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"No. 45. The Schooner Aurora was stranded on the coast of Mexico, in 1836. A part of the cargo was landed by the crew, when it was immediately taken possession of by an armed body of Mexicans. On the crew remonstrating against these proceedings, they were insulted, maltreated, and the mate seriously injured. Thereupon the crew proceeded to Tobasco and delivered the goods over to our consul at that place, who, on taking possession thereof, found that over one half had been plundered.

"No. 46. While the Schooner Bethlehem was proceeding toward Campeachy, she was boarded by a captain of the Mexican navy, and her officers and men sent on board the Mexican flag-ship, where they were detained -a part of them in chains. On the captain of the Bethlehem landing, he found that his vessel had been condemned, and himself banished, without a hearing, five years, from the trade.

No. 47. It was proposed to sell the Brig Fourth of July to the Mexican government; but while the negotiation was going on, she was taken possession of by the Mexican authorities, and the Mexican flag hoisted. Mr. Ellis, then our minister in Mexico, demanded the release of the vessel, to which demand no answer has been returned.

"No. 48. Eight men, under command of Midshipman Renshaw, from the U. S. sloop of war Natchez, landed on the mole in Vera Cruz, in 1836. During the absence of the commanding officer, the men got intoxicated, and one of them quarrelled with a fisherman. The fight soon became general, and the Mexicans were restrained from firing on the Americans only by the interference of the captain of the port. Midshipman R., on account of the intoxication of his men, was compelled to leave them on shore, in charge of a Mexican officer; and when he demanded them of the authorities, on the succeeding day, their release was refused. Several of the seamen were severely wounded, yet no investigation into the conduct of the Mexican guard appears to have been instituted.

"No. 49. In 1836, William Hallett and Zalmon Hall, citizens of the United States, were arrested in the streets of Matamoras by an armed force, who struck one of them on the face, and took both to

the principal barrack. Here they were confined, while a guard was placed at the door of the house of the American consul, to prevent his interference in the matter. The house was searched for the consul himself, and much of his property was stolen.

"No. 50. In 1836, the Schooner Peter D. Vroom was wrecked on the coast above Vera Cruz. Boves, the person to whom the cargo was consigned, renounced his agency in the matter, and the Mexican courts appointed Manuel de Vega to dispose of the cargo in his place. The claim is that the Mexican authorities had no right to interfere, since the captain of the schooner to whom the agency reverted on the abandonment of Boves, had appointed the U. S. consul agent for the disposal of the goods.

"No. 51. The American citizens at Tampico having requested that a man-of-war might be sent for their protection, Lieutenant Osborne, with a boat's crew from the revenue cutter Jefferson, proceeded there, when he was arrested by the authorities, carried off and examined. On his return, he learned that his crew had also been arrested and held for a long time in confinement. Gomez, who committed these outrages, was removed therefor by the supreme government, but was subsequently appointed commandant at Vera Cruz.

"No. 52. The Ship Robert Wilson was seized and condemned at Vera Cruz, in 1833, on the alleged ground that she had imported false coin. In the suit which was instituted in the United States for the recovery of the insurance, the defence was, that the charge was true. It failed, however, because the Mexican government refused to furnish the proof, (if indeed it had any,) by which to substantiate the allegation. The amount paid by the insurance company, and for which the Mexican government is responsible, because it refused to furnish the proof, is $12,313 26.

"No. 53. The Schooner William A. Turner, of which James O'Flaherty was master, was seized off Sisal, in 1834, by an armed Mexican force. The vessel was released after Captain O'Flaherty had given bonds for her value. In 1836, his vessel was again seized — himself confined, liberated, and after entering into bonds for $1200, his vessel released. Soon after, the vessel was again

seized, and the captain confined in the cabin, from whence he was sent as a prisoner to Tobasco. From this place, where he had been confined in the public prison, he was conveyed, still as a prisoner, to Campeachy, and cast a second time into confinement.

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Captain O'Flaherty is entirely ignorant of the cause of these repeated indignities, and at no time has any charge been preferred against him.

"He claims, for the loss of property, $18,000.

"No. 54. A. de O. Santangelo, a naturalized citizen of the United States, was the editor of a newspaper in Mexico. He also kept a school for the instruction of young ladies. Some editorial article gave offence to the Mexican government, whereupon he was ordered to quit the country, which order he affirms is contrary to the laws of Mexico, as to the treaty existing between the United States and Mexico. He claims $100 as an indemnification for his sudden banishment.

"No. 55. Mr. Gorastiza, recently envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the Mexican Republic to the United States, caused to be printed and distributed among the foreign ministers accredited to this government, a pamphlet defamatory of the government and people of the United States.

"No. 56. For all exactions which may have been made from citizens of the United States under laws of the Mexican Republic authorizing forced loans, ample indemnification will be demanded.

"No. 57. Louisiana, Champion, Julius Cæsar.—These vessels were captured by the Mexican squadron in the Gulf of Mexico, in the spring of 1837, for an alleged violation of a pretended blockade of the ports of Texas.

"A List of Claims on Mexico which arose prior to December, 1837, but which were not then brought to the Notice of the Department of State.

"No. 58. W. F. & E. D. Hyde & Co. claim full indemnification for the alleged capture and condemnation of a quantity of dry goods shipped at New Orleans for Brazonia, in Texas, in the spring of 1835, amounting in value to about $23,000.

"No. 59. Thomas Toby & Brother, of New Orleans, claim a restitution of $30,000, for goods captured and condemned under the same circumstances as in No. 1.

"No. 60. William Trean, of N. Y., the American Insurance Co., of N. Y., and the widow and executrix of Simon Cuculla, of New Orleans, claim indemnification for the capture and condemnation, on a pretence altogether frivolous, of the schooner Isaac McKim, in September, 1825.

"No. 61. I. W. Lacharie & Co., of New Orleans.-The claims of this firm are for three vessels and their cargoes illegally captured and condemned, and for one wantonly destroyed, in 1822, 1824, and 1825, respectively.

"No. 62. Mercantile Insurance Co., of N. Y.-This claim originated in a contract made in 1826, by General Cortez, as agent of the Mexican government, with the late Henry Eckford, for the building of a vessel of war. The claim is for about $20,000, and has never been disputed by the Mexican agents.

"No. 63. Henry Dolliver claims indemnification for the loss of all his property, consequent upon the seizure of his vessel and cargo, under the most aggravated circumstances. This illegal act was committed by Mexican authorities in 1829.

“No. 64. William H. Brown and others, Owners of the Steamboat Planter.—This claim is for the impressment and forcible employment of the above boat, at Tobasco, (date not given,) and for illegal duties exacted from them.

"No. 65. Franklin Combs. — This claim is for articles of which he was robbed when taken prisoner in the Texan Santa Fe expedition.

"No. 66. Peter Hotz claims of the Mexican government, as one of the shippers of the cargo of the schooner Arete Ellis, of which the said Hotz was owner and master, a proportion of the loss sustained by him from his vessel springing a leak, thereby compelling him to throw overboard several articles, in November, 1825.

"No. 67. Mary Hughes, Widow of George Hughes, Master of the Brig John, of N. Y.-The brig John, lying at anchor in the River Tobasco in 1832, was boarded and captured by an armed force, on a pretext altogether unfounded. Captain Hughes was knocked down, cruelly beaten with the butts of the muskets of the boarding party, carried off and imprisoned, and the cargo and stores of the vessel plundered. Captain Hughes subsequently died from the wounds received on this occasion.

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"No. 68. James Cochrane, engineer of the steamer Hidalgo, was impressed into the Mexican service, together with the boat, in 1832, cruelly and ignominiously treated, and compelled to do duty as engineer for two months. He claims reparation for the breaking up of his business, and for false imprisonment.

"No. 69. John Belden has two claims against the Mexican government, one for $4500, on account of damages sustained by him, and the other for a forced loan at San Luis Potosi.

Claims against Mexico for Injuries committed since December 2, 1837.

"No. 70. Claim of Samuel Baldwin. - Mr. B., a citizen of the U. S., settled in Mexico some years since, and had acquired considerable property. On the most frivolous pretext he was seized and thrown into the public prison with the vilest criminals. While there, additional charges were fabricated against him—he was loaded with irons, poison was given him in his coffee, and he endured the most unparalleled sufferings from the brutal treatment of one Gomez, his jailer. From Acayuacan, where these barbarities were committed, Mr. B. was sent to Vera Cruz, and cast into a wet and filthy jail in the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa. On his journey, which was performed on a jackass, he was compelled to support the heavy burden of his chains, from which resulted an incurable lameFor these unparalleled outrages no redress has been received from the Mexican government.

ness.

"No. 71. Claims of Henry B. Horton, Walter W. Adam, and Jas. Kelley. The claimants, seamen on board the American barque Roger Williams, having been paid off and discharged at Monterey, California, in 1840, were waiting for an opportunity to return home,

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