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

lico. The independence Of Texas is ] fact
conceded by Mexico herself, and she had
no right Of authority to prescribe restric-
tons as to the form of government which
Texas might afterwards choose to assume.
But though Mexico cannot complain Of
the United States on account Of the annex
alton Of Texas, it is to be regretted that se-
| rious causes Of MISUNDERSTANDING between
the two countries continue to exikt, grow
Ing out Of unredressed injuries inflicted by
the Mexican authorities and people OH the
persons and property Of citizens Of the
United States, through long series Of
years. Mexico has had admitted these in-
Ijuries, but has neglected and refused to re-.
pair them. Such was the character Of The
wrongs, and such the insults repeatedly
offered to American citizens and the Amer
lean flag by Mexico, In palpable violation
Of the laws of nations and the treaty be-
tween the two countries Of the fifth Cf
April, 1881 that they have been repeated
ly brought to the notice Of Congfessby my
predecessors. As early as the eighth Of
February, 1887, the President Of the Unit
ed States declared, in message to Con-
gress, that sthe length Of time since some
Of the injuries have been committed, the
repeated and unavailing applications for
redress, the wanton character Of some Of
the outrages upon the persons and pro-
perty Of our citizens, upon the officers and
flag Of the United States, independent Of
recent insults TO this government and peo-
pie by the late Extraordinary Mexican
minister, would justify in the eyes Of ell
r.ations immediate war" He did not, how
over, recommend an immediate resort to
this extreme measure, which. he declared,
"sheuld not be used BY Just and generous
nations, confiding in their strength for in
juries committed, if it can be honorably
avoided;" but, in spirit Of forbearancc,
proposed that another demand 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 respec-
tive bodies, concurred.F Since these pro-
ceedings more than eight years have elaps-
ed, during which. in addition to the wrongs
then complained Of, others Of an agg.avat-
ed character have been committed on the
persons and property Of our citizens. A
special agent was sent to Mexico in the
summer Of 1888, with full authority to
make another and final demand for redress.
The demand was made; the Mexican gov
ernment promised to repair the wrongs Of
whichwe complained; and after much de-
lay, a treaty Of indemnity with that view
was concluded between the two powers
on the eleventh day Of April, 1889, and
was duly ratified BY both governments.-
BY this treaty joint commission was Great
] ed to adiudicate and decide on the claims
Of American citizens on the government 81
Mexico. The commission was organized
at Washington on the twenty-fifth day d
August, 1870. Their time was limited to
eighteen months; at the expiration Of which
they had adjudicated and decided claims
amounting to two millions twenty-six thou
sand one hundred and thirty-nine dollars
land sixty -eight cents in favor Of citizens o.
] the United States against the Mexican gov.
ernment, leaving alarge amount Of claims un.
decided. Oftlle latter, the American COM
missioners had decided in favor Of our 9th
zens, claims amounting to nine hundred and
twenty eight thousand six hundred & TWEEN
Ity-seven dollars and eighty -eight cents
which were left unacted on by the umpire
authorized by thetreaty. Stillfurtherclaims
amounting to between three and four mil
lions Of dollars, were submitted to the
board too late to be considered; and were
i left undisposed Of. The sum Of two mil.
lions twenty-six thousand one hundred
and thirty nine-dollarsi and sixty-eigh
cents, decided by the board, was liqui
dated and ascertained debt due BY Mexic,
to the claimants, and there was no justifi
able reason for delaying its payment ac
cording to the terms Of the treaty. Itwa
not, however, paid. Mexico applied 70
further indulgence; and, in that spirit Q
liberality and forbearance which has eve
marked the policy Of the United States to
wards that republic, the request was grant
| ed, and, on the thirtieth Of January, l843
new treaty was concluded. By thi
: treaty it was provided, that the interes
: due on the awards in favor Of claimant
J under the convention Of the eleventh .
|. April, 1899, should Be paid on the Thrift
eth Of April, 1s43; and that s'the prinoi
| pal Of the said awards, and the interes
: arising thereon, shall Be paid in FIVE years
; in equal instalments, every three months
] the said term Of Ave years to commence O
the thirtieth day of April, l843, as afore
j said" The interest due on the thirtiet
] day Of April, l843, and the .hree first .
81 the twenty instalments. have been raid
} Seventeen Of these instalments remain IN
/ paid, seven of which are now due.
81 The claims which were left updecide
! by, the Joint commission, amounting to NOR
: than three millions Of dollars, together wit
i other claims Of spoilations on the propert
0 Of our citizens, were subsequently, pre-
sented to the Mexican government fo
J, payment, and were 50 far recognized, thu
d treaty, providing for their examinatio
and settlement BY joint commission, wa
8 concluded and signed at Mexico On tn
. twentieth day Of November, l043. Th
treaty was ratified BY the United State,
: with certain amendments, to which noiu
exception could have been taken; but
( has not vet received the ratification Of II
= Mexican government. In the meantim
Z our citizens who suffered great losses, an
i some Of whom have been reduced from .
/, Ihuence, % bankruptcy, are without remi
d dy, unless their rights Be enforced BY The