Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-12-16

" 'ue Aeau quarters OF our army, with full pow
ers to enter upon negotiations, and to conclude
just and honorable peace. He was not directed
70 make any new overtures of peace, but was the
bearer OF despatch from the Sec'y of State of
the U. 5. to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Mexico, reply to one received from the latter of
the 22d of February, 1917, in which the Mexican
Government was informed of his appointment and
OF his presence at the headquarters of our army,
and that he was invested wlthfull powers to con-
clude definite treaty of peace whenever the
Mexican Government might signify desire TO
40 SO. Whlle was unwilling to subject the u.
States to another indignant refusal, was yet
resolved that the evils of the war should not be
protected day longer than might be rendered
absolutely necessary by the Mexican Government
Care was taken to give no instructions to the
commissioner which could in any way interfere
with our military operations, or relax our energies
in the prosecution of the war. He possessed no
authority IN any manner to control these ope-
rdtions. He was authorized to exhibited his in
struchons to the General in command of the ar
my; and IN the event of treaty being concluded
and ratified on the part of Mexico, he was direct
to give him notice of that fact On the happen
ing Of such contingency and on receiving notice
thereof the General in command was instructed
by the Secretary of War to suspend further ac-
tlyem.tary operations until further orders These
instructions were given with view to internit
no Titles, until the treaty thus ratified by Mexi-
CO could be transmitted to Washington, and re-
ccve the action of the Government of the Uni
ted States
The commissioner was also directed, on reach
ing the army, to deliver to the General in COM
mand the despatch which he bore from the Sec
rerery of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Mexico, ana on receiving it, the General was
instructed by the Secretary of War to cause it
to be transmitted to the commander Of the Mexi-
can forces, with request that it might be com
mitted to his Government
The commissioner did not reach the bead quar-
tiers Of the army until after another brilliant VIC
tory had crowned our arms at Cerro Gordo.
The despatch which he bore from the Secreta-
ny OF War to the General IN command of the ar
my was received by that officer then at Jalappa,
on the seventh day of May, l847, together with
despatch from the Secretary of State, to the
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, having
been transmitted to him from Vera Cruz. The
commissioner arrived at the head quarters Of the
army few days afterward His presence with
the army aud his diplomatic character were made
known 10 the Mexican Government, from Puebla,
on the 10th june 1917, 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
overtures were made, nor was any desire expressed
by the Mexican Government to enter into nego-
tlatOns for peace.
Our army pursued its march upon the capital,
and, as it approached, it was met by formidable
resistance. Our forces first encountered the enc
my, and achieved signal victories in the several
contested battles of Contreras and Churubusco.
1t was not till after these actions had resulted in
decisive victories, and the capital of the enemy
was within our power, that the Mexican Govern
ment showed any disposition 10 cute, into negU-
tiatlons for peace; and even then, as events have
proved, there is too much reason too believe they
were insncere,and that in agreeing to 60 through
the forms of negotiation, the object was to gain
time to strengthen the defences of their capital,
and to prepare for fresh resistance
The General in command of the army deemed
i. eXpedieEt to suspend hostilities temporarily by
entering II to an armstice with view of open
ing of negotiations. Commissioners were appoint
ed on the part of Mexico to meet the commission
ers on the part Of the United States. The result
Of the conferences which took place between
these functonares of the two governments
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 Il cessiOn Of territory.
1t is well known that the orly indemnity which
il is in the power of Mexico to make in satisac-
ton Of the Just and long deferred claims Of our
citizens against her, and the only means by which
she can reimburse the United States for the expen-
ses of the war, is a cesson to the United States
of portion Of her territory, Mexico has no
money to pay, and no other means Of making the
required indemnify. If we refuse this, we can
obtain nothing else To reject indemnity by re-
fu1ing to acceOt 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 belligerents and treaty of
peace puts an end to all claims for indemnity
for tortious acts committed, under the authority
of one government against the citizens or subjects
of another, unless they are provided for IN its
stipuatons. A treaty Of peace which would ter
inmate the eXsng war, without providing for IN
demnitv would enable MeXlco-the acknowledge
ed debtor and herself the aggressOr in the war
to relieve herself from her Just liabilities. BY
such treaty, our citizens who bold 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 dscharging these demands can receive my
sanction.
A treaty of peace should settle any existing
differences between the two coutries. If an adj
equate cession of territory should be made by
such treaty. the United States should release
Mexico from all her liabilities, and assume then
payment to our own citizens II, instead of this
the United States were to consent to a treaty by
which Mexico should engage to pay the heavy
amount of Indebtedness which just indemnity tt
our government and our citizens would impose
on her it is notorious that she does not possess
the means to meet such an undertaking, From
such treaty no result could be anticipated bu
that the same irritating disappointments which
have heretofore attended the violations Of slmila
treaty stipuatons on the part of Mexico.
Such a treaty would be but temporary ces
sation of hnstilities, without the restoration o
friendship and good understanding which shout
characterize the future intercourse between tn
two countries.
That Congress contemplated the acquisition c
territorial indemnity when that body made proyl,
ion for the prosecution of the war, is Obvious.
Congress could not have meant-when, in Ma
l846they appropriated ten millions Of dollars an
authorized the President to employ the mil
oary and naval forces of the United States, an
to accept the services Of fifty thousand volunteer
to enable him to prosecute the war; and when, {
their last session, and after our army had invade
Mexico, they made additional appropriations an
authorised the raising Of additional troops for III
th,t nd ;tu IN hp nj