowledging the receipt on the next day of Mr. Marcy s note, the British minister ex pressed his entire concurrence “in the propriety of the course recommended to the governor of Washington Territory by your [Mr. .Maroy’s] instructions lo that officer,” and stating that he had “lost no time in transm'tting a copy of that document to the governor-general ot Jiritish N. America,” and had “earnestly recommended to his Kxcellency to tjike such measures a,s to him may appear best calculated to secure, on the part of the firitish local authorities and the inhabi tants of the neighborhood of the line in question, the exercise of the same spirit of forbearance which is inculcated by you [Mr. Marcy] on the authorities and citizens of the U. S.” Thus matters remained upon the faith of this arrangement until the 9th July last, when Gen. Harney paid a visit to the Island. He found upon it twenty-five American residents with their families, and also an establi.shment of the Hud son’s Bay Company for the purpo.se of raising sheep. A short time before his arrival one ol' these residents had .shot an animal belonging to the coinpany, whilst trespassing upon his premises, for which, however, he offered to pay twice it.s value; but that was refused. Soon after “the chief factor of the company at Victoria, Mr. Dal las, son-in-law of Gov. Douglas, came to the Is land in the British sloop-of-war Satellite, and threatened to take “this American (Mr Cutler) by force to V'ictoria, to answer for the trespass he had committed. The American seized his rifle and told 31 r, Dallas if any such attempt was made he would kill him on the spot. The affair then ended.” Cnder these circumL^tances, the Americau set tlers presented a petition to the General, “through the U. S. inspector of customs, Mr. Ilubbs, to place a force upon the island to protect them from the Indians as well as the oppressive interference of the authorities of the Hudsc-n Bay Company at Victoria with their rights aa American citizens " ' Th« Geoeral immediately rMponded to this peti- gOTernment, have been tet at defiance by the looal goT- Uoo, ..d ordered C.BUf„ Oebrge E. Pickett, 9th I infantry, “to establiah his company on lielievue, j countfj. in defiance of treatipa, and by. the mere or San JoMJ-iriHnd, on some suitable position.l force of arbitrary power. Even the course of Ju.stice near the harbor at the aoutheaatern extremity." | has not been safe from control, and a recent decree of This order was jpromptly obeyed, and a iBilitary I Miramon permit.s the interTenti»n ol governineul in all postiwas established at the plaoe deisignated. The I where either party is a tore.gner. \ e.ssels of ibe ^ ^ jl L , 1 * I U. 8. have been seized Without law, and a consular ol- force w*» afterwards increased, so that Dy tne l^t I protested against such seijure has been tiaed return the whole ntimber of troops theo on the I and itapri.soned for disrespect to the authoritias. -Mili- island amounted in fhe aggregate to 691 men. I tary contributions have been levied in violation of every Whilst I do not deem^ it proper on the present I principle of right, and the Aiaericun who i eyisted the occasion to go farther into the subject, and dis- demand has had his property forcibly taken , p, t • I. I. i L 1 i I away, and has been hjuiselt biinislied. itoiu a conflict cuss the weight which otight to be at to I authority in different p.irts of the country, tarilF du the statements of the British coloQial authorities, I I tieu which have been paid in one place have been cx- contesting the accuracy of the. inioriuation on I acted over again in anothpr plnce. Large iiuiiibcM'o of which the gallant General acted, it was due to I our citiiens have been arrested ,«uid imijrisoned without him tliat ll^ould thl» present his own reasons of examination or any opp..nunlty for « hear .... * A Tl o: u T? I mg, and ev%u when reloasc'i have oal^v uhuiiae«J ilieii for issuing the order to Captain rnckett. rroni I m^erty after much suffering and injury and without nny these, it i.S quite clear his object was to prevent I of redress. The wholeaali,- massacre of Jrnbbc the British authorities on Vancouver’s island from I and Lis associates without trial in .Sonora, as well na exercising jurisdiction over Amerieaa residents I seizure and murder of four sick .Vmericaus who had on the lalaiid of San Juan, as well as to pro^^ct h*!'®^^n the house of a.. .VmericHu, upon ih« - . • ^ T I ^ conuiiuniouteu to ConjiTes.'i at us them agaiust the incursions ot the inaian». I session. Murders of a still more atrocious chnrac Much excitement prevailed forsometimethrougb- I ter have been couimitted in tho very Leurt of .Mexico, out that region, aiid serious danger of collision be-1 under the authority of Miramon's ;^oveniiiient, during the parties was apjireUended. The British had a I ^he present year. Some of the.sc were only worthy ot large navai force in the vicinity; and it is but an ‘ barbarous age, and, if they hud not been clearly ® r . 1 • X* A iL j • 1 A A X- I proven, would have .seemed in a country act of simple justice to the adtniral on that station driUze,]. Of this description to state that he wisely auu discrcetl^ lorbore to I brutal nias!?acre in April last, bv oriier of (icn. Mar commit any hostile actj but determined to refer I ^ue*, of three .\merican phy-idans, who were seized in the whole affair to his government and await their I the hospital at Tacuba3-a while nttea ling upon the sick instructions I of laoth i)avties. and witlioui trial, n-L- \ I’ ] I without crime, were hurriei awiiy in siieedv oxtcution. Ihis aspect of the matter m my opinion, de- vocm fate*of Ormond rnanded serious attention. It would have been a I chase, who was sliot in Tepic .u t!.,- 7th of August b>- great calamity for both nations had they been pre-1 order of the same .Mexican general, not uuly without cipitated into acts of hostility not on the question | trial, but without any conjecture l>_v his friends of tho of title to the island, but merely concerning what should be its condition during the intervening pe- j riod whilst the two governments might be employ ed in settling tho question to which of them it be longs. For this reason Lieut. Gen. Scott was des- patchei on the 17th September last to Washing ton Territory to take immediate command of the C. S. forces on the Pacific coast should ha deem this neces.sary. The main object ol Ii.a mission waj I to carry out the spirit of the precautionary arrange ment between the late Secretary of .^tate and the British Minister, and thus to prese.'ve the peace and prevent eolli.sion between the British and A-j judgment.-*,, would meet the* exifrencv merican authorities ptMiding the negotiations be-I uniform and emj.hatic. ••Noiliinij )>u tween the two governments.Entertaining no j of tbe power of the tJovemniont nf ilic L'. wrote om doubt of the validity of onr title, I need scarcely "'ini-ter in isr,*;, and of it. j.u. i...se t> |.,u.ish the.. , , , . * . . ' . /I wrongs Will avail. 1 a.-«ure vou th:ii add that, in any event. Amcncan citizens were to ^ere is that there is noVhing t„ ) be placed on a footing at least as favorable as that I from the (Jovernment of the L’. S.. and tli.it Tocal .Me.\ of British .subjects, it being understood that Capt. I ican officials can commit these nutr.i;:. ' uj,.iii .\meri ati Pickett’s company should remain on the island. I‘‘^'^olute im]'unity. -1 hope the l*r It is pn>per ,o ob.serve that, eonsiderinn the dis- ' V f J 1 • • I authorize*! to :i'k from ( «.Duress the i-nwor lo ei) tancK from the Mcene of action, anti «n ignoranoe ^ of wh.it might have transpired on the spot before I call of the oonstitutioujil au'thoritie-. in order t> i.rotect cause of his arrest. lie is reiire.ented as a young man of good character and intfclligence. who had made iiu- meruug friend.s in Tej)ic by th« coura'fe and huuianii^ which ho had displayed on sever.-il trying occnsioiis. liiid his death was as unexpected ns it wa-. .shocking to tho whole community. Other outrages might bu eimmer- ated, but these are sutlicient to il!iistr)ite th»' wretclied state of the oountrv atid the iinj^rijtecrcd cindition »f the persons and j>ropi»rty of our citi/ens in .Mexico. In all these cases our niiiii>iiTS liave beo;i cuini»nt and faithful in their deinand-i forri'dress, i>ui both they and this (Jovernment, which they have successively represented, have been wholly j.owirless to make ilieir demands effective. Their testimony iu this rtspeci, and in reference to the only rt-meiiv whicii, iu tht-ii has been both H muiiifcstatiou w;il the General’s arrival, it was necessary to leave much to his discretion, and 1 am happy to state the event ha.s proven that this discretion could not have been inmtsted^to more compateat hands.- !en. Scott has recently returned from his mission, haviiT^ successfully accomplished its objects, and ther‘ is no longer any good reason to apprehend a eolli.sion between the forces of the two countries uriiig the pendency^of the existing negotiations. 1 reirret to inform you that there has been no improvement in the affairs,of Mexico since my la.st annual iue!«iage. and I am again obliged to k the earnest attontion of Congress to the un- hup[>y condition of that republic. The constituent ^)ngress of Mexico, which ad journed on the ITtli of February, l^ioT, adopted a constitution and provided for a popular election. This took place ru the following July, fl^i>7,] and ({em ral ('omonfort was chosen President, al most without opposition. At the same election a new (’ongress was chosen, whose first session coin- menced on the Hith of September, [1>57 ] By the constitution of 1>^57 th^’ presidential term was to begiu on the 1st of December, [1S57,] and uAutinue four years. On that day General Com- onfort appeared before the a».sembled Congress in the city !>f Mexico, took the oath to support the new constitution, and wa.s duly inaugurated as !*re.sideut. Within a month afterwards he had been driven from the cApital, and a military rebel- ihe ciiiiens and tlie treaty rights of tJie V. [,llle^^ such a power is conferred upon him. neither the on-- nor the other will be respecteil in ttie exisiing .-.luio uf anarchy and di-order, and the outra;:e alre.tdv per petrated will never he ch.'miised: at '!, n-i I n>surcd \ou iu liiy No. all these evils must increa-t* uniil evt-ry vestige of order and povernmeni di.-ipiieai's tr. ni the country.” 1 havt been reluctantly led to tlie -ame opinion, and in justice to my ‘i'Untryn;en wiio liavu suffered wrongs from Mexico, and who may .*-1111 siitfcr them, I feel bound to antiounce thi-; Lonlu-.ic)ii to t-’on- gress. The case presented, however, is not inerely a ca-e of individual claims, although our ju,-t claims ug.iiu i Mex ico have reached a very large amount. .NUr is it merely the case of protection to the lives and jiropei-iy of the few .\mencans who may still remain in Mexico, although the life and pro}>erty of every Anieri. an citiv.-n ought to be sttcredly |irotected in every 'juarter ^'f the woriJ But it IS a ijuestion w»*ich relate* to tin- future ha wcil as to the present and tlie past, .wid which inv..lvc.-. in directly at least, the wtioie siiti]ec! of our t > Mfi ico as a neighboring State. Tiio eser. i.«- uf 'ho j. i»ci of the I’. S. ii) that country to redreirS tie r Uj,- a! i protect the rights of our own citi/eii'. i> lionn tne le» lo be d«sired, because erticient and neo«.» a y aid uj-i v ihus be rendered at he saiue time to r«--i'^re f edoo .-iii I order to Alevico itxelf. In the acc'juip:i'!))iu-n! of ihn result the peoj>le of the I*. .S. inu-t t e •.•ssarlly tcel n interest. .Mexico ought to be a ricli »itid i^ro-p^ rous arid powerfvl republic. .S.he poiso--,-- m c.ttcn^ive terri tory. a fertile soil, and an in^.-alcui.ible store of mineral wealth. She occupies an import.int po-itivn bLtvvceu the (lulf and the ocean for the inin>it l oufcs and loi commerce. Is it p^n'iMe that suoh » couniry n- tlii-, can be given up to ;inar-hy an I rum witLoi.t .mi eir rt. rgely inns c tumi.-rciai in- >'Upreme (’ourt, and, Gen. Comonfort having left I tereourse. ullow their immi*Kuie neif;hbi>r thus to J the Cduntrv, this functiunarv. General Juarez, I siroy itsell and injure them'' \ot wit!,out >u, port fron. proceeded to form, at Guanajuato, a oonst-itutional i **onie quarter, it is uupossible to perceive how Moxic i_- .E • 11 ». I can re-ume her position among nati. as and cuter upiii iroverimicnt. Before this was oTficiallv known,* ^ ^ ^ i’ “ Imwever, at the capital, the government jof Zuloa- i tra had been recuguised by the entire diplomatic corps, including the minister of the l/nited States, as the dc f'nrto government of Mexico. The con- .-^titntional J'r&sidenf, neverthelcs.s, maintained his IK>^itiun with firninc.s.s, and was soon established with his cabinet at Vera. Cruz. Meanwhile, the government of Zuloaifa was earnestly resisted in many parts of ihe republic, and even in the capi- a career which promises any go- d r.-suH-r. The a; 1 which she retjuires, and which the intire-t- uf .hH com mercial countries reijuire tliat she 'hou'd have, it be longs to this governineuf to eetider, ni t niily by virtue of our neighborhood to Mexico, along w lip e tervitory we have a continuous frontier of nearly a thou-aiid miles, but. by virtue, also, of -’I'r est.'iblislie 1 p liicv. whidh is incnusistont w ith the interi'ention ot auv Kiir'o- pean Power in the domestic concern? of that lejiublic. The wrongs which we have suffered fruiu .Mexico are before the world, and must deeply iuiprc" « verv Aiiier , ' ■ . ■ I • ■ 1 I lean citizen. .V government which is cither iin-ihlt tal, a poruon ot the army haying pronounced against it, its functions were declared terminated, I est duties. Th« difficulty consists in seWcting and eu und an a.ssombly of citizens was invited for the j forcing the remedy. We may in vain applv to the coii- choice of a aew Prehident. This af«embly elected | stitutional gov’t at Vera Cruz, although it is well dis- Genenil .'liramon; but that officer repudiated the ).iHn under wJiich he wus chosen, and Ziiloaga was tlius restored to his previous position. He assumed it, how ever, only to withdraw from it, and Miramon. haviug become, by his appointment. ‘President .Substitute,’con tinue!", with that title, at the head of the insurgent party. In my last annual iftessage I communicated to Con gress the circumstances under which the late Minister of the IJ. S. suspended his official relations with the central government, and withdrew from the country. It was impossible to maintain friendly intercourse with a government, like that at the capital, under whose usurped authority wrongs were constantly committed, but never re«lressel. Had this been an established government, with its power extending, by the consent of the people, over the whole of Mexico, a resort to hos tilities against it would have been .uite justifi.able, and indeed necessary. But the country was a prey to civil war; and it was hoped that the success of the constitu posed to do us justice, for adequate redre.ss. WhiUt its authority is acknowledged in all tiie important j oris and throughout the sea-coasts of the republic, its p.-.wer does not extend to the city of .Mexico and the Stutes in its visinity, where nearly all the recent outrages have been committed on American citirens. We must jiene- trate into the interior before we can reach the offcnccrs, and this can only be done bypassing through the tcrri- tooy in the occupation of the constitutional gov t. The most accaptable and least difiicuh mode of accomplish ing the object will be to act in concert with that gov't. Their con.sent and their aid might. 1 believe, be olitain- ed; but if not, our obligation to protect our own citizens in their just rights, secured by treaty, would not be the iess imperative. For thesa reasons' 1 recommend to Congress to pass a law authorising th? President, under such conditions as they may deem expedient, to employ a sufficient military force to enter Mcxico for the pur pose of obtaining indemnity for the past and security T \ ^ tioual President might lead to a condition of things less I future. I purposely refrain from any suggestion injurious to the U. S. This succegs became so proba- I whether this force shall consixt of regular troops ble that, in January last, 1 employed a reliable agent I or both. This question may be most aj.- to visit .Mexico, and report to me the actual condition | left to the decision of Congress. ] would and prospects of the contending parties. In conse quence of his report, and from information which reached me from other sources, favorable t6 the pros pects of the constitutioual cause, I felt justified in ap pointing a new minister to Mexico, who might embrace the earliest 9uit«ble opportunity of restoring our diplo matic relations with that republic. For this purpose a distinguished citizen of Maryland was seUcted, who proceeded on his mission on the 8th of March last, with discretionary authority to recognise the government of President Juarez, if on his arrival in Mexico he should find it entitled to gueh recognition, according to the es- tahll.QliPfi r\t fT Q i\w\ tablished practice of the U. S. On the 7th of April following, Mr. McLane presented hia credential! to President Juarez, having no hesitation “in pronounc ing the government of Juarez to be the only existing government of the Republic.” He was cordially re ceived by Ihe authorities at Vera Cruz, and they have, ever since manifested the most friendly disposition t'>- wards the U. S. Unhappily, however, the constitu tional government has not been able to establish its power over the whole republic. It is supported by a large majority of the people and the States, but there are important parts of the country where it can enforce no obedience. General Miramon maintains himself at the capital; and in some of the distant provinces there are military governors who pay little respect to the de crees of either government. In the mean time the ex cesses which always attend upon civil war, especially in Mexico, are constantly recnrring. Outrages of the merely observe that, should volunteers be selected, such a force could be easily raised in this country among those who sympathize with the sufferings of our unfor tunate fellow citizens in Mexico, and wito tlio uuhaj.j>v condition of that republic. Such au accestiion to tlie forces of the bonstitiitional gov t woalc en.nble it soou to reach the city of Mexico and extend its power over the whole republic. In that event there is no reas,on to doubt that the just claims of our citizens would be satis fied and adequess obtained for the injuries inflicted up on them. The constitutional gov t have ever evinced a strong desire to do us justice, and this tuight be secur ed in advance by a preliminary treaty. It may be said that these measures will, at least in directly, be inconsistent with our wise and settled policy not to interfere in the domestic concerns of foreign na tions- But does not the present ca.«e fairly constitute an exception? An adjoining republic is in u slate of anarchy and confusion from which she hns proved wholly unable to extricate herself. Siie is entirely des titute of the power lo maintain peace upon her bortlers. or to prevent the incursions of banditti into our terri tory. In her fate and in her fortune—in her power to establish and maintain a settled government—wc have a far deeper interest, socially, commercially, and po litically, than any other nation. She is now a wreck upon the ocean, drifting about as siie is impelled bv different factions. .\s a good neighbor, shall we not extend to her a helping hand to save her? If we do not, it would not be surprising should some other nation worst description are committed both upon persona and I ***^dertake the task, and thus force us to interfere property. There is scarcely any form of injury which has not been suffered by our citizens in Mexico during the last few years. We have been nominally at peace with that republic, but “so far as the interests of our commerce or of our citizens who have visited the coun try as merchants, shipmasters, or in other capacities, are concerned, we might as well have been at war.”— Life has been insecure, property unprotected, and trade last, under circumstrnces of increased difficulty, for the maintenance of our established policy. I repeat the recommendation contained in mv last an nual message that authority may be given to t'he Pres dent to establish one or more temporary military posts across the Mexican line in Sonora and Chihualiua, where these may be necessary to protect the lives and property of American and Mexican citizens against the incur- 7 ^ ^ ^ w» V » M ^ ^ ^ I W V w Cp 4A v« Va CvvS V ■ ■ l * • • ^ • •• v- * impossible except at a risk of loss whicii prudent men I f ® depredations of the Indians, as well as of law- cannot be expected to mccr. Important contracts, in- I , rovers on that remote region. The establLshment volving large expenditures, entered into bj the central ® called Arispe, in Sonora, in PAYK TIIIRSDAY EVEN Westek.v Kailro tiacts were let for th I division of the Roa follows:— •Sec. -7 to A J. Ki “ 'iU and ti> I “ -’.1 and ".’I'i to '1 Uridg«* and culvert x^sidii tu Lcnnt baii & 'fhe track-lay h The work is now iu s to justify the coiilid pletitiii of the road l>ivn>K.vi»s.—Tl dared a semi-annual The Bank of l'’:iy( cent. .'>ce advcrtiben Kimtoki.ai, Ch.v.m failing hoaltb of a Willis 3.1. .Miller has of the Niirth ('aruliti Kev. ieor^e McNeil Whu} MKKTrN;. county held a iiieciii the (.'hairniaii. (/ile; •to l)elegat‘s were vention to be held The Wrono Vkr Ilian has credited to the Charleston trade publish. It contain to the country nu rc tertained or exiin-S'.c South Cauulina imously adojited a s that the slave-holdin meet together to co tioir, directing tbu c to the said States, appointment of dele 000 for military }>re ViiuHNiA.—The (jov. Wise tor a »tat collected at Charles the Governor replie as the accounts are until after his term be with the end of prised to be oblijied Governor’s Ictter- responsibility for an there is a feeliut and apparently in tl to which the State 1 not among the adiiii Harper’s Ferry affai in our opinion, dcse Virginia but of the ® , did right to assembl as would prevent quarter, ltdidprev nothing el.se preve be unwilling to foot other Southern Stat Another singular Richmoml a Aveek o ing his term of serv upon the I^emocrati matter!'' Ishedi.sir who rule in that f>ix Both Houses of mously passed a r'-so of the public dange opposition to Black date for Speaker, o fairness atnl honor, defeat can be accom of the House effecte Tiik Hktlun of 200 of the Southeri delphia arrived at They were greeted speech—warlike as to New Kngland, bo fugitives. Thtiv w and several other s in Congress are rep their leaving I'liih papers say that the step in conseiuencc ing been arrested a bowie knives and pi up an abolition meet The Southern .stu a meeting to con.sidi the South, but out» only 14 voted to ret There is an i dd p steal will lie.’’ App Garrett, uf Wilniing that he lied when meeting in Philadel the course of fifteen had been engaged in rescued 2’24^> slaves this thief has done t what we are particul; that a man was allo- days after the i^reat boast that be bad sti T^-orth of Southern p among the I bring him to piinisht plaint, so far a.' we Iu aforesaid Delaware, in whic of slave Stati St. LolI".—The believe,belwecTi I'io accordiui: a (''T.; slaves, a Vullhi- ..tv o 13 a very Var'^e tierm Cotton KtcviU'T
Fayetteville Observer [Semi-Weekly, 1851-1865] (Fayetteville, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 29, 1859, edition 1
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