The daily union., 1846-06-29

their influence 10 Dear upon the COUNCILS ol ule he
of Spain, and 10 infuse into them spirit more Ia
vora6le TO the cause of exhausted America. This
friendly interference on the part OF the United states
was received in a spirit corresponding with thai by
which the measure had been dictated and this gov
ernment has every reason 10 believe that the three
soyerelgns TO whom Il was addressed were well IN
elined 10 the great object in view, and in which this
government was the first 20 act
Far from our being discouraged by the failure OF
this expedient and still animated by desire tor
the restoration of peace in America, has, down TO
the present period, been made standing insTuc'
ton To the ministers of the United Stats at the
court of his Catholic Majesty to avail themselves oi
every fit occasion induce his government to give
permanent tranquility to Spanish America by the
recognition Of its independence, and thereby to con-
fer a signal blessing on the civilized world, and on
no part Of it more than Spain itself"
Within six years President Jackson was con-
strained to address Congress in the following mes
sage:
"At the beginning Of this session, Congress
was informed that our claims upon Mexico had not
been adjusted; but that Notwithstanding the rritat-
lng effect upon her eounses Of the movement IN
Texas, hoped, by great forboarance, TO avoid the
neces essity Of again bringing the subject OF them To
your notice That hope has been disappointed Hav-
ing in vain urged upon that government the justice
of those claims, and my indispensable obligation TO
insist that there should be mo further delay IN the
acknowledgment, If not in the redress, OF the lnJu'
ries complained Of my duty requires that the whole
subject should be presented, as il now is, for the
action Of Congress whose exclusive right is TO de-
eide the further Of redress TO be employed
The length OF time since Of the injuries have
been committed; the repeated and unayaiing aPPli-
cations for redress the wanton character OF some oi
the outrages upon the property and persons OF our
citizens upon the officers and flag OF the United
States, independent OF recent insults to this gov
eminent and people by the late extraordinary
Mexican minister, would justify, in the eyes
of all nations, immediate war That remedy, how
ever, should not be used by Just and generous ma
tons, confdlng in their strength, for injuries COM
med, If II be honorably avoided and It has oc-
Cured TO that, considering the present embarass-
ed condition OF that country should act with both
| wisdom and moderation by giving to Mexico one
more opportunity to atone for the past before we
take redress into our own hands. To avoid all MIS-
conception the part Of Mexico, well as TO pro-
tect own national character from reproach, this
opportunity should be given, with the avowed de-
sign and full preparation 10 take immediate satisfac-
ton If 1t should not be obtained repetition OF the
demand for ii. To thus end, | recommend that an
act be passed authorizing reprlsals and the use OF
the naval force Of the United States, by The Execu-
tive, against Mexico to enforce them, in the event
of refusal by the Mexican government to come to
amicable adjustment Of the matters in controver
sy between US, upon another demand thereof, made
from on board one Of our vessels Of war on the
coast of Mexico.
| - L ne documents herewith transmitted, WIN tnOse
accompanying my message IN answer TO n call ot
the House of Representatives Of the Eth ultimo, will
enable Congress to judge of the proprety of the
course heretofore pursued, and TO decide upon the
| necessity Of that now recommended
| "lf these views should fail To meet the concur
renee of Congress- and that body be able to hnd in
the condition Of the affairs between the two countries
as disclosed by the accompanying documents, with
those referred to, any welgrounded reasons to hope
that an adjustment Of the controversy between them
can be effected, without resort to the measures
have felt it my duty to recommend they may be
assured of my cooperation in any other course that
shall be deemed honorable and proper.
"ANDREW JACKSON.
"WAsHIsoroN, February 6, 1887"
Still, in the spirit of forbearance, he was unwil-
ing 10 10 this last extremity, without 'giyin2
TO Mexico one more opportunity to atone for the
past before we take redress into our own hands
Accordingly, he recommended "that an act be
passed authorizing reprisals, and the of the
naval force of the United States by the executive
against Mexico, to enforce them, in the event o
a refusal by the Mexican government TO come to ar
amlcable adjustment Of the matters in controversy
between US, upon another demand thereof, made
from board Of our vessels Of war on the coas
of Mexico"
The respective committees Of foreign relations il
the two houses of Congress emphaticalIy respond
ed, in their reports TO the character of these out
rages as portrayed in the message Of General Jack
son. The committee of the Senate, however, rec
commended that another demand should be made
for redress upon the Mexican government, in pur
suance of the form required by the Gath article o
our treaty with Mexico and the result submitted tc
Congress for its decison before actual hostilitie
should be authorized. This article requires that 81
what, indeed, cannot be expected) any Of the ar
tices contained in the present treaty shall be viola
ted infracted in any manner whatever, it is s,ip
uaed that neither Of the contracting parties will or
der or authorize any acts of reprisal, nor declare
war against the other, on complaints of injuries OF
damages, until the said party considering itself of
Tended shall first have presented to the other state
ment Of such injuries or damages, verified by com
,etent proofs, and demanded justice and salts
faction, and the same shall have been either re
fused unnecessarily delayed" The com
miitee say that 'after such demand, shoult
prompt justice be refused by the Mexican
not only for the equity and moderation with
which we have acted towards sister republic, bu
for the necessity which will then compel US to see
redress for our wrongs by actual war or by repr,
sails The subject will then be presented befor
Congress at the commencement Of the next session
in clear and distinct form; and the committee can
not doubt but that such measures will be immed
ateIy adopted as may be necessary to vndicate tn
honor of the country and insure ample reparatio
to our injured feow-ctizens."
= The resolution with which this report conclude
= was, on the 9th February, 1897, adopted by tn
unanimous vote Of the Senate.
t In compliance with the suggestions Of the Con
mlttee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, specit
= messenger sent to Mexico, who, on the 20t
. July, 1897, made final demand for "justice an
satisfaction" in the manner prescribed by the 34t
T article of the treaty.
5 The Mexican answer to the final demand for ustic
and satisfaction far at least confession ths
they were due as to eventuate, two years afterwards
in the convention signed at Washington on the II,
!, April 1889, by Mr.. Forsyth and Mr.. Martinez, fo
q the adjustment Of claims Of citizens Of the Unite
States of America upon the government of the Me,
lean republic proclaimed after ratification, by Pres
, dent Van Buren,, the 9th April, 1910.
= Between President Jaoksons message Of July
, 1897, and President Van Buren's proclamation
). April, ls40, the 7th July 1893, Mr.. Howard an
l. Mr.. Gushing, from the Committee on Foreign A
j fairs of the House Of Representatives, reported a
d extensive view of our relations follows:
d Here follows long and able report alro oady pull
# Iished, and therefore omitted
l. The preamble to the convention Of 1899, state
e that convention for the adjustment of the claim
d Of citizens of the United States, upon the govern
/. ment of Mexico, concluded and signed
Washington, on the tenth of September, 1898, b,