State journal & flag. [volume] (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) 1843-1846, 1846-12-18
NUMBER ;.

adjustment oil claims oil citizens oil The Unl~
ted States of America upon the government
of the Mexican republic" The joint board
of commissioners created by this convene
ton to examine and decide upon these
claims was not organized until the month
of August, 1910, and under the terms of
the convention they were TO terminate their
duties within eighteen months from that
time. Four of the eighteen months were
consumed in preliminary discussions on friv.
olous and dilatory points raised by the Mex.
lean commissioners and it was not until
the month Of December, 1910, that they
commenced the examination Of the claims
of our citizens upon Mexico. Fourteen
months only remained 10 examine and de.
eide upon these numerous and compile Gated
cases. la the month of February, 1912, the
term OF the commission expired, leaving ina
ny claims undisposed of for want of time.
The claims which were allowed by the board,
and by the umpire authorized by the con-
vention 10 decide in case Of disagreement
between the Mexican and American COM
missioners, amounted TO two million twenty.
six thousand one hundred and thirty-nine
dollars and sixty-eight cents. There were
pending before the umpire when the com.
mission expired additional claims which had
been examined and awarded by the Ameri.
can commissioners, and had not been allow
ed by the Mexican commissioners, amount.
ing TO nine hundred and twenty-eght thou
sand six hundred and tweDty-seven dollars.
and lightweight cents. upon which he did
not decide, alleging that his authority had
ceased with the termination Of the joint com.
mission. Besides these claims, there were
others OF American citizens amounting TO
three million three hundred and thirty-six
thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven
dollars and five cents, which had been sub.
United to the board, and upon which they
had not time to decide before their final ad.
journment.
The sum of Two million twenty-six thou.
sand one hundred and thirly-nine dollars
and sixty-cight cents, which had been awar.
ded TO the claimants, was quidated and
ascertained debt due by Mexico, about which
there could be no dispute, and which she
was bound TO pay according to the terms of
The convention. Soon after the final awards
for this amount had been made, the Mexican
government asked for a postponement of
the time of making payment. aledging that
it would be inconyenient to make the pay.
ment at tie time stipulated. In the spirit,
Of forbearng kindness towards sister re.
public, which Mexico has so long abused,
the United States promptly complied with
ner request. second convention was &C.
cordingly concluded between The two gov.
ernman.s on the thirteth Of January, Is43,
which upon its face declares, that "this new
arrangement is entered into for the accom-.
mediation of Mexico" By the terms ofthis
convention, all the interest due ON The awards
which had been made in favor OF the claim
ants under the convention Of the eleventh
OF April, 1889, was to be paid 10 them on
the thlrtieth Of April, l643, and "the prin-
cipal of the said awards, and the interest ac-
clung thereon" was stipulated to "be paid
in five years, in equal insialments every
three months" Notwithstanding this new
convention was entered into at the request
OF Mexico, and for the purpose of relieving
her from embarrassment, the claimants have
only received The interest due on the Thrift.
eth Of April, l5i5 and three of the twenty
instruments. Although the payment of tho
sum thus liquidaled, and confessedly due by
Mexico to our citizens as indemnity for
acknowledged acts Of outrage and wrong,
was secured by treaty, the obligations Of
which are ever held sacred by all just na-
! lions, yet Mexico has violated this solemn
engagement by failing and refusing to make
the payment. The two instalments due in
April and July, 1914, under the peculiar
circumstances connected with them, have
been assumed by the United States and dis
| ri a In fhar mi 10 hut
due by Mexico. But this is not all OF which
we have just cause of complaint. To pro-
vide remedy for the claimants whose cases
were not decided by the joint commission
under the convention Of April the eleventh,
1889, it was expressly stipulated by the sixth
article Of the convention of the thlrtieth of
January, l643, that"a new convention shall
be entered into for the settlement of all
claims of the government and citizens Of the
United States against the republic of Mexico
which were not finally decided by tho late
commission, which met in the city of WASH
ington. and ofal claims Of the government
and citizens of Mexico against the United
States" .E., Issl-f -.
In conformity with this stipulation, third
convention was concluded and signed at tho
Cby VI McAiCO Ou thC tWcHtietn OIL lNOvems
Der, l643, by the pleDipotentiaries OF the
two governments, by which provision was
made for ascertaipng and paying these
claims. In January, 1874, this convention
was ratified by the Senate OF the United
States with two amendments which were
manifestly reasonable in their character.
Upon a reference on the amendments pro.
posed to the Government of Mexico, the
same evasion, difficulties, and delays were
interposed which have so long marked The
policy OF that government towards the Uni
ted States. 1t has not yet even decided
whether i. would or would not accedo
to them, although the subject has Teen re.
peatedy pressed upon its consideration.
Mexico has thus violated second time.
the faith Of treaties, by failing or refusing
to carry into effect the sixth article of the
convention Of January, l643s .-Ax
Su:his the history Of the wrongs which
we have suffered and patiently endured
from Mexico through long series of years.
So far from affordng reasonable satisfaction
for the injuries and insults we had borne,
great aggravation Of them consists in tho
fact, that while the United States, anxious
to preserve good understanding with Mex.
| - havo haa., copsfo ala, L..