The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1847-12-17

within our power, that the Mexican Govern
ment manifested any disposition to enter int
any negotiations for peace; and even then
events have proved, there is too much reason
% believe, they were insincere; ard that II
agreeing to go through the forms of Degotla
ton, the object was to gain time TO strengthen
the defences of the Capital, and prepare 'o'
fresh resistance. The General in command
of the army deemed it expedent to suspend
hostiities temporarily, by entering into ar
armisice, with view to the opening OF ne
gotiations. commissioners were appointed
on the part of Mexico to meet the Commls
soner on the part ofthe United States. The
result of the conference which took place be-
tv cen these two functionories Of the two gov
ernments was failure to conclude 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 was
cession Of territory.
Il is well known that the only indemni
Is which is in the power of Mexico to
make in satisfaction for the just and long
deferred claims of our citizens against
her. and the only means by which she can
reimburse The United States for the ex
penses Of the war, is cession to the u
states Of portion Of her territory Mexl>
hos / -,
means Of making The required indemnity.
" we refuse il we can obt am nothing else
To reject indemnity by refusing to accept
a cession Of territory, would be to aban.
don all our just demands, and to wage the
war, bearing all its expenses, without
purpose, or definite object.
A state Of war abrogates treaties pre-
viously existing between the belligeren,s;
and treaty Of peace puts an end to all
claims for indemi y for tortuous acts com.
nitted under the authority ofone govern.
ment against the citizens and Subjects of
no'her unless they are provided for in
is sIpulations A treaty of peace which
would terminate the ex is ing war, with
lut providing for indemnl,y. would en- able
Mexico, an Acknowledged debtor. and
'erself the aggressor in the war, to relieve
'erself from her just liabilities BY snch
treaty, our citizens who hold inst de
usnds against her, would have no remedy
or lhcm ell her against Mexico or their
rwn gnvcrnmrnt Our dnly to these cii.
.F"s must forever prevenr such a peace;
md no treaty winch does not provide am
,le means Of dischargng these demands,
IAN receive my sanction.
A treaty Of peace should settle all ex
sting differences between the two coun,
ries, an adequate cession ofterritory
re made by such a treaty, the United |
Sta tes should release Mexico from all bel
liabilities, and assume their payment to
'nr own citizens. IT, instead of this, the
United States were to consent to treaty
y which Mexico should again engage to
'ay the he heavy amount of such indebt-
rnme nj aud cirz-ns wonld impose on her,
is notorious that size does not possess
he means to meet such an undertaking
rom such treaty, no result could be
but the same irritating dis.
ppointments which have heretofore at
end The violations of similar treaty stipn,
atoms on the part of Mexico. Such
reaty would be but a temporary oessa-
n of hos 'IlIles withuu she r. storatiuu
{ the friendship and good understa anding
'hich should characterize the int ercourse
etween he two countries.
That Congress contemplated the ac,
eptance of territorial indemnity, when
nat body made provision for he prusecu.
ION OF the war, is obvious. Congress
onld not have meant, when IN May lS46
ley appropriated ten millions of dollars.
nd authorized the President to employ
De militia and naval and military forces
lre Uniied States, and to accept the
-rvlces of fifty thousand volunteers, to
naole tilm 10 prosecute the war, and W hen
I their last session, aud after our army
ad invaded VI xlco. they made addition
appr prlatins, and authorized the
'islhg OF additional troops for the same
Irpcse, that no indemnity was to be ob
.lned from Mexico at the conclusion of |
le war; and yet it was certain that az no I
exican territory was acquired, that no I
demnlty could be obtained. ,
ltls further manifest that Congress con. i
mplated territorial ndemnity, from the
CT that at their last session an act was q
assed upon the executive recommends. I
on, approprIatlng three millions of dol. 8
RS with that express object. The appro. I
iation was made to enable the President
conclude treaty of peace, llmlts, and {
'undar,es with the Republic of Mexico, /
be used by lin 10 the event that SAID /
eaty, when slgned BY the authorised a