Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-12-11

! nggressor in the war-to relieve herself from
her just liabilities. BY such treaty. our citi-
zens, who hold 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
dischargng these demands can receive my
sanction.
A treaty of peace should settle all existing
differences between the two countries. fan
adequate cession of territory should be made
by such treaty, the United States should re-
lease Mexico from all her liabilities, and as
sumo their payment to our own citizens. II,
instead of this, the United States were to con-
sent to n treaty by which Mexico should agaiu
engage to pay the heavy amount of indebted
ness which n just indemnity to our govern
ment and our citizens would impose on her, it
is notorious that sic does not possess the
means to meet such an undertaking. From
such treaty no result could be anticipated,
but that the same irritating disappointments
which have heretofore attended the violations
of similar treaty stpulations on the part OF
Mexico. Such treaty would be but tempn
rary cessation of hostilities, without the res,o-
ration of friendship and good understanding
should characterize the future intercourse be-
tween the two countries.
That Congress contemplated the acquisition
of territorial indemnity when that body made
provision for the prosecution of the war, is OH
vious. Congress could not have rneant-when.
in May 1876, they appropriated ten millions OF
dollars, and authorized the President to en-
ploy the military und naval forces Of the Unit
ed StateA and to accept the services of fifty
thousar volunteers, to enable him to prose-
cute Il war; and when, Mt their last ses-
sion. our army had invaded Mexico.
they additional appropriations and au-
tbor c raising of additional troops for the
SANG posc-that no indemnify was 10 ne
ol, rom Mexico at the conclusion ofthe
yet it was certain that, il no Mexican
Isl vas acquired, no indemnity could be
n $3.50 .. 49, f' ~ $50
! ther manifest than Congress contem-
plA iitorial indemnity, from the fact that.
at tht II session, an act was passed, upon
the tive recommendation. approprAtin@
three ions of dollars with that express oh
iect. appropriation was made $40 enable
the Pre- ent to conclude a treaty OF peace.
limits Il boundaries with the republic ot
Mexico, Vito be used by him in the event that
said treaty, when signed by the authorized ~
gents of the two governments, and duly ratlfi-
ed by Mexico, shall call for the expenditure
of the same, or any part thereof" The object
, ted in the several messages on the subject
, which communicated to Congress. Similar
: appropriations made in 1903 and 1906. which
were referred to. were intended to be applied
: in part consideration for the ccssion of Louis
: lana and the Floridas. In like manner it was
anticipated that, in settling the terms OF Il trea-
: ~ of "limits and boundaries" with Mexico. IL
ccssion of territory estimated to be OF greater
: value than the amount of our demands against
$ her might be obtained: and that the prompt
: payment of this sunl-in part consideration for
: the territory ccdcd--on the conclusion of :,
treaty. and its ratification on her part, might he
K an iuducemcnt with her to make such cess OF
: OF territory as would he satisfactory to the M
V ted States. And although the inilue to con-
If clude such a treaty has rendered it unnecesSa-
~ to use any part otthc three millions OF dol
Y lars appropriated by that art, and the entire
u sum rcmnins in the treasury, it is still appllrn-
IS bic To that object should the contingency occui
IS making such application proper.
IS The doctrine OF no territory is the doctrine
e of no indemnify: and if sanctioned, would b,
= IL public acknowledgement that our country
II was wrong aud that the war declared by Con
Ii rres- with extraordinary unanimity, was I'M
- Just, and should h. abandoned md an admls
II sion untoun,ed in fact, aud degrading 10 III,
II national character.
f. The terms of the treaty proposed by the
j. States were not only Just To Mexico, but. con
sidaring the character and amount ut on
" claims, the unl,i>'ltiahle and improved CON
" mnncemeut of hostilieS hy her, the expense
l. OF the war to which we have been subjected
l. aud the success which have attended our arm
IS were deemed to be of most liberal cinrnc'e
d The commissioner of the United States WA
III authorized to agree 10 the establishment 9th
M Rio Grnude ns the ho,udary from its entranc