The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-16
For the Union.
MEXICO--No. I,

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The messages of Presidents jackson and Van
Buren,, with the mass of documents upon which
their views were formed, were referred to the Com
mittees of Foreign Relations of both houses, and
ceived from them full consideration. A copious
abstract of Of the reports of these committees
will show in what light the Legislative department of
the government regarded this subject
On the 10Th February, 1897, Mr.. Buchanan, from
the Senate committee, submitted report in which
it is, among other things, said:
"From the documents submitted to the committee
it appears that ever since the revolution of 1922
which separated Mexico from Spain, and even for
some years before, the United States have had re-
peated causes Of just complaint against the Mexican
authorities. From time to time as these insults
and injuries have occurred, demands for satisfaction
and redress have been made by our successive pub
lie ministers at the city Of Mexico, but almost all
these demands have hitherto proved unavailing."
at might have been expected that, after the date
concluded between the two republics on the 5th
April, 1881, these causes of complaint would have
ceased to exist. That treaty so clearly defines the
rights and duties Of the respective parties, that it
seemed almost impossible to misunderstood or to
mistake them. The committee, Notwithstanding,
regret to be compelled state that ali the causes of
complaint against Mexico, which have been special
ly noticed in the correspondence referred to them,
have occurred since the conclusion Of this treaty."
If the government ofthe United States were to ex-
act strict and prompt redress from Mexico, your
mittee might, with justice, recommend an immediate
resort to reprisals." The committee then
gives its "hearty assent to the sentiments contained
in the message of the President" and suggests the
propriety of pursuing the form required by the Bath
article of the treaty with Mexico in all the cases to
which it may be applicable This article provides
that, If (what indeed cannot be expected any of the
articles contained in the present treaty shall be vic.
lated infracted in any manner whatever, it is
stipulated that neither Of the parties will order
authorize any acts Of reprisal, or declare war
against the other, complaint of injuries dam
uges, until the said party considering itself Offend
ed, shall have first presented to the other statement
of such injuries or damages, verified by competent
proofs, and demanded justice and satisfaction and
the shall have been either refused or unreason-
ably delayed After such demand, should prompt
justice be refused by the Mexican government, we
may appeal to all nations, not only for the equity
and moderation with which we have acted towards
sister republic, but for the necessity which will
then compel us to seek redress for our wrongs,
either by actual war or by reprisals.''
On the Oath February, 1897 Mr. Howard, from
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the House
of Representatives, submitted report on the same
subject. 1t says, that The history of the relations
between the United States and Mexico exhibits an
unbroken succession Of good feelings, and fat as
the occasion permitted, of kind offices on the part
of the American government; following out in this,
as in other respects, the disposition and wishes Of
the people. The first to recognise Mexico as an
independent power, the government of the United
States has been among the first in the unceasng
manifestation of friendship to this adjacent North
American government
"At an early period of her struggle for independ-
her flag, even at the hazard of mourning responsible
ty for this act of impartial neutrality. But the
mittec perceive with profound regret, that, on the
part of Mexico there has been along train of iniu-
ries to the American citizens and insults to the ma
tional Aag for which redress, though often promised
has seldom been obtained. This omission has
doubtless proceeded, in great measure, from the
unsettled condition Of the Mexican government, the
numerous and radical changes which have prevent
ed fixed policy from being pursued in its foreign
affairs But the committee believe that il has also
sprung, in part from knowledge of the form Of
our government, and the limited power of its ex-
ecutive branch"
After corroborating this conclusion by referring to
cases in which other powers under whose nstitu-
tons the Executive could more promptly and eff
GENTLY assert the national honor and rights, had
been more successful in obtaining redress for hefn-
juries which they had sustained; and that in our own
case, when reparaton for an insult required by
the commander Of naval force, assurance was given
that the Mexican functonary who had perpetrated
the outrage, had been removed from his post, and
promises made that the subject should be invcstl-
gated and the culpable parties punished, yet as soon
as the squadron had departed from the Mexican
Shores the displaced officer recalled into SER