The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-01-02
s P { Z C n

s P { Z C H
OF THE HON. CHARLES HUDSON OF
Massachusetts in House of Representatives
of the United States, Dec. II. 1876, upon the
subjects of the Polk Message:
(EXTRACTS.)
/ believe, MIR Chairman, that the first prin-
cipal declaration contained in the message
of the President-that the war exists by the
act of Mexico, and that we have taken all hon
orable means to prevent ito be an arntmh;
and believing so, will make that declaration
here; and will endenvor, in the short time
allotted me, to state some of the reasons
which eah me to that conclusion.
The message, Mr. Chairman, declares that
the existing war with Mexico was neither de-
sired nor provoked by the United States; on
the contrary, all honorable means were re-
sorted to to avert it! This declaration l he
lieve 90 he absolutely Untrue; and it will he
the object nfmy remarks to sustain this po-
sition. | believe the President, in making
that declaration, has made statement which
is not supported, but is in reality contradict
ed, by tho filcts ofthe case. How does the
President attempt to sustain this declaration?
Why sir, the first chnrge he brings against
Mexico is that she has committed SpOliauons
upon our commerce,and has refused TO make
reparation. Now, my first seinarl in rea-
ton TO this part of the messsge Is. that it is
hardly magnanimous in the President of the
United Suites 10 go hehindthe treaty of 1920.
Suppose Mexico was guilty of frults previous
10 that period; she confessed those faults in
that treaty and promised reparation. That
should have induced him to stop short at that
period. BY the treaty of 1889, h joint COM
mission was created to examine and audit
the claims of our citizens. That commission
remained IN session until the expiration OF tho
period to which it was limited by the treaty.
and they awarded TO our citizens 2,026, l39.
Mexico represented TO us subsequently that
owing 10 the embarrassed state other finan-
ces, she could not conveniently make these
payments ut the time specified, and by an
other treaty into which the two Governments
entered in lS43, il was stipulated that MeXiro
should pay the interest on this sum up 10 A.
prIl, lS43, and then pay the PRINCIPAL, with
aceruing interest, in five vears--to DO paid in
quarterly instalments. Now do not justify
Mexico in the course she has pursued snhse-
quenily to this treaty. ain willing 10 adj
init that her conduct deserves febuke and
censlIre. At the same time ain compelled
to acknowledge that there are some circum-
stances in this case which go to mitigate tho
enormity of her proceedings. Such was the
condition of the affairs of that country, and
such the desire other Government to meet
the instaments provided for in that treatythnI
SANTA Anna levied n forceh loan, apporioned
among several ofthe provinces T departs
ments ofthat Government, for the express
purpose ofmeeting this indemnify. n.t
The first three nstalmehta were paid
promptly at the time. When the fourth was
due, Mexico was embarrassed in her crclIin-
stances Und unable to meet the demands OF
IL.
until another three months expired. when a.
mother instalment fell due, She was unable
at the time to meet this demand in money;
she, however contends that sire has paid the
fourth anl fit instalments. and shows the re-
rept of ali agent appointed by our Govern
tnent 10 that effect. That agent, however,
contends that he received certain orders or
drafts OH merchanile houses having II lien
upon the Mexican Treasury, and that these
drafts have been dishpnored. @ a.I a.
| will only alltlde to another Instance ofre-
pudiatiou Mexico is not the only nation
which has committed depredaiions upon our
commerce. France, towards the close of
the last century, hasi been guilty 0fihe samo
acts ofViolence. We demanded reparation
at her hand. She admitted the Justice of
our claim, hut, for valuable consideration.
we released her, and became ourselves obi
gated 10 urcitizens, who had been despoiled
of their property by France. And what has
been our treatment towards those citizens?
We hive turned n deaf ear to their petitions
for half u century. But during tho hast ses-
sim of the present Congress bill was pass
ed, granting partial reliefto our injured cit-
zens.A And what was the fate of that bill af-
terit }ett this eapitol? We all know that it
was Vetoed,4y she President. 1t wus return
ed with objections of the most extraordinary
character, the principal of which were, thar
the amount due was too large, and had been
due roo long, and probably Congress had not
properly considered the subject. Here we
sec the President ofihe United States pu,su-
ing towards orr own citizens the very course
for which he arraigns Mexico, and
according TO his own doctrine, they have Az
Just accuse of war against him, ms we have a.
gainst Mexico, on account of her indebtness
Another cause of war set forth by the Pres.
ident is the refusal OF Mexico Ia receive Mr.
SGdell. Mr. Chairman, do not purpose to
gointo detailed examination ofthe cores
pondence upon this subject. * 80 vfs.r77 81
Twill simply say that Mexico apprized this
Government in advance that the annexation
Of Texas you'd g regarded by her ~