Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-12-12

UNDERSTANDING
Notwithstanding these representations and assuran-
COS abruptlv terminated his mission, and shortly
afterwards left the country. Our envoy ex'raord''
nary and minister Parliamentary to Mexico was
refused all official intercourse with that government
and after remaining several months by the permls.
sion of his own government he returned to the U.
States. Thus, BY the acts Of Mexico. all diplomats
ic intercourse beiwt the two countries was shs.
pended.
pied an attitude of hostility towards the United
States-has been marshallingand organizing armies,
issuing procamations, and avowng the intention to
make war on the United States either by an open
declaration, or by invading Texas. Both the Con.
gress and convention Of the people OF Texas invited
this government to send an army into that territory
to protect and defend them against the menaced at
tack. The moment the terms Of annexation, ofer'
ed by the United States, we're accepted ny Iexas'
the latter became so far a part OF our own1ountry.
as 10 make it duty to afford such protection and
defence. | therefore deemed ii proper, as pre-.
cautonary measure, to order strong squadron to
the coasts of Mexico and to concentrate an efficient
military force OH the western frontier of Texas
Our army ordered to lake position in the coun-
try between the Nueces and the Del Norte and TO
repel any invasion of the Texan territory which
might be attempted bv the Mexican forces. Our
squadron in the gulf was ordered to cooperate with
the army. But though our army aud navy were
placed IN position to defend our own and the rights
Of Texas, they were ordered TO commit no act OF
herself the aggressor, by striking the hrst
blow The result has been that Mexico has made
no aggressive movements and our military ana
naval commanders have executed their orders with
such discretion, that the peace OF the two republics
has not been disturbed.
Texas had declared her independence, and maintained
it by her arms for than nine years. She has nae
organized government in successful operation during
that period. Her separate exsance as an independent
State has been recognized by the United States and the
principal Powers of Europe. Treaties OF commerce ana
dhppn concluded different
tons and had become manifest 70 the whole word mat
any further attempt the part of Mexico to conquer e
overthrow her government would be vain Even
Mexico herself had become satisfied oil this TACT; ana
whilst the question of annexation was pending before 'he
people Texas during the past SUMMER the government
of Mexico by formal act agreed TO recognize the nde-
pendence of Texas condition that she would not annex
eye the Independence of Texas whether with without
Thu condition. is conclusive against Mexico The nde-
pendence of Texas fact conceded by Mexico herself
and she had right authority to prescribe restrictions
as to the form Of government which Texas might alter
wards choose TO assume. . 49,,
States account of the annexation OF Texas IS to be
regretted that serious causes misunderstanding between
the continue 10 exist growing out OF unre
dressed injuries inflicted by the Mexican authorizes ana
people the persons and property of citizens OF the UNI
ted States, through long series OF years Mexico hnd
repair them Such was the character of the wrongs and
such the insults repeatedly offered American citizens
and the American flag by the Mexcans palpabe viola
ton oihe laws onaons AMI the treaty between the TWO
countries of the fifth Of April 1891 that they have been
decessos A. early the eighth Of February 1884, the
President Of the Ini,ed States doola,s !" Y-snae g.
Congress- that the length OF time since snnesy he ru.
ries have been committed the repeated and unavane
pcatons for redress the character Of some OF the
upo" he oees AMI nj aa Of the United States nepen-
dent Of recent insults 10 this government and people by
the late Extraordinary Mexican Minister would isfy IN
the eyes of oil nations immediate war;
| He did not, however, recommend an immediate resort
TO this measure, which, he declared SHOULD not
be used by jus, and generous nations conhdmg IN Their
strength for injuries committed II can be honoably avo
ded !; but IN spt oil iotbearanct, proposed 'hh, a,
been long and unjustly withheld. In these views com
m'tees of the Houses of Congress in reports made TO
their respective bodies concurred Since these proceed
ngs, than eight years have eap,ed, during which,
in addition TO the wrongs then complained Of others OF an
aggravated character have been committed the
and property of citizens. special agent sent 10
Mexico in the summer of 1885, with ull authority 10 make
another and final demand for redress. The demand
made the Mexican government promised to repair the
wrongs of which we complained and after much delay
treaty Of indemnity with that view was concuded he
tween the two Powers the 18th of April, 1899, and
was duly ratified by both governments by nus treaty
Joint commission created to audcnte and decide on
the claims of American citizens the government OF
Mexico The commission was organized al Washington
on the 25th day of August, 1870 Their time was limited
toeghteen months; at the expiration OF which, they had
adjudicaed and decided claims amounting two million
tweny-sx thousand one hundred and thirty nine dollars
STATES against the MEXICAN government leaving Il large
of claims undecided Or the latter, the American
comni sinners had decided in favor OF our CIT zens claims
amounting nine hundred and twenty-eight thousand
hundred and twenty dollars and eighty eight
cents, which left Enacted by the umpire author
lied by the treaty. Still further CLAIMS, amounting 10
between three and four millions Of dollars were submitted
the board late to be considered, and were left I'M
The sum of two millions twenty. six thousand hun
dred and thirty dollars and sxty.eeh cents decided
by the board, was hquidaed and asceralned del due
by Mexico the claimants. and there unsuitable
for delaying its payment according to the terms o.
the treaty. 1t was not however paid. Mexico applied
for further indulgence; and in that spirit OF lberaty and
forearance which ha. marked the policy OF the Uni
ted States towards that republic the request was granted
and the thirteenth OF January l643 new treaty was
concluded. By this treaty provided that the inter
est due on the awards IN favor OF under the con-
the thirteenth Of Apr ls4 and that The principal Of The
said awards and the interest arising thereon shall be pat
in five years in equal insalmens every three months h
said term Of five years to on the thirteenth da,
OF April, lsi3, as aforesaid The interest due on thu
thirteenth day of April lsi3 and the three first install
menis have been paid Seventeen Of these instalmeni
remain unpaid seven Of which are now due
The claims which we left undecided by the join
commission, amounting to more than three million
OF dol airs, together with other claims for spollaton
on the property of our citizens, were subsequently
presented to the Mexican government for payment
and were SO far recognized, that tretiy, providing
for their examination and settlement by joint com
mission, was concluded and signed at Mexico Of
the twentieth day Of November, l643. This trea
ty was ratified by the United States, with certain
amendments, to which no just exception could hav
been taken but it has not yet received the raiica
ton Of the Mexican government In the mean
time, our citizens who suffered great losses, an
some of whom have been reduced from affiuenc
to bankruptcy, are without remedy, unless the
rights be enforced by their government. Such
continued and unprovoked series OF wrongs coul
never have been tolerated by the United States
had they been committed by one OF the principa
nations Of Europe. Mexico was, however, neigh
boring sister republic, which, following our exam
pie, had achieved her independence, and for who's
success and prosperity all our symps,hies were ea'
ly enlisted The United States were the first
recognize her independence, and 10 receive her int
the family of nations, and have ever been desirou
of cultivatng with her good understanding. w
have therefore. borne the repeated wrongs she hi
| committed, with great patience, in the hope that
returning sense Of justice would ultimately gulo
her councils, and that might ii possible, honor
bly, avoid any hostile collision with her,
| Wiihnnt the nrayious authority of Congress, u