The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-07-19
Still Later From Mexico.


By J. @. RIDDLE g. co.'s EXPRESS.
The M'Kim arrived at New Orleans on the
i th instant in charge Of the mate, - Captain
Pilsbury having died on the passage. Of yellow
fever She left Vera Cruz on the Sd instant.
There is no further news from the Capital nor
Of Gen. Pillow, but the Mexican papers Of the
10Th OF June contain an important diplomatic
correspondence.
The first note is from the Mexican Minister
Of Foreign Affairs to the secretaries Of Con-
gress. referring to that body communication
from Mr.. Buchanan which announces Mr..
Trist's appointment. Welearn that this letter
was communicated to Santa Ana by or through
the British minister at Mexico, Mr.. Bankhead,
who has exerted himself to bring about ne
gotiation for peace between the two nations.
Mr.. Buchanan's letter is dated April 18th.
Il acknowledges the receipt of the Mexican
Minister'S letter Of the 22d Of February, de-
cliniDg 70 accede 10 our proposition to send
commissioners to Jalapa. Havana, or other
point before the blockade Of the Mexican ports
should be raised, and the Mexican territory
evacuated by our troops. /.
Mr.. Buchanan writes that the President
holds such a condition absolutely nadmis
sible-neither demanded by national honor
nor sanctioned by the practice Of nations
He urges that such preliminary condition
would render wars interminable, especially
between contiguous nations, unless by the com
plete submission Of one Of the belligerenls.
He shows how puerle course il would be
for nation which had sacrificed men and
money 70 gain foothold in an enemy's coun-
try, TO abandon all the advantages it had won,
and withdraw its forces in order to induce ne
gotiations. without any certainty or security
that peace would ensue from such negotiations.
He then cites the case Of our last war with
Great Britain to show that we never consider
ed for "a moment that our nation required us to
insist upon the withdrawal Of British troops
before consentipg 10 treat for peace. We Sent
commissioners to Client when portions Of our
territory were in the possession Of British
troops; and II was notorious that while nego-
stiations were going on at Client, hostiliiies
were carried on upon both sides with unwonted
vigor the most memorable actions Of the war
taking place after negotiations had been con-
cluded. Such preliminary condition TO nego
tiations cannot be cited in modern times; at
least, Mr.. Buchanan knows Of none. H
He then exposes the unusual conduct of
Mexico under another aspect The President
in his desire to avoid the war, had sent a
Minister to negotiate . peace. Even after the
war had commenced, by the attack Of the
Mexican troops upon Gen. Taylor, the Presi-
dent had reiterated propositions with view to
opening negotiations which should put an end
to hostiities. 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 gent to her, and after declining TO
accede to the opening Of negotiations, Mexico
had never made known upon what basis she
would consent toa settlement of the differences
between the two Republics There will never
Be a termination Of hostiliiies, MI. Buchanan
proceeds, if Mexico refuses to listen to the
overtures which have been proffered, and which
tend to the establishment Of peace. ,.t,
The President willnot, therefore make fur
Their overtures for the opening Of negotiations
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
itabsolutely necessary. Accordingly, to carry
his determination into effect, he has sent, in the
quality Of Commissioner, tot the headquarters Of
the army in Mexico, Mr.. N. P. Trist, first clerk
in the Stale Department, with full powers to
conclude a adefinite treaty Of peace with the
United Mexican States. Mr.. Trist is recon-
mended as possessing the full confidence Of the
President, and worthyof that Of the Mexican
Government 9,
In conclusion, Mr. Buchanan forbears from
commenting upon the closing passage Of the
last letter from the Mexican minister, lest ii
should give to his note less conciliatory char
acter than he desires for it. He recurs with
pleasure to another passage in the same letter,
wherein is expressed the pain with, which the
Mexican government has seen altered the cor
dial friendship which it had cultivated with
this republic, the continued advancement Of
which il had always admired, and whose in
stitutions had served as model Of its own,
Such sentiments. continues Mr.. Buchanan.
the President deeply feels; his strongest de-
sires are that The United Mexican States, under