Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1845-12-10

such discretion, that the peace of the two
republics has not been disturbed.
Texas had declared her independence,
and maintained ii by her arms for more
than nine years. She has had an organ
lied government in successful operation
during that period. Her seperate exist
ence, as an independent State, had been
recognized by the United States and the
principal powers of Europe. Treaties of
commerce and navigation had been con-
cluded with her by different 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 Mexi-
CO herself had become satisfied Of this fact;
and whilst the question of annexation was
pending before the people of Texas, during
the past summer, the government OF Mex
leo, by formal act. agreed to recognize
the independence of Texas, on condition
that she should not annex herself to any
other power. The agreement to acknowl-
edge the independence Of Texas, whether
with or without this condition, is conclu-
sive against Mexico. The independence
Of Texas is fact conceded by Mexico
herself, and she had no right or authority
to prescribe restrictions as to the form Of
government which Texas might after
w rds choosn IN assl1nn
But though Mexico cannot complain Of
the United States on account of the annex
alton Of Texas, it is TO be regretted that
serious causes Of misunderstanding between
the two countries continue to exist, grow
ing out of the unredressed injuries inflicted
by the Mexican authorities and people on
the persons and property Of the 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 A
merican citizens and the American flag by
Mexico, in palpable violation Of the laws Of
nations and the treaty between The two
countries Of the fifth Of. An.;ii,, 1881, thai
they have been repeatedly brought to the
notice of Cong;ess 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 repeated and unavail'
ing applications for redress, the wantor
character of some of the outrages upon the
persons and property Of our citizens. up
or the officers Of the flag Of the United
States, independent of recent insults to this
government and people by the late Extra
ordinary Mexican Minister, would justify
in the eyes of all nations immediate war. p
He did not, however, recommend an imme
diate resort to this extreme measure, which
he declared, s'should not be used by JUS
and generous nations, confding in thei'
strength for injuries committed, if it can be
honorably avoided;" but. in spirit of for
bearance, proposed that another demand be
made on Mexico for that redress which hat
been so long and unjustly withheld. lr
these views, committees Of the two House!
Of Congress, in reports made to their res
pective bodies, concurred. Since thes'
proceedings more than eight years have
elapsed, during which, in addition to th'
wrongs then complained Of, others Of al
aggravated character have been committed
on the persons and properly OF our citizens
A special agent was sent to Mexico in tn
summer Of 1888, with full authority II
make another and final demand for redress
The demand was made; the Mexican gov
ernment promised to repair the wrongs 0
} which we complained; and after much de
! lay, treaty of indemnify with that view
|, was concluded between the two Powers Of
the eleventh of April, 1889, and was dul,
ratified by both governments. By thi
i. treaty JOINT commission was created t
) adjudicale and decide on the claims Of A.
merican citizens on the government o
Mexico. The commission was organize
at Washington on the twenty-filth day q
August, 1910.
Their time was limited to eighteen
; months at the expiration Of which, the,
I. had adiudicated and decided claims amour
ting to two millions twenty-six thousan
one hundred and thirty nine dollars an
, sixty-eight cents in favor of citizens of tn
Uailed States against the Mexican Gov
, ernment, leaving large amount of claim
, undecided. OF the latter, the American
commissioners had decided in favor Of ou
citizens. claims amounting to nine hundre
) and twenty ght thousand six hundred an
; twenty-seven dollars and eighty eight cent
which were left unacted on by the umpr,
authorized by the treaty. Still furthe
claims, amounting to between three ant
four millions of dollars, were submitted t,
the board too late to be considered, and wer
lett undisposed Of. The sum of two nail
lions twenty-six thousand one hundred AM
thirty nine dollars and sixty-eight cents, de
cided by the board, was liquidated ant
ascertaihed debt due yMexico to the claim
Al