The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-12-19


property Of our citizens. were subsequent
~ presented to the Mexican soyernmon
for payment, and were so far recognized
that a treaty, providing for their examina
ton and settlement by JOINT commission
was concluded and signed at Mexico OF
the Goth day of November, 1913. Tbi.
treaty was ratified by the United States
with certain amendments, 10 which II,
just exception could have been taken
bu, it has not yet received the ratification
Of tie Mexican government. In the mean
time our citizens who suffered great losses
and some of whom have been reduced
from alluence to bankruptcy, are without
remedy unless their rights be enforced by
their government. Suce continued and
unprovoked series Of wrongs could never
have been tolerated by the United States
had they been committed Lv one Of the
principal nations of Europe. Mexico
was, however, 4 neighbOrng sister re-
public, which, following our example,
had achieved her independence, and for
whose success and prosperity all our SYM
paihies were early enlisted. The United
States were the first 10 recognize her in
dependence, and TO receive her into the
family Of nations, and have ever been de-
srous If culIvatIng with her good un-
Outstanding. We have, therefore, borne
the repeated wrongs she has committed
with great patience, in the hope that a
returning sense Of jusice would ultimate
~ guide her councils, and that we might,
if possible, honorably avoid any hostile
collision with her.
Without the previous authority Of con-
gress, the executive possessed no author
ily to adopt or enforce adequate remedies
for the injuries we had suffered, or do
more than be prepared to repel the ihrca-
tened aggression on the part Of Mexico,
After our army had remained on the from
tier and coasts of Mexico for many weeks.
without any hostile act on her part, tho
her menaces were continued, | deemed ii
important to put an end, if possible, to
thus state Of things. With this view, !
caused Steps 10 be taken in the month Of
September last, to ascertain distinctly 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 dis
posed TO adlus, and settle, IN an amicanle
manner, the pending differences between
the Two countries. On the 9th Of No
vember an official answer was received,
that the Mexican government consented
to renew the diplomatic relations which
had been suspended III March last, and
for that purpose were willing to accredit a
minister from Tie United States. With
a sincere desire to preserve peace and re-
store relations Of good understanding be-
tween the two countries, waived all ce-
remony as TO the manner of renewing di-
pl0maiic intercourse between them, and
assuming the initiative, on the 10Th of
November distinguished citizen of Lou
isiana was appointed envoy extraordinary
and minister pIeniPotentlary to Mexico,
clothed with full power to adjust and de-
fnlely settle all pending differences be-
tween the two countries. including those
OF boundary between Mexico and the
state Of Texas. The minister appointed
has set out on hi mission, and is proba-
bly,, by this time near the Mexican CAPT.
ioI. lie has been instructed 10 bring the
with which he is charged,
to a conclusion at the earliest practicable
period, which, it is expected, will be in
time to enable me to communicate the
result 10 congress during the present ses-
sion. Until that result is known, | for.
bear TO recommend to congress such ute
rior measures of redress for the wrongs
and injuries we have so long borne, as i,
would have been proper to make, had no
such negotiation been instituted.
Congress appropriated, at the late
session, the sum of $4,000 for the
payment of the April and July install
mcnts of the Mexican indemnitics for
the year 1874: "Provided it shall be
aSccrtained to the satisfaction of the
American government, that said in
stalments had been paid by the Mex
lean government to the agent APP
pointed by the United States to re-
ceivc the same, in such manner as
to discharge all claim on the MeXl-
can government, and said agent to
b. delinquent in renting the money
to the United States
"Thc unsettled state of our rela-
tons with Mexico has involved this
subject with much mystery. The
first information in an authentic form
from the agent Of the United States,
under the administration
of my predecessor, was received at
the state department on the 9th of
November last. This is contained
in letter, dated the 18th Of Octo-
Der, addressed by him to one Of our
citizens then in Mexico, with the
view Of having it communicated to
that department. From this it APP