Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-12-11

the General III command of the army received by that
officer then at Jaapa, on the SEVENTH day Of May, ls47
geher with the despatch from the Secretary Of State TO the
Minister Of Foreign Affairs of Mexico having been transmit
ted 70 him from Vera Cruz The Commissioner arrived at
the headquarters OF the army few days afterwards His pre-
with the army and his diplomatic character were made
known TO the Mexican Government from Puebla on the 18th
Of june lS47 by the transmission OF the despatch from the
Secretary Of State to the Minister Of Foreign Affairs OF Mexico
Many weeks elapsed after Its receipt and no overtues We're
made nor was any desire expressed by The Mexican Govern
ment TO enter into negotiations for peace.
I Our army pursued its march upon the capital and il
approached IL by formidable resistance. Our forces
fist encountered the enemy and achieved signal victories IN
the severely battles vi COnIeas and Churubusco
1t not until after these actions had resulted IN decisive
victories and the capital Of the enemy was within our power
that the Mexican Government manifested any disposition 10
enter into negotiaons for peace aud even them events
have proved there is too much 10 believe they
nsacee, and that in agreeing through the forms OF
collation. the object gain time strengthen the deiences
ufIlcr capital and 10 prepare for fresh resistance
The General in command Of the army deemed it expedient
suspend hoslies temporarily by entering into amis
c with view TO the opening OF negotiations Commits
sole were appointed the part Of Mexico TO meet the
Commissioner the part Of the United States The result
the conferences which took place between these function
aries Of the two Governments failure 10 conclude a
/ treaty Of peace.
The Commissioner of the United States took with him the
prce Of treaty already prepared by the OF which the
indemnity required 10y the United States cession OF
territory.
l. is well known that.the only indemnity which it is in the
power Of Mexico make in satisfaction Of the just and long
deferred claims of citizens against her. and the only
by which she reimburse the United States for the eXpen-
Of the war; is ceson the United States Of portion
Of her territory Mexico has money to pay, and other
means Of making the required indemnify Ii refuse this
obtain nothing else To reject indemnity, by refu
ing 10 accept cession of territory would be abandon all
our just demands and to the war, bearing all It's
penses, without purpose definite object
state OF war abrogaes treaties previously existing between
the begerents and treaty Of peace puts end to all claims
for indemnify torous computed, under the author
Other unless they provided for in It's stpuations.
treaty of peace which would terminate the existing with
out providing for indemnity, would enable Mexicothe
knowledged debtor and herself the aggesso in the wao
relieve herself from her just Liabilities BY such treaty.
our citizens who hold just demands against her, would have
remedy either against Mexico their Government
Our duty to these citizens forever prevent such peace
and treaty which does provide ample OF dis
charging these demands can receive my sanction.
treaty OF peace should settle all existing differences be-
tween the two countries If adequate cession of territory
should be made by such treaty. the United States should
lease Mexico from all her liabilities and assume their pay
men to our own citizens. IT. instead of this, the United
States were to consent treaty by which Mexico should
engage pay the heavy Of Indebtedness which just
indemnity 10 our Government and citizens would impose
her, notorious that she does possess the
such undertaking. From such treaty no result
could be anticipated but the irritating dsappoinments
which have heretofore attended the violations of similar treaty
stpulatons the part of Mexico Such treaty would
but temporary cessation OF hosites without the restoa-
ton of the friendship and good understanding which should
That Congress contemplated the acquisition Of territorial
indemnity when that body made provision for the prosecution
Of the war; obvious. Congress could not have meant
when, in May 1916 they appropriated ten millions Of dol
lars and authorized the President TO employ the militia and
naval and military forces Of the United States and 10 accept
the services OF m thousand volunteers enable him pro-
secue the and Hhen at their last session. and after
army had invaded Mexico, they made additional appopa-
tons and authorized the raising of additional troops for the
purpose-thar indemnity be obtained from
Mexico The conclusion Of the war yet it was certain
that no Mexican territory acquired indemnity could
| be obtained
II further manifest that Congress contemplated territorial
indemnity from the fact that their last session. an act was
passed, upon the Executive Recommendation, appropratng
three millions Of dollars with that express object This ap.
preparation made enable the President 10 conclude
treaty Of peace, limits, and boundaries with the Republic
Mexico TO be used by him III the that said treaty. when
signed by the authorized agents Of the two Governments and
duly ratified By Mexico, shall call for the expenditure II the
any part thereof The object Of asking this appro
priaon distinctly stated the several messages on the
subject which communicated Congress Similar appro-
pnatons made IN 1903 and 1906 which were referred TO-
intended be applied in part consideration for the es
sion Of Louisiana and the Fordas In like manner il was
anticipated that, in settling the Of treaty of simits
and poundanes with Mexico, cesslon Of territory ema-
ted TO be Of greater vaae than the our demands
against her might be obtained and that prompt payment
OF this sunni part consideration for the territory ceied-on
the conclusion OF treaty, and its ratification on her part
might be nducement with her make such cession OF
territory would be satisfactory the United States And
although the failure TO conclude such has rendered il
unnecessary any part Of the three millions OF dollars
appropriated by that act and the entire remains in the
treasury, il still applicable TO that object should the conn-
/ gency making such application proper
The doctrine Of territory the doctrine Of no indem-
nifty and, sanctoned would be public acknow
that country wrong and that the declared BY
Congress- with extraordinary unanimiy, was unjust and
should be abandoned admission untouuded in fact and
| grading to the national character.
The Of the treaty proposed by the United States
not only just Mexico, but considering the character
and amount OF claims, the unustable and unprovoked
commencement Of hoses by her, the expense Of the war
which have been subjected and the success which had
attended arms deemed he Of most liberal char
acter.
The Commissioner Of the United States was authorized 10
agree the establishment Of the Rio Gande a the bounda
~, from into the Gulf 10 its intersection with the
southern boundary of New Mexico in north latitude about
thirty degrees, and obtain cession the United States
Of tie provinces Of New Mexico and the CALIFORNIA; and The
privilege Of the right Of way the hmu Of Tehuante
pee The boundary Of the Rio Grande and the cesson 10 the
nled States Of New Mexico and Upper California consti,u
ted umaum which Commissioner was under no cir
cumstances 10 yield.
| That 1t might be manifest not only TO Mexico, but 10 all
other Nations that the United States disposed 10 take
advantage Of feeble Power by insisting upon wrestling from
her all the other Provinces including many Of her principal
towns and cities, which had conquered and held in our
military occupation, but willing conclude treaty in
spirit Of uberaty, Commissioner was authorized 10
stpuate Tor the restoration 10 Mexico Of oil other con-
1 quests.
As the territory 70 he acquired by the boundary proposed
might be estimated 10 be Of greater value than fair equya