The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-12-19
MESSAGE.
To the Senate,
Hc Schultz
and House of Representatives

To the Senate,
and House of Representatives.:
transmit herewith copies of dispatches received
from our Minister at Me- co, since the commence
ment of your present session, which claim, from
their importance, and doubt not will receive, your
calm and deliberate consideration The extraord-
nary and highly offensive language which the MeIi-
can Government has thought proper to employ in re-
DIV to the remonsrs of the Executive, through
Mr. Shannon, against the renewal of the war with
Texas while the question Of annexation was pending
before Congress and the People, and also, the pro-
posed manner Of conducting that war, will not fail 10
arrest your attention. --"4
Such remoDstrsnce, urged in no unfriendly spirit
to Mexico, was called for by considerations of an
imperative character, having relation AS well to the
peace Of this country and honor Of this Government
az to the cause Of humanity and civilization. Texas
had entered into the Treaty Of Annexation upon the
invitations of the Executive; and when, for that
act, she threatened with renewal of the war on
the part Of Mexico, she naturally looked TO this Co
vernment to inteIpose its efforts TO ward of the threat
ened blow But one course left the Executive,
acting within the limits Of its constitutional compe-
y,
the same time strong and decided terms against il.
IT, .l-~ ,h-eai.~-a be ------~L.
was promulgated by edicts and DEGREES, which or
dered, on the part Of the Mexican military, the des.
ol,ton Of whole tracts of country, and the destruc
ton without Discrimination Of all ages, sexes, and
conditions Of existence. Over the manner of con.
Quoting war, Mexico possesses no exclusive control
She has RICH, to violate at pleasure the prinei.
pies which an enlightened civilization has laid down
for the conduct Of nations at war; and thereby
ograde to period Of barbarism which, happily for
the world, has long since passed away. All nations
are interested in enforcing observance Of those
principles, and the United States the Oldest Of the
American Republics. and the nearest Of the civilized
powers to the theatre on which these enormiiies
proposed to be enacted could not quietly con-
tent themselves to witness such a state Of things
They had, through the Executive, on another occa-
sion and as was believed with the appreciation Of the
whole country, demonstrated against outrages SINH
lar, but less inhuman than those which by her
edicts and DEGREES she has threatened to perpe
trae, and Of which the late inbuman massacre at To-
bssco bu, the precursor
The bloody and inhuman murder Of Fannin and
his companions, equaled only in savage bs-bsrty by
the ussges Of the untu,ored Indian tribes, proved
how little confidence could be placed the most
Iemn stpuatous Of her Generals, while the fate Of
Others who became her captyes 10 war, many Of
whom, longer able to sustain the fatigues
and privston, Of long journeys, were shot down
by the way side, while their companions who sur
yived were subjected to suaerings even more pain
fu than desth-hsd left ipdcble stain on the Peg.
...f.. ....tl a.
Of an intention on the part Of MEXICO to renew
scenes so revolving TO humanity, could do no les,
than renew remonstrances formerly urged. For
fulfilling duties so imperative, Mexico has thought
proper, through her accredited organs because she
has had represented TO her the inbumapity OF such
proceedings, to indulge in language unknown to the
courtesy Of diplomatic intercourse, and offensive in
the highest de- gee TO this Government and People.
Nor has she offended in this only. She has not only
violated existing conventions between the two coun-
tries, by arbitrary and unjust DEGREES against our
trade and intercourse, but withhods instruments Of
debt, due TO our citizens which she solemnly pledged
herself TO pay, under circumstances which fully
explained by the accompanying letter from Mr..
Green, our Secretary Of Legation And when our
Minister has invited the attention Of her Government
TO wrongs committed by her local authorities not
only the property but the persons Of our fellow
citizens engaged in prosecuting fair and honest pur
suits, she has added insult to injury, by not even
degning for months together to return answer TO
his Represents, ions Still further TO manifest her
0nfriendy feeling. towards the United States she ba,
issued DEGREES expellng from some of her provinces
American citizen. engaged in the peaceful pursuits Of
r
the Whale Fishery on the Northwest coas, of the Pa
c6c, the privilege which has, through all time, here
,oiore been accorded to them of exchanging goods
Of small amount in value at her ports IN California
for supplies Indispensable TO their health and com.
fort.
Nor will II escape the observation Of Congress,
hs, 10 conducting correspondence with the Minis
.r Of the Unhsd s,stss, Who cannot, and does not
nov spy distinction bs,-ssn the geographical sso-
,eo. Of the Union, charges wholly uafcuodsd are