Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1847-07-26
DOMINGO IBARRA.


To his Erceency The Minister IF Foreign Relations,
he .Nerican Repnbhe:
DEpAnrMENr OF STATE,
Wellington. April IS, 1917.
SIN have the honor 10 acknowledge the receipt of
your exc, II, ncy note. Of the 29d February last ia an
s"cr to mine ohc lslh January. PROPOSE z, the part
Of the President Of he liza States, immediately to de
atc either to thy Havana Jaapa as the Mexican
Government may prefer, one of our most dlstin.
aaIshed citizens as commissioners, clothed with full
powers oconcude treaty 81 peace with similar commits
the part Of Mexico, he shall be oil
eally informed that the Mexican government Will APP
/ pant such commissioners"
The President deeply regrets tn refusal of the McAl
government 10 acccde In this friendly overture
less the raising of the bl, ckade Of our Qhe Mcxlcan)
p1rs, and the complete evacuation OF the territory Of
The republic by the invading forces, shall be previously
accepted as rclimnary condition.
The President has instructed Inc 10 inform YOU that
this preliminary condition. is wholly iuadmsslbc.
Such CONDITION Is neither required by the honor,
sanctioned by tie Practice ol nations. II 1t were this
would tend to pruong wars especially between coutcr-
minous countries. until The one or he other power waS
entirely sublucd. M nation which at the expenditure
OF blood aud treasure has invaded enolnys country
AID acquired puet OF considerable portion Of his
ternry, could consent 10 Withdraw lis rccs as
preliminary condition 10 the opening Of negotiations iJ
peace. lhls would be a 10 abandon all the advan-
taes had obtained IN the prosecution of the war, with
ont any certainty that peace would result from the sac
hee Nay more: should such negotiation prove unsuc
cessnl; the natlun which had aus imprudently with
drawn It's forces from the enemy's Territory mi gh not
be able to recover, without cost Of blood and
equal To that first expended the advantageous position
which it had voluntarily abandoned.
Fortunately tor the cause oI peace and humanity the
history OF nations at wat affords sanctiun To such
preliminary condition. The United States are as zeal
Gus Of their national honor any power on the face OF
The earth and yet entered the contemplation
81 the great statesmen who administered government
during the period If our last with Great Britain
Insist that the Ia ter should eInqush that part of our
territory Of wnlch she in actual p,ssessinn before
they would consent To open negotiations Tor p ace. On
The contrary. they took the initiative, aud appointed
mssoners treat for peace whilst portions of coun
Try Were held by the cncmy and remarkable fact
that the treaty OF Client concluded by the peniro
ientar eS OF the two powers whilst the raging
both Sides aud the memorable OF the conf cts {,
which 1t gave rise took place upon soil after the
neeoiaialors had happily terminated their abors Ills
tory Is full such examples Indeed so flr as the IN
desghed - aware, there Ia be found least il
modern 'ws single case. except the present in whcl
II has been considered necessary preliminary that
Invading army should be Withdrawn before negotiation.
M ir peace could commence between the parties tn,
, VA
II II " md. as,, be difficult to find precedent for tn,
y conso pulsucd hy the Mexican government IN anothe
IL particular. The President. ANXIOUS 10 avoid the wa
id purpose After the Mexican forces had attacked the ar
a my Of Gen Taylor this side Of the RIO Grandc anc
thus commenced the war, lhe President actua,ed by The
same pacic sprIt, made repeated overues 10 the GOV
n tfhmti OF Mexico TO negotiate fof It's Examinations and
although he Ia.. from the beginning. soemnly dec ed
ber' the world that he desired no terms but such as
were Just and honorable for both pares vet the MeN
eau government by refusing 10 minister in ia,
FIRST place, and Afterwards by acceeding to our ov,
lures TO open negotiations for peace has never afforded
TO thus government oven the opportunity Of making
known the terms on which would be willing to settl,
n, all questions In dispute hoween the two republics Tn,
=, war can never end whilst Mexico refuses even to hear the
proposals which have always been ready 10 make t
I peace.
IL The President will again renew the offer to neco
liae-a least until he shall have to believe that
1t would be accepted by the Mexican government. De
nj voted, however TO honorable peace he is Determined
'al the evils OF war shall not be prolracted dav lon
Ger than shall be rendered absolutely necessary by h,
re Mexican republic For The purpose OF carving this dc
n termination into effect with the least possible delay h,
WI i'fhwln s'nd to the headquarters OF the army, il
MeAieo Nicholas L. frs Esp, the officer neat in rant
in TO the undersigned in our Department Of + rcicn Affairs
as commissioner Invested with full powers to conclud,
y doiniuye treaty of peace with the United Mexicar
r States This gentleman Possesses the entire confidence,
o 'he President, and Is emneny worthy of that Of tn,
r. Mexican government
I'd The Undersigned realns from all comment upon tn,
'cuuE paragraph as well As some other portions, Of
your eNcecncy nute because the strong sense which
/
could not be uttered in the friendly which hedesrcs
10 preserve IN the present communication lie turns
from these, Therefore 10 dwe-as he does with unfeipn
at eehed pleasure-upon the sentiment contained in an
OF cary part OF the same note where the Mexican govern
ment expresses how painful see disturbed the
ID sincere friendship which cultivated with your four
republic whose continued progress has always admir-
s. cd ana whose institutions have served mo el"
Y Inns ieehng is most cordially ecprucateJ by the
resdeniwhose earnest desire is that the united Mex
eah states, under institutions similar 10 our own ma
protect and secure the liberty of their people and main
y tam an elevated Standing among the nations Of the
At earth.
The undersigned embraces his occasion to offer 10
your eAcellency the of his most distinguished
=, consideration
JAMES BUCHANAN.