The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-12-09

our army and navy had renamed on the
frontier and coasts of Mexico for many
weeks, without any hostile movement on
her part, though her menaces were cen
tinued, deemed it important to put all
end, ifpossbIe, to this state of things
With this view, caused steps to be taken
in the mouth of September last, to ascer-
tain distinctly, and in an authentic form,
what the designs of the Mexican govern
ment were; whether it was their intention
to declare war, or invade Texas, or wheth-
er they were disposed to adjust and settle,
in an amicable manner, the pending difier-
lences between the two countries On the
ninth of November an official answer was
Ireceived, that the Mexican government
lconsented to renew the diplomatic rela-
Itions which had been suspended in March
last, aud for that purpose were willing to
accredit minister from the United States.
With a sincere desire to preserve peace
and restore the relations of good under
standing between the two republics, l
waived all ceremony as to the manner oil
renewing diplomatic intercourse between
them; and assuming the initiative, on the
tenth of November distinguished citizen
ofLouisiana was appointed Envoy Extra
ordinary and Minister Plenipotentlary to
Mexico, clothed with full powers 10 ad-
Just, and definitively settle, all pending dill
ferences between the two countries, inclu-
ding those OF boundry between Mexico and
the State of Texas. The minister ap-
pointed has set out on his mission, and Is
probably by this time near the Mexican
capital He has been instructed to bring
the negotiation with which he is charged
to a conclusion at the earliest practicable
period which, it is expected, will be IN
time to enable me to communicate the re-
svlt to Congress during the present session.
Until that result is known, l forbear to
recommend to Congress such Interior mea-
sures of redress for the wrongs and injuries
we have so long borne, as it would have
been proper to make, had no SIC IN gotta
ton been instituted.
Congress appropriated at the last ses-
sion the sum Of t 20 hundred and seventy
five thousand dollars for the payment of
the April and July installments Of the
Mexican indemnities for the year 1874 ::
''Pro ided it shall be asccrtaned TO the
satisfaction Of the American government
th.t tie said installn ITS have been paid
by the Mexican government to the agent
appointed by the United States to receive
tie same in such manner as to discharge
all claim Oh the Mexican government,
and said agent to be delinquent in remit
ting the money to the United States"
The unsettled state of our relations
with Mexico has involved this subject in
much mystery. TIE first information, in
an authentic form, from the agent of the
Unitsd States, appointed under the ad-
ministratlo,. of my predecessor was receI-
we'd at the State Department on the nInth
of November last. This is contained III
lett or dated 18th October; addressed ny
him to one ofour citizens then IL Mexico,
with the view of having it communicated
to that department. From this it appears
that the agent on the Goth of September,
1914, gave a receipt to the treasury Of
Mexico for the amount of the April and
July :nstallmeuts of the indemnity. In
the same communication, however, he as
serts that he had not received single dol
lar in cash. but that he holds such secu-
rites as warranted him at the time IN
giving the receipt, and entertalns no doubt
but that he will eventually obtain the mo-
new. As these inst1llments appear never
to have been actually paid by the govern
ment of Mexico to the agent, and as that
government has not therefore been reiea'
sed so as to discharI re the claim, do not
feel myself warranted in directing pay
: men, to be made to the claimants out o.
$ the treasury, without further Legislation
Their case is, undoubtedly, one OF mucf
hardship and it remains for Congress &c
. decide whether any, and what, relief ough
! to be granted to them. Our minister tc
n Mexico has been instructed to ascertain
: the facts of the case from the Mexican
Government, in an authentic and ofilcIa
: form. and report the result with as little
: delay as possible. =,
,, d Nv attention was early directed to TIN
NEGOTIATION. which, on the fourth
d March last, found pending at Washing
: ton between the United States and Grea
e Britain, on the subject of the Oregon ter
" ritory. Three several attempts had beef
If previously made to settle the questions II
. dispute between the two countries, b
er negotiation, upon the principle OF com
Is promise; but each had proved unsuccss
IN full
4, These negotiations took place at Lon
n. don, in the years 1918, 1924, and 1916
n. the two first under the administration
i, Mr.. Monroe, and the last under that
- Mr.. Adams The negotiation OF Isl
re having failed to accomplish its object, re
ce suited in the convention Of the twentlet
i'd of October of that year. By the third al
u ticle of that convention, it was "agreet
n that any country that may be claimed b
re either party on the northwest coast oil A
mcrica, westward of the Stony mountains
&c &c shall, together with its harbors, bays, an
ms creeks, and the navigation OF all river
is, within the same, be free and open for tn
an term of ten years from the date oil the 81!
4 nature of the present convention, TO III
m, vessels, citizens, and subjects OF the tw
he Povers II heinz well understood that tn