Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-12-19


his request was insultlngly refused by that MIN
lister i'll his answer Of the 18th OF the same
month. No alternative remained Tor our minis
ter bat to demandh his passports, anu return ~
the United States.
Thus was the extraordinary spectacle pre-
seated to the civilized world, OF government
in violation Of its own express agreehieii.' na'
IN, f51ics elected minister of peace, invested
,ft r,u Movers to adjust all the existing dlfer-
o1~as heflyeen the two countries in manner
80 and honorable to both. | am not aware that
nodern history presents parallel case, In
-ghich in time OF peace, one nation mas refused
even 10 hear propositions from annother Tor
terminating existing dlthculties between tnem.
Scarcely a hope of adjusting our difficulties,
even at a remote day, or of preserving peace
xyitb Mexico, could be cherished while Paroles
:re,naine,. At the head of the government. He
had ac3u.-cd the supreme power, by military
revolution and upon the most solemn pledges
70 wag, war against the United States, and to
econcrar Texas, which he claimed as arevolt-
e. proviace of Mexco He denounced as guilty
Of treason all those MeXicans who considered
Texas q no longer constituting part OF the
gerritorr Of Mexico, and who were friendly to
the caase Of peace The duration OF the wal
when he waged against the United States was
inietinite, because the end which he proposed
of the re.conquest Of Texas, was hopeless
Besides there was good reason to believe, IRON
all his conduct, that il was his intention TO con-
yert the republic of Mexico into a monarchy 7,
and to cali a foreign European prince to the
throne. Preparatory TO this end, he had, during
Gis short rule, destroyedthe liberty of the press,
tolaratinr that portion Of it only which openly
advocated the establishment OF a monarchy. The
n tier TO secure the success or his ultimate de-
sig1e. he had, by an arbitrary decree, convoked
Congressman to be elected by the free voice
Of the people, but TO be chosen IN manner TO
, xr.tlI nFld tn rtrrn
him absolute control over their deliberations.
ITada- all these circumstances, it was believed
that aiy revolution In Mexico, founded upon
opgisit,op 10 the ambitious projects OF Paroles,
would tend 10 promote the cause OF peace as
WI A; D prevent any attempted European in
,ri..sace in the affairs of the North American
caltiaeat--both objects of deep Interest to the
United 5 ates. ANY such foreign interference,
If attempted. must have been resisted by the u.
5t-.eg. NY views upon that subject were fully
communicated to Congress in my last annual
ss.1s.4s. - ss ,.sSs.A4 csrtaiss that no
hinge whatever in the government OF Mexico
"hica would deprive Paroles of power could
,e for the worse, so far as the United States
we're concerned, while it was highly probable
hat any change must be for the better.
This was the state of affairs existing when
Congress, on the 18th of May last, recognized
The existence OF the war which had been COM
Eieleed by the government of ParedeS; and it
became object OF much Importance, with a
view 10 a speedy settlement OF our difficulties
aAi ine restoration Of an honorable peace, that
Pa ades should not retain power in Mexico.
Before that time there were symptoms of a
evolution in Mexico. favored as it was under
s.ood to be, by the more liberal party, and es-
p1clally by those who were opposed to foreign
Interference and to the moaarchical form of
government. Santa Anna was then in exile in
Havana, having been expelled from power and
banlshedlrom his country by revolution which
occurred in December 1914, but it was known
tlat he had still considerable party in his fa-
vor In Mexico. TWAS also equally we'll known
ti.t no vigilance which could be exerted by our
3lnadron would in all probability, have prevent
81 him from efecting a landing somewhere on
the extensive gulf coast of Mexico, if he de-
sired to return to his country. He had openly
confessed an entire change Of policy; had ex-
psi3ad his regret that he had subverted the fed
trl constitution of 1924, and avowed that he
was in favor of its restoration.
lie hal publicly declared his hostility in the
gLron5est terms, to the establishment of mon
archy, and to European interference in the af-
fairs OF ms country. Information to this effect
had been received from sources believed to be
reliable, at the date of the recognition of the eX-
istence Of the war by Congress, and was after
wards fully confirmed by the receipt Of the de-
spatches of our consul in the city of Mexico,
herewith Transmitted. Besides, it was reason
ABLE to suppose that he must see the ruinous
consequences 20 Mexico of a war with the U.
States, aud that it would be his interest to favor
peace.
II was under these circumstances and upon
these considerations that it was deemed expedi-
ent not to Obstruct his return to Mexico, should
h, attempt to do so. Our object was the res
tOration Of peace and with that view, no rea-
sou was perceived why we should take part with
Parede3, and aid him, b. means of our blockade,
in preventing the return of his rival to Mexico.
On the contrary, it was believed that the intes-
tine divisions which ordinary sagacity could not
but anticipate as the fruit Of Santa Annals re-
turn to Mexico and his contest with Paroles
might strongly tend to produce a disposition
with both parties TO restore and preserve peace
with the United States. Paredes was soldier
by profession, and monarchist in principle
Hehai but recently before been successful in a
military revolution, by which he had obtained
power. He was the sworn enemy of the Uni
ted States, with which he had Involved his coun-
Try in the existing war. Santa Anna had been
expelled from power by the army--was known
TO be in open hostility to Paredes, and publicly
pledged himself against foreign intervention and
the rastoratlon of Monarchy in Mexico. In
view Of these facts and circumstances it was,
tha,, when in the Gulf on the 18th day of May
last, Only two days after the existence of the
war hao been recognized by Congress, to place
The coasts of Mexico under blockade, he was
directed not to obstruct the passage of Santa
Anna 10 Mexico, should he attempt TO return.
"a revoluuont took place in Mexico in the early
part OF August following, by which the power
OF Paroles was overthrown, and he has since
been banshed from the country. and is now in
exile. Shortly afterwards, Santa Anna return
ed. 1t remains 10 be seen whether his return
may not vel prove to be favorable to a paci6c
adjustment of the existing difficulties it being
inaaitestly his interest not to perseyere in the
prosecution of war commenced by paredas
- accomplish purpose so absurd as the recon
quest OF Texas to the Sabine. Had Paroles re
snainei in power, it is morally certain that an,
pacific adjustment would be hopeless.
Upon the commencement of hostilities b,
Mexico against the United States, the indignan
spirit OF the nation was aroused. Congress
promptly responded to the expectations OF th
country; and, by the act of the 18th of Ma
last, recognized the fact that war existed by tn
astof Mexico, between the United States an
,hat repAblie, and granted the means necessar
Tor us vigorous prosecution. Being involve
10 war thus commenced by Mexico, and 70
q" justice Of which on our part we may con
hentiy appeal to the whole world, Iresolved t
prosecute it with the utmost vigoT. Accord
lngiy, the ports of Mexico on the Gulf and o
the Pacific have been placed under blockade,
her territory invaded AT several imnortant polntS