Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-12-15

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presence with the arI14y,,s and his diplomat
ic character, were nude Known to the
Mexican government from Puebla on the
I2tH of June ls47, by the transmission Of
the despatch from the Secretary Of State
TO the Minister of Foreign Affairs Of Mex
leo. sssesy sri - sJss - III ss5ial
IS Many weeks after its receipt and sneso-
vertures were nude, nor lwas any desire
expressed by the Mexican government Ate
enter intosneg egotiatiDns nsIof peace. sssas
alOnrlarmy pursued its march upona the
Gapitol and as il approuched i, was met;
by f6rf6lda fesistaae Jug 1lfsE
encountered the enemy and achieved signal
victories in the several contested battles of
Contreras and Churubusco.a It was not
until after these actions had resulted in de-
cisive victories, and the capitol of the ene-
my was within our power, that the Mexi-
can government manifested any disposition
to enter into negotiations for peace, and e.
ven then, events proved there is too much
reason tn believe they were insincere, and
that in agreeing to go through the forms Of
negotiation, the object was to gain time to
strengthen the defences of their, capitol and
prepare for fresh resistance. ..s.., ri.
The general in command of the army
deemed it itexpedient to suspend hostilities
temporarily, by entering into an armistice
with a view to the opening of negotiations
Commissioners were appointed on the part
of Mexico to meet the Commissioners on
the part of the United States. The result
of the the conferences which took place
between these tunctionaries of the two gov.
ernments, was failure to conclude trea-
ty of peace. -a ..~--.
The Commissioner of the U S. took
with him the project Of the treaty already
prepared, by the terms of which, the in
demnity required by the United States was
the cession of territory.
1t is well known that the only indemnity
which is in the power of Mexico to make,
in 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 cession to the United States of
portion of her territory. Mexico has not
money to pay. and no other means Of MAX
ing the required indemnity. If we refuse
this we can obtain nothing else. To reject
indemnity, by refusing to accept a ces-
sion of territory, would be to abandon all
our just demands, and TO wage the war,
leaving all its expenses without purpose
or definite object.
A state OF war abrogates treaties previ-
ously existing between the belligerents,
and treaty ofpeace puts an end to all
claims for indemnity-for tortuous acts
committed under the authority of our gov
ernment against the citizens or subjects of
another, unless they are provided for in
its stipulations. A treaty of peace which
would terminate the existing war without
providing for indemnity, would enable
Mexico, the acknowledged debtor, and her.
self the aggressor in the war, to relieve
herself from her just liabilities. By such
a treaty, our citizens who hold just de-.
mands against her, would have no remedy
either against, Mexico or their own gov
ernment. Our duty to these citizens must
forever prevent such a peace, and no trea-
ty which does not provide ample means
of discharging those demands can receive
my sanction.
A treaty of peace should settle all existing
differences between the two countries. If an ad-
equate cession of territory should be made by
such a treaty, the United States should release
Mexico from all her liabilities, and assume their
payment to our own citizens. IF instead of this
the United States were to cons ent to a treaty by
which Mexico should again engage to pay the
heavy amount of Indebtedness, which a just in
demnity to our government and our citizens
would impose on her, it is notorious that she
does not possess the means to meet such an un-
dertaking. From such treaty no result could
be anticipated, but the same irritating disap-
pointments which have heretofore attended the
violations of similar treaty stipulations on the
part of Mexico. Such treaty would be but
temporary cessation of hostilities, without the
restoration of the friendship and good UNDER
standing which should characterize the future
intercourse between the two countries.
That Congress contemplated the acquisi tion
of territorial indemnity when that body made
provision for the prosecution of the war, is obyi-
GUS. Congress could not have meant when, IN
1916, they appropriated $40, 900, OOO and author
lied the President to employ the Militia and to
accept the servives of $4,000 volunteers to enable
him to prosecute the war, and when at their last
session, and after our army had invaded Mexico,
lied the raising of additional troops for the same
purpose, that no indemnity was to be obtained
from Mexico at the conclusion of the war; and
yet it was certain that if no Mexican territory
was acquired, no indemnity would be obtained.
1t is further manifest that Congress contenl-
plated territorial indemnity, from the fact that
at their last session an act was passed, upon the
Executive recommendation, appropriating 3,o0O,-
600 with that express object-o This appropria-
tion was made to enable the President to conclude
a treaty ofpeace, ianits and boundaries, with the
Republic of Mexico, to be used by him in the e.
vent thatsaid treaty when signed, by the author
lied agents of the two governments, and duly
ratified by Mexico, shall call for the expenditure
of the same or any portion thereof. The object
of asking this appropriation was distinctly sta
ted in the general message on the subject which /
communicated to Congress. Ell. .za 'y7r-e ~,
Similar appropriate MS, made in 500 md 1900,
which were referred to, were intended to be ap-
piled in part consideration for the eession of
Louisiana and the F1oridas; in like manner. It
was anticipated that in settling the terms of q
treaty of limits and boundaries with Mexico, a
cession 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 induce
ment with her to make such cession Of territory
as would be satisfactory to the United States;
and although the failure to conclude such a trea-
ty has rendered it unnecessary to use any part
n fhn Il