Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser., 1845-12-20

were the first to recognize her independ-
ence, and to receive her into the family Of
nations, and have ever been desirous
Of cultiyatir,g with her good under stand
ing. We have, therefore, borne the re-
peated wrongs she has committed, with
great. patience, In the hope that return
Ing sense ofjustice would ultimately guide
her councils, and that we might, if possi-
bic, honorably avoid any hostile collision
with her. nt45
I Without the previous authority Of Com
gress, the Executive possessed no power
to adopt or enforce adequate remedies for
the injuries we have suffered, or 10 do
more than be prepared to repel the thr reat-
ened aggression on the part Of Mexico.
After our army and navy had remained on
the frontier and coasts of Mexico for many
weeks, without any hostile movement on
her part, though her menaces were con-
tinued, deemed it important to put an
end, If possible, to this state ofthing. With
this view, / caused steps 10 be taken in the
month Of September last, to ascertain dis
tinctly, and in an authentic form, what the
designs Of the Mexican government were;
whether it was their intention to declare
war, or invade Texas, or whether they
were disposed to adjust and settle, in an
a,nicable manner, the pending differences
between the two countries. On the ninth
Of November an official answer was re-
ceived, that the Mexican government con-
sented to renew the diplomatic relations
which had been suspended in March last;
and for that purpose were willing ID ac-
credit minister from tie United States.
With sincere desire TO preserve peace,
and restore relations Of good understands
ing between the two republics, waived
all ceremony as to the manner Of renewing
diplomatic intercourse between them, and,
assuming the initiative, on the ] eth Of No
vember . distinguished citizen of Loaisi-
ana was appointed envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipotentiary to Mexico,
clothed with full powers to adjust, and
definitively settle. all pending differences
betweenthe 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 Mexican capital. He
has been instructed to bring the negotia-
ton with which he is charged to conclu.
sion at the earliest practicable period
which, 1t is expected, will be in time te
enable me to communicate the result t.
Congress during the present session. Un-
til that result is known, forbear 10 re.
commend to Congress such ulterior meas.
ures of redress for the wrongs and inju.
ries we have 80 long borne, as it would
have been proper 10 make, had no such
negotiation been instituted. gsn.
l Congress appropriated, at the last ses-
sion, the sum Of two handfca- nd seventy.
five thousand dollars for the payment ol
the April and July instalments ofthe Mex.
ican indemnities for the year 1874: "Pro
vided it shall be ascertained to the salts
faction Of the American government tha
said instalments have been paid by thu
\. Mexican government to the agent ap point.
: ed by the United States to receive tn,
same, in such manner as to discharge al
claim on the Mexican government, ant
said agent to be delinquent in remittins
the money to the United States"
The unsettled state Of our relations will
Mexico has involved this subject in mucl
mystery. The first information, in an au
thentic form, from the agent Of the U. s.
appointed under the administration Of m,
predecessor, was received at the State De
partment on the ninth Of November last
\ This is contained in letter, dated the I'LL
of Oct, addressed by him to one Of on
citizens then in Mexico, with the view Q
having it communicated to that depart
ment. From this it appears that the agent
on the Goth Of Sept, l844, gave a receip
to the treasury Of Mexico for the amour
Of the April and July instalments Of tb
, indemnity. In the same communication
|, however, he asserts that he had not rccciv
{ ed single dollar in cash; but that he hold
! such securities as warranted him at til
! time in giving the receipt, and entertain
4 no doubt but that he will eventually Obtain
the money. As these instalmcnts appea
, never to have been actually paid by III
/ government of Mexico to the agent, and q
/ that government has not therefore been re
( leased SO as to discharge the claim,
4 not feel myself warranted in directing pay
ment to be made to the claimants out (
/ the treasury, without further Legislation
. Their case is, undoubtedly, one Of muc
!: hardship; and it remains for Congress
i decide whether any, and what relief ougl
to be granted to them. Our minister {
, Mexico has been instructed to asccrtai
{ the facts Of the case 'front.' the Mexican 60,
! crnment, in an authentic and official form
! and dreport the result with a. little delay ;
possible, 80 sss..a..s sss ,e.ll.os .ss,.
al My attention was early directed to Il
! negotiation, which on the fourth Of Marc
4 last, 1 found pending at Washington b
= tween the United States and Great Britail
: on the subject Of the Oregon Territor.
: Three several attempts had been previous
\ " made to settle the question in dispu'
1 between the two countries, by negotiation
4 upon the principle Of compromise; but eae
I had proved unsuccessful.
etE. These negotiations took place at Londo
!, IN the years 1918, 1924, and 1926; the tN
4 first under the administration Of Mr.. Mo-
4 roe, and the last under that Of Mr.. A.
] ans. The negotiation Of 1878 having fai
III ed u accomplish ito object, resulted n q
i convention of. the twentieth Of October
Z that year. BY the third article Of that co,
) vention, it was ssagreed, that any couhtl
! |that may be claimed By either party on u
r3 $A1A ~r "A - -