The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-10-01

the United States and to receive our Ministe
to negotiate for the settlement Of this question
was violently assaulted, and was made the grea
theme of denunciation against it." What
spectacle of friendship and forbearance, TO
our rulers to emulate Amid popular dem
onstrations for war, the government was striv
ing for peace.
But how did Mr. Polk adapt himself to thi
exigency? By endeavoring to sustain Her
rera, in his critical position? Or by liberal ant
friendly concessions, through our Consulate
to allay the excited passions and prejudice.
of the people? Not so. Within montl
from the time of the private interview be-
tween Mr. Black (the American Consult and
the Mexican Minister of foreign affairs, the
government was stunned by the announce.
ment of the arrival Of Hon John Slidell, En-.
voy from the United States
The correspondence which followed, proves
that Herrera was not consulted as to the time
of conducting this negotiation, and his feel
ings were disregarded, as to its character.
awe are not prepared for your Minister '
was his reply, "The populace are already
rising in the capital, and we dare not receive
him." Besides, "the government of Mexico
understood the present mission to be a special
one, and confined to the differences on the
Texas question. Whereas, by the credentials
of Mr. Slidell, we find them to be the same as
those presented by Mr. Shannon, q former
Minister, to reside near the government of
Mexico, just as if there had been no suspen-
sion of the diplomatic relations between u.s."
With evident reluctance, therefore, Herrera
was obliged to reject the ambassador But
the people were not yet satisfied, and in five
days, complete revolution was effected by
the army with Paroles at its head, who u
surped the Presidency! Strange as it may
seem, after this result but in order, as he says,
"to leave no effort untried for an dmicable ad-
.justment," Mr. Slidell went through with the
farce of presenting his credentials to the new
government and before it was fairly organ
lied, and while the American army was quar-
tered on Mexican soil, with Fleet, under
Commodore Conner, at anchor off Vera
Cruz! Such demonstrations of attachment,
are certainly novel in the intercourse of civ
ilized nations, however natural to the execu-
tors of municipal law.
The history of this mission, which is made
to assume SO much Importance, together with
the causes which led to its failure may be
easily traced. Its real object, however, is as
yet predetermined, unless it be regarded as a
miserable subterfuge, for the accomplishment
of a merccnary end. Whether we consider
the time and mode in which it was undertake
en-, as already set forth, the person with whom
it was entrusted, or the instructions under
which he acted, the conclusion is only not ir-
that war was determined upon, with
or without it,
Mexico had consented to receive Special
Agent from the United States, to adjust the
Texas question, or, as she construed it, to
make PREPARATION for the injuries she had suf-
fered from us. And her Minister enioined
it upon the American Consul, shat the per-
son selected should be eminently qualified for
the office, one who would command the re-
spect of her people" Vas John SlidcU such
q maas Did his character at home, where
ne was only known as paltry politician in
Congress, fit him for the trust? Or would he
be likely to command respect and confidence
abroad unless like the prophet he was only
not without honor, because not in his own
But Mr. Sidell was commissioned with the |
general powers of a Plenipotentiary, "to ad-
ust both the questions of boundary, and of
he indemnifcation of onr citizens" At the
anne time the Executive, in his own peculiar
y ''clear and unquestionable" style, had de-
srmioed the line Of boundary taken possession
f the territory in dispute, and commenced
he erection of Notifications to defend it.
as the partition OF TINS territory, therefore,
0 be SUBJECTED negotiation Did he intend
hat Mr. Slidell should surrender any portion
fit? Certainly not. lie declares that '.per-
'ission was not even given our Envoy to
nake any proposition whatever" And how
Tas a settlement of the claims of our citizens
D be effected at such time? These amount
d to some $8,ooo,00 and were created by
1exican spoliations. But they had already
cen the subject of negotiation for several
ears; and of treaty stipulations, which Mex
20 was wholly unable to meet; and our gov
rnment was not responsible for these claims,
ntl they could be secured by reasonable
recess, whether of law or of war. There
tas no need of any "54 40" application to
lem, nor was this policy at all likely to sue