Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-12-05

lOICc on tne w eSte(n UOutleT Ol ltAdS. Out OIL
my was ordered 10 take position in The county
between the Nueces and The Del Norte, and 10
repel any invasion of the Texan territory which
might be attempted by the Mexican forces Our
squadron in tie Gull was ordered 10 cooperate
with The army. But though our army and navy
were placed in position 10 defend our own, and
the rights OF Texas they were ordered TO commit
no act OF hostility against Mexico, unless she de-
cared war, or was herself The aggressor BY slr-
king the first blow The result has been, that
Mexico has made no aggressive movement, and
our military and naval commanders have execu-
ted their orders with such discretion, that the
peace Of the Two republics has not been disturbed.
Texas had declared her independence, and
maintained il by her arms for more than nine
years She has had an organized government in
successful operation during that period Her Sc
parate existence, as an independent Stale, had
been recognized by the United States and the
principal powers of Europe. Treaties Of CON-
merce and navigation had been concluded with
her by different nations, and il had become ma
niiest 10 the whole world that any further attempt
on the part CT Mexico, TO conquer her, or over
throw her government would be vain. Even
Mexico herself had become satisfied of this fact
and whilst the question Of annexation was pend
ing before the people of Texas, during the pas
sumner the government of Mexico, BY formal
act, agreed to recognize the independence of Tex
as on condition that she would rot annex herself
10 any other power The agreement 10 acknow
ledge the independence Of Texas, whether with OF
without this condition, is conclusive against Mex
leo. The Independence Of Texas is fact conce
ded BY Mexico herself, and she had no RICH, Oh
authority to prescribe restrictions as 10 the form
Of government which Texas might aflerward.
choose 10 assume.
But, though Mexico cannot complain Of the
United States On account OF The Annexation o
Texas il is TO be regretted that serious causes o
misunderstanding between the two countries con
tnue 10 exist, growing ont of unredressed injurie:
inflicted by The Mexican authorities and people or
the persons and property Of citizens OF the United
States, through long series OF years. Mexico
has admitted these injuries, but has neglected ana
refused TO repair them. Such was The character
of the wrongs, and such The insults repeatedly o.
fered TO American citizens and Inc American
flag by Mexico, in palpabe violation OF The laws
of nations and the treaty between The Two coun-
tries of The fifth Of April, 1881 that they have
been repeatedly brought 10 the notice OF Congress
by nv predecessors As early as the eighth OF
February, 1887 the President OF the U. States de-
clared in a message to Congress, that "the length
Of time since some OF the injuries have been
committed, the repeated and unavaling applica-
lions for redress, the wanlon character of some
Of The outrages upon the persons and properly OF
our citizens, upon the officers and flag OF The U.
States, independent OF recent insults 10 this Gov
eminent and people BY Inc late Extraordinary
Mexican Minister would Justify, in The eyes Of all
nations, immediate war; He did not however
recommend an immediate resort 10 this extreme
measure, which he declared SHOULD not be used
by just and generous nations, conhding in their
strength for injuries committed il il can be homo
rabv avoided" but, in a spirit Of torbearance,
proposed that another demand be made on Mex
leo for that redress which had been so long and
uniustly withheld In these views, commit
tees Of the two Houses OF Congress, in reports
made TO their respective bodies, concuned. Since
these proceedings, more than eight years have
elapsed, during which, in addition 10 the wrongs
then complained Of, Others Of an aggravated cha
racter have been committed on The persons and
property of our citizens. special agent was sent
to Mexico in the summer of 1898, with full
authority 10 make another and final demand for
redress. The demand was made; the Mexican
Government promised 10 repair the wrongs Of
which We complained and alter much delay a
treaty Of indemnify with that view was con-
cluded between the two powers on the ll,h OF
April, 1889, and was duly ratified by both Go
vernments. By this treaty joint commission
YVES created 10 adjudicate and decide on the
claims of American citizens on the Government
of Mexico The commission was organized al
Washington on the 18th day of August, 1910.
Their time was limited 10 eighteen months; al
the expiration Of which, they had adjudica'cd
and decided claims amounting to Two millions
twenty-six thousand one hundred and thiTty-nine
dollars and sixty-eisht cents in favor OF citi
zens of the United States against the Mexican
Government leaving large amount OF claims
undecided. OF The latter, the American commits
sioners had decided in favor OF our citizens;
claims amounting TO nine hundred and twenty
eight thousand six hundred and twenty-seven
dollars and lightweight cents, which were lett un-
acted on by the umpire authorised by The trea-
ty. Still further claims, amounting TO between
three and four millions of dollars, were submit
ted to the board too late TO be considered and were
left undisposed of. The sum of two millions
twenty.si1 thousand one hundred and thirty
dollars and sixty-eight cents decided by the
board, was liquidated and ascerlained deb, due
by Mexico TO the claimants, aud there was no JUS
tifiable reason for delaying lis payment accord
ing TO the terms of the treaty. It was not, howe
yer, paid. Mexico applied for further indulgence,
and in that spirit Of liberality and forbearance
which has ever marked the policy OF the United
States towards that Republic, The request was
granted; and, on The ihirtielh day Of January,
lS43 new treaty was concluded. Bythis trea-
", it was provided that the interes, due on The
awards in favor Of claimants under The conven-
lion OF The eleventh Of April 1882 should be paid
on the thrteIh of April, l843; and that 'ihe prin-
cipal of the laid awards, and the interest arising
thereon, shall 90 paid in five years, in equal in
s,alments, every three MONTHS The said term OF
five years to commence on The ihirtielh day Of
April, l843, as aforesaid" The interest due on
the ,hirlieh day of April 1913, and Inc three first
of the twenty instalmeDls, have been paid. Seven
teen Of these insIalmenis remain unpaid, seven OF
which are dow due.
The claims which were left undecided By the
Joint commission, amounting 10 more Than three
millions OF dollars, together with other claims Tor
spolia,ions on the property of our citizens, were
subsequently presented 10 the Mexican Govern
ment for payment, and were SO far recognized,
that Treaty, providing for their examinations
settlement by joint commission, was concluded,
and signed at Mexico on The twentieth day OF No
vember, l843. This Treaty was ratified by the
United States with certain amendments, To which
no Just exception could have been taken; but il
has not yet received the ratification of the Mexi-
can Government. In the meantime, our citizens
who suffered great losses, and some Of whom have
been reduced from affluepce to bankruptcy, are
without remedy, unless their rights be enforced by
their Government Such 4 continued and uBpro-
yoked series Of wrongs could never have been
tolerated by the United States, had they been
committed by one Of the principal nations of
Europe. Mexico was however neighboring
sister Republic, which, following our example,
had achieved her independence, and for whose
success and prosperity all our sympalhies were
early enlisted. The United States were the first
10 recognise her independence, and 70 receive her
into the family OF nations, aud have ever been
DESTROYS of cultiyaling with her good under
standing. We have, therefore, horne The repeat
ed wrongs she has committed with great patience,
in lts nope that returning sense of justice would
ultimately guide her councils, and thai We might,
il possible, honorably avoid any hostile collision
with her.
Without the previous authority of Congress,
The Executive possessed. 10 power to adopt or
enforce adequate remedies for the injuries We had
suffered, or 10 do more than be prepared 10 repel
The threatened aggression on the part OF Mexico.
Alter our army and navy had remained on the
frontier and coasts Of Mexico tor many weeks,
wihou, any hostile movement on herpar though
her menaces were continued, deemed it import
ant to put an end, If possible, 10 this state of
things With This view, caused steps 10 be la