The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-09
For the Union
MEXICO Af.atf IN


United Safes and Mexico is calculated to awaken
the serious attention Of the people Of this country
and demands the most deliberate consideration Of
the Executive. Mexico has thought proper to sus-
pend all diplomatic intercourse with the United
States. She has taken umbrage at the proceedings
of the President and of Congress, in relation to the
annexation Of Texas; and while she has Withdrawn
her representative from the United States, declines
all further correspondence with our minister at her
capital. This is high-handed measure. Ii cam
not, Of course, be ofndefnte duration. II is utter
ly impossible for the two countries, between whom
so many relations subsist, to remain forever in this
positions nor can the United States, with proper
feeling Of self respect and with just regard to its
own duties to its citizens, submit to such condition
Of things.
1t becomes, however, important to inquire what
is to be the result of this singular announcement.
Mexico has again assumed menacing tone, and
threatened as she has before done, to vndicae what
she calls her wounded honor and her injured rights
by declaration of war. On former occasion,
when similar conse uences were held out to deter
us from the course which we thought our hon
or and our rights required, Mr.. Webster admins
tered rebuke which led to a Withdrawal of this
offensive language. If, said he, "the peace of the
two countries is to be disturbed, the responsibility
will be devolyed on Mexico. She must be answer
able for consequences. The United States let it be
again repeated, desire peace. 1t would be with in
finite pain that they should find themselves in hostile
relations with any of the new governments of this
continent. But their government is regulated, Inn
ited full of the spirit of liberty, but surrounded
nevertheless with just restraints; and greatly and
fervently as it desires peace with all States, and
especially with its more immediate neighbors, yet
no fear of different state Of things can be allowed
to interrupt its of equal and exact Justice to
all nations, nor TO ostle il out of the constitutional
orbit in which it revolves'
Should this unhappy and misgoverned country
rashy undertake to carry these threats into execu-
ton by declaration Of war, but one course will be
left for the United States to pursue. She will be
compelled to prosecute this war with vgor and press
it to a successful close with all promptitude.
Should it, however, Gas there seems some reason
to anticipate be decided by Mexico to abstain from
an appeal to arms and to rest in the position she has
assumed, of mere discontinuance Of diplomatic
intercourse, then it behooves TO determine upon
the which it is our right and duty to adopt It
becomes, also, an important inquiry, whether, even
before Mexico shall finally determine upon her ul-
terror course, it would not be advisable and be-
coming to anticipate her decision, and afford her
an opportunity of bringing the subjects Of contro-
versy to the more amicable arbtrament of ncgstia-
ton.
The citizens of the United States have large claims
upon Mexico. They are Of very aggravated char
acter, and many Of thcm..of long standing. A por-
ton Of these have already been investigated and the
amount Of compensation adjusted. Much the great
err part, however, remain unliquidated; but both
governments have solenanly and mutually bound
themselves by positive treaty to examine and decide
upon them.
1t cannot for moment be supposed that the Uni
ted States will assent to REIMBURSEMENT of these
claims, or suffer Mexico to maintain her assumed
silence in regard to them. If she thinks proper to
terminate her official intercourse with this govern
ment because she complains of our conduct in rela-
ton to Texas, she cannot DO permitted to suppose
that in this manner and under this pretex she can
avoid the payment of our just demands upon her.
We believe that in our proceedings relative to Tex
as we have done no wrong TO Mexico, have viola
ted none of her rights have contravened no treaty
stipulations, and no requirement Of national law.
Mexico asserts the contrary. To break off all in
tercourse between the parties is certainly unusual
way Of adjusting these conflicting prctensions and
novel mode Of obtaining redress for alleged in
jury. The question is open; and, SO far as that
question merely is concerned, Mexico is certainly at
perfect liberty either to make it the subject of amir
cable discussion, or to pout in sulen silence, she
kss.lx
reconcileable with her own estimate Of national
honor.
In regard, however, to her obligations to make
compensation to our citizens, the is wholly diff
ferent. Our government has repeatedly asserted, in
every form and mode which our institutions allow,
that Mexico has inflicted upon us serious injuries,
has perpetrated wrongs which she is bound to re-
dress, and that the government of the United States
is under the most imperative obligations to see that
ample compensation is provided for them. Mexico
has herself acknowledged the justice of the charge.
In regard to a portion Of the cases, the damages
have been liquidated by a board, created by the
joint action Of the two parties, at the particular
citation of Mexico; period Of five years was lbe-
rally allowed her, within which to pay the amount
awarded against her. The money was to be paid in
quarterly instalments. Atthis moment five Of these
instruments in arrear. In regard to two of them,
singular and-to the unfortunate claimants an in
explicable-mysery hangs overthe subject. The Of
fetal dgnares of both countries have averred that
the inslalments of April and July, 1874, were in
fact paid to the agent of the American government
in August last and this assertion, SO far as the pub
lie is appraised has never been officially contradict
ed. Nevertheless, the money has not yet been re.
ceiyed in Washington; and where it actually is, is
still profound secret. But the three last install
ments due in October, January and April have nm
questionably not been paid and Mexico in default
at least to that extent
In regard to the unligudated CLAIMS, Mexico also
has solemnly stipulated to provide for their adjust.
nent and payment. A convention was framed in
her own capital, under her own immediate SUPER
vision, providing for this adjustment. Its general
provisions have been acceded to by both governments
and certain notifications were suggested by the
Senate of the United States, in no degree affecting
the general principles which had been mutually rec
ognised. Yet this instrument, thus incomplete, has
been before the Mexican government for more than
twelvemonth; and, during this entire period, she
has not deigned to reply to the reiterated and i'm
e. bo-J