The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-08

wards sister republic but for the necessity which wl
then compel us to seek redress for wrongs, either by
actual war or by reprsals The subject will then be pre-
sented before Congress- at the commencement OF the next
session. in clear and distinct form; and the committee
cannot doubt but that such measures Will be Immediately
adopted as may be necessary to yndicae the honor OF the
country, and insure ample reparahon 10 our injured cu
zens"
Representatives made similar recommendation In their
report they say that they "fuy concur with the Pres
dent that ample exists for taking redress INTO our
own hands and believe that should be Justified in the
opinion OF other nations for taking such step But they
are willing TO try the experiment OF another demand,
made in the most solemn form upon the justice OF the
Mexican government before any further proceedings are
adopted" ,,
No difference of opinion upon the subject is believed to
have existed in Congress at that time The Executive
and Legislative departments cohcured and yet such has
been our orbeaance and desire to preserve peace with
Mexico that the wrongs Of which we then complained
and which gave rise TO these solemn proceedings not
only remain unredressed TO this day. but additional causes
of complaint OF aggravated character have ever since
been accumulatng
Shortly after these proceedings, special messenger
was despatched 10 Mexico TO make hna demand Tor
dress; and on the twentieth OF July, 1887, the demand
was made The reply OF the Mexican government bears
date on the twenty OF the same month"; and con-
tans assurances OF the anxious wish of the Mexican
government mot to delay the moment OF that final and
equitable adjustment which is TO terminate the existing
difficulties between the two goyernments that nothing
should be left undone which may contribute TO the most
speedy and equitable determination of the subjects which
have seriously engaged the attention OF the American
government" thar the Mexican government would
adopt the only guides for III conduct the paines
principles of public right the sacred obligations imposed
By international law, and the religious faith OF reates
and that whatever reason and justice may dictate respect
ing each case will be done" The further
given that the decision OF the Mexican government upon
each cause of complaint for which redress had been de-
manded should be communicated TO the government OF
the United States by the Mexican minister at Washing
ton.
These solemn assurances in answer to demand for
redress, were disregarded By making them, however
~ dalat in
his annual message TO Congress OF the nth OF December
1887, states, that although the larger number" OF our
demands for redress, and ''many OF them aggravated
cases of personal wrongs have been now Tor years
before the Mexican government, and some OF the
causes of national complaint, and those OF the most
offensive character admitted OF immediate, SIMPLE and
satisfactory replies IT is only within few days past
that any specific communication in answer to our last
demand, made five months ago, has been received from
the Mexican minister" and that "ior not one OF our
public complaints has satisfaction been given or offered
that but OF the cases of personal wrong has been
favoaby considered, and that but four Of both
descriptions out of all those formally presented and ear
nesty pressed have Yet been decided upon by the
Mexican government" President Van Buren,, believing
that il would be vain to make any further attempt 10 OBJ
tain redress by the ordinary within the power Of
the Executive, communicated this opinion 10 Congress-
in the message referred to- IN which he SAID: On
full and deliberate examination OF the contents (oi the
correspondence with the Mexican goyernment,) land
considering the spirit manifested by the Mexican govern
ment, has become my painful duty to return the sub
ect, it now stands to Congress to whom it belongs,
to decide upon the time the mode and the measure Of
redress" Had the United States at that tme adopted
compulsory measures, and taken redress into their own
hands, all our difficulties with Mexico would probably
have been long since adjusted and the existing war have
been averted Magnanimity and moderation part
only had the effect to complcate these difficulties, and
render an amcable settlement OF them the embar
provocahons, committed by any of the powerful nations
of Europe would have been promptly resorted 10 by the
United States, cannot be doubted The national honor,
and the preservation of the national character throughout
as q sol fires No
lection due to our own citizens, would have rendered
such resort indispensable The history of no civilized
nation in modern times has presented within so brief
period, many wanton attacks upon the honor of its
flag and upon the property and persons of its citizens
had at that time been borne by the United States from the
Mexican authorities and people But Mexico was sis
ter republic on the North American continent occupying
territory contiguous to our own and was in feeble
and distracted condition; and these considerations it is
presumed induced Congress to forbear still longer.
Instead of taking redress into our own hands, new
negotiation was entered upon with fair promises the
part of Mexico but with the real purpose the event
has proved of indefinitely postponing the reparaton
which we demanded, and which was so Justly due
This negotiation, after than years delay resulted
in the convention OF the eleventh of April, 1885, "for
the adjustment of claims of citizens of the United States
of America upon the government of the Mexican repub-
c." The joint board of commissioners created by this
convention TO examine and decide upon these claims
not organized until the month OF August, 1910, and
under the terms of the convention they TO termi-
nate their duties within eighteen months from that time
Four OF the eighteen months were consumed in prem-
by the Mexican commissioners; and was not until the
month of December, 1910, that they commenced the
animation of the claims OF citizens upon Mexico
Fourteen months only remained 10 examine and decide
upon these numerous and complicated cases In the
month of February, 1872 the term of the commission
expired leaving many claims undsposed OF for want of
time The claims which were allowed by the board, and
by the umpire authorized by the convention to decide in
case of disagreement between the Mexican and Amer
lean commissioners, amounted to two million twenty
thousand hundred and thirty dollars and sixty
eight cents There pending before the umpire when
the commission expired additional claims which had
been examined and awarded BY the American commits
sioners and had not been allowed by the Mexican
missioners, amounting TO nine hundred and twenyeight
thousand hundred and twenty dollars and egh
tyeigh cents, upon which he did not decide alleging
that his authority had ceased with the termination of the
joint commission. Besides these claims, there were
others Of American citizens amounting to three million
thirty dollars and five cents, which had been sub
mitted to the board and upon which they had not time to
decide before their final adjournment
The of two million twenty-si thousand one hun
dred and hirtynne dollars and sxtyeght cents, which
had been awarded to the claimants lquidated and
be dispute, and which she bound to pay accord
ing to the terms of the convention Soon after the final
awards for this amount had been made the Mexican gov
eminent asked for posponement of the time of making
payment alleging that it would be announcement to make
the payment at the time stipulated In the spirit of for
co has so long abused the United States promptly
piled with her request second convention was ac-
cordngly concluded between the two governments the
thrteth OF January ls43, which upon its face declares,
that ''this arrangement is entered into for the
commodaton of Mexico" BY the terms of this conven-
ton, all the interest due the awards which had been
made in favor of the claimants under the convention OF
nj q n