Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-12-27
SPECIAL MESSAGE.
TO the Senate, 81" 'a
goo % and House of Representatives.:

L transmit herewith copies oil despatcneS
received from our Minister at Mexico, since
the commencement Of your present session,
which claim, from their importance, and l
doubt not will receive, your calm and deib-
crate consideration. The extraordinary
and highly offensive language which the
Mexican Government has thought proper to
employ in reply to the remonstrance 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 to arrest your attention.
Such remonstrance, urged in no unfriend-
" spirit to Mexico, was called for by con-
siderations Of imperitve character, having
relation as well to the peace of this country
and honor of this Government as 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 was threatened with
a renewal of the war on the part of Mexico,
she naturally looked TO this Government to
interpose its efforts TO ward off the threat
ened blow. But one course was left the
Executive, acting within the limits of its
constitutional competency, and that was to
protest in respectful, but at the same time
strong and decided terms against it, The
war thus threatened to be renewed, was pro-
mulgated by edcts and DEGREES, which or
tered, on the part of the Mexican military,
the desolaton Of whole tracts of country and
the destruction, without discrimination, of
all ages, sexes, and conditions of existence.
Over the manner Of conducting war, Mexi-
co possesses no exclusive control. She has
no right to violate at pleasure the principles
which an enlightened civilization has laid
down for the conduct OF nations at war and
thereby retrograde to period of barbarsm
which. happily for the world has long since
passed away. All nations are interested in
enforcing an observance Of those principles,
aud the United States, the Oldest Of the
American Republics, and the nearest of the
civilized powers to the theatre on which
these enormities were proposed to be enact
ed, could not quietly content themselves to
witness such state Of things. They had,
through the Executive, on another occasion,
and as was believed with the appreciation of
the whole country, demonstrated against out
RACES similar, but even less inhuman, than
those which by her new edicts and DEGREES
she has threatened to perpetTate, and of
which the late nhuman massacre at TOBIAS
co was but the precursor.
The bloody and inhuman murder of Fan
min and his companions, equalled only IN
savage barbarity by the usages OF the untu-
.tored Indian tribes, proved how little conf
dence could be placed on the most solemn
stipulatons Of her generals, while the fate
Of others who became her captives in war,
many Of whom, no longer able to sustain the
fatgues and privations oflong journeys, were
shot down by the way side. while their com.
panions who survived were subjected to suf'
ferings even more painful than death-had
left an indelible stain on the page Of civiliz,
alton. The Executive, with the evidence
of an intention on the part of Mexico to re
new scenes so revolving TO humanity could
do no less than renew circumstances form
erly urged. For fulfilling duties so imperi
tive, Mexico has thought proper through
her accredited organs. because she has hat
represented to her the inhumanty of suct
proceedings, to indulge in language un
known to the courtesy of diplomatic inter
course, and offensive in the highest degree
to this government and people Nor ha
she offended in this only. She has not onl,
violated existing conventions between thu
two countries, by arbitrary and unjust de
crees against our trade and intercourse, bu
withhods instalments of debt, due to our cit
liens, which she solemnly pledged hersel
to pay, under circumstances which are full
" explained by the accompanying lette
from Mr. Green, our Secretary of Legation
And when our Minister has invited the at
tention of her government to wrongs com
ynitted by her local authorities not only o.
the property, but on the persons Of our fe
low citizens, engaged in prosecuting TAI
and honest pursuits, she has added insult t
injury, by not even deigning, for months to
gether, to return an answer to his represent
atoms. Still further to manifest her ur
friendly feelings towards the United State:
she has issued DEGREES expellng from som
of her provinces American citizens engage
in the peaceful pursuits of life, and now de
MES to those ofour citizens prosecuting tn
whaIe-hshery on the Northwest coast of tn
Pacific, the privilege which has, through a
time. heretofore been accorded TO them, {
exchanging goods ola small amount IN va
ue at her ports in California, for supple
indispensable to their health and comfort.
Nor will it escape the observation of Coz
qress, that in conducting correspondent
with the Minister of the United States, VIII
cannot, and does not, know any dstinctio
between the geographical sections OF Ii
Union, charges wholly unfounded are mao
against particular states. and an appeal
others for aid and protection against SUI
posed wrongs In this same connexio
sectional prelddices are attempted to be e
s..od and :ha haz ardnus and unDardOnab