Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-12-12
COP, o0a coUnTav,s AND LIBERTY.

but. in, 2 spirit of .fotBearance, propnsed. .hsa
another demand be made on MexicosEor that
redress which had been so long and unjustly
withheld. In these views, committees ofts1e
two houses OF. Congress, in, reports made to
thelr~ respective bodies. conenrred. Since
these proceedings, more than eight years have
elapsed, during which, in additions to the
wrongs then complained of, others Of an ag-
grayated character have been committed on
the persons and property of our citizens. A
special agent was sent to Mexico in the suns
mer OF 1888, with full authority to make ano-
ther and final demand for redress. The de-
|mand swas made; the Mexican government
promised to repair the wrongs of which we
Explained; and after much delay, treaty of
lndesn nifty with that view was concluded be-
tween tk,stwo Powers on the Ilth of April,
1889, ana was duly ratified by both govern
ments. By this treaty joint commission
was created to adjudieate and decide on the
claims of American citizens on the govern
ment of Mexico. The commission was Or
ganzed at Washington on the twenty-6flh
day of August, 1910. Their time was limited
to eighteen months, at the expiration of which,
they had adjuaicatsd and decided claims a.
mounting to two millions twenty-six thousand
one hundred and thirty mine dollars and sixty
eight cents, in favor of citizens of the United
States against the Mexican government. leav-
ing large amount of claims undecided Of
the latter, the American commissioners had
decided in favor Of our citizens, claims "a
fmounting to nine hundred and twenty-eight
thousand six hundred and twenty-seven dol
lars and lightweight cents, which were left
Enacted on by the umpire authorized by the
treaty. Stll further claims, amounting to be-
tween three and four millions of dollars, were
submitted 10 the board too late to be consider
led, and were left unoisposed of. The sum OF
two millions twenty-six thousand one hun
dred and thirty-nine dollars and six:y-eight
cents, decided by the board, was liqui1ated
and ascertained debt due by Mexico to the
claimants, and there was no justfable reason
for delaying its payment, according to the
terms of the treaty. II was not, however,
paid. Mexico applied for further indulgence;
and, in that spirit of iberalty and foybelrance
which has ever marked the policy of the uni
ted States towards that republic, the request
was granted; and, on the thirtieth of January,
lS43, new treaty was 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 thirtieth of April, 1913;
and that "the principal of the said awards,
and the interest arising thereon, shall be paid
lE five years, in equal instruments every three
months; the said :erm Of five years to COM
mence on the thirtieth day of April, ls43, as
aforesaid" The interest due on the thrteth
day of April, l843, and the three first of the
twenty instalments, have been paid. Seven
teen of these instalments remain unpaid, sew
en- Of which are 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 spolatIons 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 settlement by a joint
commission, was concluded and signed at
Mexico on the twentieth day Of November.
1913. 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 government. In the meantime, our
citizens who suffered great losses, and some
of whom have been reduced from affluence to
bankruptcy, are without remedy, unless their
rights be enforced by their government. Such
could never have been tolerated by the United
States, had they been commlttedby one of the
principal nations of Europe. Mexico was.
however, neighbofng sister republic, which,
following our example, had achieved her in
dependence, and for whose success and pros
perity. all our sympathies were early enlisted.
The United States We're the first to recognize
her independence, and to receive her into the
e.. r doc
of cultivating with her good understanding.
We have, therefore, bornathe repeated wrongs
she has committed, with great patience, in the
hope that returning sense OF justice would
ultimately guide her councils, and that we
might, if possible. honorably avoid any hos
tile collision with her. 81
Without the previous authority of Congress.
the Executive possessed no power to adopt OF
enforce adequate remedies for the injuries we
had suffered, or to do more than be prepared
to repel the threatened aggression on the part
of Mexico. After our army and navy had re-
manned on the frontier and coasts of Mexico
FOR many weeks, without any hostile move
ment on her part, though her menaces were
continued, deemed it important to put an
end, if possible, to this state of things. With
this view, caused steps to be taken, in the
month OF September last, TO ascertain distinct
", and in an authentic form, what the designs
Of the Mexican government were; whether it
was their intention to declare war, or invade
Texas, or whether they were disposed to adj
lust and settle, in an amicable manner, the
pending differences between the two countries.
On the unth of November, an official answer
was received, that the Mexican government
consented to renew the diplomatic relations
which had been suspended in March last, and
for that purpose were willing 10 accredit min
lister from the United States. With sincere de-
sire to preserve peace, and restore relations OF
good understanding between the two repub-
lies, waived all ceremony as to the manner
of renewing diplomatic intercourse between
them; and. assuming the initiative, on the
tenth of November, distinguished citizen of
Louisiana was appointed Envoy Extraordina-
Dioniootonfiarv n Mexico.