Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-06-04
WAR DOCUMENTS.


The Presidents Message and accompanying
papers make document of 13l pages-of course
too much to be republished. We shall endeayor
to give the reader The substance Of the matter in
the brefest terms.
Sept. II, 1885, the U. S. Secretary of State Mr.
Buchanan) instructs the U. S. Consul in Mexico
(Alr Black to ascertain from the Mexican Gov
ernment whether they would receive an ENJOY from
the United States, intr1Sied ,oiM fell poosr 10 adjust
all The questions in dispute Jetireen the tCO gororn
nents."
Herara then in power in Mexico, and on the
18th of Oct he replied, through his Minister, that
Mexico is deeply injured by the United States by
acts committed in Texas but is "dsposed to receive
the Commissioner of the United States who may
come to this capital with full powers from his gov
ernment to settle the present dispute in peaceful
reasonable, and honorable manner" One conti-
ton was expressed, and that was to withdraw the
u. s. naval forces from the neighborhood of Mex
leo.
1t will be observed that the United States pro-
posed an ENJOY to settle all queSiionS-MeXico offer
ed to receive only Commissioner, fully empowered
to settle The present dispute; which Mexico after
wards explained to be the Texas question: or ques-
ton of boundary. This difference is the rock on
which the negotiators split. President Polk treat
ed Mcxco's answer as fully in the affirmative, and
appointed Hon. John Slldell his envoy fully en-
powered to settle all questions. Dec Sd Mexico
was informed of this fact, and Of Mr.. SIS arrival at
Vera Cruz, and instantly replied that Mexico did
not expect him until January, and that his immedi-
Al
to the government and defeat the whole affair. Mr.
Slidell not opprised Of this, however, and on
the 9th Dec. reached Mexico On the 9Th he gave
formal notice of his arrival to the government
which was not answered, and on the 18th he wrote
again. On the 10th the Mexican Secretary replied
that the sole cause of delaying TO answer his note,
and receive him, occasioned by the nature of
his credentials. Mr.. S. again presses the matter,
and on the Goth of Dec. the Mexican Secretary re-
plies, plainly, that it tciU receive Mr.. Slide as
Commissioner TO settle the Texas question, but
acW not receive HIM as a full envoy or minister as
the latter would imply that the two governments
stand in the ordinary relations of amty and peace
Nine days later, HerGro was compelled to resign
and Puradcs on the 4th of Jan. became President
On being instructed by the Secretary of State, Mr.
Slidell applied to the new government and on the
l2lh of March the Mexican Secretary replied in
an elaborate and well argued letter. Mexico would
mol then receive Mr.. Slidell as envoy or full Min
iser; she iUould first receive him as Commissioner
to settle the Texas question, and if that should be
satisfactorily settled, the relations of peace and
good will between the two nations would be re.
stored, and then full minister would be received
This was received by Mr. Slidell on the 18th, and
on the 18th he demanded his passports, which were
granted by the Mexican Government on the 2lst
This Is the pith Of the diplomatic correspondence
waving tho arguments which were used by each
side to sustain its own position and The conclusion
which seems to us very evident is, that President
Polk has managed this matter in bunglng style
As being the strongest power, it became him to be
liberal: he should have waived all NICE points OF
honor, all strict constructions of language: he
should have al once taken Merco at her sent
instructions to Mr.. Slidel to settle the Texas oues
tion,-that u.s. make him just the sort of minister
which Mexico protested to be willing to receive
If received by Mexico, the war might have been
prevented, perhups-at any rate, we had nothing to
lose. If Mexico then receded from her own prop
OslllOHj tHc OHitcu oldlcs houlu luNt slOpu on
higher ground and with far better excuse for wal
than she can now plead
But there is military correspondence which de
serves attention.
June IS, 1915, long before proposing to send Q
minister to Mexico, Gen. Taylor was ordered tc
the mouth of the Sabine, and informed that his ul
innate destination was on or near the Rio Grande
Next comes letter proving that the territory
between the Rio Grande and Neuces was actually
in the possession of Mexico, just as Mr.. Benton
described 1t follows that this was acknowledged
l;.o,toJ torr;toru. Mayico,o bouin,, ,.o..,. a. -