Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-05-27
The U. States and Mexico.

An attentive perusal of the Documents accom-
panying the Presidents Message, Of the llth in.
slant, in reference to Mexican affairs has salts.
fed US, that, with whatever Justice we may com.
plain OF the refusal to receive Mr.. SdelI, by the
usurper President Paroles, his predecessor, Gen.
Herrera, with whom the arrangement was con-
cluded by Mr.. Black, our Consul in the city of
Mexico, entered into it in good faith, and with a
sincere desire TO adjust, by negotiation, the ques-
tions in controversy between the two Govern
ments. 1t is apparent, indeed, from the whole
course pursued by the Mexican authorities, in re-
lation TO the reception Of Minister from the L..
States, that, although sincere and honest in their
purposes, they did not conclude this arrangement
without strong misgivings to their ability to
consummate 1t and the fact that, under such cir
cumstances they consented TO it at all is at least
prmd dcie evidence of the honesty of their int n
tions. They knew that the minds of the people
Of Mexico had been inflamed against the United
States by highly wrought pictures, daily present.
ed to their contemplation, of the injustice and in.
jury to which Mexico had been subjected by the
aggressive acts of our Government upon the ''de-
partment of Texas" while similar aggressions
hereafter, upon other States of the Mexican Re-
public, were confidently predicted. Large por-
tons, indeed, Of some of them, including the most
PoPulous and wealthy cities of Tamaulipas, CHA
hua and New Mexico, they saw, were already
claimed in virtue of the articles of annexation
with Texas, and upon others, particularly the
CALIFORNIA;, it not less evident we were alrea
dy turning a longing eye. Public opinion was
thus rendered decidedly averse to a renewal OF
the diplomatic intercourse between the two coun-
tries r. IL.
arlully availed himself to bring into odlum and
finally to overthrow, the constitutionally elected
President, Herrera, who, with juster apprecia-
fion OF the disproPortion between the military re-
sources and the proves of the two countries was
nnquestionably DESTROYS of adjusting the matters
In dispute between them without an appeal TO
arms the result of which he foresaw must be-
most disastrous to Mexico. We feel entirely per-
suaded, therefore, that, had Herrera been strong
enough to defeat the revolutionary Vaccinations
OF Pdredes, the success of which subverted the re-
gularly constituted government and placed the
TeIns Of power in the hands of a Military Usur-
per, who assumed TO himself all the powers of
Dictator our Minister would have been received
by him, and negotiations opened for the peaceable
adjustment of the boundary, as well as all other
unsettled questions. Hence, we do not deem it
altogether just TO mpute fraudulent design to the
Mexican Government In the rejection of Mr.
Sidell, after having consented to receive Mi
Mister from the IT, States, to base upon that act
charge of Punic faith. We might suppose a
parallel Though Of course improbable) case,
IN this country, by reversing the position Of the
two parties. Had Mexico, for example, made the
proposition to send Minister to the e. States
and Mr.. Polk, the constitutionally elected Chief
Magistrate, had assented to the proposition with
full knowledge that public opinion would not
sanction the proceeding, and with strong apprc
tensions indeed, that, without extraordinary pru-
dence and caution, It might result in his own over.
throw, by revolutionary movement-and had
that revolutionary movement been really success
fully made under the lead Of some ambitious and
unPrlBcIPled cheitaln, who, like Paredes had sci.
zed upon the scePtre, and, sustained by public
opinion, had concentrated all power in his own
hands-it would scarcely be deemed a Just cause
of reProach to the good faith of the regularly
elected President, II his purposes. expressed
through the properly accredited organs had been
thus lhwarted by revolutionary violence. We are
aware that government de fdcto whether il be
legitimatey organized in conformity to ancient
usage and existing law, or the offspring Of a revo.
luton, is the only recognised medium Of commu.
nicaton with foreign countries, and that its acts
while in authority, without regard TO the means
by which il acquired power or to the tenure by
whichN Is held, must necessarily be regarded AZ
The acts Of the nation. But although this be true,
u does not deprive other governments Of the right
nor indeed does II authorize them 10 dispense with
the obligato n, in deciding upon the character OF
these acts, to consider and weigh we'll the circum
stances in which they originate, and by which they
are surrounded, and which ought to 60 very far in
determining the ultimate course OF an adversary
government which may have been offended or in
ured by their preparation.
We proceed, then, briefly to group together
some Of the most striking features Of the CORES
Poodence, which, IN our estimation Justify the be
lief, that, when Herrera ntimated to the Consul
Mr. Black, through VI. Pena Pena, his Minister
ofForeign Relations, his willingness to receive 4
Minister from the L. States, he had no purpos,
10 deceive or TO mislesd our Government, an,
that he was influenced by a sincere desire to aver
from his own country the calamdes Of wal
which he knew she was so nadequately prepare
% sscounter. From Mr.. Blacks letter to M
Buchanan, detailing the events Of hrs intervie,
with the Mexican Minister, when the proposition
Of the U. States to send a Diplomatic Agent {
Mexico, was first communicated, we see the ire
pidalion with which the proposition was assente
20. Tho Mexican Minister. for, example, ate
urging the greatest secrecy upon Mr.. Black, pro
ceedsd 10 urge that the q. 8. naval and miltar
forces In the Gulf and on the frontier should
removed, as preliminary step, Though. this wa
no, done, a. We may hereafter have occasion 4