The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-12-06


attempted by the Mexican forces, oar squadron in
the gulf was ordered to operate with the army
But though our nrmy and navy were placed in n po-
sition IN Jefnnh and tho rights Of Texas,
they were ordered nil act Of hostility n
gainst Mexico unless she declared war, her
self the aggrossor nv striking tho first blow.
Texas has declared her Independence, aud main
inned Il 10y her nrn4 for more thnn nine ycnrs, Size
has had an Organized government in successful oper
alton during that period, Her separate eXistGnCe,
mn independent State, had been recognized hy tho
United SnteE md tho principal powers Of Europe
Treaties Of commerce and Navigation had been con.
cnded with her by different nations, aud it bad hH-
como manifest Ia tho whole world TINT amy farther 1T
tempt on the part Of Mexico conquer her. or over.
throw her government, would be vain. Even Mexico
herself had become satisfied Nf this fact; md whilst
the question of annexation was pending before the
people OF Texas, during the past summer the govern
munt OF Mexico hy n formal act agreed 10 recognizes
7 the Independence Of TcXls on condition that she
would not annex herself 10 amy other Power. Tho
agreement To acknowledge tho independence Of Texas
whether with without This condition, is exclusive
against Mexico. The independence of Texas is fact
conceded lay Mexico herself, and she had TO right or
authority To prescribe restrictions rs 10 The form of
gov rnuent which Texas might afterwards choose to
assume
But though Mexico cannot complain or the United
Suites on account Of the annexation Of Trxra il is In
tie regretted that serious of misunde standing
between the two countries continue 10 exist, growing
ont OF unredc-Sed iojnrrs inflicted by the Mexican
authorities and people the persons md prnpe,ty oc
citizens Of the United Stncs. through long serie. of
years. Mexico mas admitted ihosr in arics but she
has neglected to repnir them Such was the chnr,c-
ter o tho wrongs, aud such tho insults ropeutcly OIL
cred 10 American citizens and tho American g,1 by
Mexico, IN palpHh,e violation Of the lave or nations
and the treaty between the two countries of the fhh
of April, 1881, that they have been repeatedly
brought 10 the notice oiongrcss nv my nredscessors
As early ~ the 9Th Of February 1897 the Presiden.
OF The tnted states declared in message 10 Com
gross, that the length or time since some of the in u
res have been committed, tho repeated and unnynl-
ing applications for redress the wnntc1 ch.roct.r oc
some OF the oarnges upon The persons and property
OF our ciIizens, upon the officers and flag Of the Irn
tea STATES, independent ofrecent insults TO this roy
eminent and people by the late Extraordinary NJeS
minister, would Justify in The eyes OF ali notions
immediate war" lie did not however, recommend
m Immediate re~nrt 10 the extreme measure which
he declared, Should not he used hy st and roner-
nniinns confding in their strength for iniurics
committed If it rnn he hut ho1nrlby avoided: bu in
spirit OF fnhearnncc, prnpnsed tat nnOther demand
be made on MeN'co for thar redress which has been
long and unjpstly withheld IN tIsse views com.
mNtecs The two houses Of Congress- in reports
made to their respective hodios, concurred Since
these proceedings than c9h years have elapsed
during which. in addition to the wrongs compnined
o., others Of mn aggravated character have been com
nlted on the persons and property Of our citizens
special ngru' was sent To Mexico in tho summer of
1888. with foil authority to make another md fnnl
demand for redress. Tho demand was made; the
MrNtcnn government promised 20 repair the wrongs
of which we complained; and after much delay Il
treaty ol Indemnity with that view concluded he
tween the two powers on tho lth Of Ami 1929 and
was daily r1iiird hy 10th governments By mi.
treaty a lint commission crented 10 udiadica,e
and decdeNhn the claims Of American citizens on the
government Of Mexico. The commission was organ.
Zed az Washington the 25ih OF Aug IslD. Their
time WINS limited To eighteen months Mt tho g,nirn
ton Of which they had adudicatcd and decided claims
amounting To two millions twenty six thousand one
hundred and thirty Hnn dollars aud sixty eight cent?
~ favor Of riznns Of the United States naninst the
Mexican Government, leaving large amount Of
claims undecided. or the latter the American com
missioner had derided in favor OF our citizens Claims
amounting TO 1923 ,627,2S, which was left rn1rtcd
on by the umpire nuthorizod by the treaty. Still
further claims, amounting In between three and four
millions of dollars. wcrH submitted 10 tho hoard
ton late to he considered and were lrt undisposed
Of
The sum nf two millions twenty six thousand one
hundred and thirty nine dollars and Sixty p,ht CENTS
decided by the board liqniaied and ascertain.
cd debt dnc by Mexico TO The claimants and there (
was lusIfahe season for DELAYING IT. payment nc.
cordng 10 h" terms Of the treaty II was not how.
ever paid Mexico applied for further indulgencr;nud
in Tint spirit Of hernly and fnrhearanrc which has
ever marked the policy OF the United Sra:as towards /
that republic the request was granted; and on the
3Oth Of Jan 1913, new treaty was concluded By
this treaty II was provided that the interest due on
the awards in favor of claimants under the oo.van.
ton Of the lIth Of April, $50, should he paid on
the 3Oth or April 1913; and that te principal of the
said awards ami the interest arising thereon shall be
paid in five years in equal in>talments every three
months; the said term Of five years to commence on
the 3 nh Of April, 1913 rs aforesaid The interest
duo on the 30th day Of Npr lS43, and the three
first of the twenty iustaments, have been pnid -
Seventeen Of these instruments remained unpaid sew
en- Of which now due.
The claims which left undecided by tho inin,
amounting 10 more than three million Of
dollars. together with other claims for spoilaons on
the property citizens subsequently present.
ed 10 the Mexican FOR payment and were
20 far recognized that treaty, providing for their
examination and settlement by Joint commissions
was conluded and signed Mt Mexico, on the 2Oih day
nf November, 1913 This treaty ratified by the
United states, with certain amendments to which no
Just exception could have been taken hut il has not
yet received the ratification Of the Mexican Govern
nen In the meantime, citizens who suffered
great nsses, and some Of whom have been reduced
from ailluence to bankruptcy, without remedy un-
less their rights he enforced by their governmnnt-
Such continued and unprovoked series Of wrongs
rond never have been tolerated by the United States
had they been committed by one of the prinri.
pa! nations Of Europe Mexico was, however,
sister republic, which following our ex-
imple had achieved her Independ and for whose