The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-12
DOCUMENTS ACCOMPANYING THE MES.
SAGE.
REPORT
REPORT
OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE,
On tie Relations bet,reea ne United States and ile
!MsricaM Republic.

Il
On fie Relations betreea he United States and tAe
!Msrieaa Republic.
DEPARTMENT or STATE
Washington, December 2, 1887
In compliance with the instructions of the Presi-
dent the Secretary Of State has the honor present
report on the relations between the United States
and the Mexican Republic, since the last commune
Gallons from the Executive TO Congress that sub
]eet- twas apparent from the proceedings Of Con-
gress at the last annual session. the special
sage of the President calling their attention to our
claims against Mexico, and recommending a contin-
gent authority TO make reprsas, il another and last
demand for redress should be made in vain that both
branches of the Legislature conceded in the opinion
expressed in that message that the United States
might Justly resort TO any mode OF redress known TO
The law OF nations but differed with the President
lar as to think that this last demand ought 10 be made
before Congress should decide on the course TO be
pursued in case il should prove unsuccessful.
Soon after the adjournment Of Congress, careful
examination was made Of the various existing
OF complaint against Mexico as well those Of an in
dividnal as Of public character The archives of
the legation of the United States at Mexico having
been brought 10 Washington by Mr. Ellis the late
Charge dAfaires to that Government, the Depart
ment enabled 10 exclude from the list OF claims
various cases; some ofthem of doubtful character
and others which, after having been presented the
Government for its aid through the efforts Of the per-
sons interested in them. fair and full statement
Of the remaining causes Of complaint CHRONOLOGICAL
ly arranged, was then carefully prepared and for
warded, with all the evidence within reach of the
Department. in support Of each claim that had arisen
since the treaty 10 the Government of Mexico; by
special messenger who was the bearer of solemn
demand from this Government for redress. This de-
mand, with The accompanying evidence of its Justice
was delivered to the Mexican Government on the
ooh Of July last The list presented to the Mexican
Government contained ffy-seven subjects of com
plant; the last two embracing in general terms, the
loans forced in Mexico from citizens of the United
States and the fragrant outrages committed on the
commerce and citizens of the United States in the
Gulf OF Mexico by the Mexican squadron shortly
after the adjournment of Congress; detailed evil
dence of which had not then been sent to the depart
ment. In conravention of the treaty between the
two countries an embargo was laid by Mexico upon
all the vessels of the United States and the seizure
OF the General Urea by the United States ship Of
war Natchez in retaliation for the capture of the
vera merchant vessels of the United States, deli
very of which had been demanded by the captain of
the Natchez, and refused by the authorities of Mex
leo. This embargo, laid by the local officers, was
however dsapproved by the government of Mexico,
and was in short time removed while the citizens
OF the United States officers, crews, and passengers,
taken in the merchant vessels carried in for alleg
ed violation of blockade Of Texas, were, later suf
fering various privations injuries, and insults and
being held as subject to criminal prosecution and
punishment, released. An answer 10 the demand
made by the United States was given to the special
messenger on the 18th of July who returned with it
forthwith to Washington, which contained assuran-
TO give prompt and explicit to each Of the
claims to which the demand related that although
there were several claims which admitted of imme-
date reply there was not time before the necessary
return of the messenger of the United States to make
a mature and impartial examination, which others
required that the President of Mexico desired that
the reply TO each should be given, in order that
complete Judgment might be formed of the whole ;
that not TO delay moment the final and equitable
adjustment Of The difficulties between the two Go
vernments, the President had ordered the voumi-
nous series OF documents presented in support ofthe
claims to be translated and minutely examnedi in the
Department of Foreign Affairs that evidence should
be sought for from other sources thatnothing should
be left undone which might lead to speedy and
equitable adjustment OF the points seriously occu
plying the attention of the Government of the United
States; and that the Mexican Minister al Washing
ton would communicate, successfully, the opinions
of the President on the several cases. and his deter
mnation thereon, Relying upon these assurances,
the more implicitly from the voluntary action of the
Mexican Government in raising the unwarrantable
embargo upon our vessels and the release Of the
Americans taken in merchant vessels unlawfuy
captured in the Gulf of Mexico, it was expected that
Immediately after the arrival Of the Mexican Min
lister in Washington, they would be in every respect
fulfilled The Mexican Minister reached Washing
ton, from New Orleans, where he had been for some
years residing as Consul of the Mexican Republic,
on the l4th of October. He. brought with him, how
ever nothing but the usual letters of credence, and
one repeating in general terms the expression, usu-
al between Governments, OF a desire 10 preserve
and promote friendly relations with the u. States
1t was not until the 18th instant, that answers to
any of our complaints were given. The Next
can Minister then presented 10 the Department Of
State Ten notes, all dated that day. in the first of
which he explains the causes which have prevented
reply from his government TO the claims numbered
g. g, H. l3, IA, Is, and II. In the chronological
order in which the claims presented TO Mexico,
No is the case OF the cargo of the ship Louisa"
which forms the subject of one of the notes accom-
panying his explanation; from which fact, and the
direct references in some OF the other notes 1t is APP
parent that the Mexican Government had not ex-
amned the documents sent from this Department
with the demand made in July, else has submitted
for one of them list of claims sent to Congress with
the Presidents Message of the 9th of February last
and forming part of the documents printed by their
order, which are alleged by Mr.. Martinez to have
been communicated TO the Minister of Foreign AT
fairs of Mexico, with note of the Secretary of State
of the Nth Of May last But no note was addressed
by this Department TO the Mexican Minister on the
lith of May, nor has any alluSion whatever been
made to the printed list of claims referred to- in any
communication from this government TO that of
Mexico. In fulflment of the assurances solemnly
given in Mexico, after lapse of five months, an
swers are made to but -four of the fftySeven subjects
of complaint presented obviously for the last time
and under the article of our treaty with Mexico
which looks to the unfortunate contingency OF ne
cessity part or the other 10 take, forciby sa-
tisfaction for injuries complained Of and not on due
demand, accompanied BY competent proof, redreSsed.
The answers received are to the individual com
plants in the of the ship louisa in the case
of the brig Cossack," and in the case of Choutcau
and De Mum, arrested in lsl7within the territorial
limits of the United States, carried into Mexican
territory and imprisoned and their property confis-
Gated at Santa Fe; and the demand made upon
Mexico to disavow any appreciation of the reprehen-
sibie conduc, of its Envoy Extraordinary and Minis
ter Plenipotentiary, in printing and distributing
pamphlet defamatory of this government and the peo
pie OF the United States while in the United States
under the protection Of his diplomatic privilege
The Justice Of the claim for the cargo OF the
Louisa" seized in 1921 by virtue of the edics OF
Iturbde, of 10Th of February and 4'h Of March OF
that year, is acknowledged and promise is made to
incie the Congress upon and before whom the claim
has been pressed for ten years. to provide for the
naymeni of The haancc due according 10 q decree of