Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-12-12

demnlty In the case Of the brig " Nor
MS And the Congress of Venuzuela
although an arrangement has been
elected between our minister and the
minister Of foreign affairs of that gov
eminent, for the payment Of $l8, 200,
IN discharge Of its liabilities in the same
case-has altogether neglected to make
provision for its payment. 1t is to be
hoped, that seEse of duty will soon
induce a settlement of these claims.
Our late minister to Chill, Mr.. PEN
dleton, has returned to the U. States
without having effected an adjustment
In the second claim Of the Macedonian,
which is delayed on grounds altogeth-
er frivolous and untenable. Mr.. P.'s
successor has been directed to urge
the claim in the strongest terms; and,
in the event ola failure to obtain per-
manent adjustment, to report the fact to
the Executive at as early day as pos
sible, so that the whole matter may be
communicated to Congress.
At your last session, I submitted to
the attention Of Congress, in terms both
| plain and emphatic, the Convention
with the Republic of Peru of the 18th
March, l841, providing for the adjust
ment of the claims Of citizens ofthc U.
States against the Republic; but no
definite action was taken on the sub
ject. | again invite to it your atten-
ton and prompt action.
In my last annual message, l felt it
my duty to make known to Congress,
in terms both plain and emphatic, my
opinion In regard to the war which has
so long existed between Mexico and
Texas; which, since the battle of San
Jaclnto, has consisted altogether of pre-
datory incursions, attended by circum-
stances revolving to humanity. Irepeat
now, what | then said, that, after eight
years of Intellectual efforts to recover
Texas, it was time that the war should
haze ceased. The United States had
direct interest in the question. The
contiguity of the two nations to our
territory was but too we'll calculated to
involve our peace. Unjust suspicious
were engendered in the mind of one
or OF the other of the beliigerents a.
gainst us; and, as a necessary conse-
quence, American interests were made
to suffer, and our peace became daily
endangered, In addition to which, it
must have been obvious to all, that the
exhaustion produced by the war, SUBJ
jected both Mexico and Texas TO the
interference of other powers which,
without the interposition of this Gov
eminent, might eventuate in the most
serious injury to the United States
4 This Government, from time to time, ex-
ertee its friendly Offices to bring aboutan
end of hostilities upon terms honorable
alike to both the belligerents. It's eff
forts in this behalf proved mavailing.
Mexico seemed, almost without an OBJ
ject, to perseyere in the war, and no
other alternative was left the Executive
but to take advantage of the we'll
known disposition ofTexas, and to in
vite her into treaty for annexing her
territory to that Of the United States.
Since your last session, Mexico has
threatened TO renew the war, and has
either made, or proposes ro make, for
midable preparations for invading Tex
as. She has issued DEGREES and pro-
carnations, preparatory to the COM
mencement of hostilities, full of threats,
revolving to humanity; and which, if
carried into effect, would arouse the
attention of all Christendom. This new
demonstration Of feeling, there is too
much reason to believe, has been pro-
duced in consequence of the negotia-
ton of;the late treaty of annexation with
Texas. The Executive, therefore,
could not be Indifferent to such procee-
dings; and it felt it to be due, as well to
itself, as to the honor of the country,
that strong representation should be
made to the Mexican Government up
on the subject. This was accordingly
done, as will be seen by copy Of the
accompanying despatch from the Sec
rotary Of State to the United States
Envoy at Mexico. Mexico has no
right to leopard the peace Of the world
by urging any longer, useless and
/ ffuitless contest. Such condition of
things would not be tolerated on the
European continent. Why should it
! be on this? A war of desolation, such
as is now threatened by Mexico, cam
not be waged without involving our
II peace and tranquility. It is idle TO
believe that such a war could be look
ed upon with indifference by our own
citizens, inhabiting adjoining States !;
and our neutrality would be violated, in
despite of all efforts on the part Of the
Government to prevent it. The coun-
/. trv - settler; by on, irra ntc from tho RI