Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-12-11
by the acts of Mexico all diplomatic intercourse
hefRean the two conntries wns snsnended

tentlon TO make war on the United states, either
by an open declaration or by invading Texas
Both the Congress and Convention of the people
Of Texas invited the Government to send an army
into that territory, to protect and defend them a.
gainst the menaced attack. The moment the
terms of annexation, offered BY the United States,
were accep ed by Texas, the latter became So far
a part of our own country, as 10 make IT our duty
to afford such protection and defence. therefore
deemed it proper precautionary measure, to
order a strong squadron to the coast Of Mexico,
and 10 concentrate efficient military force the
western frontier of Texas. Our army was ordered
10 take position in the country between the Nueces
and the Del Norte, and to repel any invasion of
the Texan territory which might be attempted by
the Mexican forces. Our squadron in the gulf was
ordered to cooperate with the army But though
our army and navy were placed in position TO de-
fend our own, and the rights of Texas, they were
ordered to commit act of hostility ag inst Mex
leo, unless she declared war, or herself the
aggressor by striking the first blow The result
! has been, that Mexico has made aggressive
movement, and our military and naval command
ers have executed their orders with such discre-
ton, that the peace of the two republics has not
! been disturbed
Texas had declared her independence, and main
tanned it by her arms for than nine years
She has had organised government in successful
operation during that period Her separate exist
tence, an independent State, had been recOgn-
ofEurope, Treaties of commerce and navigation
had been concluded with her by different nations,
and it had become manifest TO the whole world
that any further attempt on the part of Mexico TO
conquer her, or overthrow her government, would
be vain. Even Mexico herself had become satisii-
ed of this fact and whilst the question Of annexa-
ton pending before the people of Texas, du-
ring the past summer, the government of Mexico
by formal act, agreed to recognise the lndepend-
ence Of Texas condition that she would not
mex herself to any other Power. The agreement 10
acknowledge the independence of Texas, whether
with or without this condition, is conclusive against
Mexico. The independence of Texas is fact con-
coded by Mexico herself and she had no right or
authority to prescribe restrictions 10 the form OF
government which Texas might afterwards choose
TO assume.
But though Mexico cannot complain of the u
'nited States account Of the annexation Of Tex
as, it is to be regretted that serious Of mis-
understanding between the two countries continue
to exist, growing out of unredressed injuries nflct-
ed by the Mexican authorities and people on the
persons and property of citizens of the United
States, through long seres 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 offered
to American citizens and the American flag by Mex
leo, in palpable violation of the laws of nations
and the treaty between the two countries of the
fifth of April, 1881, that they have been repeated
ly brought to the notice of Congress by my prede-
cessors As early as the eighth Of February, 1887,
the President of the United States declared, in n
message to Congress, that " the length Of time
since some of the injuries have been committed,
the repeated and unavang applications for re-
dress, the wanton character Of some of the Outra-
ges upon the persons and property of our citizens,
upon the officers and flag of the United States, in
dependent Of recent insults to this government and
people by the late Extraordinary Mexican minis
ter, would Justify in the eyes of all nations immedi-
ate war" He did not however, recommend
immediate resort 10 this extreme measure, which,
he declared, &c should not be used by Just and gen.
nations, confding in their strength for nju-
res committed, if it can be honorably avoided p
but in spirit of forbearance, proposed that that
another demand be made on Mexico for that re-
dress which had been so long and unustly with
held. In these views committees of the two
Houses OF Congress, in reports made to their re-
spectlye bodes concurred, Since these proceed
ings more than eight years have elapsed, during
which in addition to the wrongs then complained
Of others Of an aggravated character have been
committed on the persons and property OF our cit
liens. A special agent was sent to Mexico in the
summer of 1888, with full authority to make anoth
er and final demand for redress. The demand was
made the Mexican government promised TO repair
the wrongs Of which complained and after
much delay, treaty of indemnity with that view
concluded between the two Powers on the
eleventh of April, 1889, and was duly ratified by
both governments BY this treaty Joint commits
sion created to adjudicate and decide on the
claims of American citizens The government of
Mexico. The commission organized at Wash
ington, on the tweny-6(th day of August, 1870
Their time was limited to eighteen months at the
expiration of which, they had adjudcated and de-
cided claims amounting to two millions twcnty-slx
thousand one hundred and thirty nine dollars and
sixty-eght cents in favor of citizens Of the United
States against the Mexican government, leaving
large amount of claims undecided OF the latter,
the American commissioners had decided in favor
Of our citizens, claims amounting to nine hundred
and twenty eight thousand six hundred and twenty
dollars and eighy-eight cents. which were
left Enacted on by the umpire authorised by the
treaty Still further claims, amounting to be-
tween three and four millions of dollars were sub
mted TO the bolrd too late to be considered, and
were left undisposed Of The sum of two millions
twenty-six thousand one hundred and thrty-nne
dollars and sixtyeght cents, decided by the board,
liquid itcd and ascerained debt due by Mex
leo TO the claimants, and there was no lustlhable
reason for delaying its payment according to the
terms ofthe treaty. 1t was not, however, paid
Mexico applied for further indulgence and, in
that spirit ofliberaty and forbearonce which has
ever marked the policy of the United States to-
wards that Republic, the request was granted
and on the hrtieh Of January, lS43, new treaty
concluded. BY this treaty it was provided,
that the interest due on the awards in favor of
claimants under the convention Of the eleventh of
April, 1889, should be paid on the thirtioth of
April, I843 and that /" the principal Of the said
awards, and the interest arising thereon, shall be
paid in five years, in equal instalments every three
months the said term of five years to commence
on tho thirteth day Of April, 1s43, as aforesaid"
The interest due the thirtieth day Of April, lS43,
and the three first of the twenty instalments, have
been paid. Seventeen Of these instruments remain
unpaid, seven of which now due.
The claims which were left undecided by the
joint commission, amounting to more than three
millions of dollars, together with other claims for
spoliatons on the property of our citizens were
subsequently presented TO the Mexican government
for payment, and were so far recognised, that
treaty. providing for their examination and settle
ment by a joint commission, was concluded and
signed at Mexico on the twentieth day of Novcm-
Der, ls43. This treaty was ratified by the United
States with certain amendments, to which no just
exception could have been taken but it has not
yet received the ratification Of the Mexican govern
ment In the meantime, our citizens who suffered
great losses and some Of whom have been reduced
from afluence to bankruptcy, are without remedy,
unless their rights be enforced by their govern
ment. Such n continual and unprovoked series of