Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-12-11

tivatlng with her good understanding
We have. therefore, borne the repeated
wrongs she has committed with great pa
thence, in the hope that returning sense
Of justice would ultimately guide her coun-
ellis, and that we might, If possible, hon
orsbly avoid any hostile collision with he r.
Without the previous authority of Con-
gress. the Executive possesses no power
TO adopt or enforce adequate remedies for
the injuries we had suffered, or to do more
than be prepared TO repel the threatened
aggression or the part of Mexico. After
our army and navy had remained on the
frontier and coats of Mexico for many
weeks. without any hostile movement on
her part. though her menaces were con-
tinued, / deemed il important 10 put an
end, If possible, TO this state of things.
With this view. l caused steps to be taken.
in the month Of September last. to ascer.
tain distinctly. and in an authentic form,
what the designs Of the Mexican govern
msnt were; whether il was their inten-
lion TO declare war. or invade Texas. or
whether they were disposed to adjust and
settle. in an amieable manner. the pend
ing differences between the two countries.
On the ninth Of November an Official an
swer was received, that the Mexican gov
eminent consented to renew the diplomat
ic relations which had been suspended in
March last, and for that purpose were viii.
ling to accredit minister from the Uni
ted States. With sincere desire to pre-.
serve peace. and restore relations Of good
understanding between the two republics.
| waived all ceremony ~ 10 tho manner Of
renewing diplomatic intercourse between
them; and. assuming the initiative. on
the tenth Of November distinguished cit
izen Of Louisiana was appointed Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plen;potsn-
tisry TO Mexico. clothed with full powers
to adjust, and definitely settle. oil pending
differences between the two countries. in
GLIDING those Of boundary between Mex
leo and the State Of Texas. The minis
ter appointed set out on his mission, and
is probably by this time near the Mexican
capital. He has been instructed 10 bring
the negotiation with which he is charged
to a conclusion at the earliest practicable
period which, it is expected, will be in
time TO enable me 10 communicate the re.
suit to Congress during the present ses-
sion Until that result is known, for
bear to recommend to Congiass such ute
rior messures Of redress for the wrongs and
injuries we have long borne, as it would
have been proper to make had no such
negotiation been Instituted.
Congress appropriated, at the last ses-
sion, the sum of two hundred and seven
ty-fve thousand dollars for the payment
of the April and July instalments Of the
Mexican indemnities for the year 1874:
provided il shall be ascertained 10 the
satisfaction Of the American government
that said irstalments have been paid by
the Mexican government TO the agent APP
pointed 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 delinquent in renting
the money to the United States"
The unsettled state of our relations with
Mexico has involved this subject in much
mystery. The first information, in au-
thentic form, from the agent of the Uni
ted States, appointed under the admins
traton of my predecessor, was received
at the State Department on the ninth of
November last. This is contained in a
letter, dated the seventeenth of October,
addressed by him 10 one Of our citizens
then in Mexico, with the view Of having
it communicated 10 that Department.
From this it appears that the agent on
the twentieth of September, lS4f, gave
receipt to the treasury of Mexico for
the April and July instruments of the in
demnity. In the same communication,
however he asserts that he had not re-
ceived single dollar in cash but that
he holds such securities as warranted him
at the time in giving the receipt and en-
tertains no doubt but that he will evenlu-
ally obtain the money. As these install
ments appear never TO have been actual
ly paid by the government OF Mexico to
the agent, and as that government has
not therefore been released so as TO dis
charge the claim, | do not feel myself
warranted in directing payment TO be
made TO the claimants out of the treasury
without further legislation. Their case is,
undoubtedly, one of much hardship; and
il remains for Congress to decide whether
any, and what, relief ought 10 be granted
to them. Our minister TO Mexico has
been instructed to ascertain the facts Of
the case from the Mexican government,
in an authentic and official form, and re-
port the result with as little delay as pos
sible.
My attention was early directed to the
negotiation, which, on the 4th OF March
last, found pending at Washington be-
tween the U. States and Great Britain, on
the subject of the Oregon territory
Three several attempts had been previ-
ously made to settle the question in dis
pute between the two countries. by ne
COLLATION., upon the principle Of compro-
mise but each had proved unsuccessful.
These negotiations took place at Lon
don, in the years 1918. 1924. and 1926 /;
the two 6rst under the administration Of
Mr.. Monroe, and the last under that OF
Mr.. Adams. The negotiation Of 1878
having failed to accomplish its object. 70.
suited in the convention Of the twentieth
Of October Of that year. BY the third ar
ticle of that convention, II was agreed,
that any country that may be claimed BY
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