The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-12-14

leo in rapid succession, bat still there was no
change in this system of depreciation. The
Government of the United States made re-
peated reclamations on behalf its citizens,
but these were answered by the Preparation
of new outrages. Promises Of redress made
by Mexico in the most solemn forms were
postponed or evaded. The files and records
of the Department Of State contain conclu-
sive proofs Of numerous lawIess acts perpe-
trated upon the property and persons of our
citizens by Mexico, and of wanton insults to
our national flag. The interposition of our
government to obtain redress was again and
again invoked, under circumstances which
no nation ought TO disregard.
1t was hoped that these outrages would
cease, and that Mexico would be restrained
by the laws which regulate the conduct of
civilized nations in their intercourse with
each other after the treaty of amity, COM
merce and navigation, of the 9Th April 1873
was concluded between the two republics
but this hope soon proved to be vain. The
course or seisure and conhscation ofthe pro-
perty of our citizens, the violations of their
persons and the insults to our flag pursued
ly suspended for even a brief period, al
though the treaty so clearly defines the
rights and duties of the respective parties,
that il is impossible to misunderstood or mis-
lake them. In less than seven years after
the conclusion of that treaty our grievances
had become so intolerable that, in the opn-
ion of President jackson, they should no lon
ger be endured. In his message TO Con-
gress, February 1887, he presented them 10
the consideration of that body, and declared
that, "The length of time since some of the
injuries had been committed, the repeated &
unavailing applications for redress, the wan,
ton character of some of the outfages, upon
the officers and flag of the United States, in.
dependent of recent insults TO this govern
ment 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 reprisals as a mil.
der mode of redress. He declared thai
war should not be used as remedy Shy JUS
and generous nations confdng in thei
strength for injuries committed, if it can be
honorably avoided," and added, Kit has occur
red TO me that, considering the present EN-
banassed condition of that country, we should
act with both wisdom and moderation by OF
wing Mexico one more opportunity TO atone
for the past before we take redress into GU
own hands. To avoid all msconception or
the part of Mexico, as we'll as 10 protect GU
national character from reproach, this oppor
tunity should be given with the avowed de
| sign and preparations to take immediate sa
tisfactOn, if il should not be obtained on !;
repetition of the demand for it. To this enc
| recommend that an act be passed authori
zing reprisals, and the use OF the naval fore,
of the United States by the Executive, a
gainst Mexico, TO enforce them in the even
of refusal by the Mexican government t,
come to an amicable adjustment of the mat
tiers in controversy between us, upon anothe
demand thereof, made from on board one o
our vessels of war on the coast of Mexico
| Committees of both Houses of Congress
TO which this message Of this President wa
referred, fully sustained his views of tn
character of the wrongs which we had suf
fered from Mexico, and recommended tina
another demand for redress should be made
before authorizing or reprisals. TIL
Icommittee-on foreign relations of the Sen
ate. in their report, say: CATER such a de
mand, should prompt justice be refused b
the Mexican government, we may appeal t
all nations, nor only for the equity and mod
Grafton with which we shall have acted &c
wards sister republic. but for the necesst
which will then compel us to seek redres
for our wrongs thereby actual war or by re
prisals. The subject will then be presente
before Congress, at the commencement {
the next session, in clear and distinct (orr
and the committee cannot doubt but tia
such measures will be Immediately adope
as may be necessary TO vindcate the hone
of our country, and insure ample reparauo
10 our injured citizens"
The committee on foreign affairs of tn
House of Representatives made a similar re
commentator. In their report, they sa
that they "fully concur with the Presider
that ample cause exists for taking redress INF
our own hands, and believe that we shout
be justified in the.opinion of other nations f
taking such a step. But they are willing t
in the most solemn form, upon the justice {
, the Mexican government, before any procee
dings are adopted.''
No difference of opinion upon the subjec
f is believed 10 have existed in Congress 4;
! that time. The Executive and legslatv
departments concurred; and yet such ha
been our forbearance, and desire TO preserv
peace with Mexico, that the wrongs Of whic
we then complained, and which gave rise
. these solemn proceedings, not only RENAL
unredressed to this day, but additional cause
of complaint, of an aggravat ed characte
hove ever since been accumulating.
Shortly after these proceedings, speci
: messenger was despatched TO Mexico.