Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1845-12-17


never have cause to regret that she has united her
lone star to our glorious constellation.
.Merican NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. rene,ced.
regret to inform you that our relations with Mex
leo, since last years session, have not been of an
cabe character which it is our desire to cultivate
with all foreign nations. On the ct day ofMarch last
the Mexican envoy extraordinary and minister plen-
potentiary to the United States made formal protest
In the name of his government, against the joint
luton passed by Congress, '.for the annexation of
Texas to the United States which he chose to con-
slider as violation of the rights of Mexico, and in
consequence he demanded his passports. He in
formed that the government fthe United States did
not consider this joint resolution as violation of any
of the rights of Mexico, that it afforded any Just
cause of offence to his government; that the republic
of Texas was an Independent Power, owing no allie
glance to Mexico, and constituting no part of her
territory rightful sovereignty and jurisdiction.
| He also assured that it the sincere desire
| of this government to maintain with that of Mexico
relations of peace and good understanding. That
functonary, however, notwithstanding these repre-
sensations and assurances, abruptly terminated his
mission, and shortly afterwards left the country
Our envoy extraordinary and minister plenpotentia-
ry to Mexico refused all official intercourse with
that government and after remaining several months
by the permission of her government he return
ed to the United States. Thus by the acts of Mexi-
CO, all diplomatic intercourse between the two
| tries was suspended.
Since that time Mexico has, until recently, occu-
pied attitude Of hostility towards the UnitedStates
has been marshalling and organising armies, issu-
ing prcclamations, and avowing her intention to make
war the United States, either by open declara-
ton or by invading Texas. Both the Congress and
the convention of the people of Texas invited this
government to send an army into that territory, to
protect them against the menaced attack. The mo-
ment the terms of annexation, offered by the United
States, were accepted Texas became far part OF
country, as to make it our duty to afford this
protection.
! therefore deemed it necessary to order a strong
squadron to the coast of Mexico, and to concentrate
an efficient military force on the western frontier oil
Texas. Our army was ordered to take position be-
tween the Nueces and the Del Norte, and repel any
invasion which might be attempted by the Mexican
forces. Our squadron in the gulf was ordered to
operate with the army. Our Army and Navy, how
ever, ordered to commit no act of hostility against
Mexico, unless she declared war, or was herself the
aggressor. The result is, that Mexico has made nc
aggressive movement, and our commanders have Sc
dscreetly executed their orders, that the peace Of
the two republics, has not been disturbed.
Texas had declared her independence, and maintain
ed it by her arms, for then nine years. She
has had an organized government in operation during
that time. Her independence had been recognized
by the United States and the principal powers of En-
rope. Treaties of commerce and navigation had been
concluded with her by different nations, and it was
manifest to the world that further attempts on the
part of Mexico, to conquer overthrow her govern
ment, were vain. Mexico herself had become sat.
sed of this aud during the past summer, while the
question of annexation was pending, by formal act
agreed to recognize the independence of Texas or
condition that she would annex herself to no Other
Power This agreement, with or without the con-
dton, is conclusive against Mexico herself, and she
had right authority to prescribe restrictions az
to the form of government which Texas might after
wards choose or assume.
But though Mexico cannot complain of the United
States on account of theannexaton of Texas it is tc
be regretted that serious of misunderstanding
between the two countries continue to exist, grow.
ing out of the unredressed injuries inflicted by the
Mexican authorities on the persons and property O.
our citizens, through long series years. Mex
CO has acknowledged these injuries, but has negec
ted and refused to repair them. Such was the char
acter of the wrongs and such the insult repeated,
offered to citizens and flag by Mexico in violation
of the laws of nations and the treaty of the 9Th Apr
| 1881, that they have been repeatedly brought be-
fore Congress by my predecessors. As early as thu
9Th of Feb 1897 the President of the United States
declared, in his message to congress, hat the length
of time since of the injuries have been commit.
ted, the repeated and unayaing applications for re
dress, the wantCn character OF some of the outrage
upon the persons and property of citizens upoI
the officers and flag of the United States, ndepen
dent of recent Insults to this government by the lat
extraor binary Minister would Justify in the ewes
all nations, immediate war;" He did not, however
recommend a resort to this extreme measure, which
he declared should not be used by just and generous
nations confdng in their strength if it can be hon
orably avoded butt in a spirit of forbearance propo
sed that another demandb be made on Mexico for tha
redress which had been so long and so unustly witt
held. In these views committees of both houses O
Congress concurred. More than eight years hav,
since elapsed; during which, in addition to the wrong
then complained of, others of an aggravated charac
ter have been committed. A special agent was sen
to Mexico in the summer of 1888, with full authority
to make another and final demand of redress. TIL,
demand was made; the Mexican government prem
ised to repair the wrongs of which we complained
and after much delay, treaty of indemnity with
view to this, was concluded between the two powers
on the 18th of April 1889, and duly ratified by
both governments. BY this treaty, joint commits
sion was created to adjudicate and decide on tn,
claims of American citizens the Gov. of Mexico
/ The commission was organized at Washington OF
the 18th day of August, 1S40. Their time was linn
tied to eighteen months; at the expiration of which
they had adjudicated and decided claims amounting
to two millions twenty six thousand one hundred AMI
thirty mine dollars and sixty-eight cents in favor
citizens of the United States against the Mexican
government, leaving large amount of claims undec
ded. On the latter the American commissioner haC
decided In favor of our citizens, claims amounting te
nine hundred and twenty EIGHT thousand six hundred
and twenty seven dollars and eighty eight cents
which were left Enacted by the umpire authorized
In the treaty. Still further claims amounting to be-
tween three and four millions of dollars, which were
submitted to the board too late to be considered
were left undisposed of. The sum of two millions
Ixl-.-