The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-08-20
From the National IntelIigencer
THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO.

our columns to-day to the official history Of
the Presidents confidential message to The
Senate (plior TO his public message to both
houses) and the proceedings of the Senate
thereon;which we are enabled TO do by the
injunction of secresy having been removed
therefrom on the motion of Senator friend
ly 10 the Administration. The subject of
these papers and proceedings is of entirely
too great importance 10 require from US any
invitation TO our readers to give them an at
tentve pernsal.
Proceedings OF the Senate, and documents
communicated thereto, from vhich the in
Junction of secresy had been remoped, in
relation to affairs betsoeen the U. States
and Merico.
| Ii EXECUTIVE SESSION, SENATE OF THE UNI
| TED STATES, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1916.
The follow message was received from
the President of the United States by Mr..
Walker his Secretary:
lConfdential.l
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1916.
To the Senate of the United States:
herewith communicate TO the Senate, the
copy ola letter under date ofthe 9Th ulti-
mo, from the Secretary of State ofthe United
States TO the minister of Foreign Relations
of the Mexican Republic, again proposing
to open negotiations and conclude treaty
of peace, which shall adjust all the questions
in dispute between the two Republics. Con-
sidering the relative power of the two coun-
tries, the glorious events which have already
signaliZed our arms, and the distracted con-
dition of Mexico, did not conceive that any
point of national honor could exist which
ought to prevent me from making this overture
Equally anxious TO teminate.by peace honor
ablefor both parties, as was originally to a.
void the existing war, have deemed il my
duty again TO extend the olive branch 10 Mex
leo. Should the Government of that repub-
lie accept the offer in the same friendly spirit
by which it was dictated, negotiation will
speedily commence for the conclusion Of
treaty.
The chief difcultyt to be anticipated in the
negotiation is the adjustment ofthe boundary
between the parties, by a line which shall at
once be satisfactory and convenient TO both,
and such as neither will hereafter be incln-
ed to disturb. This is the best mode of Sc
curing perpetual peace and good neighbor-
hood between the two republics. Should
the Mexican Government, in order TO accom-
| plish these objects, be willing cede any por-
ton OF their territory to the United States,we
ought TO pay them fair equivalent; just
and honorable peace land not conquest being
our purpose in the prosecution of the war.
Under these circumstances and considering
the exhausted and distracted condition oil
the Mexican Republic, it might become me-
cessary in order to restore peace, that should
have in my power to advance a portion of
the consideration money for any cession of
territory which may be made. The Mexican
Government might not be willing TO wait for
the puyr.,enI OF The whole until the treaty
could BIO ratified by the Senate, and an ap-
preparation TO carry it into effect be made
by Congress; and the necessity for such
delay might defeat the object altogether. !
would, therefore, suggest whether it might
not be wise for Congress TO appropriate sum
such as they might consider adequate for
this purpose, 10 be paid if necessary, imme-
diately after the ratification of a treaty by
Mexico. The disbursement would, of course,
be accounted for at the treasury, not as Sc
cret service money, but like other expendi-
lures.
Two precedents for such proceeding ex-
ist in our past history during the administra-
ton of Mr.. Jefferson, to which would call
your attention. On the 26th Of February,
1903, Congress passed an act appropriating
So, 900 ''for the pupose of detraying any ex-
traordinary expenses which may be incurred
in the intercourse between the United States
and foreign nations" to be applied under the
discretion of the President of the u. States
who shall cause an account of the expendi-
ture thereof TO be laid before Congress as
soon as may be-, and ON the 18th of Feb,
1906, an appropriation was made ofthe same
amount and in the same terms. The object
in the first case was to enable the President
to ATTAIN the cesson Of Louisiana, and in the
second that of The Floridas. In neither case
was the money actually drawn ftom the trea-
sury; | should hope that the result might be
similar in this respect, on the present occa-
sion, though the appropriation is deemed ex
pedienf as precautionary measure.
/ refer the whole subject TO the Senate
Executive sc ssion. If they would concur in
opinion with me, then recommend the pas
sage ola law appropriartng such sum as
Congress may deem adequate, to be used by
the Executive, if necessary, for the purpose
which have indicated.
In the two cases to which have referred,
the special purpose Of the appropriation did
moi appear on the face of the law, as this
might have defeated the object; neither, for