Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-12-11

government to maintain with that Of Mexico re.
lations oil peace and good understanding. That
tuncuonary, however, notwithstanding these rep
RESERVATIONS and assurances, abruptly terminated
ms mission, and shortly afterwards left the coun-
Try. Our Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
r'enipotentiary to Mexico was refused all Off
ciai Intercourse with that government and after
remaining several months, by the permission of
his own government, he returned to the United
States: Thus, by the acts Of Mexico, all diplo-
matte intercourse betweenthe two countries was
suspended.
Since that time Mexico has, until recently, &C.
cupled an attitude of hostility towards the Uni
TED Siates-has been marshalling and organizing
armies, Issuing proclamations, aud avowing the
intention TO make war on the United States, eth
et ny an open declaration, or by invading Texas.
both the Congress and convention Of the people
OF iexas invited this government to send an ar
my into their territory, to protect and defend them
against the menaced attack. The moment the
terms OF annexation, offered by the United States,
were accepted by Texas, the latter became so far
part OF our own country, as 10 make it our duty
10 afford such protection and defence. therefore
ueemed II proper, as precautionary measure, to
order strong squadron 10 the coast Of Mexico,
and to concentrate an efficient military force on the
western frontier Of Texas. Our army was ORDER
ed 10 take position in the country betwenshe Nue.
ces and the Del Norte, and to repeal any invasion
OF the Texan territory which might be attempted
!, ny the Mexican forces. Our squadron in the gulf
; was ordered 10 cooperate with the army. But
, though our army and navy were placed in posi-
tton 10 defend our own, and the rights of Texas,
, they were ordered to commit no act of hostility
against Mexico, unless she declared war, or was
herself The aggresscr by striking the first blow.
The result has been, that Mexico has made no
, aggressive movement, and our military and naval
commanders have executed their orders with such
discretion, that the peace of the two republics
: has not deem disturbed.
Texas had declared her independence, and
maintained 1t by her arms for more than nine
, years. She has had an organized government in
successful operation during that period. Her Sc
4 Para'e existence, as an independent State, had
been recognised by the United States and the prin-
y c'pal powers OF Europe. Treaties of commerce
ana navigation had been concluded with her by
- different naous, and it had become manifest to
! me whole world that any futher attempt on the
part VI MEXICO TO conquer her, overthrow her
y government, would be vain. Even Mexico her
" sell haa hecome satisfied of this fact; and whilst
- me question OF annexation was pending before
: the people OF Texas, during The past summer.
! the government OF Mexico. by formal act, a
greed to recognize the independence Of Texas,
. on condition that she would not annex herself to
any other power. The agreement TO acknow-
. ledge the independence of Texas, whether will,
or without this condition, is conclusive against
Mexico. The independence of Texas is fac,
i9h. or authority to prescribe restrictions as to
:. the form OF government which Texas might af
J forwards choose to assume,
. But though Mexico cannot complain of the u.
r. niteu states on account of the annexation oil
iexas, II Is to be regretted that serious causes OF
', misunderstanding between the two countries do
exist, growing out OF unredressed injuries inaict.
l. ca by the Mexican authorizes and people on the
', persons and property of citizens of the United
States, through long series of years. Mexico
q mas admitted these Injuries, but has neglected
ana refused to repair them. Such was the charac.
ter OF the wrongs, and such the insults repeated
il " offered TO American citizens and the American
. nag by Mexico, in papable violation of the laws
= OF nations and the treaty between the two coun-
;, tries of the fifth of April, 1891 that thew have
. been repeatedly brought to the notice of Con-
;. gress by my predecessors. AS early as the
. eighth OF February, 1887, the President of the
" United States declared, in message TO Con-
y gress that "the length of time since some of the
! injuries have been.committed, the repeated and
6 unaVa'lng applications for redress, the wanton
= character ct some of the outrages upon the per-
sons ana property OF our citizens, upon the off
, ce-s and flag OF the United States, independent
4, OF recent insults TO this government and people
: by the late Extraordinary Mexican minister,
). would justify in the eyes of all nations immed-
a'e war. lie did not, however, recommend an
Immediate resort to this extreme measure. which
he declared, "shouid not be used by Just and gem
efous nations, 'nfding in their strength, for in
Jurles committed IT 1t can be honorably avoided;"
out In spirit OF torbearance, proposed that an
: other demand be made upon Mexico for that
4 redress which had been SO long and unustly with
+ heid. In these views. committees of the two
Houses OF Congress, in reports made to their
respective bodies, concurred. Since these pro-
, ceedlngs, more than eight years have elapsed,
during which, in addition to the wrongs then
complained OF, others of an aggravated character
1 nave been committed on the persons and prop
eIty OF our citizens. special agent was sent 10
MEXICO In the summer of 1888, with full author
81 lty 10 make another and fIa demand for redress
f Inc demand was made; the Mexican govern
, ment promised to repair the wrongs of which
we complained; and after much delay, treaty.
oi indemnity with that view was concluded be-
tween the two powers on the eleventh of April,
1857, and was duly ratified by both governments.
ny thiS treaty Joint commission was created to
aoJuulcate and decide on the claims Of American
cilizens on The government of Mexico. The
commission was organized at Washington on
me 10Th day OF August, 1910. Their time was
iiihited 10 eighteen months; at the expiration Of
, which, they had adjudicated and decided claims
amounting TO two millions twenty-six thousand
: one hundred and thirty-nine dollars and sixty
: eight cents in favor of citizens of the United
States against the Mexican government. LEAVING
, large amount ofclaims undecided. Ofthe lat
ter, the American commissioners had decided i'm
favor OF our citizens, claims amounting to nine
hundred and twenty-eight thousand six hundred
ana twen'y'seven dollars and eighty eight cents,
which were left un-acted on by the umpire au-
'hohzed oy the treaty. Still further claims, a.
: mounting TO betwoen three and four millions of
dollars, were submitted to the board too late to
be considered and were left undisposed Of The
sum OF Two millions twenty-six thousand one
hundred and thiry-nne dollars and sixty-eight
cents decided by the board, was liqudated