Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-12-19

W. oitiLcH>S upon Tie OnlcerS and flag of the
United States, independent of recent insults
TO this government and people by the late
extraordinary Mexican minister, would JUS
tliy IN the eyes OF all nations immediate war;
In spirit of kindness and forbearance. how
ever, ne recommended reprisals as milder
mode OF redress. He declared that war
should not De used as aremedy "by just and
generous nations confiding in their strength.
for injuries committed, if it can be honora-
bly, avoided and added g it has occurred TO
me that, considering the present embarras-
sed condition OF that country, we should act
with both wisdom and moderation, by Civ
ing Mexico one more opportunity to atone
tor the past, before we take redress into our
own hands. To avoid all Instrumentation on
the part OF Mexico, as well as to protect our
national character from reproach, this op-
portunity should be given with the avowed
design and full preparation to take imme
date satisfaction, if it should not be obtain.
ed on repetition of the demand for if. To
this end recommend that an act be passed
authorizing repriSals, and the use of the ma !
val force OF the United States, by the Exec.
dtive against Mexico, to enforce them in tha
event OF refusal by the Mexican Govern
ment 10 come to an amicable adjustment of
the matters in controversy between us. IN.
on another demand thereof, made from on
board one of our vessels of war on the coast
Of Mexico"
Committees of both Houses of Congress.
to which this message of the President was
referred, fully sustained his views of the
character and wrongs which we had suffer-
ed from Mexico, and recommended that an.
other demand for redress should be made
before authorizing war or repriSals. The
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Sen.
ate, in their report, say After such de-
mand, should prompt Justice be refused bv
the Mexican Government, we may appeal
to all nations, not only for the equity and
moderation with which we shall have acted
towards sister republic, but for the neces.
sity which will then compel us to seek re-
dress for our wrongs either by actual war or
by reprsals. The subject will then be pre-
scented before Congress, at the commence
ment of the next session. in clear and dis
tinct form and the committee cannot doubt
but that such measures will be immediatelv
adopted as may be necessary to indicate
the honor of our country, and insure ample
reparation to our injured citizens''
The Committee on Foreign Affairs ofthe
House OF Representatives made a similar
recommendation. In their report. thew saw
that they" fully concur with the President
that ample cause exists for taking redress in
to our own hands, and believe that we
should be justified in the opinion of other
nations for taking such step. But they
are willing to try the experiment of another
demand, made in the most solemn form. up-
on the justice of the Mexican government.
before any other proceedings are adopted
NO difference of opinion upon the subject
rs 40 Inv nd Pr hn.y -
that time. The Executive and Legislative
departments concurred: and yet such has
been our torbearance, and desire to preserve
peace with Mexico, that the wrongs of
which we then complained, and which gave
rise TO these solemn proceedings, not only
remain uDredressed to this day, but addition
al causes OF complaint, of an aggravated
character have ever since been accumula.
ting.
Shortly after these proceedings, a special
messenger was despatched to Mexico, to
make final demand for redress and on the
twentieth Of July, 1887, the demand was
made. The reply Of the Mexican govern
ment bears date On the twenty ninth of the
same month, and contains assurances of the
"anxiouS wish" of the Mexican govern
ment 'not to delay the moment of that final
and equitable adjustment which is to termi-
nate the existing difficulties between the two
governments ;" that g nothing should be left
undone which may contribute to the most
speedy and equitable determination of the
subjects which have so seriously engaged
the attention of the American Government.
that the Mexican Government would adopt.
as the only guides for its conduct, the plain-
est principles of public right, the sacred OBJ
legations imposed by international law, and
the religious faith of treaties - and that
"whatever reason and Justice may dictate
respecting each ease will be DONE" The
assurance was further given, thrt the decis-
ion of the Mexican 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 ministers at Washington.
These solemn assurances, in answer to our
demand for redress, were disregarded. BY
making them, however, Mexico obtained
further delay. President Van Buren,, in his
annual message to Congress of the fifth of
December, 1887, states that " although the
larger number" of cur demands for redress.
and many of them aggravated cases of
personal wrongs, have been now for years
before the Mexican government, and some
OF the causes of national complaint, and
those of the most offensive character, ad-
mitted OF immediate, simple, and satisfacto-
ry replies, it is only within few days past
that my specific communication in answer
to our last demand, made five months ago,
has been received from the Mexican minis
ter;" and that g for not one of our public
complaints has satisfaction been given or of
fered that but one of the cases of personal
wrong has been favorably considered, and
! that but four cases of both descriptions, out
of allthose formerly presented, and earnest
/ ly pressed, have as yet been decided upon
/ by the Mexican government" President
Van Buren, believing that it would be vain
to make any further attempt TO obtain re-
dress by the ordinary means within the pow
er OF the Executive, communicated his opin-
ion to Congress, in the message referred to,
in which he said, 's On a careful and DELHI
crate examination of the contents" (of the
correspondence with the Mexican govern
ment,) g and considering the spirit NANTES
ted by the Mexican government, it has be-
come my painful duty to return the subject
as it now stands, to Congress, to whom it be-
longs, to decide upon the time, the mode,
and the measure of redress" Had the Uni
ted States at that time adopted compulsory
measures, and taken redress into their own
hands, all our difficulties with Mexico would
probably have been long since adjusted, and
/. 4 r.