The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-12-16


Mexican government.
Care was taken to give no instructions to the
commissioner which could in any way interfere
with military operations relax our energies in
the prosecution Of the war lie possessed no au-
thorty in any manner to control these operations.
He was authorized to exhibit his instructions to the
General in command Of the army; and in the event
of treaty being concluded and ratified on the part
of Mexico, he was directed to give him notice of
that fact On the happening Of such contingency,
and on the receiving notice thereof, the General in
command was instructed by the Secretary Of War
to SUSPEND further active military operations until
further orders. These instructions were given with
q view to internit hOstiiteS until the treaty thus
ratified by Mexico could be transmitted to wash
ingtOn, and receive inc acuo Vi lue government VI
the United States
SThe commissioner was also directed, on reaching
the army. to deliver to the General in command, the
despaches which he bore from the Secretary of
Stoto 70 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico,
and on receiving it, the General was instructed by
the Secretary of War to cause to be transmitted to
the commander Of the Mexican forces, with request
that it might be communicated to his government
The commissioner did not reach the head quar-
tiers of the army until after another brilliant victory
had crowned our arms ut CemO GordO.
The despatch which he bore from the Secretary
of War to the General in command of the army
was received by that officer, then at Jalapa, on the
seventh day of May, 1Sl7, together with the dcs-
patch from the Secretary of State to the Minister of
to him from Vera Cruz. The commissioner arrived
at the head quarters Of the army few days after
wards His presence with the army and his diplo-
matte character were made known to the Mexican
government from Pucbla, Oh the 18th OF June, 1877,
by the transmission Of the despatch from the Sec
rotary Of State to the Minister OF Foreign Affairs OF
Mexico
Many weeks elapsed after its receipt, and no
overtures were made, nor was any desire expressed
by the Mexican government to enter into neSotla-
tions for peace.
Our army pursued its march upon the capital,
and, as it approached it, was met by formidable re-
sistance. Our forces first encountered the enemy,
and achieved signal victories in the severely con-
tested battles of Contrcms 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 disposition to enter into negotiations for peace
and even then, as events have Proved there is too
much reason to believe they were insincere, and
that in agreeing to 60 through the forms OF negota
ton the object was to gain time to strengthen the
defenccs of their capital and to prepare for fresh
resistance.
The General in command of the army deemed it
expedient to suspend hostilities temporarily, by
entering into an arnistice with view to the open
ing of negotiations. Commissioners were appointed
on the part of Mexico to meet the commissioner on
the part of the United States. The result of the
conference which took place between these func-
tionarcs of the two governments was u failure to
conclude a treaty Of peace.
The commissioner of the United States took with
him the project of treaty already prepared, by the
terms of which the indemnity required by the United
States WAS a ccssion Of territory.
1t is well known that the only indemnity winch u
is in the power of Mexico to make III satisfaction oil
the lust and long deferred claims OF our clIHenS
against her, and the only means by which she can
reimburse the United States for the expenses OF the
war is a cession to the United States Of portion of
her territory. Mexico has no money to pay, and no
other means Of making the required indemnity It
VIC refuse this, we can obtain nothing else. 10 re-
iect indemnity, by refusing to accept ccssion OF
territory would be to abandon all our just demands
and to wage the war; bearing all its expenses, with
out q purpose or definite object.
state of war abrogatc5 treaties previously exist
ing between the beigerents and Il treaty of peace
puts an end to all claims for ndcnnityOr atrocious
acts committed, under the authority of one govern
meut against the citizens orsuhlects OF another I'M
less they are provided for i'll its stlpuiatlons. a
treaty of peace which would terminate the existing
war without providing for indemnity, would enable
Mexico tho acknowledged debtor and herself the
aggressor in the War-to relieve herself from her
Just liabilities. By such treaty, our citizens who
hold just demands against her, would nave no rem
edy either against Mexico or the!r own government
Our duty to these citizens must toreverprevent such
peace, and no treaty which does not provide ample
means of dschargng these demands can receive my
sanction.
A treaty of peace should settle all existing differ
cnCeS between the TWO countries IL an adequate
cesson of territory should be made by such treaty
the United States should release Mexico from ali
her liabilities, and assume their payment to ourowl
citizens IT, instead of this, the United States were
to consent to a treaty by which Mexico should again
engage to pay the heavy amount OF indebtedness
which lust Indemnity to our government and our
citizens would impose on her. it is notorious that she
does not possess the means to meet such an under
taking. From such treaty no result could be an
tcipatcd, but the same irritating disappointment
which have heretofore attended the violations Of
similar treaty stipulations on the part Of Mexico
Such treaty would he but temporary cessation
of hostities, without the restoration Of the friend
ship and good understanding which should charac-
torize fntnrc intercourse between the two countries
That Congress contemplated the acquisition Of
territorial indemnity when that body made provis-
ion for the prosecution Of the war, is obvious. Con
ercss could not have meant, when, in May, 1916
they appropriated ten millions of dollars, and au,
thorizGd the president to employ the militia and ma
val and military forces of the Cntod States and t.