Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-01-07


in this case, we had first TO wait until the meet
Of the Mexican Congress, which might have &C
sumed many months; then, 1t may be suppose
the Mexican functionaries would probably cai
some liberty of dscussion---as sometimes bappe
with our Senators and then, by the time tho
were prepared to decide, and perhaps favorabl
their entire government was oyerthrown, by one
those civil revolutions common in that unfortl
nate country. Or it might be Gas it was) that a
intercourse between the two governments was s,is
pended about that time. These things should al
4 be borne in mind by generous and magnanimou
nation, before they pass sentence OF condemnation
upon people, against whom the utmost pains have
been taken by our misguided rulers, to excite the
preJudces OF our citizens, ia order TO sustain them
selves. "Let justice be done though the heavens
fall,' is sound moral maxim, that cannot be too
strongly inculcaed among nations well as indivi
duas.
Now, then, where is the individual that will
say there existed at that time just cause of war
with Mexico? She recognizing the debt ascer-
tained to be due; paying to the extent OF her abili
~, and up TO the time OF our negotiation for what
she claimed as her revotted province, ALL that tcas
due; suffering under extreme pecuniary embar-
rassment; initaed by the treaty of annexation Ia
boring under intestine CONJUNCTION and civil revolu-
ton or, asking indulgence at the hands of a DOW
erful people and sister repubiic2 Who, say, will
answer that these relations furnished provocaton
Ito let slip the dogs Of war; upon here No what
ever had been her error, she had atoned for it, by
fair and honorable settlement, and we should not
let any prejudice, resulting from exaggerated state
menis or from our present relations with her. affect
our Judgment aud Justice, even in a state OF
war strict Investigation of facts is the only
way TO arrive at truth, and ascertain where the
blame lies.
have nothing to do with the annexation 5fTex
as, or her Gains to independence. | am inquirng
into the causes and propriey OF this war. / will
only say, it is extremely ridiculous in Mr. Polk to
rely upon any treaty or acknowledgment of its indie
pendence made by Santa Anna in 1886, whilst in
duress, prisoner of war; Gas the condition of his
release and of course no longer President of Mex
leo, and especially when that treaty provided that
it was to be laid before the Mexican Congress, by
whom it was promptly rejected 1T only shows
the weakness Of his cause
What, then, was the real cause of the transfer
of the army from Corpus Christi to the Rio Grande
which brought on tins war? Was it an aogres,
sion on the part of Mexico or not
Mr.. Polk takes occasion frequently to remark,
that the Mexican government had solemnly agreed
TO receive an Envoy, and that she afterwards VIC
lated her plighted faith that he had directed the
American Consul, at the city of Mexico, 10 enquire
''whether the Mexican government would receive
an Envoy from the United States entrusted with
full power to adjust all the questions in dispute be-
tween the two governments - and, he says, 1.-THE
Minister of Foreign Affairs Of the Mexican govern
ment, i'll note to the Consul, gave favorable re-
sponse." Whereupon, MIR. John Slidell was APP
time OF the meeting OF Congress-and he was not
received, This is Mr. Polk statement of the case;
and while, If true, II does not furnish Just cause OF
war, in itself, yet, from the frequency of the repe
htIon, that the Mexican government had agreed 10
receive an Envoy. and had afterwards violated her
promise, il is evident Mr.. Polk attaches much i'm
porance TO it, us having Il strong bearing on our
present relations II becomes important, therefore,
ascertain the actual state of the case to see whe-
Their, in point of fact, 1t is or is not, truly stated
TO receive resident Minister is a recognition of
friendly relations. When MIR. Sldell sent to
Mexico all intercourse between the Two governments
had been suspended Gen. Almonte had returned
TO Mexico Gov. Shannon had also returned to the
United States our fleet was lowering around Vera
Cruz, and our army stationed on the western from
tier OF Texas, and consequently on the confines of
Mexico.
Let us look at facts ard documents TO see whe-
Their MIR. Polk has presented true of the case
10 his country, and whether any such solemn agree
ment had been entered into and violated by Mexico.
as he represents. And if he has misrepresented it,
what epithet is too harsh to be applied to him Z
The reason for this most gross and manifest mis-.
representations lies in the fact that the whole diff
Guilty In which we are involved grew of his sill
ly blunder, upon point OF etiquette, relating to
this very matter. 1t was impossible but he must
have known better and here let me ask IL it can
be shown that the President of the United States,
il communicating official information to Congress
OF the state of the Union, for their action upon a
subject affecting the question of peace or war; has,
with full knowledge of the facts and the docu-
mentS before him, made deliberate misrepresenta-
ton, in order TO Justify his own conduct, and throw
the adversary in the wrong. | say, let me ask
what is the Judgment an honest, intelligent and viz
tuous people Will pronounce against him Now
let US proceed TO ascertain whether, in relation to
this envoy and his Mr. P.'s) efforts to negotiate
peaceabe settlement of our difficulties, he has or
has represented the matter as ii was fairly and
truly
BY reference to the documents submitted to Con-
gross in the month of May last ACCOMPANYING his
war message, il will be found that Mr.. Buchanan.
Secretary OF State, in letter dated, Sept IL, 1885,
to MIR. Black, Consul at Mexico, directs him
''to ascertain from the Mexican government whe-
ether they would receive an envoy from the Uni
''tcd States entrusted with full power to adjust all
''the questions in dispute between the two govern
''ments.' which communicated by Mr. Black
TO Mr.. Pena Pena, the Minister OF Foreign Rela-
tons i'll Mexico, ON the 18th Uf October 1916.
Now let us see what was the answer 10 this pro-
position. On the 10Th of October. Mr.. Pena
Pena, in a letter to Mr.. Black. answers this propo-
sitiOn by saying "in answer, have to say to YOU
THAT although the Mexican ration is deeply injur
''ed by the United States, through the acts COM
emitted by them in the department of Texas
(which belongs 10 this nation, my government is
disposed TO receive the Commissioner of the United
Estates who may come to this capitol with full pow
Ger to settle the present dispute in peaceful, rca
sonabie, and honorable manner - and to call the
attention OF our government more emphatically to
what they proposed TO do, this whole sentence is
underscored
Whether Mr.. Polk understood ihe difference be.
tween FU Ill MINISTER 70 reside near the court,
and commissioner to settle an existing dispute
about boundary, ] will not undertake 60 say.