The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-17

..s.ss asss~pa~yiss tAs Pr.ssdsar. Message


- ~ ASA~AO A>NON ~A@SAs = ~
Dss~...ss .sss-pa~yi.s II. Pr.ssa..r. Message.
DEPARTMENT or STATE.
Washington, January IS, lSi7
SIK The President Of the United States has instructed
70 submit to more specific proposition than tha
purpose Of terminating the present unhappy war between
the two counSes He has determined TO resort 70 every
honorrbs insane to restore The blessings o. peace DE-
is to conclude such treaty of peace with the republic Of
Mexico - shall and peetuate sincere and cor
dial friendship between the parties II is peculiarly the
erurepublcs the world to cherish sentiments OF mu
ta respect and Kindness for each other In this spirit
he FIRE with osl spS eu
tvafing commerce equally advantageous to both, we
may Justly look forward to long Of mutual bene
i';snssh;o which cannot be broken Instead Of enemies
we desire to consider the Mexicans as brothers;
Animated by such sentiments, the President has deter
lean government Although This may be regarded BY
the world as great concession TO Mexico, yet he Is
willing to subject himself to this reproach. in the hope
that his offer may inspire corresponding sentiments in
the minds OF a brave and patriotic people.
He has, therefore, directed me to propose TO your
cellency that he will Immediately despatch, either to the
Havana or TO Jalapa. the Mexican government may
prefer, one or of most distinguished citizens
commissioners, clothed with full powers to conclude
treaty OF peace with similar commissioners on the part OF
Mexico, as he shall be officially informed mat
the Mexican government will appoint such commission
Should the Mexican government. for the sake of more
speedily terminating The magnanimousy adopt the
initiative, and first appoint commissioners, the President
will them as soon mis- fact shall be made known 10
him, without a moments delay appoint commissioners
on the part OF the United States
The commissioners our part will be invested with
the discretionary power to suspend hostes and raise
existing bOckades immediately alter they shall nave
met the Mexican commissioners, either at the Havana or
Jalapa. f,-. ~
embrace this occasion to offer to your excellency the
assurance Of my most distinguished RdHaNAN
To his excelcncy the MINISTER OF FOREIGN RELATIONS
OF the Mexican Republic.
[T,anslation.J
PALACE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF Mexico,
February %, 1s47.
Sir: Mr. Alexander Atocha has placed in my hands
the under date the 18th of January last in which
your exceency is pleased to express the good DISPOSE
lion entertained by his excellency the President OF the
United States 70 have recourse to every honorable
the two nations the frdy relations which are unioriu-
nateiy interrupted
turbed the sincere friendship which it cultivated with
your republic, whose continued progress it has always
admired, and whose institutions have served it as a
two people who ought have lived closely united but it
has depended upon it to avoid this misfortune Pene
trated with the benefits OF peace it has frutessy EN-
the honor the dignity and the security of the nation
The question OF Texas to Interior designs,
which stand disclosed The INVASION OF Mexican
territory which followed is reality, and every day
new aggressions augment the grounds for complaint
Nevertheless. his excellency the Vice President,
charged with the supreme executive power who chershes
in his bosom the -liveest sentiments of humanity, will
lend himself to the adjustment which is indicated to him.
he shall conceive the hope that the ncontesa
bic rights of Mexico may be saved The high mission
with which he is charged renders it obligatory upon him
preserve the independence and the integrity of the
public; and in the understanding that he will never agree
that either the the other shall be lost he will
cede cheeruy to the invitation which il proered TO him
who may be chosen by his exceency the President Of
treaty of peace and sincere friendship; but such appoint
Menf he will not make unless the raising of the blockade
81 ports and the complete evacuation Of the territory
of the republic by the invading forces shall be previous
ly accepted as preliminary condition.
Before concluding this note, his excellency the Vice
President deems il Indispensable 10 manifest the surprise
which he has experienced at The apprehension expressed
by your excellencys government that the world might
consider excessive concession to Mexico the sel
taken by it in again taking the initiative towards the
gotiaton Of peace for he cannot conceive the reason
upon which such an mputation could rest when all civ.
iZed nations have recognised the justice of the rights OF
this republic, and the imperOus necessity in which she
has found herself to maintain them by arms, opposing
invasion the least UNSUITABLE of all those known the
HISTORY Of civilized nations.
avail myself of the opportunity to offer to your excel
lency the assurances of my distinguished consdera
lion. JOSE MARIA ORTIZ MONASTERIO.
To his exceency the SECRETARY STATE OF the United
States OF America