The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-19
Important.

Important.
Correspondence betreen the Secretary Of State and the
Merican government, relative to the mission Of Mr.
Tris.
An extra of the Republcdnoo of Mexico of the 2sth of
une has been received at the Department of State
tanning copies of two notes from the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Mexico dated the 22d of June last and trans
aon of the letter addressed the Mexican government,
by our Secretary of State the 18th of April previous
We here present tansatons of the two notes first men
toned, together with copy in the original OF Mr.. Bu-
chanans letters all of which will doubtless be read with
interest In every part Of our country.
Historical documents published in the Republcano of the
2SHt of June, 1877
[TRANsIArioNl
DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AND FOREIGN RELATIONS.
To the most excellent Secretaries Of the Sovereign Con-
COP AND LIBERTY-Mexico, June %, 1917,
Mosr EXCELLENT slRs BY order of his excellency the
President I'D interim of the republic, rs resolved IN
council of ministers, have the honor TO place in the
hand Of your exceences that you may submit the
sovereign Congress, its first meeting, copy Of the
official note, addressed by the Secretary OF State of the
United States to this government under date of the 18th
of April last in which he declares that the President of
that republic intends to despatch, commissioner to
the headquarters OF the army operating in Mexico Mich
olas p 1rist. esq., with full powers conclude defn-
tive treaty of peace with the Mexican United States
likewise transmit to your excellencies for communi-
cation TO the sovereign Congress, copy OF the
which the most excellent President resolved, in coun
Gil of ministers, 10 have made 10 the aforementioned
note his excelency feeling assured that the august
sembly to which reserved the determination the
affair TO which the present communication relates, will
despatch ii with the promptness and wisdom to be ex-
peced from its patriotism and its distinguished enlighten
ment.
repeat to your excellences on this occasions the as
~ : - ~ DOMINGO IBARRA.
[CoPY.1
To his Erceleney the Minister of Foreign Relations of
the Merican republic:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, April Is, lSi7.
SIR: have the honor to acknowledge the receipt Of
your eycelencys note of the Odd February last in
swer to mine of the 18th January proposing on the part
of the President OF the United States Immediately to SIDE
pach either to the Havana Jaapa, the Mexican gov
eminent may prefer more Of most distinguish
ed citizens commissioners clothed with full powers to
conclude treaty OF peace with similar commissioners
on the part OF Mexico, soon as he shall be officially
informed that the Mexican government will appoint such
commissioners"
The President deeply regrets the refusal of the Mexican
government to accede this friendly overture, sunless the
raising of the blockade of he Mexicanl ports, and
the complete evacuation of the territory of the republic
by the invading forces shall be previously accepted
preliminary condition."
The President has instructed me to inform you that
this " preliminary condition is wholly inadnissble
Such condition is neither required by the honor,
sanctioned by the practice OF nations. If it were, this
would tend to polong wars especially between confer
mnous countries, until the the other power was
entirely subdued No nation which, the expenditure
Of blood and treasure, has invaded It's enemys country
and acquired possession of any considerable portion OF
his territory could consent to withdraw its forces,
preliminary condition to the opening of negotiations
for peace This would be at once to abandon all the add
vantages had obtained in the prosecution OF the war,
without any certainty that peace would result from the
sacrifice Nay should such negotiation prove
successful, the nation which had thus imprudently with
drawn its forces IRON the enemys tstor might not be
equal that first expended the advantageous position
which it had voluntarily abandoned.
Fortunately for the of peace and humanity, the
history of nations at affords sanction to such
preliminary condition. The United States jealous
Of their national honor any power on the face OF the
earth and yeti never entered into the contemplation OF
the great statesmen who administered our government
during the period of last with Great Britain, to
insist that the latter should renqush that part of our ter
toy of which she was IN actual possession, before they
would consent to open negotiations for peace. On the
contrary, they took the initiative and appointed commits
soners treat for peace whilst portions OF our country
were held BY the enemy and t Is remarkable iact at
nes OF the two powers whilst the war was raging on
both sides and the most memorable of the conflicts to
which gave rise took place upon our own soil after the
full of such examples. Indeed, 80 Tar as the under
signed is aware, there not to be found at least in mod
has been considered necessary preliminary that an IN
vadng army should be Withdrawn before negotiations lor
peace could commence between the parties to the war
It would also, be difficult to find precedent Tor the
course pursued by the Mexican government In another par
cular The President to avoid the war now ex
sting sent minister of peace to Mexico for this purpose
After the Mexican forces had attacked the army OF Gen
TAYLOR on this side OF the Rio Grande, and thus COM
menced the war, the President actuated by the same
pacific spirit made repeated overtures to the government
of Mexico negotiate for its termination and although ne
has, from the beginning soemny declared before the world
that he desired but such just and hon.
orable for both parties yet the Mexican government
by refusing minister in the first place. and
afterwards by accedng to overtures to open nego
aons for peace, has afforded to this government
the opportunity of making known the terms on
which we would be willing to settle all questions in dis
pue between the two republics. The war can never
end whilst Mexico refuses even to hear the proposals
which we have always been ready to make Tor peace.
The President will not again renew the OTTER to nego-
haiea least until he shall have reason to believe that
il would be accepted by the Mexican government. De-
Voted however, to honorable peace, he is determined
that the evils of the shall not be protraced one day
longer than shall be rendered absolutely necessary by the
Mexican republic. For the purpose OF carrying this de-
termination into effect with the least possible delay, he
will forthwith send to the headquarters OF the army IN
Mexico, Nicholas p. Tnst esq., the officer next in rank
to the undersigned in our Department OF Foreign Affairs
as commissioner invested with full powers to conclude
dehntiye treaty of peace with the United Mexican
States. This gentleman possesses the entire confidence
Of the President and is emneny worthy of that OF the
Mexican government.
The undersigned rerains from all comment upon the
your excellencys note because the strong sense which
he IF