The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-15
Tho Progress OF the War-Our Relations with
Mexico--Prospect Of Peace.


in Mexico. Victory after victory has crowned
the engagements of army in that republic,
and to all appearances we are no nearer peace
than we wore year ago. Repeated efforts have
bsen made by our Government to open neg gotta
tons pointing to peace, but SO far they have
proved frnlt!ess.
The mission Of Mr. Atccha has developed facts,
which give a complexion TO relations with
Mexico OF Z, very interesting character. 1t ap-
psars THAT -Af. -Atocha made proposition 10 Se-
nor Rejon merely upon hia own responsibility,
for the purpose OF arriving at the views of the
Mexican Government relative 10 boundary, and
Tie other prelninaries necessary 10 bring about
peaceful relations. Mr. Atocha was probably
very Intimately acquainted with the views Of our
Government relation TO boundary, and upon
that information he undoubtedly acted.
The proposition which he offered TO ooun-
dary made the Rio Grande on the Gulf the
eastern line, and that river TO be the eastern
boundary 10 the latitude of the northern point OF
the Gulf OF California, and that line to the Pa
cific TO be the line OF division between the two
countries. This would give large portion
of Northern Mexico and the whole Of Upper
California, in which Of The best ports
on the Pacific ocean. il was also stated THAI tor
(. treaty Of peace, and Tor the territory included
in the above lines, the government OF the United
states would relinquish all claims against the
government of Mexico, either on account of old
iadeInnities or on account of the expenses of the
VIZ, and pay into the treasury of the Mexican
government fifteen millions OF dollars or therea-
bouts. Mr.. Atocha also proposed offensive
and defensive treaty between the two countries,
and that tie United States would agree not to re-
oognlse the independence OF any province OF
Mexico which might hereafter separate itself
from that government by some revolutionary
movement. These propositions were made,
az we have before stated, by Mr.. Ato-
cha. entirely upon his own responsibility, and
not for or IN the name of the government of the
United Suites. His object was evidently 10 ar
rive at, if possible, the views OF the government
OF Mexico
The Mexican minister Of Foreign Affairs, Sc
nor RECON, in reply to these proposals, stated that
it was entirely out OF the question 10 negotiate
under existing circumstances; that he thought
very favoraby Of the terms offered, but that SO
long as the army and navy of the United States
were within the limits Of Mexican territory
they could not treat for peace. This settled the
matter at once, and further negotiations between
these parties entirely out OF the question
The government OF the United States was not
represented iii Mexico by Mr.. Atocha. That gen
tleman did not make the propositions in an Of
fetal capacity, and the Mexican Minister of Fo-
reign Affairs understood perfectly well Mr. Alto
cha's position. The line Of boundary the amount
of indemnity, agree pretty well withthe views of
our government, but il viii have nothing 10 do
with an offensive and defensive treaty. Il Is our
policy prevent any foreign interference with the
republics of this continent, and j; does not re-
quire the existence Of treaty to that effect; and
as regards acknowledging or not acknowledging
the independence Of any province which might
hereafter separate itself from the central govern
incentive choose to hold ourselves in an indie
pendent position, upon such an independent ques-
ton.
II therefore appears that our government is not
disposed to treat with Mexico upon any other
subject than boundary and indemnify These
points are to be settled first, and ii remains OPP
rional with the Mexican government whether 1t
gives us the line proposed upon the terms offered,
or permit us 10 overrun the country and govern
it ourselves. OF the two evils it must choose
one, il cannot reJec, both.
The government OF Mexico are closely watching
the progress of political movements The
success u the wing party IN The local elections ID
aux!oualy looked for, and more liberal policy
ia regard 10 MEXICAN affairs is expected, in the
event of the wings having the powe! in the next
Congress. The Mexican Minister Of Fore ~
Affairs, indeed, has minated that Ms govern
Inent will wait until another session OF Congress
and the accession oi the wing parry 10 power
as n more favorable treaty can then be inade be-
tween the two countries. Senior kejon has u
very curious idea of the form OF our government
and the position Of the two political parties. The
wings will. without doubt, have a majority IN
the lower house OF Congress, but the other Two
branches OF the government aIe democratic, ana
will remain 60 during the present administration.
There is, therefore, very poor prospect for the
Mexican government, If they depend upon that
event, and we think that with the wings they
will not gain much.
We have 10 doubt but that the American army
is now "reveline in the Halls of the Aontezu-
mas :" that our forces have in fact full posses
sion of all the principal places 10 the republic of
Mexico We are in position to dictate and en-
force any terms we choose; and the Mexican
government, If there is al this moment such
government in existence, lie completely power
iess. We have made propositions FOR peace,
and over agan--ve have held forth the
olive branch 60 often, that tae Mexlcane believe
shis country is about being ruined by the war;
we have injured our own cause, by being over
anxious for peace, and our motvee have been
nisconstlued AL We have to do Is to establish
amiltary government in all the places garrlsoned
by onr troops, levy direct taxes upon the people.
ana upon the churches, which, with The revenue
rom cus'oms, will support whatever forces NAV
De nseessnry 70 keep the country in subsection,
and shea hold on, II necessary, to tie crack Of
doom.
The universal yankee matt on cen legenerats
and discnthrall the people Of Mexico inal.w !
years; aud we believe it is a part Of our destiny I
20 civihze that beautiful country, and enable ne |
inhabitants to appreciate some OF thu naany al.
vantages and blessings they enjoy.