The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-14
NEW YORK HERALD.
New York, Friday, August IA, Is4s.
Oar Mexican Relations.


They are now part of the history of the
They afford us a curious insight into the move
ments OF the wings at the close of Congress, par
tcularly of the Hon. John Davis, of Massachu-
sets. 1t appears that the measure, which evil
IDENTITY had its origin in a suggestion of Mr.. Web
ster, was killed outright by his colleague, Mr..
Davis. 1t is to be hoped for the sake of the latter
gentleman, that the war viii soon close, and in
satisfactory manner for he assumed fearful
responsibility in cutting the throat of the peace
message.
Those who have watched the course of the
wings in the Senate relative 10 this war, par:cu-
larry the course of Mr. Webster, must see in these
papers that the President has, by the indiscretion
of Mr.. Davis, completely check-mated them.
But what reply viii the Mexican government
send to the note of Mr.. Buchanan That is now
the question.
Mediation In our Mexican Afairs-European
Interference.
The bold and independent stand assumed by
President Polk in his regular message TO the two
houses of Congress the opening of the last ses-
sion, in regard to the rights of interference by
European nations in the affairs of this continent
created great excitement both in Europe and
America. Mr.. Polk boldly reiterated and reaf-
firmed simple principle avowed by President
Monroe ,on previous OCCASION and declared that
those governments can never be allowed to in
terfere in the political affairs of this continent
The underhand attempts by Great Britain and
France to defeat the annexation of Texas by dl-
plomatic chicanery and bribery the
OF this declaration, and it was to those govern
ments in particular that it directed.
The principle thus declared was denied by M.
'Guizot in the French Chamber of Deputies, and
the United States and France are now at issue
on that subject.
In Sir Robert Peel's last address to the English
House OF Commo in speaking of the settlement
of the Oregon question, he said that on the occur
renee of hosttes between the United States and
Mexico, before the cabinet was aware of the re.
ception which the offer they had made to form
a treaty, would meet with, the first packet that
sailed rendered to the United States the offer Of
their good offices for the purpose Of mediation be-
tween us and the Mexican Government, to pre-
vent, we suppose, the effusion of blood. 1t i'll
becomes nation like Great Britain, to speak of
the effusion of blood-a nation whose tracks have
formed rivers of human gore in every country it
has had any thing to do with, and against which
the cries of slaughtered millions are hourly call
ing for vengeance in every part of the world civil
lied and uncivized. 1t i'll becomes nation that
has for centuries misgoverned sister island, de-
prived its inhabitants of their property and lands
a nation that imposed on the generous nature of
the natives of India, land slaughtered them in num-
bers beyond computations nation which, at the
very time it offering its good services TO stop
the effusion of blood on this continent,
gagged in numbering the poor Sikhs, and ma
king conquest of their territory. 1t ill becomes
a nation like England to talk Of stopping
the shedding of blood, by people who love
peace as they do the apple of their eye, and whose
increase of territory has been secured not by fire
and sword, but by the instruments of peace and
the moral influence of their institutions and laws.
1t not, however, on this ground that we re-
ect her gratuitous offer to step in between us and
Mexico, and tender her "good Offices" as Sir
Robert Peel says, to ''sette difficulties" but
because it savors of a denial ofhe principle assum-
ed by Mr.. Polk in his message, and an assump-
ton on his part that we are incapable of managing
our own affairs, and need the good offices of a
European power to settle them for us.
This offer transmitted to Mr.. Pakenham,
the British Minister at Washington, to be tender
ed to this government but for obvious that
functionary has kept it in his breaches pocket
ever since. He, doubtless, received instructions
to breach the subject gently and indirectly
to our government, to be cautious in his adj
vances; and in he should be of opinion
that mediation would be rejected to withhold
making the offer. No doubt Mr.. Pakenham
followed his instructions, and became satisfied
that it was injudicious to interfere. We think
Mr.. Pakenham deserves some credit for his per-
spicuity in coming to this wise conclusion, for he
may rest assured that the former transactions
have had with his government have not inspired
the American people with a too good opiuion of
it and that if he had offered its good SERVICES
between us and Mexico, they would have prompt
ly and unequivocally been refused and rejected.
We believe we have the will and ability to settle
our difficulties with Mexico, any other country;
and we do not require the assistance Of any Eu-
ropean government, and least of all that of Great
Britain, to enable us to terminate the war in
manner that will be satisfactory and honorable to
our country, and with as little bloodshed as pos
sible, consistent with the end in view.
This offer on the part of England may be con-
sidered piece ofgreat assurance, when we have
the express declaration of our chef magistrate,
the organ of twenty millions of constituents, that
no European interference will be ever tolerated
in this country, and we may add, by mediation, or
in any other form. This principle may be con-
sidered portion of our national common law,
and forms part and parcel of the national will
As Mr.. Pakenham declined to offer the "good Of
fees" knowing that they would be refused, as
they certainly would have been, the British gov
eminent may consider it truly an indication on
part to adhere to, and carry out the non-nter-
vention principle.
The United States have grown sp frem weak
&C
ance of European governments. BY the benef-
cial influence of our institutions, the develope-
ment of our own resources, and the natural inn
pulses of our own people, we have become Sc
cond to no nation in the world in strength and in