The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-12-22

mission, informed Congress that [ for
bore at that time 10 recommend such ul-
terror measures of redress for the wrongs
and injuries we had SO long borne, as it
would have been proper TO make had no
such negotiation been instituted"
To my surprise and regret, the Mexi-
lean government, though solemnly pledg-
ed to do so, upon the arrival of our min
lister in Mexico, refused TO receive and ac-
creditlim. When he reached Vera Cruz
OH the 30ih Of November, 1915, he found
that the aspect Of affairs had undergone
an unhappy change. The government of
GeneraifIereTa who was q! that time Pre-
sident of the Repablie, was lettering to rs
fall. General Paroles "a military leader
had manifested his determination 10 over
throw The government of Herrera, by i
military revolution and Of the prin-
cipal means which he employed to effect
his purpose, and render the government of
Herrera odious 10 the army end people OF
Mexico, was by loudly condemning It's de-
termination to receive a minister Of peace
from the United States, alleging tha; it was
the intention of Herrera, b. a treaty with
the United States, 10 dis.ncmber the ter
riiory Of Mexico, by ceding away the de-
partnent of Texas. The government Of
Herrera is believed 20 have been well dis
posed to a pacific adjustment Of existing
difficulties but. probably alarmed for lis
own security, and in order to ward off the
danger Of the revolution led by Paroles,
violated It's solemn agreement, and refused
TO receive or accredit our minister: and
this, although informed that he had been
invested with full power 10 adjust all
questions in dispute between the two gov
ernments.
Among the frivolous pretexts for this
refusal. the principal one was, that our
minister had not gone upon a special mis-
sion, confined TO the question of Texas a
lone, leaving al! the outrages upon our
gag and our citizens unredressed. The
Mexican government well knew that both
our national honor and the protection due
to our citizens imperativeIy required hat
the two questions of boundary and mdem-
nifty should be treated together, as natur-
ally and inseparably blended, and they
ought 10 have seen that this course was
best calculated to enable the United States
10 extend to them the most liberal Justice.
On the ti.irt!e'h Of December. 1915. Gen.
HerreraA resigned the Presidency, and
yielded up the government TO General Pa
redes without a struggle. Thus a reyolu-
ton was accomplished solely by the army
commanded by Paroles. and the supreme
power in Mexico passed into the hands of
a military usurper. who was known 10 be
bitterly hostile 10 the United States.
Although The prospect Of a pacific adj
justment with the new government was
unpromising. from the known hostility of
It's head to the United States, vet, deter
mined that nothing should be left undone
on our part 10 restore friendly relations
between the two countries, our minister
was instructed to present his credentials
TO the new government. and ask 10 be ac-
credited BY it in the diplomatic character
m which he had been commissioned
These instructions he executed by his
note OF Tie first Of March, 1916 addressed
10 the Mexican Minister OF Foreign Affairs
but bis request was insuItinglv refused By
! that minister in his answer Of the 10Th OF
the same month. No alternative remain
ed for or minister but to demand his pas
port and return to the United States.
Thus was the extraordinary spectacle
presented to the civilized world, of a gov
eminent. in violation Of its own express
agreement, having twice rejected n minis
Ter of peace. invested with full powers to
adjust all tie existing differences between
the two countries III 4 manner just and
honorable 70 both. / am not aware that
modern history presents a parallel case,
in which. in time Of peace, one nation has
refused ever to hear propositions FROM a
mother for terminating existing difficulties
between them.
Scarcely a hope Of adjusting our dlfh-
%eulties. even at a remote day, or OF pre-
serving peace with Mexico, could be cher
ished while Paredcs remained at the head
of the government. He had acquired the
supreme power by a military revolution,
and upon the most solemn pledges to wage
war against The United States, and TO re-
conquer Texas.whtch he claimed as a re-
VOTED province Of Mexico. He had de-
nounced as guilty of treason sill those
Mexicans who considered Texas as no
longer constituting n part Of the territory
of Mexico, and who were friendly TO 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 ~reeonquest of Texas, was
hopeless. Besides, there was good rea-
son to believe, from all his conduct, ihaiit
was bis intention TO onveri the republic
Of Mexico into a Monarchy, and 10 call a
foreign European prince to the lhrone;-
Prenaratorv to this end. he had. during has