The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-25
For the Union.
For the Union.
MEXICO AGAINST THE UNITED STATES
No. g..


have obtained from foreign governments compensa-
ton for wrongs inflicted upon our citizens. The
most important of these those of France, Spain,
Naples, and Denmark In reference to each and
all of these, the relations of amy had been reestab-
shed between the respective powers before these
matters were adjusted. Spain, Naples, and Dem
mark were called upon to atone for injuries which
had been perpetrated when the nation itself,
within whose borders they had been commit
ted, was subjected TO foreign sway. Nor
ally, the nation, under these circumstances, was
innocent of the wrong. A superior and con-
trolling authority had done the acts complained
regime was re-estabshed, was called upon to re-
dress injuries which they had no hand in perpetra-
ting, and which they would most gladly have pre-
vented. Bya yell-settled principle of public law,
however, the responsibility had attached; but every
consideration required that it should be enforced
eniently as possible.
After an examination by our own functionaries of
the grounds Of complaint, definite sum was fixed
upon, which it was agreed to accept as full atone
ment for these INJURIES thus vcariously to be salts
fed by an innocent party. Commissioners APP
pointed by the United States investigated the claims,
and distributed the money among those whom they
adjudged to be entitled to receive it, In regard to
Spain, the sum thus apportioned was the amount
which the United States agreed pay for the transfer
of Florida. The same principle was adopted in the
adjustment of our claims upon France. The gov
eminent carefully collected the evidence showing
the nature and amount Of the losses which had
been sustained by its citizens; adjusted with France
the legal points, so as to show what particular
classes Of cases were provided for, and what we're
cxcluded received gross sum in liquidation Of the
whole and submitted the distribution to board of
its own citizens. This last class Of was, in
every respect, compromise between the govern
ments
II is well understood that the administration which
made the arrangement with Mexico, under which
mixed commission was created, adopted that
measure with the greatest reluctance. II was IN a
manner forced upon them by powerful par
ty in Congress, who were unwilling to place in
the hands of General Jackson the additional strength
which it was supposed would accrue by any war
like movement 1t encountered the serious oppo-
sition of several Of the claimants, and has proved
as they predicted, in great measure nbortive
The lessons which have been taught by our ex-
perience under that arrangement, will induce the
government seriously to pause before similar
measure shall be adopted. recurrence to some
prominent incidents which occurred in the history
of that commission will illustrate, as well the in
sincerity and bad faith of Mexico, as the cruel
injustice which was thus inflicted upon the Amer
lean claimants
n
energetic language employed by Presidents jackson
and Van Buren,, in reference to the manner IN which
Mexico had treated our demands, and the cores
ponding responses of both Houses Of Congress in
1897 and 1888, Mexico had reason to suppose that
the cup of forbearance was wellngh exhausted, and
that the United States would no longer submit to the
daily repetition Of her outrcges, and the evasions
with which every call upon her for justice was uni
formly met. Under this apprehension, she de-
spatched minister to the United States, for the os
tensibe purpose of arranging the causes Of con-
troversy. Mr. Martinez arrived in the United
States in October 1897, having left Mexico q
very short time after the PRONUNCIATION of the de-
cree Of the Mexican government of May, 1887, Sc
severely and Justly commented on by the Commit.
tee of Foreign Relations, in July, 1888 1t clearly
appears from these facts that while, on the one
hand, the Executive and Congress of Mexico were
| procaiming at home that the United States were
| the offending party whose continued expressions
must be met by prohibition Of commercial inter
course. and even more hostile measures, the same
government was apparently yielding to the impor-
,una,e demands Of the United States, and sending
minister for the single purpose Of making arrange
| L.I aI
more papable evidence of nsincerity and duplici'
Nv can with difficulty be conceived. 1t was, how,
ever only characteristic Of oil that followed.
Although Mr.. Martinez reached Washington IN
October, 1897, and the ostensble object OF his mis-
sion was to form treaty for the adjustment of oui
complaints against his government yet 1t was mo-
until the 9th july 1898 that he received powers au
! thorizing him to conclude and sign the treaty oy
| which that object was TO be accomplished doc
o52, H. of Reps. 25th Congress, Sd sess)
These circumstances ominous of what waf
10 follow. On the 10Th September, 1888, conven
lion was signed between Mr.. Forsyth, the American
Secretary of State and the Mexican minister, ODD
n o7l The twelfth article Of this convention pro-
v;ded that the ratifcatons should be exchanged
within the period of five months from its signature
7, was duly ratified by the United States; but the
time stipulated was permitted by Mexico TO expire
without correspondent act on her part. This omis-
son was never satisfactorily explained for the pre-
tence set up, that the King Of Prussa had declined to
act as umpire, was not only most preposterous pre-
text. but no doubt now exists that it was equally
hlse. No credence was ever given to il by the
American government Thus is furnished addi-
,iona evidence of the habitua bad faith Of this ma
ton. who arroga,es to herself, in her conduct to-
wards us, an exclusive claim to fidelity TO her en-
gagements,