Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-12-16

The commissioner was also directed, on reach
ing the army, to deliver to the General in COM
mand the despatch which he bore from the Sec
rerery Of State TO the Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Mexico, and on resolving it, the General was
instructed by the Secretary of War TO cause it
TO be transmitted TO the commander Of the MeXi-
can forces, with request that it might be COM
mtted to his Government.
The commissioner did not reach the bead quar-
tiers of the army until after another brilliant VIC
tory had crowned our arms at Cerro Gordo
The despatch which he bore from the Secreta-
nv of War to the General in command of the ar
my was received by that officer, then at Joloppa,
on the seventh day of May, lS47, together with
despatch from the Secretary of State to the
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico having
been transmitted to him from Vera Cruz. The
commissioner arrived at the head quarters of the
army few days alterward. His presence with
the army and his diplomatic character were made
known to the Mexican Government, from Puebla
on the Goth June, lS47, by the transmission of
the despatch from the Secretary of State, to the
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico.
Many weeks elapsed after its receipt, and no
overtures were made, norwas any desire expressed
by the Mexican Government to enter into nego-
tatons for peace.
Our army pursued its march upon the capital,
and, as it approached, it was met by formidable
resistance. Our forces first encountered the enc
my, and achieved signal victories in the several
contested battles of Contreras and Churubusco.
u was not tlll after tnese actions hua resulted III
decisive victories, and the capital OF the enemy
was within our power, that the mexican uoVern-
ment sho"eu any disposition 10 enter hito hego-
tatlons Tor poace ana even theh az events nave
proved, there is too much reason too believe they
were nsincere,and that in agreeing to 90 through
the forms of negotiation, the object was to gam
time 10 strengthen the "eiences OF their caPtai'
any ~, W P.OP"iO 'cl iiN'i r ~ So,
ne Tei.u' ~ nn. ~ .i9 p.y ~,
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et r , WI 'ne p.,s y. uie L;nL ~. a. hot.so
VI tlle oo,.eio"oe9 VIZ" aooM
80 -, o"iio ,sont, 81 1o,no
MI Co,;se;nno, ~ X Irpi,oJ S,oto tool
III -; Ill.,, ,,r;,,at r. $50, L. A., s,s,,.,l
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uy 'G teltl'e y, eio ~
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10 ~ .ne po"oi " y, IAN III w
lloil Vi '"o I ha ~ III, b.,
i's -, IL IT,od c,o,o g. tLo o,o,
cos Of tho wor il n cession IN fine limited Stotes
of n pnrtion of her territory. Mexico has No
money to nav. and no other means of making the
rooured indemnity. If we refuse this, we can
obtain nothinr else. To reject indemnity. by re-
fnsinr TO accent cession of territory. would be
to abandon all our lust demands, and 10 wage the
war bearing all its expenses, without a purpose
or definite object.
A state of war abrocates treaties previously
existing between the belligerents and a treaty Of
neace nuts an end TO all claims for indemnify
for tortious acts committed. under the authority
Of one government AGAINST The citizens or subjects
If another unless thew are provided for in its
st;nniat;ons trontv of neare which would ter
nopntc the exisIno war without providino for in
Jnmnitv. wonld enable Nlexico-tbe acknowledp-
cd dobior and herself the aooressor in the war
to relieve herself from her lust liabilities. Bv
snch n treaty.. onr citizens. who hold lust 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
ot dscborping these demands can receive my
sanction.
A treaty of peace should settle any existing
differences between the two coutries If an adj
eouate cession of territory should be made by
such n treaty. the United States should release
Ncyico from all her liabilities, and assume theil
| novnoent ia orr own citizens IT, instead of this