Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-15
THE ENQUIRER.
Presidents Message.
:. S,na,c and House Of Representatives. ;


40, states and Mexico, renders i proper 'nat
MI wing the subject 10 the consideration OF
!. .-sss In my message al the commencement
nresent session, the state OF these rela-
y - ne causes which led 10 the suspension OF
ts,,.,i intercourse between The TWO countries
a..P,,,,r1 1915, and the long continued and m
,.ir-s,-; wrongs and injuries committed by The
Ns,ican Government on citizens OF the United
SAFES 70 their persons and property, were oriehy
eel ct;h a.,
,a;t before YOU were carefully considered, can
10. bs;,s. express my present convictions OF 'he
condition al affairs up TO that time, than by re-
,ef,in, YOU 10 that communication.
The strong desire TO establish peace with Mex
10 on liberal and honorable terms, and The rea-
diness OF this government 10 regulate and aoJusl
our boundary, and other causes oil dliierehce
with Ina, power on such fair and equitable prih
ciole> as would lead TO permanent relations OF
the most friendly nature induced me IN Septem-
Ter last 10 seek the re-opening Of diplomatic re-
la;ionS between the two countries. Every mea-
sure adopted on our part had Tor It's object Inc
fneherauce Of these desired results. In commu-
noans 10 Congress succinct statement OF 'he
in,nfies which we had suffered from Mexico, ard
wnich have been accumuating during PERIOD
.. more than twenty years, every expression 'ha'
could lend to inflame The people Of Mexico, or
teiea, or delay a pacific result, was carefully
avoided An envoy OF the United States repaired
10 Mexico with full powers 10 adjust every exist
ing difference. But though present on The Mex
lean soil, by agreement between the two govern
menis, invested with full powers, and bearing
evidence Of the mos, friendly dispositions, his
mission has been unavailins. The Mexican 60
verpment no; only refused 10 receive him. or ms
ten TO his propositions bur, after lons-contInned
series OF menaceS have al las, invaded our lerrl-
nd Shc Cd he M n
our own soil.
I,now becomes my duty 10 state more IN detaii
The origin progress, and failure OF that mission.
H. pursuance of the instructions given IN Sepleni-
Der last, an inquiry was made, on the 18th OF Oc-
,ober, in S45, in the most friendly terms through
oar consul in Mexico, OF the minister OF foreign
affairs whether The Mexican government would
receive an envoy from the United States intrust-
cd with iu powers 10 adjust all The questions IN
dispute between The two governments" with the
assurance that ssShould the answer be IN the aihr-
native such an envoy would be Immediately de-
spa,ched 10 Mexico" The Mexican minister
on The 10th Of October, gave an affirmative an
sUer 10 this inquiry, requesting, al the same time
that our naval force at Vera Cruz might be with
drawn, lest its continued presence might assume
the appearance OF menace and coertion pending
he negotiations. This force was Immediately
withdrawn. On the 10th Of November, lS45 Mr.
John Sldell, OF Louisiana was commissioned by
me as envoy extraordinary and minister penipo-
,enliary OF the United States 10 Mexico and was
in,rus,ed with full powers TO adjus, both The ques-
lions othe Texas boundary and oiizdemnihcatlon
10 our citizens The redress OF The wrongs oil our
ci;izens naturally and inseparably blended ise!i
win the question OF boundary The setlemen.
OF the ore question in any correct view OF inc
subject Involves that Of the other. could not,
far moment entertain the idea that the claims
Of our much injured and long suffering citizens,
MANY Of which had existed Tor more than twenty
wears, should be postponed, or separated rom Inc
settlement OF the boundary question.
Mr.. Slidell arrived al Vera Cruz on the 3OIh OF
November and wa. coureousy received by Inc
authorities Of that city But the Government OF
Gen Herrera was then lettering TO lis lali. Inc
revolutionary party had seized upon The Texas
question TO effect or hasten its overthrow. lis de-
termination 10 restore friendly relations with the
United SAFES and 10 receive onr minister, 10 ne
ro,ja,r or the settlement Of this question, was
Violently assaiIed, and was made the great theme
OF denuncis,ion against H. The Government
Of General Herrera, there is good reason 10 be-
lieve uas sincerely DESTROYS 10 receive our mt
mister; but i; yielded 10 the storm raised BY lis
enemies and on the Dist OF December refused TO
accreS, Mr. Slite upon the most frivolous pre-
lexis These are so fully and ably exposed IN
he note OF Mr.. Slidell Of the oath OF December
las, 10 The Mexican minister Of foreign relations,
herewith transmitted, that | deem II unnecessary
10 enter into farther detail on this portion OF Inc
subject
Five DAYS after the date OF Mr.. Slides note,
Gen. Herrera Welded the Government TO General
Paredes without struggle, and on the 3Oth OF De-
cember resigned the Presidency. This revolution
was accomplished solely by the army the people
having taken little part in the contest; and thus
the supreme power in Mexico passed into the
hands OF military leader.
Determined &c leave no effort nntrled to effect
an amicable adjustment with Mexico, directed
MIR. Sldell 10 present his credentials TO The go
vsrnmsnt OF Gen. Paroles, and ask 10 be official
" received By him. There would have been less
ground for taking this step had Gen. Paroles
come into power BY regular constitutional sue
cesson. In that event his administration would
have Ceen considered but mere constitutional
continuance Of the government OF Gen. Herrera,
aud The refusal of the later 10 receive our MINIS
Ter would have been deemed conclusive, unless
an intima!ion had heen given BY Gen. Paroles
Of his desire 10 reverse the decision OF Ills prede-
eessor.
But the government Of General Paroles owes
is existence 10 military revolution, by when
the subsisting constitutional authorities haa Deen
suovetted. The form OF government was en'lte
II changed as well as all the high iuncuonafies
bv whom il was administered
Under these circumstances, Mr.. Siioeii, "a
obedience TO my direction, addressed note 10 The
Mexican minister OF foreign relations, under dale
Of Inc Isl of March last asking 10 be received by
ina, government in the diplomatic character 10
which he had been appointed. This minister, IN
his reply, under date of the 18th OF March, rcitet-
aled the arguments oil his predecessor, and IN
term. that may be considered as giving Just
grounds OF offence to the government and people
Of the United States, denied the application OF Mr..
Sliiell. Nothing therefore, remained for our en-
voy on, 10 demand his passports, and return to his
own country.
Thus The Government Of Mexico though So
iemnly pledged by official acts in October last 10
receive and accredit an American envoy, viola
led their plighted faith, and refused the offer OF
,saceful adjustment Of our difficulties. Not only
va the offer rejected but the indignty oil lis re
l..,ion was enhanced by the manifest breach OF
lam in refusing 10 ADM, The envoy, who came
because they had bound themselves TO receive
him Nor can it be said that the offer was fruit
less from the want OF opportunity OF discussing IL
our envoy present on their own soil. Nor
can il be ascribed 10 want Of sufficient power:
cur envoy had full powers TO adjust every ques-
lion Of difference Nor was there room for COM
plant that our propositions for settlement were
unreasonable: permission was net even given
our envoy 10 make any proposition whatever
Nor can it be objected that we, on our part, would
mol listen 10 any reasonable terms OF their sugges
lion The Mexican Government refused all nego-
Nation, ana nave maze no PioPosHioh VI any
kind
In my message at the commencement Of The
present session. Informed you that upon the ear
nest appeal both OF the Congress and convention
Of Texas, had ordered on efficient military force
% lake position "between the Nueces and the
Del Nore" This had become necessary 10 meet
ahreaened invasion Of Texas, by the Mexican
forces, for which extensive military preparations
had been made The invasion was threatened
solely because Texas had determined, in accor-
dance with solemn resolution Of the Congress
Of the United States 10 annex herself 10 our
Union and under these circumstances, it was
plainly our duty to extend our protection over
her citizens and soil.
This force was concentrated at Corpus Christi
and remained there until after | had received
such information from Mexico as rendered il pro-
oa0e, i not certain, that the Mexican govern
menl would refuse 10 receive our envoy.