Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-12-15
BN Il ksl2R Apfa
FOR THE
y2SILANTI SENTINEL.
MESSAGE.
OF THE

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
After returning thanks to Providence, the
President says that no change has taken place
with our Mexican connections. The war wi |ch
the United States We're forced to engage in nth
that country still continues. 1t is advisable on
the present occasion to say that the wanton vi
citation of person and property, of our citizens
committed by the Mexicans. new repeated
acts OF bad faith, through long series of years
and her disregard of solemn treaties, and stip-
ulaiiols for inlemnity for our injured citizens,
not only Constituted, ample cause for war on
our part, but was of such an aggravated char
acter as tn justify us, before the uhole icorid
m resorting to this extreme remedy-with an
snxiouS desire to avoid rupture between the
Two countries. We have no hesitancy to assert
our clear right by force and continued to seen
redress TOT the wrongs We had suffered, by am
icable negotiations, in the hope that Mexico
might yield to pacific councils and the demands
Of justice. In this hope we were disappointed.
Our minister OF peace, sent to Mexico was in
sultingly eglected The Mexican govern
ment refused even to hear the terms of adjust
ment which he has authorized to propose, and
finally under unjusti6able pretences involved
the countries in war, by their invading the ter
ritory of the State of Texas. and striking the
first blow and shedding the first blood of our
citizens on our soil. Though the States
were the asrievei nation, Mexico commenced
the war, and we were compelled in self defence
TO repel the invasions and viudicate our nation
6l honor and interest by the prosecution of it
with vigor until he could obtain just and hon.
orable peace.
The existence of the war having been de-
clared by the Congress, it became my duty I'M
der the Constitution and the laws, to continue
and prosecute it. This duty mas been perform
ed and this at every stage of its progress. ]
have manifested willingness to terminate it,
by just peace-Mexico has refused to acGede
to any terms which could be accepted by the
United States, consistently with the national
honor and interest," while every patrols heart
must exalt, and just national pride acuate ev-
cry bosom at beholding the high prof of cour-
age and humanity to the vanquIshed enemy, ex-
hibited by our gallant army. The nation is
called TO mourn the loss of many brave officers
and soldiers. Let the parental care of the gov
eminent, they love and serve under, be extern
ded to their surviving families. Shortly after
the adjournment of the last Congress the graft
flying intelligence was received of the signal
victory of the Battle of Buena Vista and the fall
o. Vera Cruz, and with it the fall of the strong
Castle of st. Juan &c Ula.
Believing the period was propitious to afford
an opportunity to enter into negotiaslons for a
peace Commissioner was appointed to the
army, with full power to enter inso negotiation
& to conclude a just and honorable peace. Care
was taken to give no instruction to the Comm'r
which would in any interfere with our military
operations, or relax our energies in the prosecu
ton of the war; He possessed no authority to
control operations,-he was authorized to ex-
hibit Ills instructions to the General-in-chief
in command of the army. ID the event of the
treaty being concluded & ratified on the part
Of Mexico, he was directed to give him notice
of that fact. The Comm'r did not reach the
headquarters of the army till another brilliant
victory, had crowned out arms at Cerro Gordo.
His presence and his diplomatic character were
made known to the Mexican government from
Puebla on the l2thof June l847 by the trans
mission of despatch from the Sec. of State,
to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Mexico.
Many weeks elapsed after its receipt and nc
notice was taken of the fact, nor was any de-
sire expressed by the Mexican government to
enter into any NEGOTIATIONS for peace. The u.
s. Comm'r took with him the projet of the trea-
" prepared, by the terms of which, indemn ity
was reqnired by the u. s., or a cession of ter
ritory. 1t was well known that the only in
demnity that was in the power of Mexico to
make dissatisfaction for the Just and long de-
ferred claims of our citizens against her and the
only means by which she could reimburse us
for the expense of the war, is a cession TO the
u. s. of a portion of her territory. Mexico
has no means to pay, and no other means Of
making the indemnity required if we refuse
this, we can obtain nothing else. To reject in
demnity by refusing a cesslon of territory,
would be to abandon our just demands, and to
wage war, bea.ing all the expense, without a
purpose or definite object.
The doctrine of no territory: is the doctrine
Of no indemnity and its sanction would be a
palpabe acknowledgment that our country was
wrong and that the war declared by the Cong
ress with extraordinary umanimity should be
abandoned and an admission unfounded in fact
and degrading to the national character. The
terms Of the treaty proposed by the U. s. were
not only just but were deemed to be of the lib
erat character.
The q. s. Commissioner was authorized to
agree to the establishment, of the Rio Grande
as the boundary and to obtain a eession to the
to the u. s. of the province of New Mexico and
the CALIFORNIA;, and the privilege of the right
of way across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec from
the boundary of the Rio Grande and to the ces-
sion of New MEXICO and Upper California, con-
stituted an ultinatum that it might be mani
tested not only to Mexico, but to all other ma
tons that the u ;. were not intending to take
advantage of feeble power. And our Com
missioner was authorized, to stipulate that NJ
additional pecuniary consideration would be in
sisted upon. The terms of the treaty, were
deemed bv the Mexican Commissioners, who'll,
inadmissable. they negotiated as if Mexico
wee victorious and not the vanqu;shed powe
These vast commercial advantages to the who'll
world are at once be secured to the q States b,
tie session ofthis territory.
While it remains part of the Mexican tel
ritory, they can be engaged neither by Mexico
herself, nor any other nation. In proposing Il
acquire New Mexico and the CALIFORNIA;, i
was known that but an inconsiderable portion
of the Mexican people would be transferred
with them. The country embraced in these
provinces being chiefly uninhabited. These
were the lepding considerations which induced
me to authorize the terms of peace which were