The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-05-23

2lst of December refused to accredit
Mr.. Slidell, upon the most frivolous
pretcxts. These are so fully and ably
expressed in tile note OF Mr.. SIidell of
the Oath Of December last, to the Mex
ican Minister Of Foreign Relations,
herewith transmitted, that deem it un-
necessary to enter into further details
on this portion of the subject.
Five days after the date Of Mr.. Sill
dell's note. Gen. Herrera yielded the
government to Gen. Paredes, without
struggle, and on the soth Of Decem-
ber resigned the Presidency. This rev.
olution was accomplished solely by the
army, the people having taken little
part in the contest; and thus the su-
preme power Of Mexico has passed in
to the hands of a military leader. De.
termined to leave no effort untried to
effect an amicable adjustment with
Mexico, directed Mr.. Slidell to pre-
sent his credentials to the Government
Of Gen. Paredes, and asked to be Off
cially received by him.
There would have been less ground
for taking this step, had General Pare
des come into power by regular con-
sttutional succession. In that event
his administration would have been
considered but a mere constitutional
continuance ofthe Government Of Gen.
Herrera, and the refusal of the latter 10
receive our minister, would have been
deemed conclusive, unless an intima-
ton had been given by Gen. Paredes,
of his desire to reverse the decision ol
his predecessor. But the Government
of General Paredes owes its existence
to military revolution by which the
subsisting constitutional authorities had
been subverted. e~7 81
The form OF government was entirely
changed, as well as all the high func
tionaries by whom it was administered.
Under these circumstances Mr.. Slidell
in obedience to my directions, address
sed note to the Mexican Minister o.
Foreign Relations, under the date oi
the lst of March last, asking TO be re
ceived by that government in the diplo
matte character to which he had been
appointed. The minister, in his reply
under date of the l2tl, of March, reit
Grated the arguments of his predeces.
sor, and ia terms that may be consid-
cred as giving just grounds of offence
to the government and people Of the
United States, denied the application
of Mr.. Slidell. Nothing, therefore, re.
mained for our Envoy but to demand
his passports and return TO his own
country. re rat ,as
| Thus the Government Of Mexico,
though solemnly pledged by official acts
in Octo ber last, to receive and accredit
an American Envoy, violated their
pledge, their pllghted faith, and refused
the offer of the peaceful adjustment ol
our difficulties. Not only was the of.
fer rejected, but the indignity of its re-
lection, enhanced by manifest breach
Of faith in refusing to admit the Envoy
who came because they had bound
themselves to receive him. Nor can
it be said that the offer was fruitless
from the want of opportunity of discus
sing it, as our envoy was present on
their own soil. Nor can it be ascribeo
20 want Of sufficient powers--our en-
voy had full powers to adjust every
question of difference. Nor was there
room for compliment that our PROPOSE
| ton for settlement was unreasonable
permission was not even given our en-
voy to make .anv proposition whatever
Nor can it be objected that we, on oui
part, would not listen to any reasonable
terms OF their suggestion; the Mexican
government refused all negotiations anc
have made no propositions OF any kind
I In my message at the commence
ment of the present session, informed
YOU that upon the earnest appeal, both
of the Congress and Convention o.
Texas, I had ordered an efficient mill
tary force to take a position between
the Nueces and the Del Norte. Thi,
had become necessary to meet threat
ened invasion Of Texas by the Mexi
cans, for which extensive military prep
aration had been made. The invasion
was threatened solely because Texas
had determined, in accordance with q
solemn resolution ofthe Congress Of the
United States to annex herself to oul
Union, and under these circumstances
i it was plainly our duty to extend oul
protection over her citizens and soil
This force was concentrated at Corpu:
Christi and remained there until after
III had received such Information as ren.
dered i! probable thatthe Mexican gov
fernment would not receive our envoy,
Meantime, Texas, by the final act ol
our Congress had become an integral
part of our Union. The Congress OF
/ n ~ g.. asHI