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

|
ges upon our flag aud our citizens unrciressed.-l
| The Mexican Government well knew that both our
national honor and the protection due to our citi
zens imperativoly required that the two questions
of boundary and indemnity should be treated of
together, as naturally and inseparaby blended, and
II they ought to have seen that this course was best
calculated to enable the United States to extend to
them the most liberal justice. On the thlreth Of
December, 1Si5 General Herrera resigned the
Presidency, and yielded up the government to Cen
era Paroles withous struggle. Thus a revolu-
ton was accomplished solely by the army comman-
ded by Paroles; and the supreme power of Next
CO passed into the hands of military usurper who
was known to be bitterly hostile to the United
States.
Although the prospect of pacific adjustment
with the new Government was unpromlsing, from
the known hostility ofs head to the United States,
yet, determined that nothing should be LETT undone
on our part to restore friendly relations between the
two countries, our Minister was instructed to pre-
sent his credentials to the government and ask
to be accredited by 1t ia the diplomatic character
in which he had been commissioned. These in
structlons he executed by his note Of the first of
| March, 1876, addressed to the Mexican Minister of
Foreign Affairs but his request was nsutingly re-
fused by that Minister, in his answer Of the twelfth
I of the same month. No alternative remained for
our Minister but to demand his passports, and re-
turn to the United States.
This was the extraordinary spectacle presented
to the civilized world, Of government, in violation
of its own express agreement having twice reject
cd minister of peace, invested with full powers
to adjust oil the existing differences between the
two countries in manner just and honorable TO
| both. | am not aware that modern history presents
a parallel case, in which in time of peace, one
nation has refused even 10 hear propositions from
another for Terminating existing difficulties be.
tween them Scarcely hope of adlusting our dill
! fcuties, even at remote day, could be cherished
while Parqdes remained at the head of the govern
ment He had acquired the Supreme power by al
military revolution, and upon the most solemn
pledges to wage war against the United States,
and to reconqner Texes, which he claimed as a re-
VOTED province Of Mexico. He had denounced us
guilty of treason those Mcxicans who considered
! Texas as no longer constituting part OF the ter
rory of Mexico, and who were friendly 10 the
cause of peace. The duration of the war which
he waged against the United States was indefinite,
because the end which he proposed, Of the recon-
quest of Texas, hopeless. Besides there was
good reason to believe, from all his conduct, that
ii his intention to convert the republic Of Mex
| leo into monarchy, and to call foreign Europe
an prince TO the throne. Preparatory to this end,
he had during his short rule destroyed the liberty
of the press, toeratng that portion oft only which
openly advocated the establishment Of monarchy.
| The better TO secure the success OF his ultimate
designs he had by an arbitrary decree, convoked
| a Congressional to be elected by the free voice
of people, bit to be chosen in manner 10 make
them subservienl to his will, and TO give him abso
lutte control over their deliberations
Under all these circumstances, if was believed
that any revolution in Mexico, founded upon oppo.
sition to the ambitious projects of farades, would
tend to promote the cause Of peace as well as to
prevent any attempted European interference in
the affairs of the North American continent-both
objects Of deep interest TO the United States. Any
such foreign interference, if attempted, must have
been resisted by the United States. NV views up
| hat 1ypr uir atod tn Va
I gress in my last annual message In any event, it
was certain that no change whatever in the govern
ment of Mexico, which would deprive Perades of,
power could be for the worse, so far MS the United
Staes were concerned, while it was highly proba-
BILE that any change must be for the better. This
was the state of affairs existing when Congress, on
the thirteenth OF May last, recognizedthe existence
of the War which had been commenced by the
government Of Parades, and it became an object
of much importance, with view to speedy settle
ment of our difficulties and the restoration OF an
honorable peace, that Parades should not retain
power in Mexico.
Before that lime there were symptoms of revo-
luton in Mexico, favored, as 1t was understood to
be, by the more liberal party, and especially by
those who opposed to foreign interference,
and to the monarchial form of government. Santa
Anna was then in exile in Havana, having been
expelled from power and banished from his coun.
try by revolution which occurred in December,
1874 but it was known that he had considerable
party in his favor in Mexico. 1t also equally
well known that no vigilance which could he eX-
erted by our squadron would, in all probability,
have prevented HIM from eiiectlng a landing some
where on the extensive Gulf coast OF Mexico, if he
desired to return to his country. lie had openly
protested an entire change of policy; had express
ed his regret that he had subverted the federal
constitution of 1924, and aVowed that he was now
in favor Of its restoration lie had publicly de-
clared his hostility in the strongest terms, to the
establishment of monarchy, and to Earcpean IN
reference in the affairs of his country.
Information to this effect had been received,
from sources believed to be RELIABLE at the date of
the recognition Of the existence OF the war ty
Conpress, und was afterwards fully confirmed by
the receipt of the despatch of our consul IN the city
of Mexico, with the accompanying documents,
, which are herewith transmitted Besides, it was
reasonable to suppose that he must the ruinous
consequences TO Mexico of war with tie United
States and that it would be his interest to favor
peace.
f 1t was under these circumstances and upon these
considerations that it deemed expedent not to
obstruct his return to Mexico should he attempt to
do so. Our object the restoration of peace
and with that view, no reason was perceived why
2 we should take part with Parades and aid him, by
means of our blockade IN preventing the return OF
[ his rival TO Mexico. On the contrary, 1t was be-
: lieved that the intestine divisions which ordinary
sagacity could not but anticipate az the fruit oil
= Santa Annals return 10 Mexico, and his contest
:. with Parades, might strongly tend to produce a
: disposition with both parties TO restore and preserve
= peace with the United States. Parades was sol
r der by profession, and a monarchis in principle
o lie had but recently before been successful IN
: military revolution, by which he had obtained pow
: err. lie was the sworn enemy of the United States
It with which he had involved his country in the ex
o ;sting war. Sunia Anna had been expelled from
+ power by the army, was known to be IN open hos
8 tty to Parades, and publicly pledged against for
1t elgn intervention and the restoration Of monarch!
}. in Mexico In view OF these facts and circum
stances it was that, when orders were issued to tn
d commander oil our Naval forces in the Gulf, on TIN
18th of May last only two days after the existence
h of the war had been recognized by Congress, I
ir place the coasts OF Mexico under blockade he wa
,ha Of San A m