Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-12-11

Since that time Mexico has, until recently, occupi-
ed an attitude of hostility towards the United States
has been marshallIng and organizing armies, iSsu-
ing proclamatons and avowing the intention to make
war on the United States, either by an open declara
ton or by invading Texas. Both the Congress and
Convention of the people of Texas invited this gov
eminent to send an army into that territory, TO pro-
tect and defend them against the menaced attack The
moment the terms Of annexation, offered by the Uni
ted States accepted BY Texas the latter became
so far part of country, to make it our
duty to afford such protection and defence there
fore deemed it proper, precautionary measure, to
order strong squadron to the coast OF Mexico and
TO concentrate an efficient military force the west
crn frontier of Texas. Our army ordered to take
poSitionin the country between the Nueces and the Del
Norte and to repel any invasion Of the Texan terri
tory which might be attempted by the Mexican for
ces Our squadron in the gulf was ordered TO co-ope-
rate with the army. But though our army aud navy
were placed in position defend own, and the
rights of Texas, they were ordered to commit no act
Of hostility against Mexico, unless she declared war,
was herself the aggessor by striking the first blow
The result has been that Mexico has made agrees
sye movement and our military and naval command
ers have executed their orders with such discretion
that the peace of the republics has not been dis
turbcd.
Texas had declared her independence, and mantaned it
ganzed in success full operation during that pc
Rod Her separate existence independent State had
been recognized the United and the principal
Of Europe Treaties of commerce and navigation had
been concluded with her by different nations and bad be-
manifest the whole world that any further attempts
part of Mexico conquer her. overthrow her gov
vernment would be vain. Even Mexico herself had be-
satisfied OF this fact; and whsthe question Of
alton pending before the people OF dung the past
the OF Mexico by formal agreement
agreed 10 recognize the independence of Texas condition
that she would not annex herself to any other The
agreement to acknowledge the independence of who
thcr win or without ihs condition, IS conclusive against
Mexico The independence of Texas is fact conceded by
Mexico herself and she had right authority to
scribe restrictions to the form OF government which
Texas might Afterwards choose to assume.
But though Mexico canno, complain Of the United
account of tile annexation Of Texas it is to be regretted
that serious Of misunderstanding between the two
continue exist growing Of the unredressed
injuries inflicted by the Mexican authorities and people on
The persons and property Of citizens Of the United States,
through long series Of years Mexico has admitted these
INJURIES but has neglected and refused 10 repair them Such
was OF the wrongs and such the insults
ncaedy offered to American czons and the American flag
by Mexico in papable violation Of the laws of nations and
the treaty between the countries Of the oh April, 1884,
that they have been repeatedly brought the notice of
Congress by my predecessors AS early the Sth Of Feb
ruary 1887 the President of the United States declared in
message Congress, that the length Of time since
Of the injuries had been committed the repeated and
vaiing application for redress the character
zens upon the officers and flag Of the United States ind
pendent Of recent Insults to this and reoplc by
the eyes Of all nations immediate war; He did not how
ever recommend immediate resort TO this extreme
which he declared 'should not be urged by just and
generous nations condng in their strength, for injuries
committed if il be honorably avoided :; but in spirit
Of fobearance proposed that another demand be made
Mexico for that redress long unjusty
withheld In these views, committees of the two Houses of
Congress- in reports made in their respective bodies
cured Since these proceedings than eight
carscd during which, in addition to the then
planned Of others of aggravated character have been
mted the persons and property Of citizens. spe-
ca sent to Mexico in the of 1885, with
full authority make another and final demand for redress
The demand was made the Mexican government promised
repair the wrongs Of which I've complained and after
mucb DELAY treaty OF indemnity with that view was con-
cluded between the two Powers the 1lh APRIL 1882
and was duly ratified by both governments.
By this treaty jort commission created to adjudi
and decide the claims of the American citizens
the government of Mexico The commission was organized
at Washington on the Goth day Of August lS40 Their
time was limited eighteen months, at the expiration
which they had adudicaed ard decided claims amounting
N O2s 100 6S in favor Of citizens of tie United States
against Mexican government leaving large of
claims undecided of the latter the American commission
ers had decided in favor OF citizens, claims amounting
TO 92S SGT S. which left Enacted by the umpire
by Still further claims amounting
three and four millions Of dollars submitted
10 the board too late to he considered and were left unds
posed Of The of 81 026 1873 6S decided by the
qudaed and asceIained dept due by Mexico to the
claimants and there was no JuSlaOe reason Tor delaying
lis payment according 10 the terms Of the treaty II was
not paid Mexico applied for further Indulgence,
that spirit Of lbeTaty and foTbeaTance which has
ever marked the policy of the United States towards that
repubc the request granted; and, the 30h Janu-
ary, 1913. treaty concluded By this treaty it
was provided that the interest due the awards in vOr
Of claimants under the convention Of the lh Of April 1890
paid the 5oih of April, 1885, and that he
principal Of said awards and the interest arising thereon,
shall be paid in five years. in equal instruments every three
months said of five years TO the
3Oth day Of April 1913. Aforesaid The interest due
the sOh day Of April lS43 and the three first Of the twen-
ty inalnen have been paid Seventeen of these install
ments remain unpaid, seven of which are now due
The claims which were left undecided by the joint
commission, amounting to more than three millions OF
dollars, together with other claims for spoliaons
the property of our citizens, subsequently pre-
scented to the Mexican government for payment, and
were so far recognised, that treaty, providing for
their examination and settlement by joint commits
sion, was concluded and signed at Mexico on the
twentieth day of November, 1913. This treaty was
ratified by the United States, with certain amend
ments, TO which no just exception could have been
taken but it has not yet received the ratification OF
the Mexican government. In the meantime, our
citizens who suffered great losses and some of whom
have been reduced from afluence bankruptcy, are
without remedy, unless their rights be enforced BY
their government Such a continued and unprovoked
series of wrongs could have been tolerated by
the United States had they been committed by one Of
the principal nations of Europe. Mexico was. how
ever, neighborng sister republic, which, following
our example, had achieved her independence, and fol
whose success and prosperity all our sympathies
were early enlisted The United States were rle first
to recognise her independence, and to receive her
into the family of nations, and have been desir-
GUS Of cultvating with her good understanding
We have, therefore, borne the repeated wrongs she
has committed with great patience, in the hope that
a returning sense of Justice would ultimately guide
her councils, and that we might if possible, honor
ably avoid any hostile collision with her.
Without the previous authority of Congress, the
Executive possessed no power to adopt or enforce adj
equate remedies for the injuries had suffered
do than be prepared to repel tile threatened ag
erosion on the part of Mexico. After our army and