Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-01-03

tries at the expense OF the United States
and Spain.
The independent nations of,his contincn,
have ever since they emerged from the col.
onial state, ext erienced severe trials in their
progress to the permanent establishment Of
liberal political institutions. Their unset.
tied condition not only interrupts our own
advances to prosperity, but has often seri.
ously injured the other powers Of the world.
The claims Of our citizens upon Peru, Chi.
Ii, Brazil, the Argentine Republic, the gov.
ernments formed out of the Republics Of
Colombia and Mexico are still pending, al.
though many of them have been presented
for examination more than twenty years.
New Greneda, Venezuela, and Ecuada,
have recently formed convention for thu
purpose ofascertaining and adjusting claims
upon the Republic Of Colombia, from
which it is earnestly hoped our citizens
will, ere long, receive full compensation
for the injuries originally inflicted upon
them, and for the delay in affordng il.
An advantageous treaty of commerce
ha, been concluded by the United States
with the Peru Bolivian Confederation, which
wants only the ratification OF that Govern.
ment. The progress Of subsequent NO.
gotiation for the settlement of claims upon
Peru, has been unfavorably affected by the
war between that power and Chill, and tn 10
Argentine Republic and the same event
is likely to produce delays in the settlements
of our demands on those powers.
The aggravating circumstances connect
ed with our claims upon Mexico, and va
riety of events touching the honor and in
tegrity of our government, led my predo
cessor to make, at the second session
of the last Congress, special recommen.
dation of the course to be pursued to OBJ.
tain speedy and final satisfaction to the
injuries complained of by this government
and by our citizens. He recommended
final demand of redress, with contingent
authority TO the Executive to make 70.
prisals, if that demand should be made in
vain.
From the proceedings Of Congress on
that recommendation, it appeared, that tho
opinion Of both branches of the Legislature
conceded with that of the Executive, that
any mode Of redress known to the law Of
nations, might justifably be used. 1t was
obvious, too. that Congress believed, with
the President, that another demand should
lie made. in order TO give undeniable and
satisfactory proof of our desire to avoid ex.
tremites with neighboring power; but
that there was an indispostion TO vest
discretionary authority in the Executive.
to take redress, should it unfortunately DO
denied or unreasonably delayed by the Mex.
lean Government.
So soon as the necessary documents
were prepared, after entering upon the Gu.
ties Of my Office, a special messenger was
sent 10 Mexico, to make final demand Of
redress, with the documents required by
the provisions Of our treaty. The demand
was made on the Goth of July Inst. The
reply, which bears date the Goth Of the
same month, contains assurance ola desire
on the part of that Government, 10 give
prompt and explicit answer respecting each
of The complaints, but that the examination
Of them would necessarily be deliberate;
that in this examination, il would be guided
by the principles of public law and the OBJ.
legation of treaties that nothing should be
left undone that might lead to the most spec.
dy and equitable adjustment Of our demands
and that its determination, in respect TO
each case, should be communicated through
the Mexican Minister here.
Since that time an Envoy extraordinary
and Minister Plenipotcntiary has been &C.
credited TO this government by that OF tho
Mexican Republic. He brought with him
assurances of sincere desire that the pen.
ding difference between the two govern.
ments should be terminated in manner
satisfactory TO both. He was received
with reciprocal assurances and hope
was entertained that his mission would lead
to speedy, satisfactory and final adjust.
meut of all existing subjects of complaint.
A sincere believer in the wisdom OF The pa.
cifc policy by which the United States have
always been governed in their intercourse
with foreign nations, it was my particular
desire, from the proximity Of the Mexican
rebubIic, and well known occurrences on
our frontier, to be instrumental in obviatlna
all existing difficulties with that government
and in restoring to the intercourse between
the two republics, that liberal and friendly
character by which they should always b.
distinguished. regret, therefore, tn
more deeply to have found in the recen
communications of that government so III
tie to hope that any efforts of mine Tor thu
Accomplishment of those desirable object'
, would be successful.
{ Although the larger number, and many
!, of them aggravated cases Of persona
1 wrongs have been now for years before TIT
, Mexican government, and some of III
! causes of national complaint, and those o
the most offensive character, admitted o
immediate, simple and satisfactory replies
!, it is only within few days past that any
/. specific communication in answer 10 on
, last demand, made five months ago, ha
been received from the Mexican minister
] BY the report Of the Secretary of State
herewith presented, and the accompanying
0 documents, # will be seen that for not on
, Of our public complaints has satlslac'io
$ been given or offered that but one OF tn
cases Of personal wrong have been favor
f ably considered; and that four cases G
0 both descriptions, out of all those iormall
Q presented, and earnestly pressed, have
!. yet been decided upon by the government
Q Not prccciving in what manner any
s the powers given to the Executive alon
$ could be farther uscfully employed IN brine
!. ING this unfortunate controversy 10 sati'
c.-~.:u..;<Y, tho e,hiacf waS. bV m