Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1847-11-04
Nge sSe1ttiuec:
" GOD S T &C X.

NOVEMBER 4, lS47.

Those ReSpectS.-Ihe hepuDllcan OF Satur-
day contains the prospects" which the indi-
vdual who writes for that paper promised in
the little ill-naturedy written paragraph upon
which we bestowed few good humored and
playful remarks in our last. After laying the
matter over for delibefation 70: whole week,
we really supposed that our venerable friend
of the Republican was prepared to pour down
upon our devoted head flood of evidence to
prove that the Council Of Government of
Mexico" did not, as was all along commended
for by US, decided against the reception Of our
minister, Mr. Sldell, as early as 18th Of Dec.
as; but Judge of our surprise, dear reader,
when we tell you, that nothing, absolutely,
beyond the mere ipse diait of the writer is CIV
en- TO sustain his gratutous assumption, that
the "decisio,a" before named, was not made
until Mr. Slidell was rejected in formal man
ner. The writer says, that the quotation
which we made from the Presidents message,
''proves nothing" Yes, sir, it proves precise
ly what we intended to prove. viz: that
strong, unpaciic feeling pervaded the Mexican
people, on account of the annexation of Texas
to the U. S., long before Gen. Taylor was Or
dered to take a position on the Rio Grande.-
The writer must excuse us for not receiving
his ebullient philippe against the President
as proof that his declaration, that the ''decis-
ION" referred TO was received at the Department
of State, as stated in his message Of Dec, is not
true. No, this insinuation proves nothing a.
gainst the President, but shows the bitterness
and hatred of the heart of the writer against
one in whose shadow, for purity of morality,
and integrity of purpose, he cannot stand.
But, to show, as he supposes, the utter un-
tenableness of our position, the writer quotes
from the message referred to, as follows:
"These communications rendered it highly
probable, if not absolutely certain, that our
minister sco,ld not be received by the govern
ment of Herrera" Now, candid reader, does
not this quotation sustain, precisely, our posi-
ton? Did we attempt to prove anything more,
than that our minister sco,ad not be received?
We said not one word about the final, formal
rejection of that functionary; and yet the wri-
rer in the Republican persists in making us
say that Mr.. Slidell was rejected on the 18th
Dec '45
In order that our readers may have an OPP
portunity of Judging of the full extent of pow
ers exercised by the Mexican "Counci," and
of the effects Of its decision, we will quote
from Mr.. Slidell's Ietter itself, copy of which
is now before u.s. He says of it:
This Council of government is a perma
nent body of very anomalous character, COM
posed of persons not removable by the Execu-
tive; its functions, so far as i understand
them, are with few exceptions, and these
not applying to forelga relations, merely ad
vsory, and no obligation exists on the part of
the Executive, but in the exceptional cases, to
consult the council. The council was not con-
suited when the Government determined to re-
new diplomatic relations with the u. S., and
a recourse to it at this moment was aItogether
gratuitous."
Here, the reader will perceive. that the gov
ernmet of Herrera deviated from it's former
course, in referring the subject of Mr. Slidell's
reception or rejection to this council for its de-
cision, for no other purpose than that of rem
dering his rejection certain; for it is fact no.
torious, that although Herrera was personally
favorable to the reception of our minister, yet
he knew that to receive him at that time.
would ensure his overthrow, as movement
was then in progress against his pacific policy,
and which, with Parades at its head, shortly
afterward succeeded in taking possession Of the
government. Hence, to escape from his peril
GUS situation, and at the same time preserve
consistency before the world, he resorted to the
expediency of referring the question of recep-
ton to the council, an.ajority of ,ohom, he
'cell knec ,cerc opposed to pacific measures,
and were ready to fly to the standard of Para
des; and thus to throw The responsible
" upon the council. And as if to knock the
last prop from ander his own policy, Pena y
Pena. Herrera's Secretary of Foreign Rela-
tions, is directed TO accompany the proposition
of Mr.. Slidell with letter OF instructions TO
the council, in schicl lie argos upon that body
many reasons phy Mr.. Slideu should not be
received; the principal one was, tina, he had
not been commissioned exclusively to settle and
adjust the Texas question; they did not COM
plain Of his not being clothed with suticisa-
cy Of power, bnt that he had too mach power,
because he was sent out in the character of en-
voy extraordinary and minister plenipotentia-
ry. with instructions to settle all matters in
dispute between the two countries.
The reader will thus see, that the decision
of this council, made under the circumstances