Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-05-21
Iwentp Ninth Congress.
In Senate, Monday, May II, 1916.
MESSAGE rRtiM rHE observation-disclosures.

which was read by the Secretary OF the Senate, as
follows:
To The Senate and House Of Representatives.
The existing state Of the relations between the
United States and Mexico renders 1t proper that
should bring the subject the consideration OF Con-
gress In my Message at the commencement OF your
session the state of these relations the causes
which led to the suspension of diplomatic intercourse
between the two countries in March. lS4o ard the
lonc-contnued and unredreSsed wrongs and injuries
committed by the Mexican government on citizens OF
the United States in their persons and property were
briefly set forth.
As the facts and opinions which were then laid
before you were carefully considered, cannot better
express nv convictions Of the condition of affairs up
to that time than by referring you to that comfhuni-
cation.
The strong desire to establish peace with Mexico,
on liberal and honorable terms, and the readiness of
this government to regulate and adjust our boihdary,
and other causes Of difference with that power, on
such fair and equitable principles as would lead to
permanent relations of the most friendly nature, In
duced me in September last to seek the feopenng Of
diplomatic relations between the two countries Every
measure adopted our part had Tor ITS object the
furtherance of these desired feshlts. In comnuni.
eating to Congress succlnct statement OF the nlu-
ries which we had suffered from Mexico, and which
have been accommodating during period of more than
twenty years, every expression that could tend to
infame the people of Mexico, or defeat or delay
pacific result carefully avoided. An envoy OF
the United States repaired to Mexico with full powers
to adjust every existing difference. But though pre-
sent on the Mexican soil, by agreement between the
two governments, invested with full powers, and
bearing evidence Of the most friendly dispositions, his
mission has been unavailing. The Mexican govern
ment not only refused 10 receive him listen 10 his
propositions, but, after long-continued series of
menaces have at last invaded our territory and shed
the blood of our fellow-ctizens on our own SOIL
II now becomes my duty to state more in detail the
origin, progress and failure of that mission. In
pursuance of the instructions given in September last,
an inquiry was made, the thirteenth of October,
in 1915, in the most friendly terms, through our
Consul in Mexico, of the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
whether the Mexican government " would receive an
enyoy from the United States intrused with full pow
ers to adjust all the questions in dispute between the
two governments;' with the assurance that should
the answer be in the affirmative such envoy would
be Immediately despatched to Mexico" The Next
can minister on the 18th of October, gave affirm
alive answer to this inquiry requesting, at the same
tune. that our naval force at Vera Cruz might be
withdrawn lest its continued presence might assume
the appearance of menace and coercion pending the
negotiations. This force Immediately withdrawn.
On the 10th of November, 1545, Mr. John Sidell, of
Louisiana, was commissioned by me envoy extra
ordinary and minister plenipctentiary of the United
States to Mexico, and intrusted with full powers
to adjust both the questions of the Texas boundary
and Of ndemni6cation to our citizens. The redress
Of the wrongs Of citizens naturally and nsepara
blended
The settlement of the one question in any correct
view of the subject involves that of the other
could not, for moment entertain the idea that the
claims of our much injured and long suffering citi-
zens many Of which had existed for than twenty
years, should be postponed, separated from the
settlement of the boundary question.
Mr.. Siidell arrived at Vera Cruz the 30th of
November, and was courteously received by the au-
thorities of that city. But the government of Gen.
Herrera then lettering to its fall. The revolu-
tionary party had seized upon the Texas question to
effect or hasten its overthrow Its determination to
restore friendly relations with the United States and
to receive our minister, to negotiate for the settle
ment of this question, violently assaed. and
was made the great theme Of denuncation against it.
The government of General Herrera, there is good
reason to believe, sincerely DESTROYS to receive
our minister; but it yielded to the storm raised by
its enemies and on the Dist of December refused to
accredit Mr. Slidell upon the most frivolous pretexs
These are so fully and ably exposed in the note of
Mr. Sidel of the oath Of December last the Mexi-
can minister Of foreign relations herewith transmitted
that deem it unnecessary enter into further detail
on this portion of the subject.
Five DAYS after the date of Mr.. Slides note, Gen.
Herrera yielded the government to Gen. Paroles
without a struggle and the Goth of December
resigned the Presidency. This revolution was ac-
complished solely by the army, the people having
taken little part in the contests and thus the supreme
power in Mexico passed into the hands of military
leader
Determined to leave effort untried to effect an
amicable adjustment with Mexico, directed Mr..
Side present his credentials the government of
Gen. Paredes and ask be officially received by him.
There would have been less ground for taking this
step had Gen. Paroles come into power by a regular
constitutional succession. In that event his admins
tration would have been considered but mere const-
tutional continuance of the government of General
Herrera and the refusal of the latter receive our
minister would have been deemed conclusive, unless
an intimation had been given by Gen. Paroles of his
desire to reverse the decision of his predecessor.
But the government Of General Paroles owes its
existence to military revolution, by which the sub
sistng constitutional authorities had deem subyerted
The form of government entirely changed, as
well as all the high functionaries by whom it was
administered.
Under these circumstances, Mr.. Slidell, in obedi-
ence to nv direction addressed to the Mexican
minister Of foreign relations under date of the lst of
March last asking to be received by that government
in the diplomatic character to which be had been
appointed. This minister, In his reply, under date
of the 18th of March, reiterated the arguments of his
predecessor and in that may be considered as
giving lust grounds of offence tn the government and
people of the United States, denied the application OF
Mr. SIiden Nothing, therefore, remained for our
envoy but to demand his passports and return to his
own country.
Thus the government of Mexico, though solemnly
pledged by official acts in October last to receive and
accredit American envoy, violated their pghted
faith and refused the offer of peaceful adjustment
Of our difficulties. Not only the offer rejected
but the indgnty of its rejection enhanced by the
manifest breach of faith in refusing to admit the
envoy, who came because they had bound themselves
TO receive him. Nor can be said that the offer wa
fruitess from the want of opportunity of discussing
it: our envoy present or their own SOIL Nor
can il be ascribed a want Of sufficient powers our
envoy had full powers to adjust every question of diff