Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-12-23

seizure and confscalion OF our merchant
vessels and their cargoes was a ready re-
source; and if to accomplish their Purpos-
es, it became necessary 10 impose on the
owners, captains and crews, ii was done
Rulers superseded rulers in Mexico in ra
pid succession, but still there was TO
change in this system of depredalion.-
The government of the United States
made repeated reclamations on behalf OF
its citizens, but these were answered by
the Preparation of new outrages. Pro-
misses Of redress made by Mexico in the
most solemn lornlsywere postponed or eva
ded. The files and records of the De-
pariment Of STATE contain the conclusive
proof of numerous lawless.acts perpetrat-
ed upon the property and persons of our
citizens by Mexico, and Of wanton insults
TO our national flag. The interposition of
our government to obtain redress was
again and again invoked, under circum.
stances which no nation ought to dis. egard
Ii was hoped that these outraa ad
cease, and that Mexico would be ri sn-
cd by the laws which regulate the
Of civilized nations IN their InteFc
with each other, after the treaty of amfta1l
commerce, and navigation of the 9Th OF
April, 1881, was concluded between The
two republics; but this hope soon proved
TO be vain. Tue course Of seizure and
confscation of the property of our citi-
zens, the violation of their persons, and
the insults to our flag, pursued by Mexico
previous 10 thar time, were scarcely sus-
pended for even brief period, although
the treaty 50 clearly defines the rights and
duties Of the respective parties, that it is
impossible to misunderstood or mistake
them. In less than seven years after the
conclusion Of that treaty, our grievances
had become 81 intolerable, that in the OPT
MON of President Jackson. they should no
longer be endured. In his message to
Congress in February, 1887, he presented
them 10 the c0nsIiera ton of that body,
and declared that " The length Of time
since some Of the injuries have been com
mjttod, the repeated and unayaiIhg appli-
cations for redress, the wanton character
of some of the outrages perpetrated upon
the property and persons Of our citizens,
independent of recent insults 10 this go
vernment and people, by the late eXtraor-
binary Mexican minister, would Justify in
the eyes Of all nations immediate war;
In a spirit of kindness, however, he re-
commented repriSais as a milder mode of
redress. lie declared shat war should not
be used as a remedy, "by just and gene
rous nations contiiing in their strength if
1t can be hOnorably avoided" and added,
" 1t has occurred TO me, that considering
the present embarrassed condition of thai
country, we should act with both wisdom
and moderation by giving to Mexico one
more opportunity to atone for the past, he
fore we take redress into our own hands
10 avoid all ntsconceptIon on the part OF
Mexico, as well as TO protect our own ma.
tlonal character from reproach, this oppor-
tunity should be given with the avOwed de
sign and full preparation 10 take immedi-
ate satisfaction, if it should not be obtain.
ed on a repetition of demand for it. To
this end recommend that an act be pass.
ed authorizing reprisaIs, and the use of the
naval force of the United States, by the
Executive against Mexico, to enforce them
in the event of refusal by the Mexican
government to come to an amicabl9 adjust
ment OF the matters In controversy be-
tween us, upon another demand thereof,
made from on board one of our vessels of
war on the coast of Mexico"
Committees of both Houses of Con-
gress, to which this message Of the Presi-
| dent was referred, fully sustained his views
of the character Of the wrongs which we
had suffered from Mexico, and recCmmen-
| 0ed that another demand forredress should
! BIO made before authorizing war or repFi-
| sails. The committee on Foreign Reia.
tons Of the Senate, in their report, say:
fer such demand, should prompt JUS
tee be refused by the M6vican govern
ment, We may appeal TO all nations, not
only for the equity AMI moderation with
| which we shah have acted towards a sister
| Republic, but for the necessity which will
then compel US to seek redress for our
wrongs either by actual war or by rcpri.
sails The subject will then be presented
! before Congress, at the commencement Of
| the next session, in a clear and distinct
| form; and the committee cannot doubt
but that such measures will be immediate
~ adopted as may be necessary to vindi-
cate the honor of the country, and insure
ample PREPARATION to our injured citizens"
Inc ColiilLt'eG "l L"i0'Sh hhdiS III
the House of Representatives made ST.
milar recommendation. In their report,
they say that they " fully concur with the
President that ample cause exists for TAX
ing redress into our own hands and believe
Tint 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 so.
Tenn form, upon the justice of the Mexi-
can government, before any farther pro.
ceedlngs are adopted"