Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-13

Of the correspondence with the Texan authon-
ties in relation to the disarmins OF a ooay Oh
Texan forces under the command OF Major Snivly,
by a detachment of U. States troops commanded
by Cant Cooke, and the iorcible entry and taking
away from the custom house on Red river oil sun
dry goods aud merchandise by certain citizens oi
the u. States. r.
Bya note recently received from the Hon. c.
IT RAYMOND, acting Charge dAtiairs OF the
Republic of Texas, | am informed that the evil
,.nce referred 10 in nv note 10 Mr.. Van Zandt
of the 18th of August last, has not yet been re-
ceiyed by him.
An which is respectfully submitted.
&c. CALHOUN.
To the President of the United States.
Correspondence ,riM Mrieo and Teas on the
subject cf Anaceattoa.
Mn CALHOUN TO Mr.. SHANNON
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, June 20, 1914.
Sir. have the honor TO acknowledge the re-
ceipt OF your letter of the l1th Of April last, an
nouncing your acceptance OF the appointment ten
dered YOU by the President OF the United States
rs Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenlpo-
Tertiary To the Republic of Mexico, and notify
ing this Department Of your readiness to enter on
the discharge OF the duties OF your Office.
You have already received your commission;
and herewith enclose TO you full power, a
special passport, printed personal instructions,
sealed letter accrediting you 10 the President OF
The Mexican Republic, and an open copy oil the
same for your own use. In presenting This letter
of creience To the President you will avail
yourself of the occasion TO express 10 the Presl-
dent of Mexico the sincere desire OF the PreSl-
dent Of the United States to maintain the most
amicable relations with the Government OF the
Mexican Republic, and his purpose 10 promote
this end BY every proper means IN his power.
By a convention between the U. States and The
Mexican Republic, signed on the llth day of
April, 1882 joint commission was agreed upon
for the purpose OF adjusting the claims OF the CT
tizens OF the former on the Government OF The
latter. This commission, agreeahly 10 the pro
visions of the Convention, met in The City OF
Washington in August, 1910; but much oil the
time allowed for the transaction and close OF It's
business was consumed by the commissioners Of
the two Governments in discussing the orSaniZa-
ton of the board and proper forms OF procedure
10 be adopted before H. The consequence was,
that. al the expiration OF the period when, By the
terms OF the convention, The commission should
expire many of the claims submitted for lis de-
cision remained undecided by The board; while
others referred 10 the umpire were left in the same
state. as he considered his functions terminating
with those Of the commission
The convention also provided, that the claims
which should be allowed might be discharged by
the payment Of Mexican Treasury notes; bu! as
these were much deprecated in value al the
time when the commission expired II became
matter ofimportance 10 effect some arrangement
by which specie should be substituted in their
stead. To this enl, your predecessor was EN-
powered and instructed 10 enter into negola-
lion with the Government OF Mexico; and con-
yention was concluded on the Both day of Janua
nv, l843, providing Tor the payment OF the awards,
and the interest accruing thereon, in specie, in
five years from the Both day OF April, 1913, in
euual instalments every three months These
ins,alments have been paid punctually, with the
exception OF that which fell due in the month o.
February last-a part only OF which was paid
on the day; and though the balance has since
been discharged, it is important 10 the interests
involved, that the stric!est punctuality should be
observed. The last instalmenl, due on the 30ti
day OF April, 1914, had not been paid al the date
of our last advices from Mr.. Green, the Charge
dAfaires ad interim of the United States, though
repeated applications had been made by him TO
The Minister Of Foreign Relations This neglect
Of solemn and express stipulatons cannot be
otherwise regarded than as violations OF national
faith. injurious alike 10 the honor oi Mexico and
the interests Of the United States. IL will there
FORE be your duty 10 demonstrate, IN the strongest
terms, against this apparent indifference 10 the
obligations OF contracts and 10 urge upon The Go
yernmcn, Of Mexico, the necessity OF complying
with the stipulations vi the convention agrecablv
10 It's terms.
You will find on the files OF the legation cor
rcspondcnce letween your predecessor Mr..
Thompson and the Mexican Minister on Fo-
reign Relations, in regard 10 an order addressed
by The Mexican Secretary of War, dated 18th Of
July, 1913 10 the Governor OF the States of Cali
iornia. Sonora, Sinaloa and Chihuahua directing
the expulsion OF the citizens of the United States
from their territories respectively The result of
this correspondence seems to have been none
other than an enlargement Of the terms OF the or
der. 50 as 10 embrace foreigners generally, or
such Of them as might be deemed Migrants, or
dangerous TO the public peace.
Il is not designed 10 enter into grave argu-
lnen 10 expose the character of such al order, or
10 show s opposition TO the treaty OF the 9th Of
April 1891. The correspondence referred TO,
will put YOU in possession OF the points IN issue,
and Of the views OF the Government in regard to
them.
AS large number of our citizens, for the
purposc of trade, have settled themselves in the
States referred TO, whose property and liberty
NAV be endangered in lis enforcement, II Will be
necessary that you give 10 the subject your ear
Hest attention You will perceive, by reference
10 the correspondence on the files Of the legation,
that The Governors of the States, TO whom the
order is addressed, are empowered arbitrarily, to
nix the time when those deemed obnoxious shall
leave the country while no opportunity seems 10
he vouchsafed to the suspected TO vindcate tlier
characters In the execution OF such an order, it
is more than probable that much individual
wrong and suffering may be inflicted and while
Won will pro,es, in strong terms against the order
itself, as lasrant violation OF the Treaty of
1881 YOU will, al the same time, exert your ~
most vigilance to protect the persons and pro-
p,ny of those who may be made unJnsily the
subjects Of its operations. Enjo;nine on our
citizens, on The one hand, proper obedience 10
the laws of Mexico as 4 condition OF :uur inter-
ference in their behalf; and on the other, giving
the Mexican Government 10 understand that the
United States cannot allow their citizens, induced
10 take mp their residence in its territories under
the solemn sanction OF Treaty., to be driven
from their abodes, or otherwise injured in their
persons or property, on frivolous prctex's.
Another question Of very grave importance,
and which is still pending between the two Go
y-rnmen,s grows out of the Mexican decree OF
The pa of September, 1913, prohibiting foreign
ers resident in Mexico from engaCD@in the retail
trade. Your predecessor, (Mr. Thompson was
Instructed to protest against the application Of this
decree to the citizens OF the United States, as
direct and palpable Infringement of The 3D. arti-
Gle OF The Treaty of 1881, aad incompatible with
other s,pulalions contained in it. The Mexican
Minister Tor Foreign Affairs, attempts TO sustain
the decree on the general ground, that by the
Treaty, the citizens of each country resident in
The other, are subject to their respective laws and
usaees This, as general truth. may be adj
milted; but surely i, cannot be pretended, that
rights guaranteed by Treaty, between two indie
pendent powers, may be abridged or modified by
The municipal regulations OF one ct the parties,
without and against the consent OF the other-
Such position is so utterly untenablc, that it
would be needless TO dwell on it.
This subject will demand your prompt attention;
Tor it is OF the highest importance 10 prevent the
injustice, injury, and distress which must neceS-
sarily attend the execution Of the decree, rather
than TO resort 10 pro,racted negotiations in order
= HON