Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-05-14
The Message.
To the Senate and
House Of Representatives.:


HOUSE Of Representatives
The existing state of relations between the
United States and Mexico, renders it proper
that | should bring the subject to the conSdera.
lion Of Congress. In my Message at the com
menccment of your present session, the state of
these relations, the causes which led To the sls-
pension Of diplomatic intercourse between the
Two countries in March, 1915, and the long-con-
tinucd and unrcdressed wrongs and injuries
committed by the Mexican government on
citizens Of the United States in their persons
and property were briefly set forth
As the facts and opinions which were then
laid before you were carefully considered, !
cannot better express my present convictions O!
the affairs up 20 that Time, than by referring
You To that communication.
The strong desire TO establish peace with
Mexico, on liberal and honorable terms. and the
readiness of this government TO regulate and
adIus, our boundary, and other causes of differ
ence w,:h that power. on such fair and equita-
bic principles aS would lead to permanent rela-
tions Of the most friendly nature, induced me in
September last 10 seek the re-opcning Of diplo.
matte relations between the Two Countries
Every measure adopted on our part had for its
object the iur;herance Of these desired results
In communicating 10 Congress succinct state
ment Of the injuries which We had suffered from
Mexico. and which have been accommodating
y
~ expression that could tend 10 inflame the
people Of Mexico, or defeat or delay pacific
result, was carefully avoided. An envoy Of the
United States repaired 10 Mexico with full
powers to adjust every existing difference. But
though present on the Mexican soil, by agree
ment between the two governments, invested
with full powers and bearing evidence of the
most friendly dispositions, his mission has been
unavailng The Mexican government not on
I mr. liSls Ia Nc
sionS, but after long continued series of
mennces have at last invaded our territory, and
shed the blood Of our fellow citizens on our own
soil
\ II now becomes my duty to state more in de
tail the origin, progress, and failure of that
mission. In pursuance OF the instructions given
/ IN September last an inquiry was made on the
thirteenth Of October, in lsl5 in The mos, friend
4 " terms, through our consul in Mexico Of the
minister OF foreign affairs, whether the Mexican
government would receive an envoy from the
United States intrustcd with full powers TO ad-
just all the questions in dispute between the two
II governments )" with the assurance that SHOULD
the answer be in the affirmative, such an envoy
|, would be Immediately despatched to Mexico
The Mexican minister, on the fifteenth of ')cto.
ber save an affirmative answer TO this inquiry,
|, requesting, nj the same time, that our naval
II :orce at Vera Cruz might be Withdrawn lest us
continued presence might assume the appear.
ancc OF menace and coercion pending the ne
gociations. This force was immediately with
II drawn. On the 10Th of November, lsds Mr.
John Slidcl] of Louisiana, was commissioned
Ilby me as envoy extraordinary and minister
II Ipenipoien,iary of the Uniird States To Mexico.
and was intruScd with full powers to adjust
n both The questions Of the Texas boundary and
n OF lndemnIhcallon 10 our citizens. The redress
II oil The wrongs ot our citizens naturally and in
Il separately blended itself with the question Of
boundary. The settlement of one question in
any corrcc; view Of The subject involves that oI
The other. could not, for n moment, enieriaio
the idea tha, the claims Of our much injured ant
long suffering citizens, many Of which had en-
/ lSied for more thsn twenty years. should bt
4 postponed or separated from the settlement o
II the boundary question.
II Mr. Slidell arrived Mt Vera Cruz on tho 30ll
!. Ol November, and was cOurlcouSly received b,
II the authorities of that city. But the govern
III ment Of Gen. Herrera was then tO'tcrng 10 IL
fall The revolutionary patty had seized upor
the Texas question 10 effect or hasten lis over
throw ItS determination tp rcsioic nicndl,
y relation, with The United STATE. ald o rcc,i,