The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-13

.rico and adapted to the act Of Congress passed
night. ..
M WRONGS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Tbs message Of the President Of the United
,,ss, transmitted to Congress on Monday last, Is
l strong, clear, and luminous an exposition OF the
rsssions ofMexico upon he United States, that it
Oud seem 10 supersede the necessity Of making any
ysr appeal to our country and to the world; but
n, TOO general in its statements Of the previous
Inns of the United States to be sufficiently COM
hsnded in the whole force OF which the subject Is
,ceptible.. In such document, details are, OF
csssity, omitted; and we deem it proper therefore
ay before our readers, in a single view, a more
mole statement of the multiplied wrong and per-
IN which we had borne at the hands OF the Mexi-
Ia government, even before il contaminated It's
ag work of outrage, and put an end to all reason
he thought Of farther forbesrance, by sanguina-
invasion Of our soil.
THE deep interest felt by the government and
ople Of the United States ia thsstrusgle Of Mexico
independence, is known to the whole world.
ur sympathies were warmly enlisted in her favor,
N The most ardent wishes were cherished for her
Doesss. The United States were the frat among
!. nations to acknowledge her independence. This
Il was performed on the 27th Of January, 1873,
the appointment of an illustrous citizen, General
Lndrew Jackson, by and with the advice and con-
mt Of the Senate, to be envoy extraordinary and
ras,er plenipoteutiary at Mexico. On the 4th Of
Daober, 1924, Mexico adopted federal constltu-
on, of which our own was the model, and which
ms we'll calculated, not only to perpetuate the lib
ny and promote the prosperity of the different
kal.s composing the confederacy, but also to
mite the sister and neighboring republics IN bonds
fine closest intimacy and friendship. On the 5th
lDrI, 1881, a treaty Of commerce and navigation
yp concluded bete.een the United States and the
Mexican republic based upon the most liberal prn-
apes Of reciprocity, and everything promised a
appy future in the mutual relations between the
yo republics.
But this bright prospect was soon overcast
American citizens, acting on the faith Of this treaty,
Who had engaged in commerce with Mexico, or had
rued within its territories to conduct their lawful
u,iness, were, in numerous instances, deprived Of
heir personal liberty and pundered Of their prop
.ty by the Mexican authorities, whilst on several
OCCASIONS the flag Of our country was openly in
nlted Every effort and every remonstrance on the
part Of the government of the United States to ar
rest these authorities in this career Of spoahon for
Nh. future and to obtain redress for the past proved
unavaiing 1t is confidently asserted that the his
tory Of no civilized nation presents, within so brief
period so many wanton attacks upon the rights of
PERSONS and property as have been inflicted upon
|,rens Of the United States by the Mexican author
tues These never would have been tolerated from
any nation, except neighboring and sister republic,
Within the brief space Of six years from the conclu-
SION the treaty, these outrages had assumed such
aagrant character; that President Jackson, in his
message to the Senate and to the House of the 9th
February, 1897, when speaking of them, employs
the following language: 'The length Of time since
some of the injuries have been committed, the re-
peated and unavailing applications for redress, the
vanton character of some of the outrages upon the
property and persons of our citizens, upon the Off
GERS and flag of the United States, independent of re-
cen, insults to this government and people, by the
late extraordinary Mexican minister ,could justify,
inthe eyes Of all nations, immediate oar."
Still, in the spirit of forbearance, he was unwilling
to resort to this last extremity, without 'giving to
Mexico one more opportunity to atone for the past
before we take redress into our own hands" Ac-
cordingly he recommended, "that an act be passed
authorizing reprsals, and the use of the naval force
of the United States by the Executive against Mex
leo to enforce Them in the event of refusal by the
all al
of the matters in controversy between US, upon
another demand thereof made from on board one OF
our vessels of war on the coast Of Mexico"
The respective Committees of Foreign Relations
in the two houses Of Congress, emphaticaly re-
sponded in their reports to the character of these
outrages as portrayed in the message of General
Jackson The committee Of the Senate, however
recommended that another demand should be made
for redress upon the Mexican government, in pur'
suance Of the form required by the Gath article Of
our treaty with Mexico, and the result submitted to
Congress for its decision, before actual hostilites
should be authorized. This article requires that
"if, what indeed cannot be expected, any of the
articles contained in the present treaty shall be
violated or infracted in any manner whatever
II is stipulated that neither Of the contracting
parties will order or authorize any acts OF
reprisal, nor declare war against the other, on
complaints Of injuries or damages, until the said
party considering itself offended shall first have
presented to the other statement of such injuries
or damages, verified by competent proofs, and de-
manded justice and satisfaction, and the same shall
have been either refused or unnecessarily delayed"
The committee say, that latter such a demand,
should pronpt justice be refused by the Mexican
government, we may appeal TO all nations not only
for the equity and moderation with which we have
acted towards sister republic but for the necessity
which will then compel to seek redress for our
wrongs by actual war or by reprisals The subject
will then be presented before Congress at the com.
mencement Of the next session, in clear and dis.
tnot form and the committee cannot doubt but tina,
such measures will be Immediately adopted, "a may
be necessary to vindicate the honor of the country
and ensure ample reparation to our injured fellow
citi1ens.n
The resolution with which this report concluded
was, on the 9th February, 1897, adopted by the
unanimous vote Of the Senate.
r -