Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-12-23

committed by them in the department of Texas,
which belongs to his nation, his Government was
disposed to receive the Commissioner Of the u
nited States who might come to the capital, with
full powers from his government to settle the
present dispute in PEACEFUL reasonable and hon
orable manner;' thus giving u new proof that
even in the midst of its injuries and OF its firm
decision 10 exact adequate reparaton for them,
the Government Of Mexico does not reply with
contumely TO the measures of reason and peace,
to which it was invited by its adversary.
The Mexican Minister at the same time init
mated, that the previous recall OF the whole ma
val force of the United States, then lying in
sight of the port of Vera Cruz, was indispensa-
BILE; and this was accordingly done by our Gov
eminent.
But it is essential to observe that, whilst Mr..
Black had, according to his instructions, inquir-
ed whether the Mexican Government would re-
ceive as an ENJOY from the United States with
full power to adjust all the questions in dispute
between The two Governments, the Mexican Min
lister had answered, that his government was dis
posed to receive the Commissioner ofthe United
States who might come with full powers to set
tie the present dispute in a peaceful, reasonable
and honorable manner.
Mr.. Slidell was, in November following, ap-
pointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plen-
ipotentiary of the United States of America near
the Government Of the Mexican Republic; and
he arrived in Mexico on the sixth of December
Mr. Herrera, the President of Mexico was I'M
doubtedy disposed to settle the disputes between
the two countries. But taking advantages of
the irritation of the mass OF the people, his po-
ltical opponents were attempting to overset him
for having made as they said unworthy conces-
sions. The arrival of Mr. Slidell disturbed him
extremely; and Mr.. Pena Pena declared to
Mr.. Black, that his appearance in the capital at
this time might prove destructive to the Govern
ment, and thus defeat the whole affair. Under
these circumstances General Herrera complain
ed without any foundation, that Mr. Side had
come sooner than had been understood he re-
sorted TO several frivolous objections against the
tenor of his powers and he minated that the
difficulties respecting Texas must he adjusted
before any other subject of discussion should be
taken into consideration.
But the main question was, whether Mexico
should receive Mr.. Slidell in the character of
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotenti.
airy, to reside in the republic. 1t was insisted by
the Mexican Government, that it had only agreed
to receive commissioner, 10 treat on the ques-
tons which had arisen from the events in Tex
as; and that until this was done, the suspended
diplomatic intercourse could not be restored, ant
a residing minister plenipotentiary be admitted
Why our Government should have insisted
that the intended negotiation should be carried
on by residing Envoy Extraordinary and Min.
The questions at issue might have been discus
sed and settled as easily, fully aud satisfactorily
by commissioners appointed for that special pur
pose, as by residing ministers or ENJOYS. 1t il
well known that whenever diplomatic relations
have been superseded by war, treaties of peace
are always negotiated by commissioners appoin
ted for that special purpose who are personally
amply protected by the law of nations, but who
are never received as resident ministers, till af
fho ,rIi 4 nj
&c intercourse. Thus the treaty f peace Of 163
between France and England, was negotiated
and concluded at Paris by British commissioners
whom 1t would have been deemed absurd to ad
NIT as resident ENJOYS or ministers, before peace
had been made
The only distinction which can possibly b,
made between the two cases is, that there wa
not as yet actual war between Mexico and tn,
United States. But the annexation of Texa
was no ordinary occurrence. 1t was most clea
act OF unprovoked aggression a deep and mos
OFFENSIVE injury; in fact a declaration of war;
Mexico had accepted it as SUCH In lieu of thi:
that country had only resorted to suspension {
the ordinary diplomatic relations. II would seer
: as if our Government had considered this as
act OF unparalleled audacity, which Mexico mus
be compelled to retract, before any negotiation
for the arrangement of existing difficulties coul
take place; as an insult to the Government an
, to the nation, which must compel it to assert i,
just rights and 10 avenge its injured honor.
GENERAL Herrera was not mistaken in his ar
ticipations. Ills government was overset in tn
, latter end of the month of December, lS45, an
fell into the hands of those who had denounce
him for having listened to oyertures of an a
. rangement OF the difficulties between the tw
nations.
. When Mexico felt its inability to contend wit
: the United States; and instead of consider:n
the annexation Of Texas 10 be, as il really wa
tantamount to declaration of war, only susper
=, ded the ordinary diplomatic relations between tn
u two countries, its Government, if directed
y wise counsels, and not impeded by popular irI
), tatlon should at once, since it had already agree
u to recognize the independence OF Texas, hav
. entered into negotiation with the United State
II AT that time there would have been no intrinsi
y difficulty in making final arrangement, founC
y ed on an unconditional recognition of the indt
= pendence OF Texas, within It's legitimate bour
y darles. Popular feeling and the ambition of cor
y tending military leaders, prevented that peacei
=, bic termination of those unfortunate dissenslon
u When Mexico refused to receive Mr.. s. as
I Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotent
d airy, The United States should have remembers
g that we had been the aggressors, that we ha
:, committed an act acknowledged as well by III
u practical law OF nations, as by common sen:
u and common justice, TO be tantamount to de-
= laraton OF war; and they should have waite
u with patience, till the feelings excited by o,
:, own conduct had subsidized.
. Gen. Taylor had been Instructed by the w
> Department, as early as May IS, l545, to cau'
y the forces under his command TO be put in pr
. sition where they might most promptly aud eff
i ciently act in defence of Texas, in the event tn
10 it should become necessary or proper to emplo
=. them for that purpose. BY subsequent instru1
II tons, and after the people Of Texas had accep
o ed the proposition of annexation, he was direc
g ed to select and occupy position adapted to r.
IT pei invasion, as near the boundary line, the Ri
T. Grande, as prudence would dictate; and tina
i with this view, part his forces at least shout
q be west of the river Nueces. II was certainl
= the duty OF the President to protect Texas q
u gainst Invasion, from the moment it had been al
" nexed TO the United States and as that republl
/, was in actual possession Of Corpus Christ
d which was the position selected by Gen. Taylo
} there was nothing, in the position he had takei
= indicative of any danger of actual hostllites.
i But our Government seems 10 have consdere
. the REFUSAL on the part of Mexico TO receive M
= Slidell a resident Envoy of the United State
r. as necessarily leading TO war. The Secretar
r. of State, in his letter to Mr.. Slidel of Januar
!. %, 1916, says -" Should the Mexican Cover
q ment finally refuse to receive you, the cup of TO
/ bearance will then have been exhausted. Mott