The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-12-11

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that after these and other successes, so honor
able to our arms and 80 disastrous TO Mexico,
tho period was pTopitious TO afford her another
opportunity If she thought proper TO embrace
il, to enter into negotiations for peace, COM
missioner was appointed oprocccd to the head
quarters of our army, with full powers to en-
ter upon negotiations, and to conclude just
and honorable treaty of peace. lie was not
directed to make any new ovcrturcs of peace,
but WINS the bearer of despatch from the Sec
rotary OF the United States to the Minister of
Foreign A fairs of Mexico, in reply to one re-
ccived from the latter of the cpd of February,
IS47, in which the Mexican government was
informed of his appointment, and of his pres
cncc ut the headquarters of our army. and that
he was invested with full powers TO conclude
n definite treaty Of peace, whenever the McT-
lean government might signify n desire to do
So While was unwilling TO subject the u,
States to another indignant refusal, | was yet
resolved that the evils of the war should not
be protractcd day longer than might be rem
dered absolutely necessary by the Mexican
government.
Care was taken to give no instructions 90 the
which could in any way interfere
with our military operations, or relax our cncr-
rcs in the prosecution of the war, lie possess
ed no authority in any manner to control these
operations. He was authorized to exhibit his
to the General in command of the
cludcd and ratified on the part of Mexico, he
was directed TO give him notice of the fact
On the happening ofsuch contingency, and on
receiving notice thereof, the General in COM
mand was instructed by the Secretary of War
to suspend further active military operations
until further orders. These instructions were
piyen with view to intcrmit hostiltics, until
the treaty thus ratified by Mexico could be
transmitted to Washington, and receive the
action of the government of the United States.
The commissioner was also directed, on
reaching the army, TO deliver TO the General in
command the despatch which he bore from
the Secretary Of State to the Minister of For
eign AffIrs Of Mexico, and on receiving 1.-THE
General was instructed by the Secretary of
War to cause it to he transmitted to the com.
mnndcr of the Mexican forces, with request
that it might be communicated 10 his govern
mcnt.
The commissioner did not reach the head
quarters ofthe army until after another bril-.
liant victory had crowned our arms at Cerro
Gordo,
The despatch which he bore from the Sccrc.
tary Of War to the General in command ofthc
army was received by that officer, then at ia.
lapu, on the 9Th of May, lS47, together with
the despatch from the Secretary of State TO
the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico hay
ing been transmitted to him from Vera Cruz,
The commissioner arrived at the head quarters
Cf the army few days afterward. His pres
coco with the army and his diplomatic charac.
ter were made known to the Mexican govern
ernmcGt from Ppebla, on the Goth Of June,
IS47, bv tie transmission of the despatch from
thc Secretary OF State to tho Minister of For
e. gn Affairs of Mexico
Many weeks elapsed 'ftcr its receipt, and no
overturcs were made, no" vas any desire eX-
pressed by the Mexican government to enter
into negotiations for peace.
4 A..
tai, and, as il approached il, was met ~ 'orml-
dable resistance. Our forces first cncouGtT-
ed the enemy, and achieved signal victories L.
the severely contested battles of ContrerHs
and Churubusco. Is was rot until after these
actions had resulted in decisive victories and
the capital Of the enemy was within our pow
or, that the exican government: manifested
any disposition to enter into negotiations for
peace; and even then, us events have proved,
there is too much reason to believe they were
insinccrc, and that in agreeing TO go through
the forms of negotiations, the object was to
cain time to strengthen the defences of their
capital, and TO prepare for fresh resistance.
The General in command ofthe army deem
ed it eXpedient TO suspend ':oS'ilitlcs Temporal
rily, by entering into an armistIG2 E'ih view
to the opening of negotiations. Commission
ers were appointed on tho part of Mexico to
meet the commissioners on the part of the U.
States. The result of the conferences which
took place between these functionnres of the
two Governments was failure to conclude n
treaty of peace.
The Commissioner of the U. States took
with him the project of a treaty already pre-
pared, by the terms of which the indemnity
required by the U. States was n cession OF ter
rtory.
It we'll known that the only indemnity
which it is the power Of Mexico to make in
satisfaction of the long deferred claims of our
citizens against her, and the only means by
which she can reimburse the u. States for the
expenses of the war, is the cession to the U.
States of a portion of her territory. Mexico
has no money to pay, and no other means of
making the required indemnity. If we refuse
this we can obtain nothing else To reject
indemnity, by refusing to accept cession Of
territory, would be to abandon all our demands
and to wage the war, bearing all its expense,
without purpose or definite object.
A state ofwar abrogatcs treaties previously
existing between the belligcrenIs and a treaty
of peace puts an end to all claims for indemni.
ty-for tortuous acts committed, under the All.
tiiority of one government against the citizens
or subjects of another unless they are provid
ed for in its stipulations. A treaty of peace
which would terminate the existing war with.
out providing for indemnity, would enable
MeXico-the acknowledged debtor, and her.
self the aggressor in the war--to relieve Ger
self from her Just liabilities. BY such a treaty
our citizens, who hold Just demands against
her, would have no remedy either against hei
or their own government. Our duty to these
citizens must forever prevent such peace
and no treaty which does not provide ample
means Of discharging these demands can re
ceive my sanction.
treaty of peace should settle all exist
ing differences between the two countries If
an adequate cession of territory should b.
made by such treaty, the United State
should release Mexico from all her liabilities
and assume theirpayment to our own citizens
If, instead ofths, the United States were t,
consent to treaty by which Mexico SHOULD
again engage to pay the heavy amount of in
debtedncss which just indemnity TO our gov