The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-12-13
OIL II. wooDsFIELD SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4s,

l sianee 10 mexico, and constituting no part OF her
territory or rightful sovereignty and jurisdiction
He was also assured that it was the sincere desire
| Of this government to maintain with that of Mexi
CO relations of peace and good understanding
! That functlonary. however, notwithstanding these
representations aud assurances, abruptly terminated
his mission, and shortly afterwards left the country
Our Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenlpo
tentiary TO Mexico was refused all official inter.
course with that government, and, after remaining
several months, by the permission of his own gov
eminent, he returned to the United States. Thus
by the acts of Mexico, all diplomatic intercourse
between the two countries was suspended.
Since that time Mexico has, until recently, occu-
pied an attitude Of hostility towards the Uniled
States-has been marshalng and organizing armies
Issuing procamations, ,.and avowing the intention
to make war on the United States, either by an
open declaration, or by invading Texas. Both the
Congress and convention of the people of Texas in
vited this government to send an army into that
territory, to protect and defend them against the
| meDaced attack. The moment the terms of annex
alton, offered by the United States, were accepted
by Texas the latter became far part OF our own
country as to make it our duty to afford such pro.
lection and defence. therefore deemed it proper,
as precautionary measure, to order strong squad
ron to the coasts of Mexico. and to cenrate an
efficient military force OH the western frontier of
Texas Our army was ordered to take position in
| the country between the Nueces and the Del Norte
and to repel any invasion of the Texan territory
which might be attempted by the Mexican forces.
Our squadron in the gulf was ordered to operate
with the army. But though our army and navy
were placed in position to defend our own, and
| the rights OF Texas, they were ordered to commit
| no act OF hostility against Mexico, unless she de-
clared war, herself the aggressor by striking
| the first blow. The result has been, that Mexico
has made no aggressive movement, and our militia
ry and naval commanders have executed their or
ders with such discretion, that the peace of the
| two republics has not been disturbed
| Texas had declared her independence, and main
tanned it by her arms for more than nine years She
has had an organized government in successful op.
Grafton during that period. Her separate existence,
as an independent State, had been rec ognised by
the United States and the principal powers OF
| Europe. Treaties Of commerce and navigation
had been concluded with her by different nations,
and it had become manifest to the whole world that
any further attempt on the part of Mexico to con-
quer her, or overthrow her government, would be
vain. Even Mexico herself had become satisfied
| of this fact and whilst the question of annexation
was pending before the people oil Texas, during
the past summer the government Of Mexico, by a
formal act, agreed to recognize the independence of
Texas on condition that she would not annex her.
sell to any other power. The agreement 10 ack.
nowledge the independence of Texas, whether
with without this condition, is conclusive against
Mexico. The Independence of Texas is fact
conceded by Mexico herself, and she had no right
or authority to prescribe restrictions as to the form
of government which Texas might afterwards
choose 10 assume.
But though Mexico cannot complain of the Uni
ted States OH account of the annexation of Texas
il is 10 be regretted that serious of misunder
standing between the Two countries continue to
exist growing out Of unredressed injuries inflicted
by the Mexican authorities and people on the per-
and property ni citizens OF the United States
through long series Of years. Mexico has admit
ted these injuries, but has neglected and refused
TO repair them. Such was the character of the
wrongs, aud such the insults repeatedly offered to
American citizens and the Amt rican flag by Mexi
co, in palpabe violation of the laws Of nations and
the treaty between the two countries the fifth OF
April 1881 that they have been repeatedly brought
| to the notice OF Congress by my predecessors As
early as the eighth OF February, 1887, the Presi-
dent Of the United States Jared, message to
Congress- that tthe length of time since some Of
the injuries have been committed the repeated and
unavailiDg applications for redress, the wanton
character of some of the outrages upon the persons
and property of our citizens, upon the officers and
flag Of the United States, independent oi the recent
insults TO this government and people by the late
Extraordinary Mexican minister, would justify in
the eyes Of all nations immediate war" He did
not, however, recommend an immediate resort to
this extreme measure, which, he declared, "should
not be used by just and generous nations, conhding
in their strength Tor injuries committed, ifit can be
hondrably avoided;" but, in spirit offorbearance,
proposed that another demand be made on Mexico
for that redress which had been so long and unjust
ly withheld. In these views, committees of the
two Houses of Congress, in reports made to their
respective bodies, ConcuIred. Since these pro-
ceedings more than eight years have elapsed, du-
ring which, in addition to the wrongs then COM
planned Of, others of an aggravated character have
been committed on the persons and property of our
citizens. A special agen. was sent to Mexico in
the summer of 1888, with full authority to make an
other and final demand for redress. The demand
was made; the Mexican government promised to
repair the wrongs Of which we complained; and
after much delay treaty OF indemnity with that
view was concluded between the two powers on
the eleventh of April, 1889, and was duly ratified
by both governments. BY this treaty joint COM
mission was created to adudcate and decide on the
claims OF American citizens on the government of
Mexico The commission was organized at Wash
ington on the twenty day of August, 1870
Their time was limited ia eighteen months; at the
expiration Of which, they had adjudcated and de-
cided claims amounting to two millions twenty-six
thousand one hundred and thirty-nine dollars and
sixyeight cents in favor OF citizens OF the United
States against the Mexican government, leaving
large amount of claims undecided OF the latter,
the American commissioners had decided in favor
of our citizens, claims amounting 10 nine hundred
and twenty thousand six hundred and twenty
seven dollars and twenty eight cents, which were
left Enacted on by the umpire authorized by the
treaty Still further claims, amounting to between
three and four millions Of dollars, were submitted
to the board too late to be considered; and were
left undisposed Of The sum Of two millions twen-
ty-six thousand one hundred and hrty-nine dollars
and sixty-eight cents, decided by The board, was
liquidaed and ascertained debt due by Mexico to
the claimants, and there was no jusiiable reason
for delaying its payment according TO the terms Of
the treaty. 1t was not, however, paid, Mexico
applied ior further indulgence; and in that spirit Of
Iiberaity and iorbearance which has ever marked
the policy of the United States towards that repub-
lie, The request was granted; and on the thirtieh
Of January, ls43, new treaty was concluded.
BY this treaty was provided, that the interest due
on the awards in favor Of claimants under the con-
vention Of the eleventh Of April, 1889, should be