Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-12-31

ltmoy Be aimiued !, ..,,,v vhs,ho, i,l.oe,J.0,
or annexed :, the uui,sd s,,,es. Texas INNS, be
.s'svohOlding State so long as slavery shall con-
unue 70 exist in North America. It's whole pop
ulssion, wi.h hardly an exception, consisted Of
cssizeas Of the United States. Both for that
reason and on account Of its geographical posi-
iion, was much more natural that Texas
should be a member ofihe United States than OF
the Mexican Confederation. Viewed purely as
question OF oxpediency, the annexation might
be considered as beneficial TO both parties. But
-expedleucy is not justice. Mexico and Texas
had perfect right to adjust their differences and
make peace on any terms they might deem pro-
per. The anxiety 10 prevent this result indica-
I'D previous disposition ultimately TO occupy
Texas; and when the annexation was accom-.
plished; when il was seen that the United States
had appropriated TO themselves all the adyunta.
ges resulting from the American settlements in
Texas, and from their subsequent insurreclion,
the purity Of the motives Of our Government
became open 20 suspicion.
Setting aside the justice Of the proceeding. il
Is true thar il had been anticipated by those who
took an active part in the annexation that the
weakness Of Mexico would compel It TO yield,
or at least induce her not TO resort to an actual
war. This was verified by the fact; and had
Government remained in the hands with whom
'he plan originated, war might probably been a.
voided. But, when no longer in power, they
could neither regulate the impulse they had Civ
en- nor control The reckless spirits they had evo.
ked
Mexico, sensible Of her weakness, declined
war, and only rosorted to a suspension Of dipIo-
matte intercourse; but profound sense of the
INJURY inflicted by the United States has ever
since ranked in their minds. 1t will be found.
through all their diplomatic correspondence,
through all their maRilesIoes, that the Mexicans,
even to this day, perpeually recur to this mover.
forgotten offensive measure. And on the other
hand, the subSequem administration Of our Gov.
ernment seems 10 have altogether forgotten this
primary act Of injustice, and in their negotiations
10 nave acted as il ibis was only an accomplish
ed Tact, and had been a matter Of course.
lV.-NegOiiaiiOns and War.
In September, I845, the President Of the Uni
ted States directed their consul in Mexico to ns.
certain rom the Mexican Government whether
Il would receive an ENJOY from the United
States, entrusted with full power to adjust all tho
questions in dispute between the TWO Govern.
ments.
The answer of Mr.. De la Pena Pena, Min
lister ol the Relations of Mexico, was; "That,
aI'hongh the Mexican nation was deeply injured
oy lheiCnl1ed States, through The acts commit
yea oy Them IN the department of Texas, which
belongs to his nation, his Government was dis
posed to receive tho Commissioner Of the Uni
'ed States who might come TO the capital, with
illl powers from his Government TO settle the
present dispute in pcncelu reasonable, and
honorable manner" thus giving new proof
that, even in the midst of It's injuries and of It's
firm decision to exact adequate reparalion for
them. the Government of Mexico does not re.
ply wilh con,umcy 10 the measures Of reason
aud peace, to which it was invited by ys adyer.
saTy.
The Mexican Minister at the snmo time init.
mated that the previous recall of the whole ma.
val lorco ofthe United States, then lyng in sight
OF tho port OF Vera Cruz was Indispensable;
and 'h's was accordingly done by our Govern.
nenl.
but II Is essential TO observe that whilst Mr.
black hnd, according TO his nsrruc;i0ns, ipqui-
red whether the Mexican Government would re,
cclvc an Enr0y from the United States with full
power TO adjust all the questions in dispute be-.
tween the Two Governments, the Mexican Min.
lister had answered that his Government was
disposed TO receive the Commissioner of the g.
nned States who might come with full powers to
settle the present dispute in peaceful, reason,
able, and honorable manner.
MI Sldell was, in November following, mp.
pointed Envoy Extraordinary aud Minister pIen-
lPo'cnllary OF the Unucd Slnes of America
near the Government of the Mexican Republic,
ana he arrived in Mexico on the sixth of Docem-
bcr.
Mr.. Herrera, the President of Mexico, was
undoubtedly disposed to settle tho disputes be-.
tween The two countries; but, taking advantage
Ol the irritation Of the mass Of the people, his
PolIncal opponents were attempting to oversct
hun for having made, as they suid, unworthy
concessions. The arrival Of Mr.. Slidell dis.
lufbtd him extremely; aud Mr.. pena Pena
declared to Mr.. Black that his appearance in
INC capital at this limo might prove destructive
mihe Government, and thus defeat the whole
"iialr' Under these circumstances, Gen. Her
rern complained, without any foundation, that
Mr. SIldell had come sooner than had been un.
ders'ood; nc rcsorled to several frivolous obiec.
uons agalnsI the tenor of his powers; and he
'h"''a'eu tna' lhe dllhcultes respecting Texas
mus! be adjusted before another subject of dis.
cnss'on should be taken into consideration.
Bu' The main question was, whether Mexico
should receive Mr. Slidel in the character of
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotcn.
'Inry' TO reside in the Republic. II was insis.
ted by the Mexican Government that il Ind on.
agreed 10 receive a Commissioner to treat on
the questions which had arisen from The events
IN Texas, and that until this was done the sus.
pended diplomatic intercourse could not be re-.
b. admitted
why our Government should have insisted
N'a' TIE intended negotiation should bo carried
on by residing Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister PleniPolentHry is altogether unintell.