Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-01-08
MESSAGE ON MEXICAN AFFAIRS,



transmit herewith copies OF dispatch
es received from our minister at Mexico
since the commencement Of your preson
session, which claim from their Importance
and doubt not win receive, your caln
and deliberate consideration. The extra
ordinary and highly offensive languag,
which the Mexican Government ha,
thought proper to employ in reply TO tho
remonstrance Of tho Executive, through
Mr. Shannon, against the renewal of the
war with Texas while the question of an.
neSation was pending before Congress
and the people, and also, the proposed
manner Of conducting that war, will not
fail TO arrest your attention.
Such remonstrance, urged in no IN
friendly spirit to Mexico, was called for by
considerations Of an imperative character,
having relation as well to the peace Of this
country, and honor of this Government, as
to the cause Of humanity and civilization.
Texas has entered into the Treaty Of An
neXaton upon the invitations of the Ex-
ecutive; and when, for that act she was
threatened with renewal of the war on
the part Of Mexico, she naturally looked
to this Government to inteIpose its efforts
to ward of the threatened blow. But one
course was left the Executive, acting
within the limits of its constitutional com
potency, and that was 10 protest in re.
spectlul, but at tho same time strong and
decided terms against it,
The war thus threatened to be renewed,
was promulgated by edicts and DEGREES,
which ordered, on the part of the Mexican
military, the desolaton of whole tracts OF
country, and the destruction, without dis
elimination, of all ages, sexes, and con.
dltlons OF existence. Over the manner OF
conducting war, Mexico possesses no ex-
elusive control. She has no right to vio-
late at pleasure, the principles which an
enlightened civilization has laid down for
the conduct nations at war; and thereby
relrogade to a period long since passed
away. All nations are interested in en-
forcing an observance Of those principles,
and the United States, the Oldest of the
American Republics, and the nearest of
the civilized powers to the theatre on
which these enormites were proposed to
be enacted, could not quietly content them
selves 10 witness such state of things
They had, through the Executive, on an
other occasion, and as was believed with
the appreciation of the whole cuntry, re-
monsrated against outrages similar, but
even less inhuman, than those which by
her new edicts and DEGREES she has threat.
ened to perpetrate, and Of which the late
inhuman massacre at Tobasca was but
the precursor.
The bloody and inhuman murder of
Fannin andlhis companions, equalled only
in savage barbarity by the usages of the
untutored Indian tribes, proved how little
confidence could be placed on the most so
Tenn stipuations Of her Generals, while
the fate Of others who became her cap
tiyes in war, many of whom, no longer
able to sustain the fatigues and priyations
OF long journeys, we're shot down by the
way-side while their companion who sur
yived were subjected to sunerings even
more painful than death-had loft an in.
dellbIe stain on the page of civilization
The Executive, with the evidence of an
intention on the part Of Mexico to renew
scenes so revolving to humanity, could do
no less than renew circumstances former.
Iy urged. For fulfilling duties so impera.
tive, Mexico has thought proper, through
her accredited organs, because she had
represented 10 her the inhumaniy of such
proceedings, to indulge in language IN.
known TO the courtesy Of diplomatic inter.
course, and offensive in the highest de-
gree to this Government and The people.
Nor has she offended in this only. She
has not only violated existing conventions
between the two countries, by arbitrary
and unjust DEGREES against our trade and
Intercourse, but wilhholds instalmenls of
debt due to our citizens, which she So
lemnly pledged herself to pay, under cir.
which arc fully explained by
the accompanying letter from Mr.. Green.
our Secretary Of Legation. Aud when
our Minister has invited the attention of
her Government 10 wrongs committed by|
her local authorities not only on the pro-
perry but on the persons ol our fellow chi.
lcns, engaged 10 prosecuting fair and
honest pursuits, she has added nsuIrto in-
jury, by not even dcigning, for months To.
golhor, 10 return any answer 90 his repre-.
sensations. St'l further % manifest her
uuirIend.y feelings toward, ihe Uuiied
States, she has issued DEGREES expollina
from some Of her provinces, American c,l.
liens engaged In lho peaceful purliiso f
'iiu, and now denies 10 those OF our eta.
zeus proceeding iAe whale fishery on
Doe Northwest coast of ho Pacific, dc
privilege which hos, through nl hno.
heretofore been accorded b. Them. OF e,.
,haneIn9 goods % o. smal. amount fn val
uo ~ boz poris boz Caltom,a, for supplies
Indispensable 90 their health aad comfort.