The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-16

American ciiixens or properly" reBHg q
In subsequent part Of this report, the committee
show that this reasonable anticipation was speedily
realized, by the arrest and imprisonment of eight
seamen attached to one of our public vessels; the
prevention of the American consul from visiting
them whilst sick and in prison, which is denounced
as an act of objectionable inhumanity; which pro-
ceedings, say the committee "appear to have pro-
ceeded from the same officer whose fictitious pun
shment, but real promotion, had been offered as an
atonement for previous insult to the American
flag"
Looking" say the committee, in continuation,
"through the catalogue of complaints which the
United States have to make against Mexico on their
own account, as the party whose dignity and honor
are assaed, the committee are unable to perceive
any proof of desire on the part of the Mexican
government to repair injury or satisfy honor. The
merchant vessels of the United States have been
fired into, her citizens attacked, and even put to
DEATH and her ships of treated with disrespect,
when paying friendly visit to port where they
had right to expect hospitality" In concluding
the report the committee observe, that they fully
with the President, that ample cause exists
for taking redress into our own hands, and believe
we should be justified in the opinion of other nations
for taking such step. But they are willing to try
the experiment of another demand, made in the
most solemn form, upon the justice Of the Mexican
government, before any further proceedings are
adopted 1t is their opinion, that diplomatic func-
tionary of the highest grade should be appointed
to bear this last appeal whose rank would indicate
the importance of his mission and the respect
in which the government to which he is accredited
held"
We have shown in preceding number, that the
Executive acted upon the recommendation Of Con-
gress in making another effort to induce Mexico
recognise the obligations of justice and of treaty sp
ulatons, and that this experiment proved fruitless
and unavaiIing. The subject again came under the
consideration of Congress the instance of the Exc
cutive, and the 7th July, 1888, the Committee on
Foreign Relations again submitted their views in
the shape ola report After recapitulating, in brief
but distinct narrative, the circumstances of the
to the termination Of the preceding Congress- the
committee proceed "to review briefly what has
since occurred Reference is made the report of
the Secretary of State already cited, for the mode
in which this demand made, and the facts which
attended and followed it, A more extraordinary de-
veopment of insncerty and bad faith, of prevarca-
ton and duplicity, was, perhaps, never exhibited.
Insults and injuries continue to occur reparaton
delayed under the most frivolous pretexts; the Mex
lean executive is shown to give statements to its
own Congress different from, and wholly ire
concileable with those made to our govern
ment, and its whole conduc. is demonstrated to
be marked by characteristics which, in private
ciety, would debar the guilty party from farther
connection with men of probity and honor.
Mr.. Gushing, member Of the committee, made
minority report, which dissens, in some respects
from the majority. He, however, "concurs in the
opinion that the Mexican government, by series
of acts part aggressive on the rights of individual
citizens Of the United States and part Immediately
affecting the national dignity and honor, and by de-
lay to make PREPARATION in the premises, has given to
the United States cause of resort to measures of
public remedy il other circumstances did not render
such course at present impotic and unjust on the
part Of this government" Mr.. Gushing perceived, in
"he prolonged ofindependence, "and Sin the civil
anarchy which accompanied and followed that war, "
apalliation irregularities which have marked the
foreign relations and diplomatic intercourse Of that
republic. He perceived further paation sin events
connected with the establishment of the indepen-
dence of Texas" Mr.. Gushing deems this, how
ever, .'no sufficient answer to the causes Of COM
plant alleged by the United States" and the rea-
son he assigns for this opinion peculiarly per-
tinent to the questions now in agitation between the
two countries. The grounds taken are these: 'be-
cause some Of the injuries sustained by us date
back anterior to the commencement of the civil war
in Texas and others Of later date are wholly in
dependent Of that fact and because, whatever rea-
son the Mexican republic may have to take umbrage
at the conduct of the citizens the government of
the United States in reference to that any other
matter, it surely behooves her to seek redress
through negotiation, other direct ways sanction
ed in the usage of Nations rather than by occasional
acts of public or private resentment"
These views are well deserving of more enlarged
discussion, have powerful bearing upon the ques.
tons now in controversy between the two nations,
and involve some Of the most important questions
in public and international law Being at presen,
limited to simple narrative of the events which
have TRANSFERRED and the views taken by those cloth
ed with public authority, the discussion of these
topics must unavoidably be deferred, and this num-
Der of our series shall conclude with the final para
graph of Mr.. Cushing's minority report:
.eThe undersigned at the same time declares tina,
if, however the shall hereafter appear and j
shall prove icontrsry to his expectations) that thu
Mexican government, not content with having per
sisted in many acts injurious to the United States
has added thereto the eggravation of procrasnating
redress by insincere and perfdious pretences of
commodation,) he shall consider it the right of The
federal governmental pursue in that event, the mos
prompt and decided measures for amply indicating
the interests and honor ofthe United States"
C.
We are indebted to Mr.. H. Winter, snuff ant
cigar dealer, Pennsylvania avenue, for specimens o
-. " l. L