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

coasts Of Mexico for many weeks, without any hos.
tile movement on her part, though her menaces
were continued deemed it important to put an end
il possible, TO this state Of things With this view,
| caused steps to be taken, 10 the month Of Sep
TENDER last, to ascertain distinctly, and in an au'
then,ic FORM what the designs Of tho Mexican gov
eminent were whether it was their intention TO
declare war, or invade Texas, or whether they were
disposed TO adjust and settle, in an amicable manner,
the pending differences between the two countries.
On the ninth OF November an official answer was
received, that the Mexican government consented
to renew the diplomatic relations which had been
suspended in March last and for that purpose were
willing to accredit minister from the United States.
With sincere desire to preserve peace, and re-
store relations of good understanding between the
two republics, waved all ceremony as to the man.
ner Of renewing diplomatic intercourse between
them; and, assuming the initiative, on the tenth Of
November distinguished citizen of Louisiana was
appointed Envoy Extraordinary and MnislSr Peni-
potentary to Mexico, clothed with full powers to
adjust, and definlvely settle. all pending dferen-
ces between the two countries, including those Of
boundary between Mexico and the State Of Texas
The minister appointed has set out on his mission,
and is probably by this time near the Mexican cap.
al. He has been instructed to bring the negota-
ton with which he is charged to conclusion at the
earliest practicable period which, II is expected,
will he in time to enable me to communicate The
result to Congress during the present session. I'm.
til that result is known, ! orbear 10 recommend to
Congress such uteror measures of redress for the
wrongs and injuries we have so long borne, as it
would have been proper to make had no such nego-
tiaton been instituted.
Congress appropriated at the last session the sum
of two hundred and seventy five thousand dollars
for the payment of the April and July insaInens Of
the Mexican ndemntes for the year 1874: "Pro-
vded It shall be ascertained to the satisfaction Of
the American government that the said nstalmenis
have been paid BY the Mexican government To the
agent appointed by the United States to receive the
same in such manner as to discharge all claim on
the Mexican government, and said agent to be de.
linquent in renting the money to the United
States"
The unsettled state of our relations with Mex-
CO has involved this subject in much mystery. The
first information, in an athentc FORM from the agent
of the United States, appointed under The admins
tration of my predecessor was received at the State
Department on the ninth of November last. This
is contained in letter dated the l7lh October, ad.
dressed by him to of citizens then in Mexi.
CO, with the view of having it communicated to
that department. From this it appears that the
agent, on the 10Th Of September, 1874, gave re.
ceipt to the treasury of Mexico for the amount Of
the April and July instruments Of tho indemnity. In
the same communication, however, he asserts that
he had not received single dollar in cash, but that
he holds such securities as warranted him at the
time in giving the receipt and enteriains no doubt
but that he will eventually obtain the money. AZ
thes, instruments appear never to have been actu.
ally paid by the government OF Mexico 10 the agent,
and as that government has not therefore been re.
leased So AS to discharge the claim, ] do not feel
myself warranted in directing payment TO be made
To the caImap,s out of The treasury, without furI
Their legislation Their case Is undoubtedly one Of
mach hardship and it remains for Congress TO de-
eide whether any, and what, relief ought to be
granted TO hem. Our minister to Mexico has been
instructed 10 ascertain the facts of the case from
the Mexican government. IN an authentic and ON.
ciai form, and repor; the result with as little delay
as possible.
Ny attention was early directed to the negotiation
which, on the fourth Of VI irch last found pending al
Washington between the United States and Great Brit
AIM the subject OF The Oregon territory Three sew.
era attempts had been previously made To settle the qes
tons in dispute between the Two COUNTLESS by negoia
ton, upon the principle Of compromise: but each had
proved unsuccessful.
These negotiations took place at London in the years
1875 1924 and 1926 the two first under The adminstra-
ton of Mr. Monroe and the last under that of Mr. Adams.
The negotiation of 1918 having failed accomplish its
object, resulted in the convention of the twentieth of
October OF that year. BY the third article of that con-
venton, 1t was agreed that any country that may be
claimed by either party on the northwest coast of Amer
lea, westward Of the Stony mountains shall, together
with its harbors bays and creeks and the navigation of
all rivers within the same be free and open for the term
of ten years from the date of the signature OF the pre-
sent convention to the vessels citizens snd subjeets Of
the Two Powers; il being well understood thai this a.
greement Is not TO be construed TO the prejudice Of any
claim which either of the two high contracting parties
may have any part Of the said country nor shall be
taken affect the claims Of any other Power state
any part Of the said couny the only object of the high
contracting parties in that respect beng prevent dis.
pules and differences among themselves"
The negotiation of 1924 productive of no result
and the convention of 1918 was left unchanged.
The negotiation of 1876, having also failed 10 effect
of August the 1927 by which was agreed TO
tnue in force, for indefinite PERIOD the provisions
the third article Of the convention Of the 2Oh Of October
1878; and II further provided that shall be
peien however, TO either OF the contracting parties IL
case either should think fit any time after the 20tn
October 1923 giving due notice of twelve months to
al v.
conventions and II SHALL In such case be accordingly
trey annuled and abrogated after the expiration Of The
said term of service In these attempts to adjust the
controversy the parallel of forty ninth degree Of n0rtt
latitude had been offered by the United States to Grca
of the free navigation Of The Columbia rive
south Of ha, latitude. The parallel of the forty ninth
degree, from the Rocky mountains to its intersection
the northea branch of the Coumba and thence
down the channel of thai river to the had been Of
fered by Great Britain, with an addition Of small de
atched territory north Of the Columbia Each of thes
propositions had been rejected by the parties respective
In October ls43 the Envoy extraordinary and Minis
ter Plenipoenliary of the United states In London
authorised make similar offer those made In ls
and 1926. Thus stood the question: when the negotiation
shortly Afterwards transferred TO Washington; and
the twenty-third OF August 1914, was formerly open
en-, under the direction Of my immediate predecessor
Like all the previous negotiations It was based upol
principles of lis COMPROMISED" and the avowed purpos
of the parties to treat of the respective claims
the two countries to the Oregon territory with the vie,
to establish permanent boundary between them west
ward Of The Rocky mountains to the Pacific ocean" Ac
cordngly, the twenty sixth of August, 1874 the B,
ish pleRipotenary offered divide the Oregon terrific
ry by the 4sth pareel Of north latitude from the Rock
mountains 10 the point OF intersection with the northeast
ermost branch of The Columbia river, and thence dow
that river 10 The sea; leaving the free navigation Of IN
river TO be enjoyed in common by both parties the cour
try south Of this line TO belong TO the United States
that north of II to Great Britain Al the same time
proposed in addition to yield to the United saies d.
ached territory, north Of the Columbia extending alon
the Pacific and the straits of Fuca from the Bul6nch
harbor inclusive Hoods canal, and make free to
states any port or ports south Of latitude - degree
which they might DESIRE either on the main land. or
Quadra and Vancouvers island. With the excepio
Of the tree ports this tbs offer which had bee
made by the British, and rejected BY the American Co
enmen In the negous,ion Of 1926 This proposition
properly rejected on the day 1t submitted. This
the only proposition Of compromise offered BY the Bris
plenipoteniiary, The proposition the part Of Gre
Britain having been rejected the British penpo,en,lsI
requested that proposal should be made BY the Uni,s
states for an equitable adjustment Of the question"
When came into office, found this to be the sta
Of the negotiation. Though entertaining the settled
vction, that the British pTeienons Of title could not