Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-12-17

request. A second convention was accordingly con-
cluded between the two governments the thirtieh
OF January, 1913, which upon its face declares that
"this arrangement is entered into for the accom-
mediation of Mexico" By the terms of this conven-
ton, all the interest due on the awards which had
been made in favor of the claimants under the
ton of the 1lth of April, 1899, was to be paid
to them the Both of April, 1913, and the
principal of the said awards aud the interest accrung
thereon, stipulated to be paid in FIVE years, in
equal instruments every three months" Notwith-
standing this convention entered into at the
request of Mexico and for the purpose of relieving
her from embarrassment, the claimants have only re-
ceiyed the interest due on the hirtieh of April lS43
and three of the twenty instalments. Although the
payment of the thus liquidaed, and confesssdly
due by Mexico TO citizetenS as indemnity for
knowiedged acts Of outrage and wrong, was secured
by treaty, the obligations of which are ever held sa-
cred by all just nations yet Mexico has violated this
solemn engagement by failing and refusing to make
the payment. The two instalments due In April and
July, 1884, under tic peculiar circumstances connect
ed with them have been assumed by the UnitcdStatcs
and discharged to the claimants but they still due
by Mexico. But this is not all of which we have
just cause of complaint To provide remedy for the
claimants whasc cases were decided by the joint
commission under the convention of April 1lth 1882
it expressly stipulated by the sixth article of the
convention of the Both of January 1913, that new
convention shall be entered into for the settlement of
all claims of the government and citizens of the Uni
ted States against the republic of Mexico which
not finally decided by The late commission which met
in the city of Washington and of all claims Of the
government and citizens of Mexico against the Uni
ted States" =
In conformity with this stipulation third conven-
ton was concluded and signed at the city of Mexico
on the 10Th of Now 1S43 by the plenpoieniaries of
the governments, by which, provision made
for asceraining and paying these claims. In Janua-
ry, 1874, this convention ratified by tine Senate
of the United States, with two amendments, which
were manifestly reasonable in their character Upon
reference the amendments proposed &c the govern
ment of Mexico, the same evasions, difficulties and
delays were nterposed which have so long marked the
policy of that government towards the United States.
1t has not yet decided whether it would would
not accede TO them, although the subject has been re-
peatedlY pressed upon its consideration.
Mexico has thus violated second time the faith of
treaties by failing refusing to carry into effect the
sixth article of the convention of January, 1913.
Such is the history of the wrongs which we have
suffered and patiently endured from Mexico through
long series of years So far from afordng reasona-
bic satisfaction for the injuries and insults bad
borne, great aggravaton of them consists III the
fact that while the United States anxious to preserve
good understanding with Mexico, have been con-
stanty, but vanly, employed in seeking redress for
past wrongs, new outrages were constantly occrrlng
which have continued to increase our cause of COM
u
While the citizens of the United States were conduct
ing a lawful commerce with Mexico, under the guar
anty of treaty of 80 amliy, commerce, and navIga-
tion," many of them have suffered all the INJURIES
which would have resulted from open war. This
treaty, instead of aordng protection to citizens,
has been the means of inviting them into the ports of
Mexico that they might be, as they have been in nu-
merous instances, plundered of their property and
deprived of their personal liberty if they dare insist
ON their rights Had the unlawful seizures of Ameri-
property, and the violation of personal liberty of
citizens TO say nothing OF the insults to our flag
which have occurred in the ports of Mexico, taken
place the high seas, they would themselves long
since have constituted state of actual war between
the two countries.
In so long suffering Mexico violate her most SOL
emn treaty obligations, plumber orr citizens OF their
property, and mprisOn their persons without aordng
them any redress, have failed to perform of
the first and highest duties which every government
owes to its citzens and the consequence has been,
that many of them have been reduced from state of
affiuence to bankruptcy. The proud name OF Ameri-
can citizen, which ought to protect all who bear 1T
from insult and injury throughout the world has at
forded no such protection to citizens in Mexico.
We had ample Cause of war against Mexico long be-
fore the breaking out of hostilities. But then
we forbore to take redress into hands, until
Mexico herself became the aggressor by invading our
soil in hostile array and shedding the blood of our
citizens.
Such are the grave causes of complaint on the part
of the United States against Mexlco-causes which
existed long before the annexation of Texas to the
American Union; and yet, animated by the love OF
peace, and magnanimous moderation, we did not
adopt those measures of redress which, under such
circumstances, the justified resort of injured ma
tons.
The annexation of Texas to the United States con-
stituted no Just of offence to Mexico. The pre-
text that did So is wholly inconsistent, and ire
cd n
with the revolution by which Texas became independ
ent of Mexico. That this may be the manifest,
it may be proper to advert to the causes and to the
history Of the principal events of that revolution.
Texas constituted portion of the ancient province
Of louisiana ceded to the United States by France
in the year 1903. In the year 1919, the United States,
by the Florida treaty. ceded to Spain all that part OF
Louisiana within the present limits of Texas; and
Mexico by the revolution which separated her from
Spain, and rendered her independent nation, sue
ceeded the rights of the mother country over this
territory. In the year 1924, Mexico established q
federal constitutions under which the Mexican republic
was composed of number OF sovereign States, con-
federated together in federal Union similar TO oul
own. Each of those States had its own Executive
Legislature and Judiciary and for all, except fedora
purposes was independent OF the general govern
ment and that of the other States is Pennsylvania
or Virginia under our Constitution Texas and Goa
huilla united and formed of these Mexican States
The State Constitution which they adopted, and which
was approved by the Mexican confedcracy, ASSERTED
that they were free and independent of the othe
Mexican United States and Of every other power ant
dominion whatsoever; and proclaimed the grea
principle of human liberty, that the sovereignty o
the States resides originally and essentially in TIN
general mass of the individuals who compose It,
To the government under this constitutions well a
to that under the federal constitution, the people
Texas owed allegiance.
Ernigrants from foreign countries including tn
| United States, were invited by the colonization law
of the State and of the federal government 10 settle
Texas. Advantageous terms were offered to Undue