Despatches from Mr. PARENHAM announce the cessation of hos- tilities
between France and Mexico. A preliminary treaty was signed at Vera Cruz on the 9th of March ; the leading provisions of which are thus stated— ".Mexico pays 600,000 dollars, in conformity with the ultimatum, and is free of all claims on account of France up to the :26th of November. The amount is paid in three drafts on this Customhouse, at two, four, and six months. The expressions under this head that caused so much ang.er in Jalapa axe omitted. France does not insist on the retail trade. The restitution of the prizes made by France, and indemnification fbr losses during the war on both sides, are left to time arbitration of Eiesland. The Mexicans may make a treaty of commerce with France whenever they think tit, and no terms ate stipulated. The Castle, with its artillery, is to be delivered up fit soon as the agreement is ratified by Congress: twelve guns the Spaniards took from time French on a former occasion are kept by the French ; and they, on the other hand, have repaired the Castle during the time they have had possession of it. The French will be allowed to return and enjoy the privileges of the most favoured nation."
On this result the Times makes the following remarks- " Such is the conclusion of this Mexican quarrel; iu which it will be seen that the French have waved several injurious pretensions, and have in effect accepted, as befbre stated, less than what they might have obtained—less indeed than was asked and consented to at Jalapa, before San Juan d'Ulloa was attacked and Vera Cruz invaded. For example, the right of retail trade was then made a sine qua nos; the payment of another sum of 600,000 dollars for time cost of the squadron was demanded and agreed upon ; and an in- sulting apology drawn up as a special article of treaty, which could not be with- drawn or modified. In the treaty as now signed, if the particulars given be substantially correct, it will be seen that each of these oppressive stimulations is abandoned. It becomes a natural inquiry to what end has so much blood been shed and so much treasure expended on the part of France, and such vast injury inflicted, not only upon 3Iexieo, but upon all other friendly and neutral states trading with her, when every object now attained, and more besides, could have been accomplished, and was offered to N submitted to, previous to the recourse to active and ruinous hostilities ! And it mummy be presumed, that had a British Minister found his way to Mexico at an earlier period of the dispute, with a British squadrou to hack his mediation, those hostilities, with all the disastrous interruption of trade resulting, might have been sooner, if nut altogether, averted."
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