The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-10-16
The Negotiations for Peace.

We publish to-day the letters which pass
ed between Santa Anna and Gen. Scott, to-
gether with Mr. Trist's propositions from
our Governments land also the uiimahm ofthc
Mexican COMMISSIONERS. Upon receiving this
Mr. Trist, as we understand the matter. broke
off all negotiations and recommended the
war.
The differences between the parties, with
out going into particulars, amount to this
Mr. Trist asked iog about one hdlf of .Hcrico,
and the Mexican Commissioners agreed TO
yield about one;toUtt:--thrs MIR Trtst rejected,
aud the war was renewed
Upon this subject the n. o. Picayune and
the Boston Atlas make the following state
ments:
"Throwing aside the diplomatic fooerics
on both sides, we are given to understand that
Mr. Trist in the outset, claimed for the Uni
ted States a large addition of Mexican Terri
tory,--thc line to run up the middle of the
Rio Graudc, to Il certain point, there to d-
verge off to the Pacific Ocean. so as to take
from the enemy New Mexico, and the two
CALIFORNIA;. The Mexicans, on the other
hand, were willing to make the territory ~
ing between the Nucces and the Rio Grandc
n sort ofneutrOl ground, to give up all claim
to Texas, and to give us large slice of Up
per California, including the bay and harbor
Of San Francisco, by the payment Ola stipu-
lated sum. There were other minor con-
siderutions, which we will not at present re-
vert to. The Picayuno of the 26th ult.
says:--
SIT appears from n communication from the
| Mexican Commissioners, that Mr. Trist re-
coded from his first proposition, in his terri
torinl demands, and that on this point the on
| " material difference was upon the ccssion
ofNew Mexico; MIR Trist, according to the
Mexican Commissioners, being willing to re-
cedc from his demand ofthe CALIFORNIA; he
low the 37th parallel oflatitudc, aud also en-
pressing his willingness to refer to his Gov
eminent The difference in relation to the ter
ritory between the Nueces aud tho Rio
Grandc."
Such we believe to be the fact. The ces
sion ofNew Mexico to the United States was
adheredto by Mr. Trist, and with like tcnactS
refused by the Mcxicaus. If the Mexican.
had signifed their willingness to ccde
to us the territory known as New Mexico, we
have no doubt that peace would have bee,
made. They refused, and hostilities wer,
almost Immediately recommended. The mi
nor points might have all been adjusted, hac
) it not been for our demand for Mexican terri
tory-Southcrn territory. Can any one tel
why Mr. Trist was so easily persuaded to re
lnquish his demands for the CALIFORNIA;, ant
yet hold on with unrelenting grasp to New
Mexico?
There can he but onc.answer New Mex
leo is not so far north as the CALIFORNIA; 1t
topography corresponds closely with til
cotton and sugar growing States. 1t is n LAM
for slavery 20 entrench itself The Calior
Mas present no such paradise of bliss: and i
the Missouri Compromise should be voted
as we have no doubt it will be, "Demo
cratic principle and Trist's latest PROPOSE
ton be hereafter accepted by Mexico, tn
whole of the territory thus acquired wit
the exception ola narrow strip upper Cali
: fornia, between Oregon and the 37th deg. o
latitude, will be given over 10 slavery. w
have no doubt that Mexico would rather ced
to the United States both the CALIFORNIA;
country comparatively barren, and withou
population-than to give up the valuabl
5 provinces fNew Mexico and Santa Fe.-
And in all that relates to trade and com
merce, and particularly our whale fisheries i
} the Pacific, the CALIFORNIA; would be ofhigh