Indiana State sentinel., 1847-12-10

the army few days afterwards. His presence with
the army, and his diplomatic character, made
known TO the Mexican government from Pueba, on
the 18th day of June, lS47, by the transmission of
the despatch from the Secretary Of State to the Min
lister Of Foreign Affairs of Mexico. Many weeks
elapsed after lis reception, and no ovcrtures were
made, nor was any desire expressed by the govern
ment of Mexico TO enter into negotiations for peace.
Our army pursued Its march upon the capital, and
1t approached was met by formidable resistance.
Our forces first encountered the enemy and achieved
signal victories in the severely contested battles of
Contreras and Churubusco. 1t was not until after
these actions had resulted in decisive victories and
the capital OF the enemy was within our power,
that the Mexican government manifested any dspO-
sition to enter into any negotiation for peace; and
even then events have proved there Is too much rea
to believe they were nsincere and that IN agree
ing 60 through the forms of negotiation the object
TO gain time to strengthen the defences of the
capital, and 10 prepare for fresh resistance. The
general in command of the army deemed it expedient
to suspend hostities temporarily, by entering into
an armisiice with view TO the opening of negotia-
tions, and commissioners appointed the part
of Mexico, to meet the commissioners the part Of
of the United States. The result of the conferences
which took place between the funconaries of the two
governments, failure TO conclude a treaty Of
peace. The commissioner of the United States took
with him the project Of the treaty already prepared
by the terms of which the indemnity required by the
United States cesson of territory.
1t is well known that the only indemnity which it
is in the power of Mexico to make in satisfaction of
the Just ana long deferred claims of our citizens
against her, and the only means by which she
lmburse the U Staes for the expenses of the war; is
cesson to the U. States of portion of her territory
Mexico has no money to pay and no other means Of
making the requisite indemnity. If we refuse it we
obtain nothing else reject indemnity by refusing
to accept territory, would be to abandon all Just de-
mands, and TO wage war, bearing all its expenses
without purpose definite object.
state of war abrogates treaties previously exist
ing between the bellgerents. and treaty of peace
puts end to all claims for indemnify for iortuous
acts committed under the authority or one government
against the citizens and subjects of another unless
they provided for in its stipuations. treaty of
peace, which would terminate the existing war; with
out providing for indemnity would enable Mexico, an
acknowledged DEBTOR and the aggressor in the war; to
relieve herself from her just liabilities and by such
a treaty our citizens, who hold Just demands against
her, would have remedy for them, either against
Mexico or their own government. Our duty to our
citizens must forever prevent such peace, and no
treaty which does not provide ample means of dis
charging those demands can never receive my sane
ton.
A treaty Of peace would settle all difficulties If
adequate cessiOn of territory be such treaty the
U. States should release Mexico from all her liabil-
ties, and assume their payment to own citizens
If instead of this, the u. States were TO consent TO
treaty by which Mexico should again engage to pay
the heavy amount of Indebtedness, which a Just in
demnty to government and citizens would impose
her. 1t is notorious that she does not possess the
means to meet such an undertaking. From such Il
treaty, result could be anticipated but the same
ritating dsappoinments which have hitherto attend
ed the violations of similar treaty spulations on the
part of Mexico Such a treaty would be but tenn
porary cessation of hostties, without the restoration
fthe friendship and good understanding which should
characterize the intercourse between the two coun-
tries.
That congress contemplated the acceptance of ter
ritorial Indemnity, when that body made provision
for the prosecution Of the war, is obvious Congress
could not have meant, when, in May, 1916, they ap-
propriated ten million dollars, and authorized the Pre-
sldent to employ the militia and naval and military
forces Of the o. States and TO accept the services OF
$4,000 volunteers, TO enable him to prosecute the
war, and when at their last session. and after our
my had invaded Mexico, they made additional appro-
pratons, and authorized tie raising of additional
troops for the purpose, that no indemnity was to
be obtained from Mexico the conclusion of the war;
and yet it is certain that if Mexican territory
acquired, no indemnify would be obtained.
1t is further manifest that Congress contemplated
territorial indemnity from the fact that at their last
session act passed. upon the Executive recon-
mendation, uppropriating three millions of dollars,
with that express object.
The appropriation was made to enable the Presi-
dent to conclude treaty of peace limits and bound
ares with the republic of Mexico. to be used by him
in the event that said treaty. when signed by the
authorized agents of the two governments and duly
ratified by Mexico, should call for the expenditure of
the same or any part thereof The object of asking
this appropriation distinctly stated in the several
messages which | communicated on the subject.
Similar appropriations, made in 1903 and 1906.
refer In iufap dod Io
in part consideration for the cession o Louisiana
and the Floridas In like manner it was anticipated
that on settling the terms of treaty of limits and
boundary with Mexico, cession of territory esti-
mated to be of greater value than the amount of our
demands against her, might be obtained, and that the
prompt payment of this for the territory ceded in
the conclusion of treaty aud its ratification on her
part, might be an inducement with her TO make such
cession of territory would be satisfactory to the
United States
And although the failure to conclude such treaty
has rendered it unnecessary to use any of the SO,
100000 appropriated by that act and the entire sum
still remains in the treasury, it is still applicable to
that object, should the contingency occur making
uch appropriation proper
The doctrine of no territory is the doctrine of no
indemnity, and if sanctioned, would be a public
acknowledgment tfat country was wrong, and
that the war declared by Congress- with extraordi-
nary unapimity, unjust and should be abandoned
An admission unfounded in fact, and degrading to
the national character The terms of the treaty BY
the United States, were not only just Mexico but
considering the character and amount of our claims.
the unjustifable and unprovoked commencement Of
hosiilities by her, the expenses of the which
we have been subjected, and the success which has
attended arms, were deemed 10 be of a most
liberal character.
The Commissioner of the United States was
authorized to agree to the establishment of the Rio
Grande as The boundary, from its entrance into the
ulf to its intersection of the Southern boundar rv