The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1846-12-10

ked, under circumstances which no nation ought
to disregard.
1t was hoped that these outrages would cease,
and that Mexico would be restrained by the laws
which regulate the conduct of civilized nations
in their intercourse with each other after the
treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation OF the
9TH of April, 1881, was concluded between the
two republics but this hope soon proved to be
vain. The course of seizure and confscation of
the property of citizens, the violation of their
persons and the insults to our flag, pursued by
Mexico previous to that time, were scarcely sus-
pended for even a brief PERIOD although the
treaty so clearly defines the rights and duties of
the respective parties that it is impossible to mis-
understand or mistake them. In less than seven
years after the conclusion Of that treaty our
grievances had become so intolerabe that in the
opinion OF President Jackson, they should no
longer be endured. In lis Message to Congress
in February, 1887, he presented them to the con-
sderation OF that body, and declared that 'sThe
length OF time since some OF the injuries have
been committed, the repeated and unavang APP
phcations for redress, the wanton character of
some oil the outrages upon the property aud per-
sons OF our citizens, upon the officers and flag OF
the U. S. Independent OF recent insults to the
government and people by the late extraordinary
Mexican Minister, would justify in the eyes OF
all natinns immediate war" In spirit of kind
ness and torbearance, however, he recommended .
reprisas a milder mode of redress. He de-
clared that war should not be used as a remedy
"by just and generous nations confidng in their
strength Tor injuries committed, if it can be hon
orably avoided" and aided, cit has occurred to
me that, considering the present embarrassed
condition OF that country, should act with
both wisdom and moderation, by giving to Mex
leo one more opportunity to atone for the past
before we take redress into our own hands. To
avoid all misconception on the part OF Mexico. as
well as to protect our national character from
reproach, this opportunity should be given with
the avowed design and full preparation to take
immediate satisfaction, if it should not be obtain.
ed on REPETITION of the demand for it. To this
end | recommend that an act be passed authorize
ing reprlsals and the OF the naval force OF the
U. 5, by the Executive against MeXica, to en-
force them in the event of refusal by the Mex
lean Government to come to an amicable adjust
ment of the matters in controversy between us,
upon another demand thereof made from on
board one of our vessels OF on the coast OF
Mexico"
Committees of both Houses of Congress, to
which this message OF this President was refer
red, fully sustained his views of the character of
the wrongs which we had suffered from Mexico,
and recommended that another demand for re-
dress should be made before authorizing war or
reprisas. The.commitee on Foreign Relations
OF the Senate in their report, say; g After such
demand, should prompt justice be refused by
the Mexican Government, we may appeal to all
nations, not only for the equity and moderation
with which we shall have acted toward a sister
republic, but for the necessity which will then
compel US to seek redress for wrongs, either
by actual war or by reprisals The subject will
then be presented before Congress, at the com
mencement of the next session, in a clear aud
distinct form and the Committee cannot doubt
but that such measures will be Immediately
adj tod NC ha 10 indi atat ha hon
or OF the country, and ensure ample reparation to
our injured citizens.
The Committee on Foreign A fairs of the House
Of Representatives made similar recommended
tion. In their report, they say that they g fully
concur with the President that ample eX-
lists for taking redress into own hands, and
believe that we should be justified in the opinion
OF other nations for taking such step. Butthey
are willing TO try the experiment OF another de-
mand, made in the most solemn form, upon the
justice OF the Mexican Government, before any
farther proceedings are adopted"
No difference Of opinion upon the subject is be-
lieved TO have existed in Congress at that time
the Executive and Legislative departments con-
Cured and yet such has been our forbearance,
aud 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 an aggravated
character, have ever since been accommodating.
Shortly after these proceedings, special mes
senger was despatched to Mexico, to make final
demand for redress; and on the Goth Of July,
1887, the demand was made. The reply OF the
Mexican Government bears date on the 29th OF
the same month, and contains assurances Of the
'anxious WISH OF the Mexican Government
&c not to delay the momen: of that final and equt-
able adjustment which is to terminate the exist
ing difficulties between the two GOVERNMENTS
that nothing should be lett undone which may
contribute to the most speedy and equitable de-
termination Of the subjects which have so serious
ly engaged the attention OF the American Gov
ernment;' that the /" Mexican Government
would adopt, as the only guides for its conduct,
the planest principles Of public right, the sacred
obligations imposed by international law, and the
religious faith Of treaties - and that whatever
reason and justice may dictate respecting each
case will be DONE" The assurance was farther
given, that the decision Of the Mexican Govern.
ment upon each cause of complaint, for which
redress had been demanded, should be commune
Gated to the Government OF the U. States by the
Mexican Minister at Washington.
These solemn assurances, in answer TO our de-
mands for redress, were disregarded. BY max
ing them, however, Mexico obtained farther de-
lay. President Van Buren,, in his annual mes
sage to Congress OF the 9th OF Dec. 1887, states,
that although the larger NUMBER Of orr de-