Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1846-12-17

|
were postponed or evaded. The files and re-
cords of the Department of State contain conclu
sIve proofs OF numerous lawless acts perpetratet
upon the property and persons of our citizens by
Mexico, and of wanton insults to our natosal flag
The interposition of our Government eobtair
redress was again and again invoked, under cir
cumstances which no nation ought to disregard
1t was hoped that these outrages would cease
and that Mexico would be restrained by the laws
which regulate the conduct of civilized nations in
their intercourse with each other after the treaty
OF amlty, commerce and navigation of the 9th Of
April, 1881, was concluded between the two re.
pubcs; but this hope soon proved to be vain
The course of seizure and confiscation of the
property of our citizens, the violation of their per-
sons and the insults of our flag pursued by Mex
ico previous to that time, were scarcely suspend
ed Tor even brief period, although the treaty so
clearly defines the rights and duties of the re-
sPectlve parties that it is impossible to mlsunder-
stand or mistake them. In less than seven years
after the conclusion of that treaty our grievances
had become SO intolerable that, in the opinion of
President jackson, they should no longer be en-
dured. In his Message to Congress in February.
1887. he presented them to the consideration OF
that body, and declared that .The length of time
the repeated and unavailing applications for re-
dress, the Wanton character OF some of the outra-
ges upon the property and persons of our citizens,
upon the officers and flag of the United STATES,
independent of recent insults to this Government
and people by the late extraordinary Mexican
Minister, would Justify in the eyes of all nations
immediate war" In spirit of kindness and
forbearance, however, he recommended repriSals
as m of Il e.,
war should not be used as remedy 'sby lust and
generous nations, coniiding in their strength for
injuries committed, fit can be honorably avoided"
and added ''it has occurred to me that, consider
ing the present embarrassed condition of that
country, we should act with both wisdom and mod
Grafton, by giving TO Mexico one more opportuni-
ty to atone for the past, before we take redress
INTO our own hands. To avoid all msconception
on the part of Mexico as we'll as to protect cur
own national character from reproach, this oppor-
tunity should be given with the avowed design
and full preparation to take immediate satisfac-
ton, II it should not be obtained on 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 enforce them
IN the event Of a refusal By the Mexican Govern
matters IN controversy between US, upon another
demand thereof, made from on board one Of our
vessels of war on the coast of Mexico
Committees of both Houses of Congress, to
which the message of the 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 repr-
Do1. ~r
the Senate, in their report say: AFTER such a
demand, should prompt justice be refused by the
Mexican Government, we may appeal to all ma
tlons not only for the equity and moderation with
which we shall have acted toward sister repub-
lic, but for the necessity which will then CON-
pei US to seek redress for our wrongs, either by
actual war or reprisals. The subject will then
be presented before Congress, at the commence
ment Of the next session, III clear and distinct
form; and the Committee cannot doubt but that
such measures will be Immediately adopted as
may be necessary 70 vindicate the honor of the
country, and ensure ample reparation to our in
jured citizens"
The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
Of Representatives made a similar recommenda-
datlon In their report, they say that they 'tuIly
concur with the President that ample cause exists
for taking redress into our own hands, and be-
leve that we should be justified in the opinion of
other natioDs for taking such step. But they
are willing to tiy the experiment Of another de-
nand, made in the most solemn form, upon the /
Justice of the Mexlcican Government before any
farther proceedings are adopted"
No difference OF opinion upon the subject is be- /
eved to have existed in Congress at that time
The Executive and Legislative departments con-
CURED and yet such has been our forbearance, |
md desire to preserve peace with Mexico, that |
he wrongs of which we then complained, and
which gave rise to these solemn proceedings, not /
only remain unredressed to this day, but add- /
ional causes Of complaint, of an aggravated char |
lcter, have ever since been accumulating.
Shortly after these proceedings, special mes
enger was dispatched to Mexico, to make a f.
lal demand for redress and on the Goth OF july
S37 the demand was made The reply of the
Mexican Government bears date on the 29th of
he same month, and contains assurances of the
anxious wish" of the Mexican Government "not
o delay the moment Of that final and equitable
adjustment which is to terminate the existing
llfnculties between the two Governments; - that
nothing should be left undoDe which may con-
rloute to the most speedy and equitable deter
nlnation OF the subjects which have so seriously
Engaged the attention of the American Govern
nent;" that the "Mexican Government would
dopt, as the only guides for IFS conduct, the
'anest principles public right, the sacred obli-
,ations imposed by the international law and the
eligious faith of treaties" and that "v,hatever
eason and justice may dictate respecting each
ase will be done" The assurance was firther
'iyen. that the decision of the Mexican Govern
nent upon each cause Of complaint, for which