Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-12-10

bosom, ia beholding the high proofs Of cour-
age, consummale military skill, steady dis.
c%iplino, and humanity 10 the vanquished
enemy. exhibited BY our brilliant army. the
nation Is called to mourn over the loss OF
many brave officers and soldiers who have
fallen in defence oftheir country honor and
interests. The brave dead met their mel
auchoiy fate IN a foreign land, nobly dis
charging their duty, and with their coun.
try's flag waving triumphaniIy in the face
of the foe. Their patriotic deeds are Justly
appreciated. and will long be extended 10
their surviving families.
Shortly after the adjournment Of she las,
session of Congress. the gratifying intelli-
gence was received Of the signal victory Of
Buena Vista aud Of the fall Of the city Of
Vera Cruz, and with il the strong castle Of
San Juan de Ulua, by which il was defend.
ed. Believing that aner these and other
successes, so honorable to our arms and so
disastrous to Mexico.the period was propit-
ious TO afford her another opportunity, IL
she thought proper, a commissioner was
appointed to proceed to the headquarters Of
our army, with full power to enter upon
negotiations. and TO conclude q Just aud
honorable treaty OF peace. He was not di
rected to make any new overtures Of peace,
but was the bearer Of a despatch from the
Secretary Of State Of the United States to
the Minister Of Foreign Affairs Of Mexico,
in reply to one received from the latter Of
the tweniy-second Of February, lst7, ia
which the Mexican government Is as inform.
ed Of his appointment, and OF his presence
at the headquarters Of our army, and tibet
he was invested with full powers to con-
clude a dehnitiye treaty of peace, whenever
the Mexican government might signify a
desire to do so. While | was unwilling
TO subject the United States 10 another in
dignant refusal, | was yet resolved tina, the
evils of the war should not be protracted q
day longer than might be rendered absolute.
" necessary by the Mexican government.
Care was taken TO give no instructions
TO the commissions which could in any way
Interfere with our military operations, OF
relax our energies in the prosecution Of the
war. Her possessed no authority in any
manner 10 control those operations. He
was authorized TO exhibit his institutions
to the General in command Of the army
and IN the event Of a treaty being con-
cIuded and ratified on the part Of Mexico,
he was directed to give him notice of that
fact. On the happening Of such contingent
cy, and on receiving notice thereof, the
General in command was instructed BY the
Secretary of War to suspend further active
military operations until further orders
These instructions were given with a view
to intermit hosiilities, until the treaty thus
ratified by Mexico could be transmitted 10
Washington, and received the action OF the
government of the United States.
The commissioner was also directed, on
reaching the army, to deliver to the Gen.
eral in command the despatch which
he bore from the Secretary OF Slate 10 the
minister Of Foreign Affairs of Mexico. aud
on receiving it, the General was instructed
by the Secretary Of War 10 cause it 10 be
transmitted to the commander Of the Mex
lean force, with a request thai il might be
communicated to his government.
The commissioner did not reach the
headquarters Of the army until after another
brilliant victory had crowned our arms al
Cerro Gordo.
The despatch which he bore from the
Secretary Of War TO the General in CON.
mand OF the army, was received by the Off
Ger, then at Jalapa, on the seventh day of
May. lS47, together with the despatch from
the Secretary Of State TO the Minister OF
Affairs Of Mexico, having been transmitted
to him from Vera Cruz. The commission.
er arrived at the headquarters of the army
few days afterwards. His presence with
the army, and his diplomatic character
we're made known to the Mexican govern.
ment, from Puebla. on the twelfth Of June,
ls47, by the transmission Of the despatch
from the Secretary Of State Of the Minister
OF Foreign affairs Of Mexico.
Many weeks elapsed after its receipt, and
no overtures were made, nor was any desire
expressed BY the Mexican government TO
enter into negotiations for peace.
Our army pursued its march Upon the
capital, and, as it approached il, was met by
formidable resistance. Our forces first en-
countered the enemy, and achieved signal
victories in the severely contested battles of
Contreras and C~hurubusco.
II was not until after these actions had
resulted in decisive victories, and the CAPT.
tai oil The enemy was within our " that
the Mexican government manifested any
disposition to enter into negotiations for
peace and even then, as events have prov
ed, there Is TO much reason TO believe the
N'N ahu W. III dHfttlHQ 10 90 /
through the forms Of negotiation, the OBJ
lect was TO gain time to strengthen the de-
fences ofiheir capital, and 10 prepare for
fresh resistance.
The General in ommand Of the army Deem
ed Il expedient to suspend the h~ostilities tempo
rarily, by entering into an armistice with a view
to The opening of negotiations. Commissioners
were appointed on the part of Mexico to meet
the commissioner on the part Of the United
States. The res alt Of the conference which
took place between these functionaries Of the
two governments was a failure to conclude a
treaty of peace.
The commissioner of the United States took
with him the project Of a treaty already prepar-
ed by the terms Of which the indemnity r%eauir.
ed by the United States was a cession of terri
tory. ~ i
y is well known that the only indemnity
winch 1t IS in the power Of Mexico to make, an
satisfaction of the just and long deferred claims
Of our citizens against her, and the only means
BY which she can reimburse the United States
for the expenses Of the war, is a cession to the
United States Of a portion of her territory !
Mexico has no money to pay and no ether
means Of making the required indemnity. II
we refuse this, we can obtain nothing else. To
reject indemnify. bv raflsino 10 ooaaot 49,