Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-01-07
SPECIAL MESSAGE,
From tie President Of the United States,
MEXICAN AFFAIRS.

which claim from their Importance, and
doubt not will receive, your calm and deli
berate consideration. The extraordinary
and highly offensive language which the
Mexican government has thought proper
to employ in reply TO the remons!rance Of
the Executive, through Mr.. Shannon,
against the renewal Of the war with Texas
while the question OF annexation was pen
ding before the Congress and the people,
and also, the proposed manner OF conduct
ing that war, will not fail TO arrest your at
tcnlon.
Such remonstrance, urged in no unrrend-
~ spirit to Mexico, was called for by con-
sderations of an imperative character, ha.
wing relation as well to the peace Of this
country and honor Of this government as
20 the cause Of humanity and civilization.
Texas had entered into the treaty of annex
alton upon the invitations of the Executive;
and when, for that act, she was threatened
with u renewal Of the war on the part OF
Mexico, she naturally looked to this go
vcrnment to interpose its efforts to ward Oft
tho threatened blow. But one course was
left the Executive, acting within the limits
of its constitutional competency, and that
was to protest in respectful, but al the same
time strong and decided terms against it.
The war thus threatened TO be renewed
was ulgated by edIcts and DEGREES, or
dered on the part of the Mexican military,
the dcsolaton Of whole tracts OF country,
and the destruction, without discrimination,
Of all ages, sexes and conditions of exis-
tencc. Over the manner Of conducting
war, Mexico possesses no exclusive control.
She has no right 10 violate at pleasure the
principles which an enlightened civilization
has laid for the conduct of nations at war;
and thereby reirograde to period of bar
barism, which, happily for the world has
long since passed away. All nations are
Interested in enforcing an observance OF
these principles, and the United States the
Oldest of the American Republics, and the
nearest Of The civilized powers to the the
atre on which these enormities were pro-
posed to be enacted, could not quietly con
tent themselves to witness such state OF
things. They had, through tho Executive
on another occasion, aud as was believed,
with the appreciation of the whole country,
demonstrated against outrages similar, but
even less inhunan, than those which by
her new edicts and DEGREES, she has threa-
tened to perpetuate, and Of which the late
inhuman massacre at Tobasco, was but the
precursor.
The bloody and inhuman murder Of Fam
min and his companions, equalled only III
savage barbarity by the usages Of the UNI
tutored tribes, proved how little confidence
could be placed on the most solemn s,ipu-
lations Of her generals, while tho fate OF
~ no or hor N h
nv of whom, no longer able to sustain the
fa,gues and privations Of long journeys
were shot down by the way side, while their
companions who survived were subjected
to suflerings even more painful than death
had left an indelible stain on the page OF
civilization. The executive, with the evil
dence of an intention on the part of Mex
leo to renew scenes SO revolving TO human
ity, could do no less than renew remonstran-
ces formerly urged. For fulfilling duties
so imperative, Mexico has thought proper
through her accredited organs, because she
has had represented to her the inhumanity
of such proceedings, 10 indulge in language
unknown to the courtesy Of diplomatic in
tercourse, and offensive in the highest de-
gree to this government and people. Nor
has she offended in this only.
She was not only violating existing con
ventions between the two countries, by ar
bitrary and unjust DEGREES against cur trade
and intercourse, but withholds insialments
OF debt due TO our citizens, which she
solemnly pledges herself 10 pay, under cir
cumstancss which are fully explained by
the accompanying letter from Mr.. Green,
our Secretary of Legation. And when our
Minister has invited the attention of her
her government to wrongs committed by
her local authorities not only upon the pro-
perry but on the persons Of our fellow ctl-
zens, engaged in prosecuting fair and hon
est pursuits, she has added insult TO injury
by not even deigning, for months together,
20 return an answer to his representations.
Sill further to manifest her unffiendly
feelings towards the United States, she has
issued DEGREES expellng from some of heI
provinces American citizens engaged IN
the peaceful pursuits Of life, and now denies
90 those Of eur citizens prosecuting the
Whale Fishery on the Northwest coast o!
the Pacific, the privilege which has, through
all time, heretofore been accorded 10 them,
OF exchanging goods Of a small amount IN
value at her ports in California for supplies
indispensable TO their health and comfort.
Nor will il escape the observation OF
Congress, that in conducting eorrespon-
dcnce with the Minister of the L. States,
whe cannot, and does not, know any dis
tinc!ion between the geographical sections of
the Union, charges wholly unfounded are
made against particular States, and an ap-
peal TO others for aid and protection agaias,
supposed wrongs. In this same connection
sectional prejudices are attempted to be en-
cited, and the hazardous and objectionable
effort is made TO fomsnt divisions among
the States of the Union, thereby TO embitter
their peace. Mexico has sill to learn,
that however freely we may indulge in
discussion among ourselves, the American
people will tolerate no interference in their
domestic affairs by any foreign govern
mont; and in all tina, concerns the eons'i-
tuiional guarantees and the national honor,
the people of the United States have but