Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-12-16

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and they ought to have seen that this'course
was best calculated to enable the United
States, to extend 10 them the most liberal
justice. On the 30th Of Dec, I645, Gen.
Herrera resigr ed the Presidency. .nnd yield.
ed up the government to Gen. Paredes
without struggle. Thus revolution was
accomplished solely by the army somman.
ded by.Paredes, and the supreme powefin
Mexico passed into the hands Of military
usurpsr, who was known to be bitterly hos
tile to the United States.
Although the prospect Of pacific si-
justment with the new government was
unpromising, from the known hostility Of
its head to the United States, yet, dstsr.
mined that nothing should be left undons
on our part to restore friendly relations
between the two countries. our minister
was instructed to present his credentials to
the new government and ask 10 be accfed.
ited by it IN the diplomatic character in
which he had been commissioned These
instructions he executed BY his note on the
lst of March, 1s46, addressed to the Mex
ican Minister Of Foreign Affairs, but HE
request was insultingly refused BY tha,
minister in his answer Of the 18th Of the
same month. No alternative remained for
our minister but to demand his passports.
and return to the U. States.
Thus was the extraordinary spec,sbIe
presented tothe civilized world, of a govern
ment, in violation Of its own express a.
greement, having twice reJecled minister
of peace. invested with full powers 10 ad-
just all the existing differences between the
two countries in manner just and honora-
BILE to both. | am not aware that modern
history presents parallel case, in which,
in time of peace, one nation has refused ev-
en- to hear propositions from another for ter.
minating existing difficulties between them.
Scarcely a hope Of adjusting our diff
iculties even ut remote day, or Of per-
serving peace with Mexico, could be cher
ished while Paredes remained at the head
olthe Government. lie had acquired the
supreme power by military revolution,
and upon the most solemn pledges to wage
war against the Uuted States, and 10 re-
conquer Texas which he claimed as re-
volted province Of Mexico. He had Dc.
nounced as guilty oftreason all those Mex
leans who considered Texas as no longer
constituting a part Of the territory Of Mex.
leo, and who were friendly to the cause of
| peace. The duration of the war which he
waged against the United States was In.
definite, because The end which he propos-
ed,of the reconquest Of Texas was hopeless.
Besides there was good reason to believe
IRON all his conduct that il was his inten-
tlon TO convert the Republic Of Mexico in
to Monarchy, and to call foreign Eu-
ropean prince 10 the throne. Preparatory
to this end, he had during bis short rule,
destroyed the liberty,o Of the press, tolsya.
ting that portion Of it only which openly
advocated the establishment Of a monarchy.
The better TO secure the success Of his vi.
innate designs, he had by an arbitrary Dc.
cree convoked Congress-notto be O.
lected by the FREQ voice of the people, but
to be chosen in manner to make them
subservient to his will, and to give him
absolute control over their deliberations
Under all these circumstances, It WAS
believed that any revolution TO Mexico
founded on opposition to the ambitious pro-
Ject Of Paredcs, would tend TO promote the
cause Of peace, as we'll as prevent any at-
tempted European Interference in the uf.
fairs Of the North American continent.
both objects Of deep interest in the United
States, Any such foreign interference, il
attempted, must have been resisted by the
United States. My views upon that sub.
ject were fully communicated to Congress
in my last annual message. In any event
1t was certain that no change whatever in
the Government Of Mexico, which would
deprive Paredes Of power could 30 for tho
worse, 50 far as the United States was con-
cerned, whilst it was highly probable any
change must be for the better.
This was the State Of affairs existing
when Congress, on the 18th o. May last.
recognized the existence OF the war which
had been commenced by the government
os Paredes and il became an, object Of
much importance with viewto speedy
settlement Of our difficulties and the resio-
ration Of an honorable peace. that Paredcs
should NOT retain power in Mexico. esa
Before that time there was symptoms Of
q revolution in Mexico, favored, as twas
supposed 10 be. by The more liberal party.
and especially by those WHO were opposed
10 foreign inference andto tho monarehial
form OF Government Santa Anna was
then an exile in Havana, having been OK.
PEELED from power and banished from his
country by a revolution which occurred in
December, ls44; and it was known that
he had still a considerable party in his a.
yorin Mexico. 1t was also equally we'll
known that no vigilance which could be ex,
erted by our squadron. would in all probs-
bility have prevented him from efiectinga
landing somewhere on the extensive gulf
coast OF Mexico, If he desired to return 10
his country. He had openly professed an
entire change Of policy; had expressed his
regret that ha had subyerted the federal
constitution Of 1924. and avo,vad fkrt IL