The Columbian fountain., 1845-12-04

| regret to inform you that our relations with
Mexico, since your last session, have not been of
the amicable character which it is our desire to
cultivate with all foreign nations On the sixth
day of March last, the Mexican envoy extraordin-
airy and minister plenipotentiary to the United
States, made formal protest, in the name of his
government, against the joint resolution passed by
Congress, I" for the annexation Of Texas to the
United States, ]" which he chose to regard as yio-
lation of the rights of Mexico and in consequence
of it, he demanded his passports. He was inform
ed that the government of the United States did
not consider this joint resolution as violation of
any of the rights of Mexico, or that it afforded
any just cause OF offence to his government; that
the Republic OF Texas was an independent power,
owing no allegiance to Mexico and constituting
no part Of her territory or rghtful sovereignty and
jurisdiction. He was also assured that it was the
sincere desire OF this government to maintain with
that of Mexico relations of peace and good under
standing. That functonary, however, notwith-
standing these representations and assurances alb
ruptly terminated his mission, and shortly after
wards left the country. Our Envoy Extraordin-
airy and Minister Plenipotentary to Mexico, was
refused all official intercourse with that govern
ment, and, after remaining several months, by the
PERMISSION OF his own government, he returned to
the United States. Thus, by the acts of Mexico,
all diplomatic intercourse between the two coun-
tries was suspended
Since that time Mexico has, until recently, occu-
pied an attitude ofhostlitytowards the United States
has been marshalling and organizing armies, ssu-
ing proclamations, and avoWing the intention to
make war on the United States either by an open
declaration, or by invading Texas. Both the Con-
gress and convention of the people of Texas invited
this government to send army into that territory
to protect and defend them against the menaced at
tack. The moment the terms of annexation, offer
ed by the United States were accepted by Texas,
fhaI Ioffa hnnn
as to make it our duty to afford such protection
and defence. | therefore deemed it proper, as
precautionary measure, to order strong squadron
to the coasts OF Mexico, and to concentrate an eff
cient military force on the western frontier of Tex
as. Our army was ordered to take position in the
country between the Nueces and the Del Norte,
and to repel any invasion of the Texan territory
which might be attempted by the Mexican forces
Our squadron in the gulf was ordered to cooperate
with the army. But though our army and navy
were placed in position to defend our own, and
the rights of Texas, they were ordered to commit
no act of hostility against Mexico unless she de-
clared war, was herself the aggressor by strik-
ing the first blow. The result has been, that
Mexico has made no aggressive movement, and
our military and naval commanders have executed
their orders with such discretion that the peace of
the two republics has not been disturbed
Texas had declared her independence, and
maintained it by her arms for more than years
She has had an organized government in success
fu operation during that period. Her separate ex-
istence, as an Independent State, had been recog-
nized by the United States and the principal pow
ers of Europe. Treaties of commerce and navi-
cation had been concluded with her by different
nations, and it had become manifest to the whole
world that any further attempt on the part of Mex
leo to conquer her, or overthrow her government,
would be vain. Even Mexico herself had become
satisfied of this fact; and whilst the question of
annexation was pending before the people of Tex
as, during the past summer, the government of
Mexico, by formal act, agreed to recognize the
independence of Texas on condition that she
would not annex herself to 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 fact conceded by Mexico herself, and
she had no right or authority to prescribe resric-
tions as to the form of government which Texas
might afterwards choose to assume.
But though Mexico cannot complain of the United
States account of the annexation of Texas it is
to be regretted that serious causes of mis,Inder-
standing between the two countries continue to
exist, growing out of unredressed injuries inflicted
by the Mexican authorities and people on the per-
sons and property of citizens of the United States
through long series Of years. Mexico has ad-
mtted 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 papable violation of the laws Of ma
tons and the treaty between the two countries of
the fifth of April, 1881, that they have been
repeatedly brought to the notice of Congress by nv
predecessors. As early as the eighth of February
1897 the President the United States declared in
a message to Congress, that, !" the length of time
since some of the injuries have been committed
the repeated and unavailing applications for re-
dress, the wanton character of some of the out
RACES upon the persons and property of our citizens
upon the officers and flag Of the United States, in
dependent of recent insults to this government and
people by the late Extraordinary Mexican minister,
would justify in the eyes Of all nations immediate
war" He did not, however, recommend an inn
mediate resort to this extreme measure which, he
declared, should not be used by just and generous
nations, confding in their strength for injuries
committed, ifit can be honoraby avoided y but, in
spirit of forbearance, proposed that another de-
mand be made on Mexico for that redress which
had been so long and unjustly withheld. In these
views, committees of the two Houses of Congress,
in reports made to their respective bodies concur
red. 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 sum-
mer Of 1893, with full authority to make another
and final demand for redress. The demand was
made the Mexican government promised to re-
pair the wrongs of which we complained; and
after much delay, treaty of indemnity with that
the 1lth of April, 1889, and was duly ratified by
L,4l, ,o,,t.