The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-07-16


of Mexico alleging the liberation, by the Govern
ment of the United States, of hostile interference oy
their citizens in the between Mexico ana ieAas'
and Of any answer on the part OF tins Goverhheh.
to such complaint, has the honor 10 lay Deiofo .no
President the papers mentioned in the accompanying
list.
-" "'' : DANIEL WEBSTER
To the PRESIDENT of the United States.
Here follows the letter of Mr. De Bocanegra pub
lished 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 Mr. de bocaS
negra Secretary Of State and Foreign Relations OF
the Government of Mexico having been forwarded
through the agency of Mr.. Velasques de Leon New
York, who informed the Department, by letter ac-
comparing that Of Mr.. de Bocanegra, that ne nad
been appointed charge dafaires of the Mexican ke-
public to this Government, although he mad not yet
presented his credentials. Mr. de Bocanegras letter
is addressed to the Secretary Of State OF the United
States, and bears date the 18th of May. copy, to-
gether with copy of the communication from MI
Veasques de Leon transmitting it, and OF the answer
to Mr. Velasques de Leon from this Department, you
will receive herewith. Upon the receipt of this de-
patch, you will Immediately address note to Mr.
de Bocanegrs, in which you will say
That the Secretary of State of the United States
has received letter addressed to him by Mr. de Boz
canegra under date of the 10Th of May, and trans
mitted to the Department of State at Washington
through the agency of MIR. 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, this occasion, of form OF
comm Inicaton quite unusual in diplomatic inter-
course, and for which no necessity is known. An
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary OF
the United States, fully accredited to the Govern
ment of Mexico, at that moment in its capital,
in the actual discharge Of Ills 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 it 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 mission Of the highest rank known to its
usages, Mexico, for long time has had represen-
tatiye 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 its contents and character, which
surprise the Government OF the United States by
loud complaint Of the violation of its neutral duties
Mr. de BocaEegra, speaking, as he says, by the ex-
press order of the President of the Mexican Repub-
lic declares that the amicable relations between the
since the year 1885, VIZ the revolution of Texas
broke out, had not Me given SO many evidences
otis forbearance, and so many and so great sa-
crifces for the sake of peace in order that the world
might not see with pain and amazement two nations
which appear destined to establish the policy and in
t,p4Ats ef a"'s-- -------"
This language implies that such has been the con-
duct Of the United States towards Mexico that war
must have ensued before the present time had not
Mexico made great sacrifices to avoid such result
o., ,G th.I Init
utterly denies and repels. It is wholly ignorant OF
any sacrifices made by Mexico in order to preserve
peace, or of any occasion calling on its Government
to manifest uncommon forbearance. On the contra
ry the Government of the United States cannot but
be of opinion that if the history of the
between the two Gov, rnment the state of things at
this moment existing between them, be regarded,
both the and the other will demonstrate that it
the conduct Of the Government of the United States
which has been Marked in especial manner, by
moderation and forbearance. Injuries and wrongs
have been sustained citizens OF the United States,
not inflicted by individual Mexicans, but by the au
thorties of the Government for which injuries and
wrongs, numerous they are, and outrageous as is
the character of some Of them and acknowledged
they by Mexico herself redress has been sought
only by mild and peaceable means, and no indemnity
asked but such as the strictest justice imperativey
demanded. A desire not to disturb the peace and
harmony of the two countries has led the Govern
ment Of the United States to be content with the
lowest measure of remuneration. Mexico herself
must admit that in all these transactions, the conduct
of the United States towards her has been signazed
not by the infection of injuries, but by the manifesto
ton of friendly feeling and concIliatory spirit
The Government of the United States will not be
unjust in its sentiments towards Mexico it will not
impute to its Government any desire to disturb the
peace it acquits it oil any design to spread the
ges and horrors Of war over the two countries and
it leaves it to Mexico herself to avow her mo-
tives for her pacific policy, if she have any other
tives than those of expediency and justice provided
however, that such avowal of her motives carry with
il imputation reflection upon the good faith and
honor of the United States.
The revolution in Texas, and the events connected
with it and springing out of it, Mr.. de Became
eras principal topic and it is in relation to these
that his complaint is founded. His Government, nc
says atters itself that the Government of the Uni
ted States has not promoted the insurrection in Tex
as favored the usurpation of its territory, supplied
the rebels with vessels, ammunition, and money. If
MIR. de Bocanegra intends this frank admission
of the honest and cautious neutrality of the Govern
ment of the United States in the contest between
Mexico and Texas, he does that Government Justice
and no than justice but if the language be in
tended to intimate an opposite and reproachful
meaning that meaning is only the more offensive for
being nsnuated rat er than distinctly avowed. Mr..
de Bocanegra would seem to represent, that from
1886 to the present time citizens Of the United States,
if not their Government, have peen aiding rebels in
Texas in against the lawful authority If Mexi-
CO. This is not little extraordinary. Mexico may
have chosen 10 consider, and may still choose to con-
der, Texas having been at all times since 1885,
and as still continuing, rebellious province but the
world has been obliged to take very different view of
the matter. From the time of the battle of San Jacnto
in April 1896, to the present moment Texas has ex-
hibited the same external signs of national ndepen-
dence as Mexico herself, and with quite as much sta
biIity of Government. Practically free and indie
pendent acknowledged as a political sovereignty by
the principal Powers of the world no hostile foot
finding rest within her territory for six seven
years. and Mexico herself refraning for all that peri
cd from any further attempt to rc-esablish her own
authority that territory it cannot but be surpris
ing to find Mr.. de Bocanegra complaining that for
that whole period citizens of the United States or
its Government, have been favorng the rebels of
sunni them with Vessels ammunition