Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-12-11

o'ner III deedS OF noble daring. Willie ev-
cry patriot heart must exult, and Just ma
tional pride animate every bosom, on be-
holding the high proofs of courage, cOnsum-
mate military skill, steady discipline and
humanity to the vanquished enemy, exhib-
tied by our gallant army, the nationis call
ed to mourn over the loss Of many brave
officers and soldiers, who have fallen in
defence of their country's honor and inter-
ests. The brave dead met theirlmelan-
cholly fate in foreign lend, nobly dischar-
ging their duty, and with their country's
flag waving triumphantly in the face of the
foe. Their patriotic deeds are Justly appre-
Grated, and will long be remembered by
their grateful countrymen. The parental
care OF the government they loved and
served, should be extended to their suryty-
ing families.
Shortly after the adjournment of the last
session of Congress, the gratifying intelli-
llgence was received of the battle OF Buena
4 Vista, and the fall of the City of Vera Cruz,
and with it the strong Castle of San Juan
d'Ulloa, by which it was defended. Be-
lieving that after these and other successes
so honorable to our ans, and so disastrous
to Mexico, the period propitious 10 afford
her an opportunity, if she thought proper
to embrace it, to enter into negotiations
for peace; Commissioner was appointed
to proceed to the head quarters of orr army
with full powers TO enter on negotiations
and conclude a just and honorable treaty
ofpcace. He was not directed to make
any new overtures of peace, but was to be
the bearer Of despatch from The secreta-
ry of State Of the y S, TO the Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Mexico, in repl7 to one
received from the latter, of the ed Febru-
airy 1847, in which the Mexican govern
ment was informed Of his appointment, and
Of his presence at the head quarters Of our
army, and that he was invested with full
powers to conclude a definite treaty of
peace whenever the Mexican Government
signify resire to do so. While I vas I'M
willing to subject the United States to ano-
: Their indignant refusal, / was yet resolved
that the evils of the war should not be pro-
tTacted longer than might be rendered alb
soluteIy necessary oy the Mexican Gov
eminent. Care was taken TO give no in
struction to the Commissioner which could
III any way interfere with our military ope-
/, rations, or relax our energies in the prose
cution ofthe war. He possessed no autho
rity, in any manner; to control these opera
lions. He was authorized To exhibit his
instructions to the general in command OF
the army, and, in the event Of treaty be-
ing concluded and ratified, on the part OF
, M eXico, he was directed to give aim no
tice OF that fact. On tie happening of such
contingency, and on receiving notice there
OF, the General in command was instructed
by the Secretary of War, to suspend ac-
tive military operations until further or.
ders. These instructions were given with
view TO intermit hostilities until the
treaty. thus ratified by Mexico, could be
transmitted to Washington, and receive
the sanction of the United States.
The doctrine of no territosJ, is he doc
trine OF no indemnity, and il sanctioned
would DC public Acknowledgements tina
our country was wrong, and that The wal
declared by Congress, with extraardnar,
unanmity, was unjust and should lie aban
doned; an admission unfoundeG in fact
and degrading to the national character
Inc terms OF the treaty proiferet by thu
United State, We're not onlySjust TO Mexico
, but, considering the character and amount
OF our claims, the unjustifable anil unpro.
voked commencement of hostilities by hel
the expenses Of the war 10 which we hay
been subjected, and the success which ha.
attended our arms, were deemed 10 be O.
the most liberal character.
The commissioner OF the United States
was authorized to agree to the establishments
OF the Rio Grande as the boundary, from
Its entrance into the Gulf, to it's intercessior
with the southern boundary of New Mex.
leo in north latitude ab Jutfwenty-two de-
) grees, and to obtain'a cession to the Uni.
|. ted States of the province of New Mexico
and the CALIFORNIA;; and the privilege q,
the right of way across the isthmu. Of TIE.
huantepec.
/, The boundary of the Rio Grande and the
cesSion TO TIE United States Of New Mexi
co and Upper California, constituted an al
timatum which our commissioner vas, IN
derno circumstances TO yield thatit might
DO manifest not only to Mexico, but to al
other nations, that the United States were
not disposed to take advantage of feeble
power, by insisting upon wrestling from hs,
all her other provinces, including nany OF
her principal towns and cities: which we
had conquered and held in our military 20.
session, but were willing to conclude the
treaty in spirit of hberalty. Our com.
missioner was also authorized 20 stimulate
, for the restoration to Mexico of all her 9th.
er provinces.
, AS the territory to be acquired by the
boundary proposed might be estimated tC
be of greater va,' e than a fair equivalent
for our just demands, orr COMMISSIONS,
was authorized to stipulate for the paymen
OF such additional pecuniary consideration,
as was deemed reasonable.
The terms of treaty proposed by tn,
commissioners on the part Of the Meyicar
Government, were wholly inadnissible
They negotiated as though Mexico wer,
the victorious, and not the vanqushed mar
ty, or they must have known their ultima
tnm could not have been accepted. II re-.
: CURED the United States to diSmenoer re,
as, by surrendering TO Mexico tina, part d
the territory of that state lying between
the NeuceS and the Rio Grande, includel
within her limits, by her laws, when shs
was an independent republic, and when sh,
was annexed to the United States, and adj
mitted by Congress as one of the State, O
) the Union II contained no proposition
for the payment by Mexico, of the ms
claims of cur citizens. 1t required indem.
) nifty to Mexican citizens for Injuries the,
may have sustained by our troops in the
prosecution of the war. II demanded IN,
right for Mexico to levy and collect Mexi
can duties levied on goods imported into
her ports while in military occupation, apt
the owners Of which had paid to the off