Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-12-11

tue OnlteO states on account oil lHe aneX@
alton of Texas, it is 10 be regretted that
serious causes Of misunderstanding be-
tween the two countries continue TO ex-
list, growing out of unredressed injuries
inflicted by the Mexican authorities and
people on the persons and property of cit
liens of the United States, through long
series of years. Mexico has admitted
these injuries, but has neglected aud refus-
ed to repair them. Such was the charac-
ter of the wrongs, and such the insults re-
peatedly offered to American 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 April. 1881. that they have been
repeatedly brought to the notice Of Con-
gress by my predecessors. As early a.
the eighth of February, 1887, the Presi-
dent 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 unavailing
applications for redress, the wanton char
scter of some of the ou!rages upon the per-
sons and property Of our citizens, upon the
officers and flag of the United States, in
dependent of recent insults to this gov
eminent and people by the late Exiraor-
binary Mexican Minister. would justify
in the eyes of all nations immediate war"
He did not, however, recommend an i'm
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. if il
can be honorably avoided" but in spirit
of forbearance, proposed that another de-
mand be made on Mexico for tina, redress
which had been so long and unjus,ly with
held. In these views, committees Of the
two houses Of Congress, in reports made
to their respective bodies, concurred.-
Since these proceedings more than eigh,
years have elapsed, during which, in ad-
diiion to the wrongs complained Of, others
of an aggravated character have been COM
mitted on the persons and property of our
citizens. A special agent was sent TO
Mexico in the summer Of 1898, with full
authority TO make another and final demand
for redress. The demand was made; The
Mexican government promised TO repair
the wrongs of which we complained; and
after much delay, treaty Of indemnity
with that view was concluded between the
two Powers on the eleventh of April, 1899
and was duly ratified by both governments.
By this treaty a joint commission was
created to adiudica,e and decide on the
claims of American citizens on the gov.
eminent of Mexico. The commission was
organized at Washington on the twenty
fifth day of August, 1910. The time was
limited 10 eighteen months, at the expira-
ton Of which, they had adjudicated and
decided claims amounting TO two millions
twenty.six thousand one hundred and
thirty-n nine dollars and slxty.eight cents in
favor of citizens Of the United States against
the Mexican government, leaving large
amount of claims undecided. OF the lat
ter the American commissioners had de-
cided in favor of our citizens claims a.
mounting to nine hundred and twenty
eight thousand six hundred and twenty.
seven dollars and lightweight cents, which
were left Enacted on bv the umpire au-
lhorized by the treaty. Still further claims
amounting to between three and four mil
lions of dollars. were submitted to the
board too late to be considered, and were
left undisposed Of The sum Of two mill
ions twenty-six thousand one hundred and
thirty-nine dollars and sixty-eght cents,
decided by the board, " as a liquidated and
ascertained debt due by Mexico to the
claimants, and there was no justifable rea-
son for delaying its payment according to
the terms OF the treaty. 1t was not, how
ever, paid Mexico applied for further in
diligence; and, in that spirit of liberality
and forbearance which has ever marked
the policy of the United States towards
that republic, and the request was granted;
and on the thirtieth of January, 1913, a
new treaty was concluded. BY this rea-
ty it was provided, that the interest due
on the awards in favor of claimants under
the convention Of the eleventh Of April,
1889, should be paid on the thirtie,h of
April, 1913; and that "the principal of the
said awards, and the interest arising there
on, shall be paid in five years, in equal in
stalments every three months; the said
term Of five years to commence on the
thirtieth day Of April, 1913, as aforesaid
The interest due on the thirtieth day of
April, 1913, and the three first OF the TWEEN
ty instaIments remain unpaid. Seventeen
Of these remain unpaid, seven of which
are now due.
The claims which were left undecided
by the joint commission, amounting to
more than three millions of dollars, togeth-
er with other claims for spoilatons on the
property of our citizens, were subsequent
iy presented to the Mexican government
for payment, and were so far recognized,
that treaty, providing for their examina.
ton and settlement by joint commission,
was concluded and signed at Mexico on
the twentieth day of November, ls43.--
This treaty was ratified by the United
States, with certain amendments, to which
no Just exception could have been taken;
but ut has not yet received the ratification
ofthe Mexican government. In the mean.
time, our citizens who suffered great losses,
and some of whom have been reduced
from sfiluence 10 bankruptcy. are without
remedy, unless their rights be enforced by
their government. Such continued and
unprovoked series Of wrongs could never
have been tolerated by the United States.