The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-15

In the prosecution Of the suggestion with which
our last number closed, it will perhaps be found
most expedient and convenient to place in iuxtapo
ston some of the passages in which our most dstin-
guished public functionaries have exhibited their
views of the general conduct of Mexico in her rcla-
tons with the United States, and then to produce,
somewhat in detail, the facts and circumstances
upon which those opinions were formed In both
of these branches of discussion, we feel ourselves
encountered with the mass of materie which lies
before us; and being driven to make selection from
the cumbrous heap, we shall necessarily be forced
to leave half the story Of our wrongs untold.
Although not the first in time, yet, from its COM
prehensive summary of the facts which had pre-
coded and occasoned it, we shall commence our
lection with the special message from President
Jackson to Congress on the 9th February, 1887,
Oath Congress, ID session, House document No.
1879. In this paper, the President informs Congress
that he had been disappointed in the hope he had
entertained Of bringing our claims upon Mexico to
an amicable adjustment by the exercise of great
forbearance. He then proceeds: "Having in vain
urged upon that government the justice of those
claims, and my indsputable obligation to insist that
there should be no further delay in the acknowl-
edgment, if not in the redress, of the injuries
planned of, my duty requires that the whole
subject should be presented, it now is, for the
action of Congress, whose exclusive right it is
to decide on the further measures of redress
to be employed. The length of time since some
of the injuries have been oommitted-the re-
peated and unavailing applications for redress-the
wanton character of some of the outrages upon the
property and persons of our citizens-upon the Of
fcers and flag of the United States independent Of
recent insults to this government and people by the
late extraordinary Mexican minister, would justify,
in the eyes Of nations immediate war. That REM
edy, however, should not be used by just and gen.
nations, confding in their strength for injuries
committed, if it can be honoraby avoided; and it
has occurred to me, that, considering the present
embarrassed condition Of that country, we should
act with both wisdom and moderation, by giving
Mexico one more opportunity to atone for the past
before take redress into our own hands. To
avoid all misconcepton on the part of Mexico, as
well to protect our own national character from
reproach, this opportunity should be given with the
avowed design and full preparation to take immedi-
ate satisfaction, if it should not be obtained on
repetition Of the demand for it."
President Van Buren,, in his message of Decem-
Der 5, 1887, thus adverts again to the subject The
aggravatng circumstances connected with our claims
upon Mexico, and variety of events touching the
honor and integrity of our government, led my pre-
decessor to make, at the second session of the last
Congress, special recommendation of the course
to be pursued to obtain speedy and final satisfac
ton of the injuries complained of by this govern
ment and by our citizens. He recommended final
demand of redress, with competent authority to
the Executive to make reprisas, if that demand
should be made in vain. From the proceedings of
Congress on that recommendation, it appeared
that the opinions of both Houses of the legislature
conceded with that of the Executive that any mode
of redress known to the law of nations might jus-
fably be used"
After stating what had occurred in the interim,
he observes: ~ regret, therefore, the more deeply
to have found, in the recent communications of that
government, SO little reason to hope that any future
efforts of mine for the accomplishment of those de-
sirable objects, would be successful. Although the
larger number, and many Of them aggravated cases
Of personal wrongs have been now for years before
the Mexican government, and some of the causes
of national complaint, and those of the most often
sve character, admitted of immediate simple, and
satisfactory replies, it is only within few days
past that any specific communication in answer to
last demand, made FIVE months ago, has been re-
ceived from the Mexican minister. BY the report
Of the Secretary Of State herewith presented, and
the accompanying documents, it will be seen that
for not one of our public complaints has satisfaction
been given offered; that but one of the cases of
personal wrong has been favorably considered; and
that but four cases Of both descriptions, out of all
those formally presented and earnestly pressed,
have, as yet, been decided upon by the Mexican
government" In concluding his remarks upon the
subject, Mr. Van Buren,, after drawing the attention
of Congress to the demand which, under its sane
ton, had been made, and referring to the docu.
ments communicated to show with what little sue
cess, says: "On careful and deliberate examina-
ton of their contents, and considering the spirit
manifested by the Mexican government, it has be.
come my painful duty to return the subject as it
now stands to Congress, to whom it belongs to de-
eide upon the time, the mode, and the measure of
redress.'~
The report of the Secretary Of State, accompany
ing this message, furnishes more detailed narra-
tive of the progress and state of the controversies
between the two governments The summary
which he gives in the concluding part of this paper
is sufficiently condensed and impressive to require
full quotation. "The relations of the United States
and Mexico, as they now stand, are theses The de-
mand of the United States for justice for past niu-
ries has been made in conformity with the treaty
between the two nations; but apparently no public
complaint has been examined by the Mexican gov
eminent, except the conduct of Mr.. Gorostiza. The
printing and distribution of his offensive pamphlet
is approved by his government, comfortable to
what was required by its dignity and interests.
"To the other demands of public nature, which
existed at the adjournment of the last annual session
Of Congress, after five months delay, no answer has
been given. On three cases of private claims, pro-
scented for final answer, answers have been given