The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-07-27
FROM MEXIC0.
RON THE NEW ORLEANS PlcAyuNE EXTRA


died on the passage OF yellow fever.
The McKim left Vera Cruz on the Sd
instant. There had been nothing later
received from the city OF Mexico, than
was brought down the night of the lst
instant, but fuller accounts had transpired
at Vera Cruz than were received by the
Alabama.
We have 40 further information of the
march of Gen. Pillow. Had any dis
aster occurred to him, the news ofit could
scarcely have failed to reach Vera Cruz
promptly. Our letters make ne mention
whatever Of him or his command.
By this arrival we have files of papers
from the city Of Mexico to the 29th ulli-
mo, inclusive. In the Diarie del Gobier-
no of the 25th of June appeared al in-
porlant diplomatic correspondence.
The first note is from the Mexican
Minister of Foreign Affairs 10 the Secre-
taries of Congress, referring TO that body
communication from BUCHANAN which
announces Mr.. Trist's appointment. We
learn that this letter was communicated 10
SANTA ANNA by or through the British
Minister at Mexico, Mr.. BANKHEAD, who
has exerted himself TO bring about ne
gotiation for peace between the two ma
tio s.
Mr.. Buchanan's letter is dated April
18th. 1t acknowledges the receipt Of the
Mexican Minister'S letter of the 22d Feb
ruary, declining to accede to our propo-
sition to send commissioners TO Jalapa,
Havana, or other point before the block
ade of the Mexican ports should be raised
and the Mexican territory evacuated by
our troops.
Mr.. Buchanan writes that the Presi-
dent holds such condition absolutely in
admissable-neither demanded by nation
al honor nor sanctioned by the practice of
nations. He urges that such prelini-
nary condition would render wars inter-
minable, especially between contiguous
nations, unless by the complete submission
of one Of the belligerents. He shows how
puerile course it would be for nation
which had sacrificed men and money to
abandon all the advantages it had won,
and withdraw its forces in order to induce
negotiations, without any certainty or Sc
curity that peace would ensue from such
negotiations.
He then cites the case of our last war
with Great Britain to show that we never
considered for a moment that our nation
required us 10 insist upon, the withdrawal
of British troops before consenting to
treat for peace. We sent commissioners
to Ghent when portions of our territory
were in the possession of British troops;
and it was notorious that while negotia-
tions were going on at Ghent hostilities
were carried on upon both sides with un-
wonted vigor the most memorable ac-
tions of the war taking place after nego-
taiions had been concluded. Such pre-
liminary condition to negotiation cannot
be cited in modern times al least Mr..
Buchanan knows of none.
He then exposes the unusual conduct
Of Mexico under another aspect. The
President, in his desire to avoid the war,
had sent Minister 10 negotiate peace.
Even after the war had commenced, by
the attack Of the Mexican troops upon
Gen. Tay,o-, the President had reiterated
propositions with view TO opening ne
got,ations which should put an end 10
hostiIities. He had declared to the world
that he would exact no conditions that
were not honorable to both parties and
yet the Mexican Government had refused
to receive the Minister sent TO her, and.
ai1er declining 10 accede to the opening of
negotiations, Mexico had never made
known upon what basis she would con-
sent to settlement Of the differences be-
tween the two Republics. There will
never be termination Of hostiIities, Mr..
Buchanan proceeds, if Mexico continues
TO refuse TO listen to the overtures which
have been preferred, and which tend to
re-establishments Of peace.
The President will not, therefore, make
further overtures for the opening of nego-
tiatIons until he has reason to believe that
such will be accepted by the Mexican
Government but, nevertheless, such is
his desire for peace, that the evils of the
war shall not be prolonged one day later
than the Mexican Government makes it
absolutely necessary. Accordingly, TO
carry his determination into effect, he has
sent, IN the quality Of Commissioners, to
the headquarters of the army in Mexico,
Mr.. N. Il. Trist, first clerk in the State |
Department, with fall powers TO conclude /,
definite treaty Of peace with the United
Mexican States. Mr.. Trist is recon-
mendcd as possessing the full confidence
OF the President, and worthy of that of !,
the Mexican Government.
In conclusion, Mr.. Buchanan forbears
from commenting upon the closing pas
sage OF the last letter from the Mexican
Minister, lest it should give to his present t
note less conciliatory character than he