Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-07-29


quarters of the army operating ia Mexico. Nicholas p
Trs esq, with full powers conclude definite treaty
of peace with the Mexican United States.
likewise transmit to your exceencies, for communl-
cation to the sovereign Congress a copy of the answer
which the excellent President resolved in council
of ministers have made the above mentioned note
his exceency feeling assured that the august assembly,
which is reserved The determination the a to which
the present communication relates will despatch it with
the prompness and wisdom to be expected from its Patr
osm and its distinguished enlightenment.
epea. TO your excellences on this OCCASION the as
surances of my high consideration.
To his Ercelency the Minister of Foreign Relations
Of the Mericdn republic
DEPARrMENr STAE,
Washington, April Is. ls47.
SIR. have the honor TO acknowledge the receipt OF
your exceIencys note of the 22d February last, in an
mine Of the 18Th January, proposing, the part
Of the President of the United States Immediately TO "de
spach either to the Havana Jalapa, the Mexican
government may prefer, more of our most dsiin
gushed citizens, commissioners. clothed with full pow
TO conclude treaty of peace with similar commission
the part Of Mexico he shall he officially
informed that the Mexican government will appoint such
commissioner
The President deeply regrets the refusal of the Next
government accede this friendly overture, unless
the raising of the blockade of 1.-THE Mexican) ports
and the complete evacuation of the territory of the repub
lie by the invading forces shall be previously accepted as
preliminary condition."
The President has Instructed me to inform you that
this 'preliminary condition" is wholly nadmssIble-
Such condition is neither required by the honor nor
sanctioned by the practice Of nations iii were this would
tend prOlong wars, especially between conermnOus
countries until the the other power entirely
subdued No nation which. the expenditure of blood
and treasure, has invaded its enemys country and ac-
CURED possession of any considerable portion of his terri
tory, could consent to withdraw its forces, as pre-
lmnay condition TO the opening Of negotiations Tor peace
This would be a abandon all the advantages it
had obtained in the prosecution of the war; without any
certainty that peace would result from the sacrifice Nay
more should such negotiation prove unsuccessful, The
nation which had thus imprudenty withdrawn IFS forces
from the enemys territory, might not be able TO recover,
without of blood and treasure equal to that first ex
pended the advantageous position which it had voun:a
ly abandoned.
Fortunately for the cause of peace and humanity the
history of nations affords sanction such
preliminary condition The United States jealous
of their national honor any power the face OF the
earth and yet entered into the contemplation of
the great who administered government du
ring the period of last with great Britain, 10 in
that the latter should reIinquIsh that part Of terri
tory OF which she in actual possession, before they
wonld consent to open negotiations for peace On the
contrary they took the initiative, and appointed commits
soners for peace whilst portions of our Country
held by the enemy and is remarkable fact that
the treaty of Gsent concluded by the penpoensrIes
of the powers whilst the raging on both
sides and the most memorable of the conflicts to which
it gave rise took place upon own soil after the negoa-
tors had happily terminated their abors History Is full
of such examples. Indeed, far the undersigned Is
aware there be found, least in modern times
single except the present. in which has been con-
sidered necessary preliminary that an invading army
should be Withdrawn before negotiations for peace could
commence between the parties to the
1t would, also, be difficult TO find precedent for the
course pursued by the Mexican government in another
particular The President onxions avoid the now
existing minister Of peace to Mexico for this Pur-
pose After the Mexican forces had attacked the army OF
Gen. Taylor this side of the Rio Grande, and thus
commenced the war; the President actuated by the
pacific spirit, made repeated the government
of Mexico TO negotiate for Its termination: and although
he has from the beginning soemny declared before the
world that he desired but such just and
honorable for both parties the Mexican government
by refusing to receive minister in the first place. and
afterwards by accedng overtures to open Dego
taons for peace has afforded TO this government
even the opportunity of making known the terms on
which would be willing settle all questions IN dis
pue between the two republics. The never end
willis; Mexico refuses to hear the proposals which
va have always been ready to make for peace.
The President will again the offer to nego-
tiae-a least until he shall have believe that
would he accepted by the Mexican government Devoted
however, honorable peace, he determined that the
evils of shall he day longer than
shall be rendered absolutely by the Mexican re-
public For the purpose of carrying this determination
into eff with the least possible delay, he will forthwith
send ia the headquarters of the army in Mexico Nicho
Trs esq., the officer next in rank to the undersIgn-
ed in Department of Foreign Affairs commission
err invested with full powers to conclude denitlve ea
ty Of peace with the United Mexican States This gen
possesses the entire confidence of the President
aud is eminenty worthy of that of the Mexican gov
eminent
The undersigned refrains from all upon the
concluding paragraph, well some other portions
YOUR exceencys note because the strong which
he of their injustice towards the United States
could not be uttered in the friendly which he desires
to preserve in the present communication. He turn
from these, therefore, dweas he does with unegne'
\ peasure-upon the sentiment contained in an early par
of the same noe where the Mexican government express
es how painful disturbed the sincere friendship
which it cultivated with your lour] republic whose con
tnued progress has always admired and whose lnslllu
tons have served it a model
This feeling cordially recprocaed by the Pesi
dent whose earnest desire 1t is that the United Mexican
States under institutions similar to nay protec
i and secure he liberty of their people, and maintain al
e elevated standing among the nations of the EARTH
The undersigned embraces This occasion to offer TO you
exceency the of his most distinguished con
e sideration. JAMES BUCHANAN.
o TRANSLATION.
To his ercsency the Secretary q State OF the Unite
o States of America.
FEDERAL PALACE, June %, ls47.
The undersigned Minister of Internal and Foreign he
Iatons had honor receive your excelencys note
da,ed 18th of April sst in which you declare that hI
ex cellency the President of the United States intends
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