Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-05-21

fall. The revolutionary party had
seized upon the Texas question 10 ef-
feet or hasten its overthrow. It's de-
termination to restore friendly relations
I with the United States, and to receive
our minister, 10 negotiate for the set
Element of this question, was violently
Iassailed, and was MADE the grea,
j theme Of denunciation against it,
| The Government of General Herrera,
I there is reason to believe, was sincere
ly DESTROYS to receive our minister; but
it yielded to the storm raised BY its en-
emies, and on the 2lst Of December re-
fused TO accredit Mr.. Slidell upon the
most frivolous prs,exts. These are so
|fuIly and ably exposed in the note OF
Mr.. Slidell of the 24th December last
to the Mexican minister of foreign re-
{lations, herewith transmitted, that
deem it unnecessary to ont into fur
| ther detail on this portion of the SUBJ
Iject.
! Five days after the date Of Mr.. Sill
dell's note, Gen. Herrera yielded the
government to Gen. Paroles without
a struggle, and on the 30th Of. Decem-
Der resigned the presidency. This
revolution was accomplished solely by
the army, the people having taken III
tie part in the contest; and thus the su-
preme power in Mexico passed into
the hands of military leader.
( Determined to leave no effort un.
tried to effect an amicable adjustment
with Mexico, / directed Mr.. Slidell to
present his credentials to the govern
ment Of Gen. Paroles, and ask to be
officially received by him. There
would have been less ground for ia
king this step had Gen. Paroles come
into power by regular constitutional
succession. In that event his admin
lstration would have been considered
! but mere constitutional continuance
of the government of Gen. HerreN and
the refusalsof the latter to receive our
minister would have been deemed con-
:, elusive, unless an intimation had been
given by Gen. Paroles of his desire 20
reverse the decision of his predeces-
sor. :, st7' 555e 5
But the government Of Genera Pa
redes owes its existence to military
revolution, by which the subsisting
constitutional authorities had been
subverted. The form Of government
was entirely changed, as well as all the
high functionaries by whom it was ad-
ministered. II
| Under these circumstances, Mr..
Slidell, in obedience to my direction,
addressed note to the Mexican minis
ter offoreign relations, under date of
the 1st of March last, asking to be re.
ceived by that government in the Dip
lomatic character to which he had been
appointed. This minister, IN his
reply, under date Of the 18th of
March, reiterated the arguments
Of his preee; essor, anil in terms
that may be considered as giving just
grounds of offence to. the government
and people Of the United States, denied
the application Of Mr.. Slidell. Moth
ing, therefore, remained for our envoy
but TO demand his passports, and re-
turn to his own country.
Thus the government Of Mexico,
though soIemnly pledged by official
acts in October last 10 receive and ac-
credit an American envoy, violated
their plighted faith, and refused the Of
fer of peaceful adjustment of our diff
culties. Not only was the offer rejec
ted, but the indignity Of its rejection
was enhanced by the manifest breach
Of faith in refusing 10 admit the envoy,
who came because they had bound
themselves to receive him. Nor can il
be said that the offer was frultless from
the want of opportunity Of discussing
lit: our envoy was present on their own
soil. Nor can it be ascribed 10 want
of sufficient powers: our envoy had
full powers TO adjust every question Of
difference. Nor was there room for
complaint that our propositions for sets
Element were unreasonable: permission
was not even given our envoy TO make
any proposition whatever. Nor can il
be objected that We, on our part, would
not listen to any reasonable terms Of
their suggestion: the Mexican govern
ment refused all negotiation, and have
made no proposition ofany kind.
In my message at the commence
ment of the present session, ! informed
you that upon the earnest appeal both
of the Congress ard convention ofTex-
as, had ordered an efficient military
force to take, a position "between the
Neuces and tbe Del Norte." This had
become necessary to meet threatened
invasion Of Texas by the Mexican for