Democratic banner., 1846-05-23
WASHINGTON, Nav IL, 1876.

SelFeu ny IHe HdHuS VI Ills private Secres
tary:
To the Senate and Hous, of Representatives.:
The existing state of the relations be-
tween the United States and Mexico, rem
derS it proper that l should bring the sub
%iectto the consideration of Congress. In
my message at the commencement of your
present session, the state Of these relations,
the cause which led to the suspension of
diplomatic intercourse between the two
countries in March, 1915, andthe long-con-
tinued and unredrcssed wrongs, and inju-
ries committed by the Mexican Govern
ment 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 con-
sidered, | cannot better express my present
convictions of the condition Of affairs up
to 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 adjust our boundary, and 9TH
err causes of diff erence with that power on
such fair and equitable principles as would
lead to permanent relations of the most
friendly nature, induced me in September
last to seek TIE ~reopening Of diplomatic re-
.~lations between the two countries. Every
measure adopted on our part had for its OBJ
iect the furthcrance OF these desired results.
In communicating to Congress q saccinct
statcmentIof the injuries which we had suf-
fercd from Mexico, and which have been
accommodating during q periodof more than
twenty years, every expression that could
tend TO inaa:nc the people of Mexico, orde-
feat or delay a pacific result, was careful
" avoided. An envoy of the United States
rcpaircdto Mexico with frll powers to ad-
Just every existing difference. But though
present OH the Mexican soil b. agreement
between the two Governments, invested
with full powers, and bearing evidence Of
the most friendly dispositions, his mission
has been unavailing. The Mexican Gov
eminent not only refused to receive him, or
l~istcnto propositions; but, after a long con-
tinued series of menaces, have at last in
vadcd our territory and shed the blood Of
our fellow-c;tizens on our own soil.
1t now becomes my duty to state more in
detail tie origin, progress and failure IF
that mission. In pursuance OF the inStruc-
.tions given in September last, and inquiry
was made Gu the thirteenth Of October in
1915, il the most friendly terms, through
our consul in Mexico, of the minister Of
foreign affairs, whether the Mexican Gov
eramcnt "'woatd receive an envoy from the
United States entrusted with full powers
to adjust all the questions in dispute be-
tween the two ~GoVcrnmentS;" with the as
.Surancc that "should the answer be III the
affirmative, such an envoy would be imme-
despatchedto Mexico" The Mexi-
can minister, on the fifteenth Of October,
gave an affirmative answer to this inquiry.
requesting at the same time, that our naval
force at Vera Cruz might be withdrawn,
lest, its continued presen>e might assume
the appearance Of menace and coercion
pending the negotiations. This force was
Immediately withdrawn. On the 10Th of
November, 1915, AIr. John Slideii. Of Lou
isiana, WAS commissioned BY me as envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipotcntiGry
of the United State to Mexico. and was en-
trusted with full powers 10 adjust both the
questions Of the Texas boundary and OF in
to our citizens. The redress
Of the wrongs of our citizens naturally and
inScparably blended itself with the cues
ton of boundary. The settlement of TIE
one question in any correct view of the sub
jet involves that of the other. l could
net, for 4 moment, entertain the idea that
the claims of our much injured and long
suffering citizens, many of which had ex-
iStcd for more than twenty years, should be
postponed, or separated from the >cttlement
Of the boundary question.
Mr.. Slidell arrived at Vera Cruz on the
50th November, and was cautiously re-
by the authorities of that city. But
the Government of Gen. Herrera was then
lettering TO its fall. The revolutionary
party had seized upon the Texas question
to effect orhastcn its overthrow. Its de-
termination TO restore friendly relations
with the United States, and to receive our
minister, to negotiate for the settlement of
this question, was violently assailed, and
was made the great theme of dcnunciation
it.
The Government of Gen. Herrera, there
is good reason TO believe, was sincerely de-
SirouS to receive orr minister: hnt II WELD