Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-12-17


citizens as had at that time been borne by the Uni
ted States from the Mexican authorities and people.
But Mexico was a sister Republic, on the North
American continent occupying territory contigd-
to our own, and was in feeble and distracted
conditions and these considerations, 1t is presumed,
induced Congress to forbear still longer
Instead OF taking redress into our own hands,
new negotiation entered upon with fair prom
Uses on the part of Mexico, but with the real pur-
pose, as the event has proved, OF indefinitely post
poning the reparation which we demanded, aud
which was so Justly due. This negotiation, after
more than years delay, resulted in the convention
of the 18th Of April, 1899, " for the adjustment OF
claims of citizens of the United States OF Ameri.
ca, upon the government Of the Mexican republic"
The Joint board of commissioners created by this
convention, to examine and decide upon these
claims, was not organised until the month oil Au-
gust, 1910, and under the terms OF the conyentlUn
they were to terminate their duties within eighteen
months from that time -Four oil the eighteen months
were consumed in preliminary discussions on frlv-
oous and diatory points, raised by the Mexican
commissioners and 1t was not until tile month OF
December, 1910, that they commenced the eXaml-
nation of the claims of our citizens upon Mexico.
Fourteen months only remained TO examine ard de-
eide upon these numerous and complicated cases.
In the month of February, 1912, the term oil the
commission expired, leaving many claims undls-
posed OF for want of time. The claims which were
allowed by the board, and by the umpire authorized
by the convention 10 decide IN case OF Disagree
nent between the Mexican and American cumnls-
sloners, amounted to two millions twenty SIX thou
sand one hundred and thirty nine dollars and sixty
eight cents. There were pending before the un.
plre, when the commission expired, ADDITIONAL
claims Which had been examined and awarded by
the American commissioners and had not been al
lowed by the Mexican commissioners, amounting
to nine hundred and twenty-elght thousand SIX
hundred and twenty seven dollars and eighty eight
cents upon which he did not declde alledglng that
his authority had ceased with the termination OF
the ulnt commission. Besides these claims, there
were others of American citizens, amounting TO
three million three hundred and thirty SIX thousand
eight hundred and thrty-seven dollars and hive
cents, which had been submitted TO the board and
upon which they had not time TO decide before their
final adjournment.
rhe sum of two millions twenty.slx thousand
hundred and thirty-nlne dollars and sixty eight
CENTS which had been awarded to the claimants,
quidated and ascertained debt due by Mex
leo, about which there could be no dispute, and
which she bound 10 pay according TO the terms
of the convention. Soon utter the final awards for
this amount had been made, the Mexican govern
meut asked tor pOstponement Of the time of ma
king payment, alledgng that it would be inconve-
nleut to make the payment at the time stipulated.
In the spirit of forbearng kindness towards a sis
ter republic which Mexico has SO long abused the
United States promptly complied with her request.
a second convention accordingly concluded
between the two governments on the Both Of jon
uary lS 49, which upon It's lace declares that this
arrangement is entered into for the accommo
dation of Mexico" BY the terms OF this conven
tion all the interest due Oh the awards which had
been made in favor of the claimants under the con-
vention of the eleventh Of April, 1889, to be
paid to them on the thirtietli of April, lS43 and
the principle of the said awards and the interest
accruing thereon" was stipulated to be paid in
five years, in equal instruments every three months.
Notwithstanding this new convention was entered
lgff ,,.l fNrI
of relieving her from the embarrassment, the claim
ants have only received the interest due on the
thlrtleth of April, 1913, and three of the twenty IN
stalments. Although the payment of The sum thus
liqudated and coniessedly due by Mexico to our
citizens, as indemnity for acknowledged acts of
outrage and wrong, was secured by treaty, the OBJ
legations of which are ever held sacred by all just
nations, yet Mexico has violated this solemn en-
gagement by falling and refusing to make the pay
ment. The two instruments due in April and July,
1874. under the peculiar circumstances connected
with them, have been assumed by the United States
and discharged to the claimants; but they still
due by Mexico. But this is not all of which we
| have Just cause of complaint. 10 provide reme-
| dy for the claimants whose cases not decided
| by the Joint commission under the Convention OIL
April |, 1889, 1t was expressly stipulated by the
sixth article of the Convention OF the thrtleth oil
! January lS43 that ga convention shall be en-
tered into for the settlement of all claims OF the
| government and citizens of the United States a.
! gainst the Republic of Mexico which were not IL
nally decided by the late commission, which net in
! the city Of Washington, and of all claims OF the
government and citizens of Mexico against the Uni
ted States"
/ In conformity with this stipulation third con-
! vention concluded and signed ut the city OF
Mexico, on the twentieth of No!epber, l643, by
the penipotentiaries of the two ovelnments, by
! which provision was made for ascertalnlng and
4 paying these claims In January 1874, this con-
! vantinn was ratified nv the Senata of the United
States, with two amendments, which We're manifest
! ly reasonable in their character U pom reference
! of the amendments proposed TO the government of
1 Mexico, the same evasons, difficulties aud delays
were nterposed which have SO long marked the
policy of that government towards the United
/ States. 1t has not even yet decided whether it
would or would not accede to them, although the
subject has been repeatedly pressed upon its con-
sderaliOn
Mexico has thus violated a second time the faith
of treaties. by failing refusing TO carry into eff
f feet the 9th article Of the Convention Of January,
1913
Such is the history of the wrongs which we have
sufie ed and patiently endured from Mexico
through long series OF years. 81 far from af-
fordng reasonable satisfaction for the injuries and
} insults we have borne, u great aggravallon OF
0 them consists in the fact, that while the United
r States, ANXIOUS TO preserve good understanding
with Mexico have been constantly, but vanly, en-
/ ploycd IN seeking redress for past wrongs, new
! ourages were constantly occurring, which have
continued to inc ease uses OF complaint and
, to swell the amount of our demands. While the
n citizens Of the United States were conducting a
: lawful commerce with Mexico, under the guaranty
It ola treaty o. "amity, commerce aud navigation,
g many of them have suffered all the injuries which
: would have resulted from open war. This treaty
instead OF oiordlng protection to our citizens has
been the means of inviting them into the ports OF
e Mexico, that they might be, as they have been in
g numerous instances, pundered OF their property
and deprived of their personal liberty, iflhey dared
It insist on their rights. Had the unlawful seizures
> OF American property, and the violation of personal
j. liberty OF our citizens, to say nothing Of the in
It suits 10 our flag which have occurred in the ports