Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-05-21
The Presidents Message.
10 The Senate and
HoNse of Representatives. !.

bnoulu OtthR inc sunIect 10 tue consideration OF
Congress. Ia my message at the commencement
of your present session. the state Of these relations
'he causes which led to the suspension Of diplomat.
&c intercourse between the two countries in March,
tSi5, and the Ioug-continued and unredressed
wrongs aud injuries committed by the Mexican
government on citizens of the United States in
their persons and property we're briefly set forth
As the facts and opinions which were then laid
before you we're carefully considered | cannot bet
Yer express my present convictions of the cond-
lion Of affairs than by referring you TO that commu-
nicaton.
The strong desire TO establish peace with Mex-
CO, on liberal and honorable terms. and the read-
ness OF this government to regulate and adjust our
boundary, and other causes of difference with that
power on sucn fair and equitable principles as would
lead to permanent relations Of the most friendly ma
ture. induced me in September last TO seek the
opening of diplomatic relations between the two
countries. Every measure adopted on our part had
for its object the furtherance Of these desired
suits.
In communicating TO Congress succinct state
ment of the injuries which we had suffered from
Mexico, and which have been accommodating during
period Of more than twenty years, every expression
that could tend to innime the people of Mexico, or
defeat delay pacific result was carefully avoid
ed An envoy Of the United States repaired to
Mexico with full power to adjust every existing diff
ference.
But though present on the Mexican soil, by a.
greement Of the two governments, invested with
full powers, and bearing evidence Of the most friend
ly dispositions, his mission has been unayang -
The Mexican government not only refused to
ceve him, or to listen to his propositions, but, after
longcontinued series of menaces have at last in.
vaded our territory and shed the blood of our fel.
low citizens on our own soil.
Ii now becomes my duty to state more in detail
the origin, progress aud fixture of that mission
In pursuance of the instructions given in Seplem.
Der last, an enquiry made, on the 18th Of Oc-
tober, in lSi5, 10 the most friendly terms, through
our consul in Mexico, Of the minister of foreign az
fairs whether the Mexican government would re.
ceve an envoy from the United States intrusted
with full powers to adjust all the questions in dis
pute between the two governments !" with the
surance that should the answer be in the aifirma-
tive, such an envoy would be Immediately despatch
ed to Mexico"
The Mexican minister on the 18th of October,
gave an affirmative answer to this inquiry, request.
ing at the same time, that naval force al Vera
Cruz might be withdrawn lest its continued pres
ence might assume the appearance of menace and
coercion pending the negotiations The force was
Immediately withdrawn. On the 10th Of Novem-
ler lS45, Mr. John Sdell, Of Louisiana, was COM
mIssiuned by me as envoy extraordinary and minis
ter penipoten;iary Of the United States to Mexico
and was ntrus,ed with full powers to adjust both
the questions Of the Texas boundary and Of indem-
MITIGATION to our citizens
The redress Of the wrongs Of our citizens natur-
ally and unseparabIy blended itself with the ques-
ton of boundary. The settlement of the one ques-
ton in any correct view ofthe subject involves that
oil the other. | could not for a moment, entertain
the idea that the claims of our much injured and
long suffering citizens, many Of which had existed
for more than twenty years, should be postponed,
or separated from the settlement of the boundary
question.
Mr. Slidell arrived al Vera Cruz on the Both of
November. and was courteously received by the au-
thortes Of that city. But the government of Cen
eral Herrera was then tottering to its fall The re.
evolutionary party had seized upon the Texas ques-
ton to effect or hasten its overthrow. Its determi
nation to restore friendly relations with the Uuted
States, and to receive minister, TO negotiate for
the settlement of this question, violently as
sailed, and was made the great theme of denunca-
ton against it.
The government Of General Herrera, there is
good reason to believe, was sincerely DESTROYS to
receive our minister, but it yielded to the storm
raised by its enemies. and the Dist of December
refused 10 accredt Mr. Sdell upon the most friyo-
lous pretexts. These are so fully and ably expos
ed in the note of Mr. SdelI of be 9th Of Decem-
Der last TO the Mexican minister of foreign reIa-
toas herewith transmitted. that deem it unneces.
sary to enter into further detail on this portion of
the subject
Five days after the date Of Mr. SIidelPs note, Gen.
Herrera yielded the government to Gen. Paredes
without struggle, and on the Both of December
resigned the Presidency. The revolution was ac-
complshed solely by the army. the people having
taken little part in the contest and thus the su-
preme power in Mexico passed into the hands of a
military leader.
Determined 10 leave effort un,rled TO effect an
amicable adjustment with Mexico, directed Mr.
Sldell to present his credentials to the government
Of Gen. Paroles, aud ask to be officially received
by him. There would have been less ground for
taking this step had Gen. Paroles come into power
by regular constitutional succession. In that
event his administration would have been consider
ed but mere constitutional continuance of the
government ofGen. Herrera, aud the refusal Of the
latter to receive our minister, would have been
deemed conclusive, unless an intimaton had been
given by Gen, Paredes Of his desire to reverse the
decision of his predecessor.
But the government of Gen Paredes owes its ex.
istence TO a military revolution, by which the sub
slstng constitutional authorities had been subyert.
ed. The form of government was entirely changed
rs well as all the high iuuclionaries by whom it was
administered.
Under these circumstances, Mr. Sdell, in obe-
Hence to my direction addressed a note to the
Mexican minister of foreign relations, under date
o the LIST OF March last, asking to be received nv
Hnht government IN the diplomatic character to
Shieh ne had been apPoined. This minister. in
ais reply under date Of the 18th Of March, reiter-
Ated the arguments Of his predecessor. and in terms
that may be considered as giving Just grounds of
offence to the government and people of the United
States denied the application Of Mr. SlideH. Moth
ing, therefore, remained for our envoy but TO de.
mand his Dasspofts and return IN k;a au, ..,,z.-