Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-08-04
To his Ercellency The Minister Of Foreign Re
intions Of The .Herican Republic.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
Washington, April Is. 1877.


SIR: have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your ExcelIencys note of the Odd
February last, in answer to mine of the 18th
January, proposing, on the part of the PreS-
dent of the United States, Immediately to ''dis-
patch either to the Havana or Jalapa, as the
Mexican Government may prefer, one or more
Of our most distinguished citizens as commits
sioners, clothed with full powers to conclude
treaty Of peace with similar commissioners on
the part of Mexico, as soon he shall he off
cially informed that the Mexican Government
will appoint such commissioners.
The President deeply regrets the refusal Of
Mexican Government to arcede to this friendly
overture. sunless the raising Of the blockade of
our the Mexican ports.and the comalete evac-
uation of the territory Of the Republic b, the in
vading forces shall be previously accepted az
preliminary condition.
The President has instructed me TO inform
YOU that this 'sprelmuary condition is wholly
inadmissibe. Such condi ion is neither bv
the honor nor sanctioned by the practice of ma
tione. IL it were. this would tend to proong
wars, especially between conterminous coun-
tries, until the one or the other Power was en-
tirely subdued. No nation which, at the ex-
pendlture Of blood and treasure, has invaded its
enemy's country and 1uired possession of anv
considerable portion of his territory could ever
consent TO withdraw its forces as preliminary
condition to the opening of negotiations for
peace. This would be at once TO abandon all
the advantages it had obtained in the prosecu-
ton of the war, without any certainty that
peace would result from the sacrifi e. Nav,
more: should such negotiation prove unsuc-
cessful, the nation which had thus i,nprudentlv
withdrawn its forces from the enemy's territory
ynIuhf moi no ahlo 10 u,,tb nf
blood and treasure equal to that first expended.
the advantageous position which it had voIn-
tarily abandoned.
Fortunately for the cause Of peace and hr-
manity, the history of nations at war affords
no sanction to such preliminary condition.
The United States are as jealous of their ma
tional honor as any POKER on the face of the
earth; and yet it never entered into the contem-
platiOn of the great statesmen who administer
ed our Government during the period of our
last war with Great Britain to insist that the
latter should relinqnish that part of our terrific
~ of which she was in actual possession be-
fore they would consent to open negotiations
for peace. On the contary, they took the ini-
fiative, and appointed commiss oners to treat
for peace whilst portions Of orr country were
held by the enemy: and it is remarkable fact
that the treaty of Client was concluded by the
Plenipotentiares Of the two Powers whilst the
warwas raging on both sides: and the most me
morable of the conflicts to which 4 gave rist
took place upon our own soil after the negota
tors had happily terminated their labors. His
tory is full OF such examples. Indeed, so far al
the undersigned is aware, there is not to bt
found, at least in modern times, single case
except the present, in which it has been con
sidered a necessary preliminary that an inva
ding army should be withdrawn before negotia
tions for peace could commence between th'
parties to the war.
1t would also be difficult to find preceden
for the course pursued by the Mexican Govern
ment in another particular. The President
IN ;ious to avoid the war now existing, sent
minister of peace to Mexico for this purpose
After the Mexican forces had attacked the arm.
of Gen. Taylor on this side of the Rio Grande
and thus commenced the war, the President
actuated by the same pacific spirit, made re
peated overtures to the Government of Mexc,
10 negotiate for its termination and, although
he has, from the beginning, solemnly declared
before the world that he desired no terms Blu
such as were just and honorable for both par
ties, yet the Mexican Government, 6y refusin.
TO receive our Minister in the first place, and af
forwards by not acceding to our overtures t
open negotiations for peace, has never afforde
to this Government even the opportunity Q
making known the terms on which we woul
be willing to settle all question in dispute be
tween the two Republics. The war can neve
end whilst Mexico refuses even to hear tn
proposals which we have always been ready
make for peace.
The President will not again renew the offe
10 negotate-st least until he shall have reaso