Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-12-10

Dtitttiftru 10 pass Wv tbRhhhy ~
necessarily encouraged the preparation oil
another, until at last Mexico seemed TO
attribute to weakness and Indecision on
our part a forbearance which was the off,
spring Of magnanimity, and Of a sincere
desire TO preserve friendly relations With
a sister republic.
Scarcely had Mexico achieved her in
dependence, which the United States were
the FIRST among the nations 10 acknowledge,
when she commenced the system OF insult
and spoilation, which she has ever since
pursued. Our citizens engaged IN lawful
commerce we're imprisoned. their vessels
seized, and our flag insulted in her ports.
Ii money vas wanted, the lawful seizure
and confscStioa of our merchant vessels
aud their cargoes was ready resource ;
aud if 10 accomplish their purposes it be-
cane necessary to imprison the owners,
captains and crews, il ~SS done. Rulers
superseded rulers in Mexico 10 rapid sue
ces.ion, but still there WAS no change in
this system Of depreciation. The govern.
ment Of the United States made repeated
reclamslions on behalf of its citizens, but
these we're answered by the preparation
of new outrages. Promises OF redress
made by Mexico .n the most solemn forms
were postponed or evsded. The files snd
records OF the Department of State con-
tain conclusive proofs OF nuHerous Ia~less
acts perpetrated upca the property and
persons Of our citizens by Mexico. and Of
wsnton insults to our national dag. The
interposition Of our government to obtain
redress was again and again invoked, un-
der circumstances which no nation ought
to disregard.
1t was hoped that these outrages would
cease and that Mexico would be restrain
ed by the laws ~hich regulate the on
duct Of civilized nations in their inter
course with each Other sitter the treAty Of
amity. commerce. and navigation Of the
9Th Of April, 1881, wss concluded be-
tween the two republics bot this hope
500 proved TO be vain. The course OF
seizure and confscation Of the property OF
our citizens; the violations Of our persons
and the insults to our flag, pursued by
Mexico pre- vious 10 that tine, we're scarce
ly suspended for even a brief period, al
though the treaty 90 clearly defines the
rights and duties Of the respective parties
that i, is impossible 10 ais1ndsrstand or aus
take them. In less than seven ye.rs after
the conclusion Of that treaty our grew
snces had become so intoiersoIe, that, in
the opinion OF President Jackson, they
should no longer be injured. In his mes
sage to Congress in February, 1897, he
presented them TO the consideration of that
body, aud declared that The length Of
time since some of the injuries have been
committed. the repeated aud unass,|ing
applications for redress, the ~an;on char
acter of some Of the outrsges upon the
property and person. of our citizens. upon
the officers and nsg Of The United States,
independent OF recent insults to this gov
eminent and people by the late eS,raordl-
nary Mexican minister, would Justify in
the eyes Of oil nations immediate war"
la a spirit Of kindness and forbesrsnce,
however, he recommended rrprisals as a
milder mode Of redress. He declared
that var should not be- used ss q remedy
''bv just and generous nations confidIng
in their strength for injuries committed,
it II Gao be bonorAbly avoided, he added.
III has occurred to me that, considering
the present embarrassed condition OF that
country, We should act with both wisdom
and moderation, by giving to Mexico one
more opportunity TO atone for The past, be-
fore We take redress into our own hands.
To avoid all ~misconception on the part Of
Mexico, AS well as TO protect our own ma
tlonal character from reprosch, this OPP
ed design and iuil preparation to take i'm
mediate satisfaction, # it should not be OBJ
tanned on a repetition Of the demand for
it. To this end, | recommend that an act
be passed authorizing reprisals. and the
use Of the naval force of the United States
by the Executive against Mexico, TO en-
force them IN the event Of refusal by The
Mexicsn government to CONT to an ami
cable adjustment Of the matters in CON
troversy between US, upon another de-
msnd thereof, made from on board one of
our vessels OF val on the coastof Mexico"
Committees of both houses of Congress,
TO which this message Of this President
was referred, fully sustained his views of
the character Of the wrongs which we had
suffered from Mexico, and recommended
that another demand for redress should be
made before authorizing war or reprisals.
The Committee on Foreign Relations of
The Senate, in their report, says: After
such q demand, should prompt justice be
refused by the Mexican government, we
may appeal 10 all nations not only for the
equity aud moderation with which we
shall have acted towards a sister republic.
but forth necessity which will then compei
Ne to seek redress for our wrongs, either
by actual war or reprisal. The subject
will then be presented before Congress, at
the commencement Of the next session, in
q chess and distinct form; and the COM
nttt~e sBaot doubt but that such mea-
.ur~s ~Ill he Immediately adopted rs nay
be necessary to vidica,e the honor Of the
country, and insure ample repsration to
our injured citizens"
The committee on Foreign Affairs ofthe
House of Represt n~,siives made q similar
recommendation. In their report, they
say that they "fully concur with the Pre-
sid~nt that ample cause exists for taking
redress into our " bands, and believe
A -. II 80 -