Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-12-18

then, events have proved, there is too much
reason to believe, they were insincere. and
that in agreeing to 60 through the forms of
negotiation, the object was to give time to
strengthen the defences of the capital and
prepare for fresh resistance.
The General in command of the army
deemed it expedient to suspend hos,il,ies,
temporarily entering into an armstice, with
view to the opening of negotiations
and commissioners were appointed on the
part OF Mexico 10 meet the Commissioners
on the part of the United States. The
result of the conferences which took place
between these functionaries Of the two gov.
ernments, was a failure of treaty of
peace. The Commissioner of the United
States took with him the probe, of treaty,
prepared, by the terms of which the indem-
pity required by the United States was
cession of territory.
1t is well known, that the only indemnity
which it is in the power of Mexico to make,
in satisfaction of the just and long defer
red 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 no
money to pay, and no other means of ma
king the required indemnity. If we re-
fuse it, we can obtain nothing else. To re-
lect indemnity. by refusing a cession of
territory, would be to abandon all our Just
demands--and to wage the war, bearing all
its expenses, without purpose or definite
object.
A state of war abrogates treaties
previously existing between the bellig-
erents, and a treaty of peace puts an
end to all claims for indemnity for tortuous
acts committed under the authority of one
government against the citizens and sub.
jects Of another. A treaty of peace which
would terminate the existing war without
providing for indemnity, would enable
Mexico, an acknowledged debtor, and her.
self the aggressor in The war, to relieve
herself of her just liabilities.
| BY such treaty. our citizens, who hold Just
demands against her, would have no remedy for
them, either against Mexico or their own govern.
ment. Our duty to these citizens must ever
not provide ample means Of discharging those
demands, can receive my sanction
A treaty Of peace should settle all existing diff
ferences between the two countries. If an ade.
quate cession Of territory be such treaty, the
U. S. should release Mexico from all her LA
bilites, and assume their payment to our own
citizens IT, instead Of this, the United States
now to consent 10 treaty by which Mexico
should again engage to pay the heavy amount
OF Indebtedness which just indemnify 10 our
government and citizens would impose upon her,
it is notorious that she does not possess the means
to meet such an undertaking. From such trea.
ty, no result could be anticipated but the same
irritating disappointments which have heretofore
attended the violations Of similar treaty stipula.
tons on the part OF Mexico. Such treaty
would be but temporary cessation Of hostilites,
without the restoration of the friendship and
good understanding which should characterize
the intercourse between the two countries.
That Congress contemplated the acceptance
of territorial indemnity, when tina, body made
provision for the prosecution Of the war; is obvi.
Gus. Congress could not have meant when, in
May. 1916. they appropriated ten millions Of
dollars and authorized the President TO employ
the militia and naval and military forces Of the
United States, and to accept the services OF ten
thousand volunteers, TO enable him TO prosecute
the war: and when at their last session, and after
our army had invaded Mexico, they made addi.
tional appropriations, and authorized the raising
Of additional troops for the same purpose, that
no indemnify was 10 be obtained from Mexico, at
the conclusion of the war; and yet it was certain,
that il no Mexican territory was acquired, that
no indemnify could be obtained.
1t is further manifest, that Congress contem
plated territorial indemnity, from the fact, that,
at their last session, an act was passed, upon the
Executive recommendation, approprating three
millions Of dollars, with that express object
The appropriation was made 10 enable the Pres
ident to conclude 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 agents Of the two gov
ernments. and duly ratified by Mexico, shall
call for the expenditure Of the same. Or any part
thereof. The object Of asking this sppropria
ton was distinctly stated, in the several mes
sages on the subject which communicated
Similar appropriations made in 1903 and 1906
which were referred TO, were applied in par
consideration for the cession OF Louisiana and
tho FloIidas. In like manner. it was anlic
pated that, in settling the terms Of treaty o.
limits and boundaries with Mexico, a cessior
OF territory, estimated to be OF greater value thar
the amount Of our demands against her, nigh
be obtained, and that the prompt payment o.
this sum- in part consideration for the territory
coded, on the conclusion Of treaty, and its ra,.
fcstion on her part, might be an nducement
with her, TO make such cession Of territory a!
would be satisfactory TO the United States: and
although the failure 10 conclude such treaty
has rendered it unnecessary to use any OF the
three millions appropriated by that act. and thu