The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-11


pendent Of recent insults 10 this government and
people by the late extraordinary Mexican minister
would justify, in the eyes Of all nations, immediate
war; He did not, however, recommend an lmme-
dlse resort TO this extreme measure, which, he de-
cared should not be used by just and generous ma
lions, oonhdmg in their strength for injuries commit
ted II IL can be honoraby avoided but in spirit Of
forbearnce, proposed that another demand be mode
on Mexico for that redress which had been so long
and uninstly Withheld. Ia these views, commit
tees Of the two houses Of Congress- in reports made
TO their respective bodies, eoncurred. Since these
proceedings more than eight years have elapsed, du.
ring which, in addition 10 the wrongs then complain
ed Of others OF an aggravated character have been
committed on the persons and property Of citi-
Iens. special agent was sent 10 Mexico In the
summer OF 1888, with full authority make another
and hnal demand for redress. The demand was
made; the Mexican government promised TO rs-
pair the wrongs Of winch We complainant and afer
much delay, treaty Of indemnify with that view
was concluded between the two powers on the
eleventh Of April, 1889, and was duly ratified by
both governments. By this treaty Joint commits
sion created to adjudicsts and decide on the
claims Of American citizens on the government Of
Mexico. The commission was organized at Wash
ington on the tweBty-hhh day Of August, 1910.
Their time was limited TO eighteen months; at the
expiration Of which they had adjudieated and deci
ded claims amounting 10 two million twenty-six
thousand one hundred and thirty-nins dollars and
States against the Mexican government, leaving a.
large amount Of claims undecided. or the latter the
American commissioners had decided IN favor Of our
citizens claims amounting TO nine hundred and
twenty eight thousand six hundred and twenty sew
en- dollars and lightweight cents, which left
Enacted on by the umpire authorized by the treaty
Still further claims, amounting TO between three and
four millions Of dollars, submitted TO the board
TOO late 20 be considered and were left undisposed
of. The sum OF two million twsnty-six thousand
one hundred and thrty-nine dollars and sixty eight
cents, decided by the hoard, hquidated and
cerained debt due by Mexico TO the claimants, and
there no justihable reason for delaying its pay
ment according TO the terms Of the treaty. IL was
not, however, paid. Mexico applied for further in
diligence; and in that spirit Of berality and orbear-
anee which has ever marked the policy Of the
United States towards that republic, the request
granted; and, on the thirteth OF January,
l543, new treaty was concluded BY this
treaty il was provided, that the interest due on
the awards in favor Of claimants under the
convention Of the eleventh Of April, 1889, should
he paid the thrtieth Of April, l543i and
that 'the principal Of the said awards, and the in
terest arising thereon shall be paid in FIVE years in
equal instalments every three months; the SAID
term Of Ave years 10 commence the thrtieth day
OF April, I6I3, as aforesaid The interest due on
the thtrteth day Of April, ls43, and the three first
Of the twenty instalments have been paid. Seven
teen Of these instalments remain unpaid, seven Of
which are now due.
"The claims which were left undecided by the
joint commission, amounting to more three mil
lions Of dollars together with other claims for spo-
iations the property Of our citizens, were subse-
quently presented to the Mexican government for
pa ment, and so far recognised that treaty,
providing for their examination and settlement by
Joint commission, was concluded and signed at Mex.
co on the twentieth day Of November, l648.
This treaty was ratified by the United States with
certain amendments, to which no just exception
could have been taken; but il has not yet received
the ratification of the Mexican government. In the
mean time our citizens, who suffered great losses,
and some Of whom have been reduced from Offluence
to bankruptcy, are without remedy, unless their
rig hts be enforced by their government. Such
continued and unprovoked series Of wrongs could
never have been tolerated by the United States had
they been committed by one ofthe principal nations
Of Europe Mexico was, however, a neghboring
sister republic, which, following our example, had
achieved her independence, and for whose success
and prosperity all sympathies early enlist
ed. The United States were the first TO recog-
Mise her independence, and TO receive her into the
family Of nations, and have ever been DESTROYS of
cutvating with her good understanding We
nave, therefore, borne the repeated wrongs she has
committed, with great patience, in the hope that
returning Of uslice would ultimately guide her
counseIs and that we might, if possible, honoraby
avoid any hostile collision with her.
"Without the previous authority of Congress, the
adequate remedies for the injuries we had suffered
n to do more than be prepared to repel the threat
ened aggression on the part of Mexico. After our
army and navy had remained on the frontier and
,asts Of Mexico for many weeks, without any hos
Ile movement on our part, though her menaces
we're continued, deemed II important to put end
II possible to this state of things. With this view
caused steps 10 be taken, in the month Of Septem
Der last to ascertain distinctly, and in authentic
lorm, what the designs Of the Mexican government
we're; whether it was their intention to declare war
Or invade Texas or whether they were disposed to
lust and settle, in an amicable manner the pend
ing differences between the two countries On the
ninth of November an official answer was received
chat the Mexican government consented 10 renew
the diplomatic relations which had been suspended
in March last and for that purpose were willing
TO accredt minister from the United States
With sincere desire preserve peace, and restore
relations of good understanding between the two re-
pubics waived all ceremony as to the manner Of
renewing diplomatic intercourse between them
and, assuming the initiative, on the 10th of Novem
Der q distinguished citizen Of Louisiana APP
pointed envoy extraordinary and minister plenpo
tentiary to Mexico, clothed with full power to ad
Just, and defntvely settle, all pending differences
between the two countries, including those Of boun
Diary between Mexico and the State Of Texas. The
minister appointed has set out on his mission, and
is probably by this time near the Mexican capital
He has been instructed to bring the negotiation with
which he is charged TO conclusion at the earliest
practicable period; which, 1t is expected, will be in
time enable me to communicate the result to Con-
gross during the present session. Untii that result
is known, forbear to recommend TO Congress such
Interior measures Of redress for the wrongs and in
juries we have 80 long borne il would have been
proper to make had no such negotiation been in
sttuted."
To this statement and to the statements contained
in this days message TO Congress nothing need be
added. But il farther testimony of Mexican ag-
erosion and outrage be needed it is abundant, and
at hand It is found in all the most solemn and con-
elusive forms of diplomatic and legislative record
Statesmen of all our administrations for the last
twenty years, and Of all parties in the country have
concurred in it as with one voice. That Mexico
has continually violated against us the most settled
principles Of international law and comity--that
again and again, without pretext, and on the most
frivolous pretext, she has broken her own most