Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-12-17

and the existing war have been ayeried Magma
nimily aud moderation Oh our part only had the ef
feet 10 compcale these difficulties, aud render an
amicable settlement Of them the more embarrassing
Tha, such measures Of redress, under similar prov
ocaiions, committed by any Of the powerful nalous
of Europe, would have been promptly resoried to
by the United States, cannot be doubted. The
national honor, aud the preservation Of the national
character throughout the world, as well rs our own
setrespect aud the protection due TO our own cni-
zens, would have rendered such resort indispen-
sable. The history Of no civilized nation IN mod
ern times has presented within so brief period so
many wanion attacks upon the honor OF its flag,
and upon the properly and persons Of its citizens,
as had at that time been borne by the United States
from the Mexican authorities aud people. But
Mexico sister republic, on the North Amer
lean continent occupying territory contiguous
to our own and was in feeble aud distracted con-
dition; and these considerations, IL is presumed,
induced Congress 10 forbear sill longer.
Instead Of taking redress into our own hands,
new negotiation was entered upon with fair proms-
es on the part Of Mexico, but with The real purpose,
the event has proved, Of indefinitely posiponIng
the reparaton which demanded, and which
justly due. This negotiation, aficr more
than years delay. resulted in The convention Of
the 18th OF April, 1882 ''lor the adjustment Of
claims OF citizens Of the United States OF America
upon the government Of the Mexican republic. -
The JOINT board Of commissioners created by this
convention to examine and decide upon these
claims was not organized until the month Of Au-
gust. 1910, aud under the terms Of the convention
they were 10 terminate their duties within eighteen
months from that time Four Of the eighteen
months were consumed in preliminary discussions
on frivolous and diaiory points raised by the Mex
icAn commissioners aud il was not until the month
OF December, 1910, that they commenced the
animation OF the claims of our citizens upon Mex
leo. Fourteen months only remained to examine
and decide upon these numerous and complicated
cases. In the month of February, 1872 the term
OF the commission expired, leaving many claims
undisposed OF for want Of time. The claims which
were allowed by the board. and by the umpire
ih0rzed by the convention to decide in case of dis
agreement between the Mexican aud American
commissioners, amounted to two million tweny-six
thousand one hundred and ihirty.nine dollars and
sixiy-eight cents. There were pending before The
umpire when the commission expired. additional
claims which had been examined and awarded by
the American commissioners, and had not been al
lowed by the Mexican commissioners, amounting
TO nine hundred and iweniy-eight thousand six
hundred and tweniy-seven dollars and eighty eight
cents upon which he did moi 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 three hundred and thirty-six thousand
eight hundred and thriy.seven dollars and five
cents, which had been submitted 10 the board aud
upon which they had not time 10 decide before
their final adjournment.
The sum OF two million, twenty-six thousand one
hundred and ihirty-nine dollars and sixty-eight
cents, which had been awarded TO the claimants,
was a liqudated and asceriained debt due by Mex
leo, about which there could be no dispute, aud
which she was bound TO pay according 10 the terms
OF the convention. Soon aIler the final awards for
this amount had been made, the Mexican govern
ment asked for posponement Of the time of ma
king payment, alleging that il would be inconven-
eni 10 make the payment at the time Stipulated
In the spirit Of forbearing kindness toward sister
/ republic, which Mexico has long abused, the
| United States promptly complied ith her requests
! second convention accordingly concluded
between the two governments on the thirtieIh o
January, lS43 which upon its lace declares that
"tlie new arrangement is entered into for the &C.
commodation of Mexico" BY the terms of this
convention, all the interest due on the award:
which had been made in favor Of the claimants I'M
der the convention Of the eleventh of April, 1889
was to be paid to them on the Both Of April, 1913
and the principal Of The said awards, and the in
tercsl accruing thereon" was stipulated to :" be
paid in FIVE years. in equal insalments every three
| months" Notwithstanding this new convention
was entered into at the request of Mexico, aud fol
the purpose Of relieving her from embarrassment
on the thiriie,h Of April, 1913, and three Of thu
twenty instruments. Although the payment Of the
sum thus liqudated, and confessedly due by Mex
leo to our citizens indemnity for acknowledged
acts Of outrage and wrong, was secured by
treaty, the obligations OF which are ever held sa
cred by all Just nations, yet Mexico has violated
this solemn engagement by failing aud refusing Il
make the payment. The two nstalments due il
April aud July, 1874, under the peculiar circum
stances connected with Them. have been assumet
by the United States and discharged TO the claim
ants, but they are still due by Mexico But this i
not all Of which we have just cause for complaint
To provide remedy for the claimants whose ca
ses were not decided by tie Joint commission un
der the convention Of April The eleventh, 1889. j
was expressly stipulated by The sixth article of tn
convention Of thirlieih of January 1913, that g
new convention shall he entered into for the settle
ment Of all claims Of the government and CITIZEN
Of the United States against the Republic of Mex
leo, which were not finally decided by the late com
mission, which met in the city OF Washington. AM
Of all claims Of the government aud citizens O
Mexico against the United States"
In conformity with this stipulation third con
{ venlion was concluded and signed at the city Q
Mexico on the twentieth Of November, lS43,b III
plenipoentiaries Of the Two governments, by whic
provision was made for ascertaining aud payin
these claims. In January, 1874, this conveniio
was ratified by the Senate Of the United States vii
two amendments, which were manifestly reasonabl
: in lhei. character. Upon a reference OF the
D mendments proposed TO the government Of Mexico
E the same evasons difficulties, and delays were il
& ierposed which have 20 long marked The policy {
that government towards The United States. II ha
4 not even yet decided whether il would or woul
not accede to them, although the subject has bee
I repeatedly pressed upon its consideration.