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

flag. The lntGrDOSlllOn Oh OUT HONcluulNhb w ""
tain redress was again and again lnvoked, under
circumstances which no nation ought to disregard.
1t was hoped that these outrages would cease,
and that Mexico would be restrained by the laws
which regulate the conduct of civilized nations IN
their intercourse with each other. after the treaty
OF amity, commerce and navigation OF the ON OF
April, 1881, was concluded between the two re-
publics but this hope proved TO be VAIN. Inc
course of seizure tnd confscation Of the property
of our citizens, the violation Of their persons and
the insults to our flag pursued by Mexico previous
to that time were scarcely suspended Tor even
brief period although the treaty so clearly defines
the rights ard duties Of the respective parties that
it is impossible to misunderstood or mistake inem,
In less than seven years after the conclusion OF
that treaty, our grievances had become so ntolera-
BILE that in the opinion of President Jackson, they
should no longer be endured In his message to
Congress- in February, 1887, he presented them to
the consideration Of that body, and declared that
"the length Of time since some Ofthe injuries nave
been committed, the repeated and unaValllng Gppi-
cations for redress, the wanton character OF some
of the outrages upon the property and persons oil
our citizens upon the officers and flag ct the Unl-
ted States independent of recent insults to this
government and people, by the late extraordinary
Mexican minister, would justify in the eyes OF all
nations immediate war;" In spirit Of kindness
and torbearance. however, he recommended reprl.
sails, as a milder mode of redress. lie declared
that war should not be used as a remedy "by Just
and generous nations, conliding in their strength
for injuries committed if it can be honorably avoi
ded" ind added, it has occurred to Inc that, con-
sderng the present embarrassed condition of that
country, we should act with both wisdom audsmOd
Grafton BY giving to Mexico one more opportunity
to atone for the past, before we take redress into
our own hands, 10 avoid all mlsconception on the
part Of Mexico, as well as to protect our own ma
tonal character from reproach, this opportunity
ebonll ha niv with tho avowpl design and tuIl
preparation to take immediate satisfaction, if it
should not be obtained on repetition OF The de-
mand for it. To This end recommend that an act
be passed authorizing reprsals, and the use OF the
naval force of the United States, by the Executive,
against Mexico, to enforce them, i'll the event OF
reusa by the Mexican government to come to an
amicablc adjustment Of the matters in controversy
between 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 Congress, TO which
this message of the President was referred, fully
sustained his views of the character of the wrongs
which we had suffered from Mexico, and recon-
mended that another demand for redress should be
made before authorizing war or reprlsals. The
Committee on Foreign Relations Of the Senate, in
their report say: After such a demand, should
prompt Justice be refused by the Mexican govern
ment. may appeal to all nations not only for the
equity and moderation with which we shall have
acted towards sister republic but for the neces.
sity which will then compel us to seek redress for
our wrongs, either by actual or reprisals. The
subject will then be presented before Congress- at
the commencement of the next session, in clear
and distinct form and the committee cannot doubt
but that snCh measures will be Immediately adopt
ed as may be necessary 10 vindlcaie the honor of
the country, and insure ample PREPARATION to our in
lured citizens"
The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
Of do la rrprOT me n nt
In their report, they say that they "fuly concur
with the Presideni that ample cause exists for ia
king redress into own hands. and believe that
we should be justified in the opinion of other ma
tons for taking such step. But they are willing
to try the experiment of another demand made in
the most solemn form, upon the justice OF the Mex
lean Government, before any further proceedings
are adopted"
No difference of opinion upon the subject is be-
ieved to have existed in Congress at that time the
Executive and Legislative departments concurred ;
and vet such has been our forbearance, and desire
TO preserve peace with Mexico, that the wrongs of
which we then complained, and which gave rise to
these solemn proceedings, not only remain unre-
dressed to this day, but additional causes of COM
plant of an aggravated character, have ever since
been accommodating
Shortly after these proceedings, special mes
senger was des patched to Mexico, to make final
demand for redress, and on the goth Of July, 1887,
tnG OpIldlu was ludue. ne reply OF tlle MeAlCdU
Government bears date on the twenty ninth OF the
same hon,h, and contains assurances of the " anx-
ious wish" of the Mexican government not to de-
lay the moment Of that final and equitable adjust
ment which is to terminate the existing difficulties
between the two governments that 6 nothing
should be left undone which may contribute to the
most speedy and equitable determination ofthe sub
ieots which have so seriously engaged the attention
Of the American government; that the "MeXicar
no woulu a0uD,. the only puldpS
conduct the plainest principles of public right, the
sacred obligations imposed by international law
and the religious faith OF treaties" and that what
ever reason and justice may dictate respecting eacf
case, will be done" The assurance was further
given that the decision of the Mexican government
upon each cause Of complaint, for winch redres:
had been demanded, should be communicated tC
the government of the United States by the MeX
can minister at Washington.
/ These solemn assurances, in answer to our de-
mand for redress, were disregarded. BY making
them, however, Mexico Obtained further delay
President Van Buren,, in his annual message t
Congress, Of the fifth of December, 1897, states
that - although the larger number of our demands
for redress, and many of them aggravated cases o
personal wrongs, have been now for years befor
the Mexican government, and some OF the cause
OF national complaint, and those of the most often
slve character, admitted OF immediate, simple, an
satisfactory replies, it is only within few day
past that any specific communication in answer t
our last demand, made five months ago, has bee
received from he Mexican minister" and that ic
not one Of our public complaints has satIsfactio
been given or offered that but one of the cases
personal wrong has been iavoraby considered. an
that but fur of both descriptions, out of
those formally presented, and earnestly presse,
ii have as yet been decided upon by the Mexca
T government" President Van Buren,, belevin
T, that 1t would be vain TO make any further atteml
TO obtain redress by the ordinary means within tn
IL power of the Executive, communicated this opir
u ION to Congress IN the message referred to,
G which he said: {" On a careful and deliberate ca
e animation of the contents" (of the correspondence
= with the Mexican gOvernment,) Sand consIderln
=, the spirit manifested by the Mexican government
it has become my painful duty TO return the sube,
e as it now stands, TO Congress, to whom it belong
u L. decide upon the time, the mode, and the mea
a nre Of redress" Had the United States, at thi