Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-12-10

to avoid the war which followed, but all have
proved vain. All our attempts to preserve
peace have been met by insult and resistance
on the par, Of Mexico. My efforts to this end
commenced in the note OF the Secretary OF
State Of the 10th Of March, fe45, in answers 10
that OF the Mexican Minister. Whilst declin
ing to reopen a discussion which had already
been exhausted, and proving again what was
known to the whole world, that Texas had
long since adhered her independence, the Sc
creiary Of State expressed the regret Of this
Government that Mexico should have taken
offence at the resolution of annexation passed
by Congress, and gave assurance that our
"most strenuous efforts shall be devoted TO the
amicable adjustment of every cause Of com.
plant between the two Governments, and to
the cultivation of the kindest and most friend
ly relations between the sister republics"
That have acted in the spirit Of this assu-
rance, will appear from the events which have
since occurred. Notwithstanding Mexico had
abruptly terminated all diplomatic intercourse
with the United States, and ought, therefore,
to have been the frs; 10 ask for its resumption.
yet, waving all ceremony, ! embraced the
earliest favorable opportunity "to ascertain
from the Mexican Government whether they
would receive an envoy from the u. States in
trusted with full power to adjust all the ques-
tons in dispute between the two Governments"
In September, lS45, | believed the propitious
moment for such an overture had arrived. Tex
as, by the enthusiastic and almost unanimous
will of her people, had pronounced IL favor Of
annexation. Mexico herself had agreed TO &C
knowledge the independence of Texas, subject
TO a condition, it is true, which she had no
right TO impose, and no power TO enforce
The last lingering hope Of Mexico, if she still
could have retained any. that Texas would ev-
er again become one OF her provinces, must
have been abandoned.
The Consul OF the U. States at the City Of
Mexico was, therefore. instructed by the Sec
rotary of State, on the 18th ofSeptember. 1916,
to make the enquiry of the Mexican Govern
ment. The enquiry was made, and on the 18th
Of October, 1916, the Minister of Foreign AZ
fairs of the Mexican Government, in a note
addressed 10 our Consul, gave a favorable re-
Spouse, requesting, at the same time. that gu
naval force might be Withdrawn from Vera
Cruz while negotiations should be pending
Upon the receipt of this note, our naval force
was promptly withdrawn from Vera Cruz. A
Minister was Immediately appointed. and de-
parted to Mexico. Everything bore a promis-
ing aspect for a speedy and peaceful adjust
ment Of all our difficulties. At the dale Of my
annual message TO Congress, in December last,
no doubt was entertained but that he would BE-
received by the Mexican Government, and the
hope was cherished that all cause of misun-
Outstanding between the two countries would
be speedily removed. In the confident hope
that such would be the result OF his mission, |
informed Congress that | forbore at that time
to "recoInmend such Interior measures of re-
dress for the wrongs and injuries we had so
long borne, as it would have been proper 10
make had no such negotiation been instituted
To my surprise and regret, the Mexican Go
vernment, though solemnly pledged 10 do SO,
upon the arrival of our Minister in Mexico, re-
fused to receive and accredlt him. When he
reached Vera Cruz. on the 30th OF November,
lS45, he found that the aspect Of affairs had
undergone an unhappy change. The Gov
ernment Of Gen. HERRERA, who was at that
time President of the republic, was lettering to
its fall. Gen. Paroles Ga military LEADER had
manifested his determination 10 overthrow the
government Of HERRERA by a military revolu-
ton and one Of the principal means which
he employed to effect his purpose, and render
the government OF HERRERA odious 10 the ar
my and people of Mexico, was by loudly con-
demDing lis determination TO receive a Minis
ter Of peace from the u. States, aledging that
it was the intention Of HERRERA, by a treaty
with the L. States, 10 dlsmember the territory
OF Mexico, by cedIng away the department OF
Texas. The government of HERRERA IS be
lieved to be have been well disposed 10 a paci-
fc adjustment Of existing difficulties but pro-
badly alarmed for its own security, and in or
der 10 ward off the danger of the revolution
led by PAREpEs, violated It's solemn agreement,
and refused 10 receive or accredit our Minister /;
- A.. .I.lz.,x. ,,c,rnal Tia bn b,I ka,p
invested with full power 10 adjust all questions
in dispute between the two Governments
Among the frivolous pretex,s for this refusal,
the principal one was, that our Minister had
not gone upon a special mission, confined To
the question Of Texas alone, leaving all the
outrages upon our flag and our citizens unre-
dressed. The Government Of Mexico well
knew that both our national honor and the
protection due TO our citizens imperatvely re-
quired that the two questions OF boundary and
indemnity should be treated Of together, as nat
urally and mseparably blended. and they ought
TO have seen that this course was best calcula-
ted TO enable the U. States TO extend to them
the most liberal justice. On the Both OF De
cember, lS45. Gen. HERRERA resigned the pre-
sidency, and yielded up the government TO
Gen. PAREpEs without a struggle. Thus a
revolution was accomplished solely by the ar
my commanded by Paroles, and the supreme
power in Mexico passed into the hands of a
military usurper, who was known TO lie bitter
ly hostile to the United States.
Although the prospect Of a pacific adjust
ment with toe new Government: was unprom
ising. from the known hostility Of its head 10
the U. States, yet, determined that nothing
should be left undone on our part to restore
friendly relations between the two countries,
our Minister was instructed to present his Gre
dentials 10 the new Government, and ask to be
accredited by it in the diplomatic character in
which he had been commissioned. These IN
structions he executed by his note Of the Isl Of
March, 1876. addressed TO the Mexican Min
lister o. Foreign Affairs. but his request was
insultingly refused by that Minister in his an
swer OF the 18th of the same month. No al
tentative remained for our Minister but to de-
mand his passports, and return 10 the U. States.
Thus was the extraordinary spectacle pre-
sented TO the civilized world OF a Government,
in violation of its own express agreement. hav-
ing twice rejected a minister Of peace, invest
ed with full powers TO adjust all the existing
differences between the two countries in n man
ner just and honorable to both. | am not
aware that modern history presents a parallel
case, in which. in time of peace, one nation has
refused even to hear propositions from anoth-
err for terminating existing difficulties between
them.
Gax.a1v d. hano or oI;,,ctipr O,,r Ala cnltiee.