Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-12-10

liar treaty stlpulatIons on the part of Mexico
Such treaty would be but temporary ces.
sation of hostIities, without the restoration Of
the friendship and good understanding which
should characterize the future intercourse be-
tween the two countries
That Congress contemplated the acquisition
of territorial indemnity when that body made
provision for the prosecution of the war. is
obvious. Congress could not have meant
when, IN May, 1916, they appropriated ten
millions OF dollars, and authorized the Presi-
dent to employ the militia and naval and mill
tary forces OF the United States, and to ACCEPT
the services of fifty thousand volunteers, 10
enable him to prosecute the war; and when,
at their last session, and after our army had
invaded Mexico, they made additional appro-
prlatIons and authorized the raising of add.
tional troops for the same purpose-that no
indemnity was to be obtained from Mexico at
the conclusion OF the war and vet it was Ger.
tam that, II no Mexican territory was acquir-
ed, no indemnity could be obtained
1t is further manifest that Congress contein-
plated territorial indemnity, from the fact that
at their last session, an act was passed, upon
the Executive recommendation, appropriating
three millions OF dollars with that express OBJ
Jcct This appropriation was made ''to ena-
OIC tIC L ICSluCul IT. COlCluue treaty OF peace.
limits, and boundaries, with the republic of
Mexico, to be used by him in the event that
said treaty, when signed by the authorized a.
gents OF the two governments, and duly rati-
fled by Mexico, shall call for the expenditure
of the same, or any paH thereof" The object
of asking this appropriation was distinctly
stated IN the several messages on the subject
which communicated to Congress. Similar
ofionc unadn in 0O0 ,nJ 1ooc
were referred to, were intended to be applied
in part consideration for the cession of Loui
slana and the Floridas. In like manner it was
anticipated that, in settling the terms of trea-
~ of sc limits and boundaries" with Mexico. q
cesson OF territory estimated to be of greater
value than the amount of our demands against
her might be obtained; and that the prompt
payment Of this sum-in part consideration
for the territory ceded-on the conclusion of
a treaty, and its ratification on her part. might
be an inducement with her to make such a
cession of territory as would be satisfactory to
the United States And although the failure
TO conclude such treaty has rendered it UNI
necessary to use any part of the three millions
of dollars appropriated by that act, and the en-
tire sum remains in the treasury, it is still ap-
plicable to that object, should the contingency
occur making such application proper.
The doctrine of no territory is the doctrine
of no indemnity; and, if sanctioned, would be
a public acknowledg that our country
was wrong. and that the war declared by Con-
gress with extraordinary unanmty, was I'M
| Just, and should be abandoned; an admission
unfounded in fact, and degrading to the ma
| tIonal character
The terms OF the treaty proposed by the q.
States were not only Just to Mexico, but, con-
sIderrng the character and amount of our
claims, the unjustifiable and unprovoked COM
mencement of hOstilites by her, the expenses
of the war to which we have been subjected,
and the success which had attended our arms,
were deemed to he OF most moral character
The commissioner of the United States was
authorized to agree to the establishment of the
Rio Grande as the boundary, from its entrance
into the Gulf TO its intersection with the south
ern boundary of New Mexico, in north lati-
tude about thirty two degrees, and to obtain a
cession to the United States of the provinces
of New Mexico and the CALIFORNIA;, and the
privilege of the right of way across the 18TH
mus of Tehuantepec The boundary of the
Rio Grande, and the cession to the U. States
OF New Mexico and Upper California, consti-
tuted an ultimatum which our commissioner
was, under no circumstances, to yield.
That it might be manifest not only to Mex
leo, but to all other nations, that the United
States were not disposed to take advantage OF
a feeble power, by insisting upon wrestling
from her all other provinces, including many
of her principal towns and cites, which we
had conquered and held in our military occu-
patton, but were willing to conclude a treaty
ia spirit Of IberaIity, our commissioner
was authorized to stpulate for the restora-
| ~ Ill fhnEo
AS the territory to be acquired by the boun-
Diary proposed might be estimated to be OF
greater value than fair equivalent for our just
demands, our commissioner was authorized
to stipulation the payment Of such additional
pecuniary consideration as was deemed rea.
sonabe.
The terms of treaty proposed by the Mex
lean commissioners were wholly inadmissa'
BILE. They negotiated as if Mexico were the
victorious, and not the vanquished party
| They must have known that their ullimatum
could never be accepted. 1t required the u
States to dismember Texas, by snrrendering
to Mexico that part of the territory of that
State living between the Nueces and the Rio
Grande, included within her limits by heI
laws when she was an independent republic
and when she was annexed TO the United
States and admitted by Congress as one Of the
States Of our Union. 1t contained no provls
ion for the payment by Mexico of the just
claims of our citizens. 1t required indemni
ty to Mexican citizens for injuries they may
have sustained by our troops in the prosecu
ton of the wal. 1t demanded the right TO
Mexico to levy and collect the Mexican tariff
of duties on goods imported into her ports
while in our military occupation during thu
war, and the owners of which had paid to OF
fcers of the United States the military contrl
buttons which had been levied upon them
and it offered to cede 10 the United States, 70
a pecunary consideration, that part Of Uppe
California lying north of latitude thrty-seve'
degrees. Such were the unreasonable terms
proposed by the Mexican commissioners.
The cession to the United States by Mexi
CO, of the provinces of New Mexico and tn
CALIFORNIA;, as proposed by the commissions
be more in accordance with the convenience
and interests of both nations, than any othe
cession of territory which it was probable
Mexico could be induced to make.
1t is manifested to all who have observed
5 the actual condition of the Mexican govern
ment, for some years past, and at present, tina
: if these provinces should be retained by hei
she could not long continue to hold and gov
: ern them. Mexico is too feeble power t
, govern these provinces, lying as they do at
distance of more than d thousand miles from
her capital, and, if attempted TO be retaine
! by her, they would constitute but for shor
E time, even nominally, part other domlnions
! This would be especially the case with Up
| -: 30 Ifvyr IF n0YVnrtnI