The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-12-16

1lTSt DlOW. Inc result mas Deen, l1aI MeXl
co has made no aggressive movement, ant
our military and naval comm anders have
executed their orders with such discretion
that the peace of the two republics has moi
been disturbed.
Texas had declared her independence
and maintained it by her arms for more than
nine years. She had an organized govern
ment in successful, operation during thai
period. Her separate existence, as an indc.
pendent State, had been recognised by the
United States and the principal powers Of
Europe. Treaties of commerce and naviga-
ton had been concluded with her by differ
ent nations, and it had become manifest
to the whole world that any further attempt
on the part of Mexico to conquer her, or
overthrow her government, would be vain.
Even Mexico herself had become satisfied
of this fact; and whilst the question of annex
alton was pending before the people of Tex
as, during the past summer, the government
of Mexico, by formal act, agreed TO recog-
nize the independence of Texas on condition
that she would not annex herselfto any other
power. The agreement to acknowledge the
independence of Texas, whether with or
without this condition, is conclusive against
Mexico. The independence of Texas, is a
fact conceded by Mexico herself, and she
had no right Or authority to prescribe restrc-
tions as to the form of government which
Texas might afterwards choose 10 assume.
But although Mexico cannot complain of
the United States on account of the annexa-
ton of Texas, it is TO be regretted that serious
causes of misunderstanding between the two
countries continue to exist, growing out of
unredrcssed 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 to repair them. Such was the
character of the wrongs, and such the insults
repeatedly offered to American citizens and
the American flag by Mexico, in palpable
violation of the laws, of nations and the trea-
ty between the two countries of the fifth Of
April, 1881, that they have been repeatedly
brought 10 the notice of Congress by my
predecessors. AS early as the eighth of
February, 1887, the President of the United
States declared, in message to Congress,
that " the length of time since some of the
injuries have been committed, the rPpeAtad
and unavainlng applications for redress, the
wanton character of some of the outrages
upon the persons and property of our citi-
zens, upon the officers and fag of the United
States, independent of recent insults of this
government and people by the late Extraord-
mary Mexican minister, would justify in the
eyes of all nations immediate wdr.," He did
not, however, recommend an immediate
resort TO this extreme measure, which, he
declared, " should not be used by just and
generous nations, confding in their strength
for injuries committed, if it can be honorably
avoided ;"but, in spirit of forbearance, pro-
posed that another demand be made on
Mexico for that redress which had been so
long and uniustly withheld. In these views,
committees of the two Houses of Congress,
in reports made TO their respective bodies,
concurred. Since these proceedings more
than eight years have elapsed, during which,
in addition to the wrongs then complained of,
others of an aggravated character have been
committed on the persons and property of
our citizens. A special agent was sent to
Mexico in the summer of 1888, with full
authority 10 make another 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
a Joint commission was created to adjudcate
and decide on the claims Of American cit-
zens on the government of Mexico. The
commission was organized at Washington on
the twenty-fifih day of August, 1910. Their
time was limited to eighteen months; at the
expiration of which, they had adjudicaed
and decided claims amounting 10 two millions
twenty-six thousand one hundred and thirty
nine dollars and sixty-eight cents in favor of
citizens of the United States against the
Mexican government, leaving large amount
Of claims undecided. OF the latter, the A
nerican commissioners had decided in favor
Of our citizens. claims amounting to nine
hundred and twenty-eight thousand six hun
lred and twenty-seven dollars and eighty |
eight cents, which were left unacted OH by
he umpire authorized by the treaty. Still
iurther claims, amounting to between three
and four millions of dollars, were submitted
o the board too late to be considered; and
we're left undisposed Of The sum of two
Millions twenty-six thousand one hundred
md thrty-nine dollars and sixty-eight cents,
decided by the board, was liquidated and
lscertained debt due by Mexico to the clai-
nants, and there was no justifiable reason for
delaying its payment according to the terms
If the treaty. 1t was not, however, paid.
Mexico applied for further indulgence; and,