The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-07-16

and particularly of any complaint of the Governms nj
of Mexico, alleging the toerauon, ny the To'eIh-
ment of The United States of hostile interference by
their citizens in the war between Mexico and Texas
and of any answer the part OF this Government
to such complaint, has the honor to lay before the
President the papers mentioned IN the accompanying
list.
All which is respectfully submitted.
DANIEL WEBSTER
To the PRESIDENT of the United States.
Here follows the letter of Mr. De Bocanegra pub
lshed in the Madisonian of Friday week
Mr. Webster to Mr.. Thompson
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, July 8, 1912,
SIR On the 29th of last month, communication
was received at this Department from MIR de Boca-
negra Secretary of State and Foreign he atoms OF
The Government of Mexico having been forwarded
through the agency of Mr. Velasques de Leon at New
York, who informed the Department, by letter ac-
complaining that Of Mr. de Bocanegra that he had
been appointed charge d'afaires of the Mexican Re-
public to this Government although he had not yet
presented his credentials Mr. de Bocanegras letter
is addressed the Secretary of State Of the United
States, and bears date the 18th of May. copy, to-
gether with a copy of the communication from MIR
Veasques de Leon transmitting it, and OF the answer
to Mr. Velasqnes de Leon from this Department you
will receive herewith. Upon the receipt of this de-
patch, you will Immediately address note to Mr..
That the Secretary of State Of the United States
has received letter addressed to him by Mr.. de Boz
canegra, under date Of the 18th of May, and trans
mited to the Department OF State at Washington
through the agency of Mr. Velasques de Leon, at
New York, who informs the Government Of the
United States that he has been appointed charge DAT
flares Of the Mexican Republic, although he has not
presented his letter Of credence
The Government of the United States sees, with
regret the adoption on this ion of form OF
mir tie
course and for which necessity is known. An
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipoentiary of
the United States, fully accredited to the Govern
ment of Mexico at that moment in its capital,
in the actual discharge of his functions, and ready to
receive, on behalf his Government any communica-
ton which it might be the pleasure of the President
of the Mexican Republic to make to it, and it is not
improper to here add that 1t has been matter OF re-
greet with the Government of the United States that
while, being animated with sincere desire at all
times to cultivate the most amiabe relations with
Mexico it has not failed to maintain near that Gov
eminent a mission of the highest rank known to its
usages Mexico for long time, has had no represen-
tative near the Government Of the United States.
But the manner Of the communication from Mr.. de
Bocanegra, however novel and extraordinary, is les
important than It's contents and character, which
surprise the Government OF the United States by a
loud complaint of the violation of its neutral duties
Mr.. de Boo aEegra, speaking, as he says, by the eX
press order Of the President OF the Mexican Repub
lie declares that the amcabe relations between the
two countries might have been lamentaby disturbed
since the year 1885, when the revolution of Texas
broke out had not Mexico given so many evidences
otis forbearance, and made many and so great sa
crces for the sake OF peace, IN order that the wort
might not with pain and amazement two nations
which appear destined to establish the policy and in
erests of the American continent divided and ravaSet
by the evils of war.
This language implies that such has been the con
duct of the United States towards Mexico that wal
must have ensued before the present time had no
Me ico made great sacrifices to avoid such "A result
charge which the Government OF the United States
utterly denies and repels 1t is wholly ignorant o
any sacrifices made by Mexico IN order to preserv
peace, or Of any occasion calling on its Government
to manifest uncommon forbearance. On the contra
ry the Government Of the United States cannot bu
be of opinion that if the history of the occurrence
between the two Gov rnment4, the state OF things o
this moment existing between them, be regarded
both the one and the other will demonstrate that 1t Il
the conduct of the Government of the United States
which has been marked, in an especial manner, BY
moderation and forbearance. Injuries and wrongs
have been sustained by citizens OF the United States
not inflicted by individual Mexcans, but by the au
thorities of the Government for which injuries ant
wrongs, numerous as they are, ana outrageous as
the character of some of them, and acknowledged a
they are by Mexico herself redress has been sough
only by mild and peaceabIe means, and no indemn
asked but such as the strictest justice lmPeratlve
demanded A desire not to disturb the peace am
harmony of the two countries has led the Govern
ment of the United States to be content with tn
lowest measure of remuneration. Mexico hersel
must admit that in all these transactions, the conduc
of the United States towards her has been sgnazec
not by the infection of injuries, but by the manifesto
ton of a friendly feeling and a concatory spirit.
The Government of the United States will not
unjust i'm its sentiments towards Mexico it will nc
impute to its Government any desire to disturb tn
peace it acquts it OF any design to spread the rava
ges and horrors Of over the two countries; an
il leaves it to Mexico herself to avow her own me
tyes for her pacific policy if she have any other
lives than those of expediency and justice provided
however, that such ayowa of her motives carry wit
it no impuation reflection upon the good faith an
honor Of the United States.
The revolution in Texas, and the events connecte
with it and springing out of it, are Mr. de Bocane
qra's principal topic; and it is in relation to thes
that hls complaint is founded. His Government, h
says natters itself that the Government of the I'm
ted States has not promoted the insurrecon in Tex
as favored the usurpation Of its territory supple
the rebels with vessels, ammunition, and money.
Mr.. de Boconegra intends this frank admssio
of the honest and cautious neutrality OF the Govern
ment Of the United States in the contest betwee
Mexico and Texas, he does that Government Justice
and no more than justice but If the language be IL
tended TO intimate an opposite and reproachtt
meaning, that meaning IS only the more offensive 70
being inslnuacd rat cr than distinctly avowed. Nj
de Bocanegra would to re- resent that froI
1895 TO the present time citizens OF the United State
if not their Government, have peen aiding rebels
Texas in arms against the lawful authority Of Mex
co. This is not "A little extraordinary Mexico ma
have chosen 10 consider, and may still choose to Co
der, Texas having been at all times since 1913
and as still continuing, rebelious province but Il
world has been obliged TO take very different view
the matter From the time of the battle of San Jaclnt
in April 1896, TO the present moment, Texas has e.
hi5iied the same external signs of national indepe
dence as Mexico herself, and with quite as much ST;
biIity Of Government Practically free and ind
r@rdei,t scknow lodged as political sovereignty b