Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-12-16

though the treaty so clearly Defined the rights
and privileges of the respective parties that 1t is
impossible to misunderstood or mistake them.
In less than seven years after the conclusion OF
the treaty, our grievances had become so intol-
cradle, that in the opinion of President Jackson,
they could no longer be endured.
In his message to Congress of Feb. '37, he
presented them to the consideration of that boz
DIV, and declared that s'the length of time since
some of the injuries have been committed, the
repeated and unavailing application for redress,
the wanton character of some of the outrages
upon the property and persons of our citizens,
and upon the officers and flag of the U. 5. in
dependent of recent insults to this government
and people by the late extraordinary Mexican
Minister, would justify in the eyes of all nations
immediate war; In spirit of kindness and
forbearance, however, he recommended repri-
sails as mlder mode OF redress. He declared
that war should not be used as remedy by Just
and generous nations, confiding in their strength
for injuries committed, if it can be honorably
avoided and added, 'it has occurred to me, con-
sidering the present embarrassed condition OF
that country, we should act with both wisdom
and resolution, by giving to Mexico one more
opportunity to atone for the past, before we
take redress in our own hands.
To avoid all misconception on the part OF Mex
leo, as well as to protect our national character
from reproach, this opportunity should be given
with }he avowed design and full preparation to
to take immediate satisfaction, if it should not
be obtained on REPETITION of the demand for it.
To this end recommend that an act be passed
authorizing reprisals and the use of the naval
force of the U. S. by the Executive against
Mexico, to enforce them in case of the refusal
of the Mexican Government to come to an am
icable adjustment or the matters between us up
on another demand thereof made from on board
one of our vessels of war on the coast of Mex
co..
Committees of both houses of Congress to
which this message was referred, fully sustain
ed his views of the character of the wrongs
which we have suffered from Mexico, and re-
commended that another demand for redress
| should be made before authorizing war or re-
prisals. The committee on Foreign Relations
of the Senate, in their report say: "Such a de-
mand should prompt justice to be refused by the
| Mexican Government, will enable us to appeal
to all nations not only fnr the equity and mode
ration with which we shall have acted towards
sister republic; but for the necessity which
may then compel us to seek redress for our
| wrongs, either by actual war or reprisals.-
The subject will then be presented before Con-
gress at the commencement of the next session
in clear and distinct form, and the committee
cannot doubt that such measures Will be then
adopted as may be necessary 10 vindIcate the
honor of the country and ensure ample rePara-
ton to our injured citizens"
The Committee on Foreign Affairs in the
House of Representatives, made similar re-
commentator: In their report they say they
fully concur with the President, that sample
cause exists for taking redress into our own
hands; that We should be justified in the opinion
of other nations;" but they are willing to try
the experiment of another demand, made in the
most solemn form, upon the justice oil the Mex
| lean Government, before any further proceed
ings are adopted. No difference of opinion on
this subject is believed TO have existed in Con-
gress. The Executive and Legislative depart
ments concurred, and yet such has been our
| forbearance and desire to preserve peace with
Mexico, that the wrongs of which we then COM
planned and which gave rise to these solemn pro-
ceedngs, not only remain unredressed to this
day, but additional causes of complaint of an
aggravated character; have ever since been ac-
cumulating. Shortly after these proceedings,
special message was despatched to Mexico,to
make fatal demand for address, land on the 3Oth
| of July, 1897, the demand was made. The re-
ply of the Mexican Government bears date the
| 29th of the same month, and contains assuran-
ces of the anxious wish of the MeXlran Gov
eminent, not to delay the 'moment of the final
and equitable adjustment which was to termin-
ate the existing difficulties between the two
governments: that nothing shall be left undone
which may contribute to the most speedy and
equitable adjustment of the subjects which have
Sc seriously engaged the attention OF the Anne
rican government. That the Mexican govern
ment would adopt as the only guide for its con-
duct the plainest principles of public right, the
sacred obligations imposed by international law
and the religious faith oftreaties, and that what
ever reason and Justice may dicdate respecting
each case will be done.' The assurance was
can government upon each cause of complaint,
for which redress had been demanded, should be
communicated to the government of the United
States by the Mexican minister at Washing
ton.
The solemn assurances in answer to our de-
mands for redreos were disregarded. In ma
king these, however, Mexico obtained further
delay. President Van Buren,, In his annual
message to Congress on the 9th Dec, 1887,
states, shat although the larger in number of
our demands for redress, and many of the aggre-
waited cases of personal wrongs, had been now
for years before the Mexican Government, and
some oil the cases of national complaint, and
those of the most offensive character admitted
of immediate, simple and satisfactory replies,
it is only within a few days past thdt any spec
iic communication in answer to our last de-
mands, made months ago has been received
from the Mexican minister; and that for not one
of our public complaints has satisfaction been
given or offered; tibet but one of the cases of
personal wrong has been favorably considered,
and that but four cases of both descriptions out
of all those formerly presented and earnestly
pressed, have as yet been decided upon by the
Mexican government" President Van Buren,
believing that it would be vain to make any fur
Their attempts to obtain redress by the ordinary
means within the power of the Executive COM
muncated this opinion to Congress in the mes
sage referred to, in which he said: On care
full and liberal examination. of the contents of
the correspondence with the Mexican Govern
mcnt, and, considering the spirit manifested by
the Mexican Government, it has become my
painful dutv to return the subject as If now