The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-02

len unscied on by The umpire authorized BY the
treaty Sill further claims, amounting 10 between
three and four millions of dollars, were submitted
10 the board loo late 70 BE- considered; and were LEFT
undisposed of. The sum Of two millions twenty
six thousand one hundred and thirty nine dollars
and sixty-eiRht cents, decided BY The board, was
a liquidaled and ascerIained debt due by Mexi, o
TO the claimants, and there was no UNSUITABLE rea
son for delaying It's payment according 10 the
terms Of The treaty. Il was not, however, paid.
Mexico applied for further indulgence; and in that
spirit of iiberaIiiy and fobearance which has
marked the policy of the United States towards
thai republic the reQHest was granted; and, on the
ihirtieth of January, 1913, new treaty was con-
cuded. BY this treaty il was provided, that the
interest due on The awards in favor of claimants
under the convention Of the eleventh of April,
1889, should be paid the thireth Of April, l643
and that "ihe principal of the said awards, and the
interest arising thereon shall be paid In five years.
in equal insialments every three months; the said
term of five years TO commence on the thirtieth
day of April l8a3, as aforesaid" The interest
due on the lhirielh day of April, lS43, and the
three FIRST Of the twenty instalmenls, have been
paid. Seventeen of these instalmenis remain un-
paid, seven of which are now due.
i The claims which were left undecided by the
joint commission, amounting TO more than three
millions Of dollars together with other claims for
spoliahons on the properly Of our citizens were
subsequently, presented to the Mexican govern
meni for payment and were SO far recognised, that
a treaty providing for their examination and set
Element BY joint commission, was concluded and
signed at Mexico on the twentieth day Of Novem.
Der, 1913 This treaty was ratified by the United
States, with certain amendments to which no Just
exception could have been taken but il has not
yet received the ratification OF the Mexican gov
eminent. In The meantime, our citizens who suf-
fered great losses, and some Of whom have been
reduced from affiuence to bankruptcy, are without
remedy unless their rights be enforced by their
unv nd mn OBJ cd
series of wrongs could never have been tolerated
by the United States, had they been committed
BY one OF the principal nations OF Europe. Mex
leo vas, however, neighboring sisef repub
lie, which, following our example, had achieved
her independence, and for whose success and pros
perity all our sympalhes were early enlisted. The
United States were the first TO recognise her indie
pendence, and 10 receive her into the family of ma
lions, and have ever been DESTROYS Of cultivating
with her good understanding. We have, there
fore, borne the repeated wrongs she has committed,
with great patience, in the hope that returning
sense Of justice would ultimately guide her coun-
ellis, and thar We might If possible, honoraby avoid
any hostile collision with her.
Without the previous authority Of Congress, the
Executive possessed no power to adopt or enforce
adequate remedies for the injuries we had suffered
or to do more than be prepared repe the threat
ened aggression on the part of Mexico. Amer our
army and navy had remained on the frontier and
coasts Of Mexico for many weeks, without any hos
tile movement on her part, though her menaces
were continued, deemed it important to put an
end if possible, to this state of things. With this
view, caused steps 10 be taken in the month OF
September last to ascertain distinctly, and in an au-
thentic form, what the designs ofthe Mexican gov.
eminent were whether IL was their intention 10 de-.
clare war, or invade Texas, or whether they were
disposed to adjust and settle, in an amicable man.
ner, the pending differences between the two coun-
tiles On the ninth OF November an official answer
Urn rpce thai The MaYican cnn
scented to renew The diplomatic relations which had
been suspended In March last; and for that pur-
rose were willing 10 accredit minister from the
United States, With sincere desire to preserve
peace and restore relations Of good understanding
between the two republics waived all ceremony
as TO the manner of renewing diplomatic inter-
course between them; and assuming the initiative,
on the tenth Of November distinguished citizen Of
Louisiana was appointed envoy extraordinary and
minisler plenipoientiary TO Mexico clothed with
full powers to adjust, and defnvely settle, all pend
ing differences between the two countries including
those Of boundary between Mexico and the State Of
Texas. The minister appointed has set out on his
mission, and is probably by this time near the Mex
lean capital He has been instructed TO bring the
negotiation with which he is charged to a conclu-
sion at the earliest practicable period; which, it is
expected, will be in time 10 enable me to communi-
cate the result to Congress during the present ses
sion. Until that result is known, forbear to re-
commend to Congress such Interior measures of
redress for the wrongs and Injuries we have SO long
borne, as il would have been proper to make, had
no such negotiation been instituted.
Congress appropriated, at the last session, the
sum Of two hundred and seveniy-five thousand
dollars for the payment Of the April and July in
salmenIs of the Mexican indemnities for the year
1874: Provided 1t shall be ascer,ained TO the
satisfaction Of the American government that said
instruments have been paid by the MEXICAN gov,
ern ment 10 the agent appointed by the United
States 10 receive the same, in such manner as to
discharge all claim on the Mexican government,
and said agent to be delinquent in renting the
money TO the United States"
The unsettled state of our relations with Mexico
has involved this subject in much mystery. The
first information, in an authentic form, from the
agent Of the United States, appointed under the
administration Of my predecessor, was received al
the State Department The ninth Of November last
This is contained in letter, dated the seventeenth
of October, addressed by him 10 one OF citizens
then in Mexico, with the view of having il commu-
njcaied 10 that department From this il appears
thsi the agent on the twentieth Of September, 1874,
gave receipt TO the treasury of Mexico for the
amount Of the April and July ins,almenis of the
indemnity. In the same communication, however,
he asserts that he had not received single dollar
in cash; but that he holds such securities as war
ranled him at the time in giving the receipt, and
enlertains no doubt hut that he will eventually
obtain the money. As these iDsialments appear
never TO have been actually paid by the govern
ment of Mexico 10 the agent, and as that govern
ment has not therefore been released so TO dis.
charge the claim, DO not feel myself warranted
in directing payment TO be made 10 the claimants
out OF the treasury, without further legislation
Their case is, undoubtedly, one Of much hardship
and il remains for Congress to decide whether
any, and what relief ought 10 be granted 10 them
Our minister to Mexico has been instructed "a
ascertain the facts of the case from the Mexican
government, In an authentic and official form, and
report the result with as little delay as possible.
My attention was early directed to the negoia.
ton which on the fourth Of March Iasi, found
pending al Washington between the United States
and Great Britain, on The subject Of the Oregon
Territory. Three several attempts had been pre-.
viou>ly made TO settle The questions in dispute be-
tween the two countries, BY negotiation, upon the
principe Of compromise; but each had proved un
successful.
These negotiations took place at London in the
years 1918, 1924 and 1896 the two first under the
administration Of Mr.. Monroe, and The last under
that of Mr.. Adams The negotiation of 1918 hay
ing failed to accomplish its object, resulted in the
convention Of the twentieth Of October Of thai
year. BY the third article Of that convention, 4
I -.