The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-12-21

for them. have not generally produced actual
war Almost always long Protracted negoeia-
tons have been alone restored TO. Inns mas
been strikinely the case with the Umteo
States The claims of Great Britain for BRIT
ish dues, secured by the treaty OF 1888, were
not settled and paid till the year 1903; and 1t
was only subsequent to that year, that the
claims of the United States; for depredatons
committed in 1898; were satisfied, The very
plain question of slaves, carried away to the
British forces in 1915, in open violation to the
treaty of 1914, was not settled and the indem-
nifty paid till the year 1926. The claims a.
gainst France for depredslons committed IN
the years of 1906 and 1918, were not settled
and paid till the year 1884. In all those ca
ses, peace was preserved by patience and Tor
bearance.
With respect to the Mexican indemnities,
the subject has been laid down more than once
before Congress, not without suggestions that
strong measures should be resorted to. But
Congress, in whom alone is vested the power
of declaring war, ultimately declined doing
it.
A convention was entered into on the 1lth
of April, 1899, between the United States and
Mexico, by virtue of which joint commission
was appointed for the examination and settle
ment OF those claims. The powers ofthe Com
missioners terminated, according to the Con-
vention; in February, 1912. The total amount
of the American claims, presented to the cor
poration, amounted to 1921, sos dollars. Of
these, S2,O26,14O was allowed by the commits
soners of the United States, rejected by the
Mexican commissioners, and left undecided by
the umpire, and claims amounting to $685.
S37 he'd not been examined.
granted to the Mexicans further delay for the
payment of the claims which had been admit
ted, by virtue of which the interest due to the
claimants was made payable to the 30th Of Au-
gust 1s43, and the principle of the awards, and
| the interest accruing thereon, was stipulated
| to be paid in five years, in twenty equal en-
stallments. The agent of the United States
having under peculiar circumstances, given a
receipt for the instalments due in April and
July, 1914, before they had been actually paid
by Mexico, the payment has been assumed by
the United States and discharged to the claim
| ants.
A third convention was concluded at Mexi-
co on the 26th Nov. 1913, by the Plenipoten-
tiaries Of the Governments, by which provis-
ion was made for ascertaining and paving the
claims, on which no final decision had been
made In Jan. 1914, this convention was rat
flied by the Senate Of the United States, with
two amendments which were referred to the
Government Of Mexico, but respecting which
no answer has ever been made. On the 9Th
of April, 1874, treaty was concluded by the
President of Texas, for the annexation Of that
republic to the United States. This treaty, tho
not ratified by the Senate, placed the two
countries in a new position, and arrested for
while all negotiations 1t was only on the lst
of March, 1915, that Congress passed JOINT
resolution for the annexation.
1t appears most clearly that the L. States
are Justly entitled to full indemnity for the
injuries done to their citizens; that before the
annexation of Texas, there was every prospect
of securing that indemnity; and that, these in
lures, even if they had been 4 just cause for
war we're in no shape whatever the cause Of
that in which we are now involved.
Are the U. States justly entitled to an in
demnity for any other cause? This question
cannot be otherwise solved, than by an inquiry
into the facts, and ascertaining by whom and
how the war was provoked.
HI.-ASSExATIoS OF TEXAS.
At the time when the annexation Of Texas
| took place, Texas had been recognized rs al
independent power, both by the United State
and several of the principal European powers;
but its independence had not been recognized
by Mexico. Nothing can be more clear and
undeniable, than that, whenever two nations
are at war, if a third power shall enter into
treaty of alliance offensive and defensive, with
either the beligerants, and ifsuch treaty is not
| contingent, and is to take effect Immediately
and pending the war, such treaty IS declare
ton of war against the other party. The eau
I. 81. lolr. rnrnta az
not alter the fact. Surprising that the third
cluded the treaty of alliance with that beliger-
ent who was clearly engaged in most just
war; the treaty would not be the less q dec
laration of war against tho other behger-
ent
If Great Britain and France were at war, &
the United States we're to enter into such Il
treaty with either, can there be the slightest
doubt that this would be actual war against the
other party ? that it would be considered Is
such, and that it must have been intended for
that purpose? If at this moment, either Eng
land or France were to make such a treaty
with Mexico; thereby binding themselves to
defend and protect it with all their forces a.
gainst any other Power whatever, would NJ I
the United States instantaneously view such a
treaty as a declaration of war, and act accor-
dinghy?
But the annexation of Texas by the United
States was even more than a treaty OF often
sve and defensive alliance. 1t embraced all
the condition and all the duties growing out Of
the alliance; and it imposed them forever.
From the moment when Texas had been an
nexed, the United States became bound to
protect and defend her, so far as her legiti-
mate boundaries extended, against any inva-
sion, or attack, on the part Of Mexico; and they
have uniformly acted accordingly.
There is no important publicist who will not
acknowledge the indubitable truth of these po-
stions:it appears too impossible;that they should
be seriously denied by single person
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
This document cmenating from the chief mag
r .l,a ,,rho hound n Law