The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-24
"Iv. The most precise and distinct stpulaiions are
required for the future.

"Iv The most precise and distinct stipulaiions are
required for the future.
"5uch are the demands which the undersigned, as
already indicated, is charged to address more,
and for the last time, TO the Mexican government
The present note is uiimatn; and the dsitrpsina
fon Of France, which il explains % ir,epoeabie, TO
employ the very expressions of his excelency
the president of the Kings council. The de-
mands contained in this ultimatum have been
SO repeatedly discussed, under every variety
OF form, and for 80 long a time, between the
Mexican ministry and the French legation, that
the former might certainly be prepared to fur
nish categorical answer in forty-eight hours.
Nevertheless, the undersigned will await reply
until the 18th of April. II (which God forbd) thls
reply shall contain negative upon any one Of the
points proposed; if its language shall be am
biguous in any particular IT, in short, il shall be
delayed beyond the 18th of April, the undersigned
will Immediately place the further conduct Of the
business in the hands Of M. Bazoche, commander
of the naval forces of his Majesty, Of which part
are already on the coast Of Mexico, and this supe-
ror officer will proceed TO execute the orders he has
received. IT. on the contrary, (and God grant such
may be the case the answer shall be entirely affirm
alive upon every point, M. Bazoche will then have
no part in the business excepting only in case the
promises made by the Mexican government shall
not be completely fulfilled on the 18th of May. In
any case, however, in which this officer shall be
quired to act, from the moment that he has begun
to carry out his orders, the execution Of them cam
not be interrupted or suspended without the entire
and perfect fnlfment Of every requirement Of this
uiiimat,m."
Notwithstanding the distinct and peremptory lam
guage of the French minister, debating the most
precise terms and conditions on which alone hos
tilities were to be suspended, and prescribing the
time in which categorical answer was to be given,
delays nevertheless took place. Mexican diplomacy
excrted all its power; the most concating Ian.
guage was employed; promises and assurances were
given in profusion and it not until the follow
ing November, that patience and forbearance on the
one side, and all the arts of Discrimination and ar-
fee on the other were exhausted, that France put in
execution her threats, opened her artillery upon the
castle of St. Juan de Uloa, speedily brought the
Mexicans to terms, and compelled them to pay a
further sum of 100000, to remunerate France for
| the money she had expended in the enforcement Of
her right. t@
This history has been given somewhat in detail,
because the document from which the foregoing ex-
have been made has been but rarely seem and
is little known in the United States; because no.
thing can furnish US with more instructive lessons
as well as to the character and conduct of the Mexi
can people and government. Nothing can more
clearly demonstrate that they are restrained by no
law, human or divine, from the preparation Of any
outrages, however atrocious, upon those who come
within their power; that their barbarous cruelty in
dacity in evading the consequent responsibility; and
that the only effective mode Of obtaining redress for
past injuries and preventing the infection of similar
injuries in future, to employ towards them firm
and decided tone-peremptoriy requiring compen-
saon for the past and security for the future and
prepared enforce upon them an observance Of the
laws Of nations and Of humanity, and rigid com
pliance with their treaty engagements.
Little doubt can be entertained that, if the first
alterations from these limits had been firmly re-
sisted and the rights of others rgdly enforced, the
consequences would have been equally beneficial to
all parties Mexico, taught that she could not with
impunity violate the rights of others, would eau
tousy have abstaned from the preparation Of those
enormities which must, sooner or later be visited
with condign punishment; and adopted a policy
which would have entitled her to position among
the civilized nations Of The earth.