Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-12-16

Y /
ISDAY, DECEMBER l6, 1916. /,
United by any Of the powerful nations of
Europe, would have been promptly re-
saised to. by the United States, cannot be
Tdoabted The national honor, ana the
preservation of the national character
throughout theworld, as we'll as our own
|self-respect, and the protection due to our
own citizens, would haye rendered such a
resort indispensable.
The history of no civilized nation in
modern times has presented within so brief
period so many wanton attacks upon the
honor of its flag, and upon the property
and persons of its citizens, as had at that
time been borne by the United States from
the Mexican authorities and people. But
Mexico was sister republic on the North
American continent, occupying territory
contiguous to our own, and was in a feeble
and distracted condition; and these consid-
eratlons, it is presumed, induced Congress
to forbear still longer.
Instead of taking redress into our own
hands new negotiation was entered upon
with. fair promises on the part of MeSi-
co, but with the real purpose, as the event
has proved, of indefinitely postponing the
reparation which we demanded and which
was so justly due. This negotiation after
more than a years delay, resulted in the
convention Of the eleventh Of April, 1889,
'for the adjustment Of claims of citizens Of
the United States Of America upon the gov
ernment Of the Mexican republic The
Joint board of commissioners created by this
convention to examine and decide upon
these claims, was not organized until the
month of August, ls40, ,and under the terms
of the convention they were to terminate
their duties within eighteen months from
that time.
Four Of the eighteen months were con-
sumed in preliminary discussions on frivl-
GUS and dilatory points raised by the Mexi
can Commissioners: and it was not until the
month of Deoember,~ 194O, that they com.
manEsd the examination OF the claims &ei
our citizens upon Mexico. Fourteen months
only remained to examine and decide upon
these numerous and complicated cases. In
the month of February, ls42, the term of
the commission expired, leaving many
claims undisposed of for want of time.
The claims which were allowed by the
board, and by the umpire authorized by the
Convention to decide in case Of disagree.
ment between the Mexican and American
Commissioners, amounted to two millions,
twenty-six thousans, one hundred and thr-
ty-nine dollars and sixty-eight cents. There
were pending before the umpire, when the
commission expired, additional claims which
had been examined and awarded by the A.
mercan Commissioners, and had not been
allowed by the Mexican Commissioners, a.
mounting to nine hundred and twenty eight
thousand, six hundred and twenty y-seven
dollars and Lightweight cents, upon which
he did not decide, alledging that his author
ity had ceased with the termination Of the
Joint commission.
Besides these claims, there were others
of American citizens amounting to three
million three hundred and thirty.six thous.
and eight hundred and thirty-seven dol
lars and five cents which had been submit
ted to the board andupon which they had not
time to decide before their final adjournment.
The sum Of ftwo-millions tweuty-six thou.
sand one hundred and thirty nine dollars
and sixty eight cents which had been a.
warded to the claimants, was liquidated
, and ascertained debt due by Mexico, about
which there could be no dispute, and which
she was bound to pay according to the
terms of the convention. Soon after the fl
nal awards for this amount had been made,
the Mexican government asked for post
ponement of the time of making payment,
alleging that it would bo inconvenient for
her to make payment at the time stipulated.
In the spirit of forbearing kindness towards
sister republic, which Mexico has SO long
abused, the United States promptly compli-
cd with her request.
A second convention was accordingly
concluded between the two governments or
. the thirtieth Of fJanuary, 1643, which upor
its face declares, that this new arrange
ment is entered into for the accommoda
ton Of Mexico By the terms of this con
vention, all the interest due on the award
which had been made in favorofthe claimant
under the convention Of the eleventh Of A
pril. 1889, was to be paid to them on th'
thirtietht of April, 1643, and the princi
pal Of the said awards, and the interes
accruing thereon was stipulated to 'b
paid in five years in equal instalments ev
erv three months w '
Notwithstanding this new convention
, was entered into at the request Of Mexico
and for the purpose of relieving her from
embarrassment, the claimants have onl,
) received the interest due on the thirtieth o
, of April, lS43, and three Of the twenty in
stalments. Although the payment Of tn
9 sum thus liquidatod, and confessedly du
d by Mexico to our citizens as indemnity 70