The New York herald., 1845-12-03


two countreS was suspended.
Since that time Mexico has, until recently, occu-
pied an attitude OF hostility towards the United
States-has been marshalling and organizing armies,
issuing proclamatlons and avowing the intention to
make war on the United States, either by an open
declaration, or by invading Texas. Both the Con.
gress and Convention OF the people OF Texas invited
this Government TO send an army into that terrific
ry, TO protect and defend them against the menaced
attack. The moment the terms OF annexation, Of
fered by the United States, accepted by Texas,
the latter became SO tar part OF our own country,
as to make It our duty to afford such protection and
defence. therefore deemed 1t proper, ns precau-
tionary measure, to order strong squadron to the
coasts OF Mexico, and to concentrate IN efficient mi
lltary force on the western frontier OF Texas Our
army was ordered to take position IN the country
between the Nueces and the Del Norte, ard 10 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 po-
stion to defend our own and the rights OF Texas
they were ordered to commit no act OF hostility
against Mexico, unless she declared war, or was
herself the aggressor by striking the first blow. The
result has been that Mexico has made no aggressive
movement, and our military and naval commanders
have executed their orders with such discretion
that the peace OF the two republics has not been dis
turhed.
Texas had declared her independence, and main
tanned 1t by her arms for than nine years She
has had an organized government in successful
operation during that period Her separate exis
tence, as an independent State, had been recognised
by the United States and the principal powers OF
Europe. 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 herse had become satisfied of this
fact; and whilst the question of annexation was
pending before the people OF Texas, during the past
summer, the government OF Mexico by formal act,
agreed to recognise the independence of Texas on
condition tnat she wonld not annex herself to any
other Power. The agreement to acknowledge the
independence OF Texas, whether with or without
this condition, IS conclusive against Mexico. The
independence of Texas is fact conceded by Mexi-
co herself, and she had right authority to pre-
scribe restrictions as to the form OF government
which Texas might afterwards choose to assume.
But though Mexico cannot complain of the Uni
ted States on account of the annexation OF Texas,
it is to be regretted that serious causes OF msun-
derstanding between the two countries continue to
exist, growing out OF unredressed injuries inflicted
by the Mexican authorities and people on the per-
cons and properly OF citizens Of the United States
through a long series OF years. Mexico has admit
ted these injuries, but has neglected and 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 Mexico, IN pal
pable violation of the laws OF nations and the treaty
between the two countries of the fifth of April,
1881, that they have been repeatedly brought to the
notice OF Congress by my predecessors As early
as the eighth of February, 1887, the President OF
the United States declared in a message to Con
gress, that "the length of time since some of the
Injuries have been committed, the repeated and
availlng applications for redress, the wanton cha
racter OF OF the outrages upon the persons and
property of our citizens upon the officers and flag
OF the United States, independent of recent insults
to this government and people by the late Extraordi
nary Mexican minister, would justify in the eyes oi
all nations, immediate war" He did not, however
recommend an immediate resort to this extreme
measure, which he declared, "should not be used
by just and generous nations, confiding In their
tnrTo tod rs ho
bly, avoided;" but, in spirit of forbearance, pro
| poeed that smother demand be made on Mexico 70,
that redress which had been so long and un
Justly withheld La these views, committees o.
the two Houses OF Congress, in reports made Il
lhelr respective bodies, concurred Since thes.
proceedings more than eight years have clap
sed, during which, III addition to the wrongs thei
complained OF, others OF aggravated characie
have been committed on the persans and property o
our citizens. special agent was sent to Mexico
IN the summer OF 1893, with full authority to make
| another and final demand tor redress. The demand
WAS made the Mexican government promised Il
| repair the wrongs Of which we complained ant
after much delay, treaty of indemnify with tina
| view, was concluded between the two Powers OF
the llth OF April, lS39 and duly ratified by poti
governments. BY this treaty a joint commission
was created to adudicate and decide on the claims
| OF American citizens on the government of Mexico
The commission was organized at Washington OF
| the twenty-iifth day Of August, 1910. Their time
was limited to eighteen months at the expiration
| OF which, they had adjudicated and decided claims
| amounting to two millions twenty six thousand one
hundred and thirtynne dollars and sxtyeight cent
IN favor OF citizens of the United States, against tn.
Mexican government, leaving large amount o
claims undecided. of the latter, the American
commissioners had decided in favor OF citizens
claims amounting 10 nine hundred and twenty -eieh
thousand SIX hundred and tweniy.seven dollars ant
eighty eight cents, which were lett unaced on b.
| The umpire authorized by the treaty. Still furJhc
claims, amounting to between three and four mil
OF dollars, were submitted TO the board too late t.
be considered, and were left undspo ,ed of The sun
Of two millions twenty-slx thousand one hundred anc
| thiIty-nne dollars aud sixty. eight cents decided
| by the board, was liqudated aud ascerained deb
due by Mexico to The claimants, and there was nj
ustlable reason for delaying lts payment according
| 10 the terms of the treaty. 1t was not, however
| paid Mexico applied tor further indulgence and
IN that spirit of llberaty and forbearance which has
ever marked the policy OF the United States towards
that republic, the request was granted and, the
thlrtIeh OF January, lS43, new treaty was conclu
| ded by this treaty, II was provided that the in
teres due on the awards in favor of claimants un.
| der the convention OF the eleventh of April 1899
should be paid on the thrtleth OF April 1913 and
that "the principal Of the said awards and the in
erest arising thereon, shall be paid in five years, in
equal instalmens every three months the said term
| OF five years to commence on the thlrteth day o.
April, 1913, aforesaid" The interest due on the
thirtieh day OF April, 1913, and the three first o
the twenty instalments, have been paid. Seventeen
| OF these instruments remain unpaid, seven of which
are now due.
Inc CLAIMS WHICH were itlt unueclueu by the
JOINT commission, amounting to more than three
millions OF dollars, together with other claims for
spollatlons on the property Of our citizens, were
subsequently presented to the Mexican government
tor payment, and were SO far recognised that a
treaty providing for their examination and settle
ment by JOINT commission, was concluded and
signed at Mexico on the twentieth day of Novem-
ber, 1913. This treaty was ratified by the United
States, with certain amendments, to which no just
exception could have been taken; but il has not yel
received the ratification Of the Mexican govern
ment In the mean time our citizens who suffered
great losses, and some of whom have been re-
dtced from affluence 10 bankruptcy, are without
medy, unless their rights be enforced by their go
vernment. Such continued and unprovoked se-
rles 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, nelghborng sister republic, which
following our example, had achieved her indepen-
dence, and tor whose success and prosperity all
onr sympaihies were early enlisted. The