The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-01-02
MEXICAN INsULTs-MExIcAN WRONGS


There is now due to our citizens under the
Treaty with Mexico half million of dollars.
Not only has Mexico failed to pay the last three
instruments 1.-THE periods they respectively be-
came due, but she has acted with perfdy, and
lnsuied our country by stating, through her
Minister of Foreign Affairs, that two of those
instruments had been paid on given day,
which had no foundation in fact, and when not
single dollar had been paid.
Is such conduct as this to be tolerated? And
# so, how long2 Taxation and protection ac-
company each other. The citizens who con-
tribute 10 the support of Government, have
right to claim from that Government protection
both for person and property. liza foreign Gov
eminent despoils such citizen of his properly, it
is the duty of his own Government to inter-
pose and exert its power to obtain redress.
Mexico has acknowledged certain amosnt
of money 10 be due to tho Government of The
United States, TO be paid to certain of her cti-
zens. Mexico has paid portion of that debt
according to treaty agreement. But she has
neglected to pay other portions Of it when they
became due, and gives no satisfaction for such
omission. There is every reason to suppose
that she will continue to disregard her engage
ments, and to withhold the paymen, of the
large sums due to our citizens, so long as we
submit quietly and placidly to the insult and
wrong.
1t will no doubt be in the recollection of most
Of
course. She, under the solemn stipulations of
treaty, acknowledged a certainSsum of money
to be due to American citizens, and engaged to
pay it at stated periods. She disregarded her
engagements, and failed to make any appropra-
lions TO carry out the provisions of the treaty..
And she added insult to injury by refus sing to
give any satisfaction for the violation of the
treaty to our Government. 1t was not until she
was taught that We should maintain our charac-
ter and exact our rights, that France consented
to do us justice after the mediation of England
had been rendered
When General Jackson found that negotia-
ton was useless, he gave utterance of his opin-
ions and feelings in the following language Of
"Therc is but one point in the controversy, and
upon that the whole civilized world must pronounce
France to be in the wrong. We insist that she shall
pay us sum of money, which she has acknowledged
10 be DUE and of the justice of this demand there
can be but one opinion among mankind"
Again, he said:
&, " 1t is my conviction that the United States ought
10 insist prompt execution OF the treaty. and in
ho rain Aala 10
into their hands, Alter the delay on the part of
France for quarter of a century in acknowledging
these claims by treaty. 1t is not to be tolerated that
another quarter Of century is to be wasted in nego
tating about the payment. The laws of nations pro-
vide remedy for such OCCASIONS II is a well set
tied principle OF the international code, that where
one nation owes another liquidatcd debt, which it
refuses or negects to pay, the aggrieved party may
seize on the property belonging to the other its Cit.
zens or subjects sufficient to pay the debt, without
giving just cause of This remedy has been re-
peatedy resorted to- and recently by France herself
towards Portugal under circumstances less question
able"
The time at which resort should be had to
this or any other mode of redress, is point to
be decided by Congress. He concludes:
% recommend that law be passed authorizing re-
prsas on French property provision rhali not
be made for the payment Of the debt the approach
ing session Of the French Chambers"
France saw that we were in earnest, and
would no longer be triaes! with. SO did Eng
land The money was forthwith paid in gold
After having brought one Of the greatest and
most powerful nations of Europe to fulfil her
and pay TO our citizens the money
being due them, shall we permit Mexico to trne
with us, and withhold the debt she owes to
American ci,izens7 We hope not. We re-
,eat what we said short time since. Let Con
yress, by Joint Resolution, authorize the Exec
itive TO employ portion of our Navy in insti
utng rigid blockade of the Ports of Vera
Cruz and Tampico, and we venture the pre-
LECTION that, in sixty days, the whole balance
II the indemnify, whether due or not, will be
orthcoming. But we consider that the whole
$ due; Mexico having failed to pay as aipua-
ed in the treaty.
From the calls for information in relation to
his msa,.r, tina, have recently been made in
on Houses Of Congress, we are NOT vsshos,