Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1847-12-16

missioner on the part of the United States. The
result of the conference which took place between
these functionaries of the two governments was
failure to conclude treaty OF peace.
The commissioner of the United States took
with him the project of treaty already prepared,
by the terms of which the indemnity required by
| the United States was session OF territory.
| 1t is we'll known that the only indemnity which
it is in the power of Mexico to make in satisfaction
of the just and long deferred claims of our cti-
zens against her and the only means by which
she can reimburse the United States for the ex-
penses of the war, is cession to the United
States of a portion Of her territory. Mexico has
! no money to pay, and no means of making the re-
quired indemnity. If we refuse this, we can
obtain nothing else. To rel ject indemnity. by re-
fusing to accept cession of territory would be to
abandon all our just demands, and to wage the war,
bearing all Its expenses, without purpose or de-
finite object.
"A state of war. .abrogates treaties previously
existing between the belligerents, and treaty OF
peace puts an end to all claims for indemnify
for tortious acts committed, under the authority
of one government against the citizens or sub
jects of another, unless they are provided tor IN
the stipulations. A treaty Of peace which would
terminate the existing war, withou. providing for
indemnity, would enable Mexico-the acknowl-
G0VGQ u6DLOI, W4Iu ueTSGll dSSlCSSoi Ia cAiS
war-to relieve her from her just liabilities, BY
such treaty, our citizens, who hold just demands
against her, would have no remedy either against
Mexico or their own government. Our duty to
these citizens must forever prevent such peace,
and no treaty which does not provide ample
means of discharging these demands can receive
A treaty of peace should settle all existing
differences between the two countries. ii an ad-
edtiate cession of territory should be made by
such 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 consent to a treaty by
which Mexico should again engage to pay the
heavy amount of Indebtedness which Just Ia.
demnity. to our government and our citizens
would impose on her, 1t Is notorious that she does
not possess the means to meet such an underta-
king From such treaty no result could. pc an
ticipated, but the same irritating dsappointments
which have heretofore attended the violations OF
similar treaty stipuations on the part of Mexico.
Such treaty would be but atemporary cessation
of hostiltes without the restoration of the friend
ship and good understanding which should char
acterize the future intercourse between the two
countries. '' - - '','"r4.' 'l..'
That Congress contemplated the acquisition OF
territorial indemnity when that body made provls'
ion for the prosecution of,the war; is obvious -
Congress could not have meant-when, IN May
1916, they appropriated ten millions of dollars
and authorized the President to employ the mill
tia and naval and military forces of the United
States, and to accept. the services Of fifty thoa'
sand volenteers, to enable him TO prosecute the
war and when, at the last session, and after Qul
army had invaded Mexico, they made additiona
appropriation and authorized the raising OF add
tional troops for the same purpose-that no IN
deninity was to be obtained from Mexico at the
conclusion Of the war; and yet it was certain
that, if no Mexican territory was acquired, nj
indemnity could be obtained.
1t is further manifest that Congress contempla
ted territorial indemnify from the fact that, a
their last session, an act was passed, upon thu
Executive recommendation, appropriating thret
millions of dollars with that express object. This
appropriation was made ''to enable the Preslden
; to conclude Treaty of peace, limits~and bcrnda
ries with the Republic Of Mexlco to be used By
him in the event that said treaty, when signed D.
the authorized agents of the two governments
and ddly ratified BY Mexico, shall call for the ex
penditure of the same, or any part thereof. Ih'
object of asking this appropriation was distlnctl.
stated in the several messages on the srbJec
which communicated to Congress Similar ap
preparations made in 1903 and 1906, which wer
referred to, were intended to be applied In par
consideration for the cession of Louisiana and tn
Floridas. >.
In like manner 1t was anticipated that, in set
, Ting the terms of treaty of "limits and boun
daries" with Mexico, cession of territory estl
, mated to be of greater value than the amount 9
, our demands against her might be obtained; an
i that the prompt payment of this sum IN par
, consideration tor the territory ceded-on the con
clusion of treaty, and its ratification on her par
f might be an inducement with her to make sue
; cession of territory as would be satisfactory
the United States. knd although the failure t
, conclude such treaty has rendered it unncces
sary to use any part of the three millions of DO
lars appropriated by that act, and the entire SUI
remains in the treasury, it is still applicable I
that object, should the contingency occur maxim
; such application proper.
: The doctrine Of no territory is the doctrine
10 indemnity and, ii sanctioned, would be put
lie acknowledgment that our country was wrong
: AID that the war declared by Congress with ea
s traordinary unanmty, was unjust, and should
{ abandoned an admission untounded IN fact, an
. degrading to the national character
3 The terms of the treaty proposed ny the Unite
= States were not only just to Mexlco but, consit
ering the character and amount OF our claims, tn
\ unjustifable and unprovoked commencement
hostiities by her, the expenses OF the war
which we have been subjected. and the succe'
which had attended our arms, were deemed 70