Mobile register and journal., 1845-12-12

lhe people ol teNts, dtfihg Uhe last shhntfs He government of MexCd, bya formal act. agreed to recognise the independence of Texas on condition thai she would not annex sell 10 other pow CT Tine agreement to acknowledge the independence ol Texas, whether vith or without Ihis condition, is conclusive against Mexico. The independence ni Texas is faci conceded hy Mexico herself, and ,le had right authority tu prescribe restrictions as tns he form of government which Texas might alter wards chose Co assume.
 But though Mexico cannot complain of the Unit ed States account of the annexation of Texas, Il to be regrelte that the serious ul nsun- lerstanding between the two countries continue lO exist, growing out ofunredre essed injurieS inflicted by the Mexican authorities and people on tie per- and property of citizens of inc United States, through q lung series, of years. Mexico has admit ted hese injuries, hut has neglected and refused To repair them. Such was the character Of Ihe wrongs and such the insults repeatedly offered 10 American citizens and the American flag by Mexico, ln palpa- be violation of the laws of nations aud the treaty between the two countries of the Ih oi April, 1851 that they have been repeatedly brought to the notice of congress by my predecessots. As early as the eighth oi February, 1884, the President o the United States declared, in message 10 congress, that Nthe length of time since some u the injuries have been committed, the repeated and unaVaiiins applications for redress, tue wanon character ol some of iie Ontrages upon the persons aud property ot our cli- zens, upon he officers and flag ofthe United States, independent of recent insults to thls government and pfOplc Dg lIe Nle ENtfaufdlHaTT would justify in the eyes of all nations imIaedate war; lie did not however, recommend an immedi- ate res0r tO this extreme measure, whi oh he ecar ed should not be used by just and generous nations. conidng in their sfensth for injuries committed, Il il can be hunorably av0ided;' but, m il spirit Of for bearance, proposed that another demand be made un Mexico for the redress which lad been so long and unjuslly withheld. Ih these views, tcommitees ol the two Houses of Congress-, in reHors made 10 their respective bodies ctncurred. Since these pro- ceedngs more than eight Aeais have elapsed, du- ring which, in addition to the wrongs then complain ed of, others of an aggtavated character have been committed Ihe persons and property of our cii- sens. A specwl agent sent to Mexico in the sumlner of 1888. with full authority make another aud final demand for redress The demand was made; the Mexican government promised 10 repair the wrong of which we complained and after much delay a'Ireaiy of indemnity with that view con cIuIed between the two powers OH the eleventh oi April, 1859, and wns duly ratified by both govern mens. By this treaty joint committee was created to aduhlcaie and decide on the claims of American citizens on the government of Mexico. The ctnmis- sion was organized at Washington Ihe twenty fifth day of August, lSl0 Ther time was limited 10 eighieen mouths; at the expiration of which, they had adudicated and decided claims amounting to two millions twenty six thousand one hundred and hrty-niae dollars and sixty eight cents in favor o citizens of the United States against the Mexican government. leaving large amount of claims unde- cided. or he latter, the American commissioners had decided in favor of our citizens, claims amount
 ing to nine hundred and twenty-eight thousa d six hundred and twenty seven dollars and eighty cents which were left unacIed on by ihe umpire authoriz- ed by the treaty. Still imtheS claims amounting tG between three nnd four millions Of dollars sub mitied to the board too late to be considered; and were left undisposed of. The of two millions tweny-six thousand one hundred and ihiriy-nlne dollars and sxty- -ghi csnis. decided by the board was a liqudattd and ascerlamed debt due by MtXi to the claimants, and there was no jusl6abie req for delaying it's pay nent according 10 the terms of the treaty. It was not however, paid Mexico ap- piled for further indulgence; and, m that spirit al hberality and forhearance which has mark e
 the rolicy of the United States towards that repuh.
 lie, the request granted; on the thirtetb of Jan uary, l843, treaty was concluded. By lhis treaty il was provided that the interest due the awards m favor of claimants under the convention Of the eleventh of April 1889, should be pad the lhrteth of April, lS43; and that 'lhe principal o the said awards, and the interest arising thereon shall be pad in five years, i'll equal instalments eve " three months; the said term Of five years 10 com mence un the thirleth day of April ISI3, as atore said.' The interest due on the thirieh day ol April, 1S4S and the three first of the twenty insal ments have been paid. Seventeen ot these install ments remain unpaid, seven of which are now due.
 The claims which were left undecided by ihe joint commi ssOn, amounting 10 more than three mil lions o dollars, together with other claims for spoil utons the property of our citizens, were subse- quently prt scnled to the Mexican government fol payment, and were ED far recognized that treaty providing for their examination and settlement by joint commission, was concluded and signed al Mex Ico on the twentieth day of November. lS4S. This treaty was ratified by the United States, with cer lain amendments 10 which no just exception coulC have been taken, but il has not yet received the rat
 fcation of the Mexican government. In the mean IIIne, our citizens who suffered great losses, and of whom have been reduced from affluence to h,n sInia be enforced by their government Such continued and unprovoked series of wrongs could never have been tolerated by the United States, had they been committed by of the principal nations of Europe Mexico was however, neighboring sister republic which following example, had achieved her n- dependence, and ioi whose success and prospert, all our sympathies were early enlisted. The United States the first to recognize her independence and to receive her into tue family of nations, and have been desirous of culiiyatng with her q good understanding We have, therefore, borne the repeated wrongs she has committed, with great patience, m the hope that returning sen of jus tIce would ultimately guide her councils, and thai we might, if possible, honorebly avoid any hostile collision with her.
 Without the previous authority of congress, the Executive possessed power to adopt enforce adequate remedies for the injuries had suffered or to do more than be prepared 10 repel the threat ened aggression on the part of Mexico. After our urmy and navy had remained on the frontier and coasts of Mexico for many weeks, without any hos tile movement her part, though her nenaces were continued, l deemed II important 10 put end, fl possible, to this state of things. With this view, l caused steps to be taken in the month of September last, to ascertain distinctly, and in an auihe ni c form, what the desgns of the Mexican government were; whether it was their intention 10 declare war invade Texas, or whether they were disposed to adjust and settle. in an amcable manner, lhe pend- ing differences between he two countries. On ihe nj mi oI Nuvpmder ed. that the Mexican government consented 10 renew the diplomatic relations which had been suspended in March last; and for that purpose were willing 10 &C., c edit minister from the United States. With d sincere desire 10 preserve peace, and restore rela- tions of gooG understanding between the two rrpub- lies, waived all ceremony to the manner oi re- newing diplomatic intercourse between them; and assuming the initiative, on lhe tenth of November a distinguished citizen o Louisiana was appoint ed en- voy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to Mexico, cloIhed with full powers adjust and def- nilively settle all pending differences between the two countries, including those of boundary between Mexico and the State of Texas. The minister ap- pointed has set out on his mission, and is probably ny this time near the Mexican capital He has been instructed to bring the negotiation with whic, he is charged to conclusion al the earliest practicable perod which, t is expected, will be in time 10 en. able 10 communicate the result 10 congress dr- ring the present session. Until that result is known forhear To recommend to congress such ulterior measures orredress for the wrongs and injuries we have so long borne, if would have been proper to make, had no such negotiation been instituted.
 Congress appropriated, al the last session, the sum of two hundred and seyenly-ive thousand dollars for the payment of the April and July insislnenis of the Mexican ndemnties for the year fSl4: Provided it shall be ascertaned the satisfaction of the rican government that said instalments have hesn paid by the Mexican government 10 the agent ap. pointed by the United States to receive the same,