Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-05-20


Mexico herself: This acknowledgment; whether il
referred to Mexico then exsted or as 1t existed
under the Spanish Government, conveyed, in either
case no right to Texas if Spain had any to convey.
believe that Spain subsequently acknowledged the
independence of Texasi and, If the people of that
county feceived the grant of it from the OMIT Power
which could pausbly claim it, with a knowledge OF
facts, except themselves.
Mexico had no right to Texas, because she did not
originally possess any. did she acquire one
by consent of the people The joining of the Next
can COnfederacy, by Texas, no more made her a
province of Mexico proper, than the joining of the
American Confederacy made Vermont the property OF
South Carolina. Texas might, after 1885, have In
vaded Mexico with some show of reason, to compel
her to comply with the compact between them, or to
emancpate the people from the yoke of their military
tyrants. But Mexico, in the eve of reason guided
by the light of truth, had no plausible for
invading claiming Texas. Texas was faithful to
the Government and the compact 1t the mill
tary tyranis of Mexico who were the rebels In
these circumstances all the world had right to as
sist the Texans and it was highly honorable many
Americans that they did assist her. Theyhad bet
ter than Lafayette had in assisting America
than Commodore Porter and thousands of Americans
had for assisting Mexico against Spain; for the out
RACES which Santa Anna attempted npon the Texans
were tenfod more gross and tenfod less pallated by
any claim arising from Ongcontinued possession and
dominion, than those which England attempted
against us, or Spain against Mexico. Our Govern
ment had perfect right to assist tie Texans in
defending themselves against an unjust INVASION had
1t chosen to do SO; but In reality it maintained a
strict neutrality, Mr.. Webster truly asserted in his
correspondence Secretary of State.
OF course, IL without the least reasonable
foundation that Mexico protested against the union
of Texas with this country that she, in substance
declared war, by procaiming that she would consider
such union a declaration of war, and by withdraw
ing her own minister from Washington, and driving
ours from Mexico.
While she was ayowedly preparing TO invade US,
without any other declaration of war than the fore
going, Government, in spirit of amty and
berali.y, offered to send an enrog from the United
States, intrusted with full power to adjust all the
questions dispute between the two Governments -
This offer accepted by the Mexican Government,
without the least intmation that it accepted only
In part; although the language used was somewhat
different from that employed our side owing pro-
badly to the different habits and usagcs of the two
countries and the two languages.
Mr.. Slidell accordingly sent out as cur envoy
or minister, with full authority ito adjust all the
questions in dispute between the two Governments, s.
according to the very terms of the offer which Next
CO had accepted. She refused, however, to receive
him. on the pretext that she had only agreed to re-
ceive commissioner to treat upon the subject of
Texas alone, and that such the proposition of
our Government. That this pretext was false, and
aterthought, is proved by our original propo-
sition, made In the most explicit language, and
accepted without reservation; by the fact that the
counter-revolutlon. gotten up by Paroles and the
monarchcal and military parties placed ITS opposition
to Herrea on the ground of his disposition to nego-
tate about Texas. and not about other questions by
the fact that the Mexican minister, Mr. Pena Pena
in his letter TO Mr. Black, the American consul. of
October ID, 1915 spoke of 20 awaiting the issue of
the negotiation proposed by the United States and
r ito hoin tho ~
the pending QUESTIONS between Mexico and the United
States thus using the word questions the plural,
after the acceptance of our offer; and 1t is still more
conclusively proved by the fact shown in Mr. Black
letters, that in two interviews which he had with the
Mexican minister on the Sd and Sth Of ecember.
that minister endeavored 20 back of or put off
the agreement made with this country to receive
negotiator, he not then knowing the nature of Mar.
Slidells commission of the subjects ON which he
was 10 treat, otherwise than by the original compact
on the subject. He spoke of Mr.. Slidell as COM
missioner" but said the Government was taken BY
surprise in his coming that the opposition
are calling us traitors for entering into this arrange
ment with you;' and begged that the commissioner
might % not dsembark at that time least,
" not come to the capital" And it not until the
18th of December, when the Mexican Government
had had Mr.. Slidells credentials FIVE days in their
possession, that they pretended have discovered
excuse in them for doing what they had before shown
themselves disposed to do.
Waving the further consideration Of this dupciiy,
let us to the ultimatum of the two Governments
That of the American Government, as stated In Mr..
Buchanans letter of January 20, 1916, was, that the
negotiation, if entered on, must include the subject
of redress by Mexico Z" Of the real injuries Of our
citizens" instead Of being confined " to the adjust
ment of pecuniary indemnity of its (Mexicos 81
imaginary rights over Texas" The ultimatum OF
the Mexican Government, as stated by the Mexican
minister, Castillo Lanzas, on March IL, 1916, was,
that Mexico would "admit only plenipOteniiary
from the United States clothed with powers ad hoe
thai is to say, special powers. TO treat upon the ques
ton Of Texas aud upon this alone" 80 Upon thi.
point (said he) the resolve of the Mexican Govern
ment is immutabe."
Let us now consider which Government was in the
right in this matter. Mexico had for many years a
plratical sort of Government. France had seen fl
to capture Vera Cruz, order TO compel redress oil
injuries and England had sent another fleet for the
same purpose. Tie British fleet lay off the town,
and refused to depart until the Mexican Government
sent board of it the money which she had plum
dered from British subjects. England would mol
trust to promises, as we have DONE The Mexicans
have committed tcnfold greater outragcs and robbie
res upon the American nation and its citizens, than
upon the English the French, and continued them
for much longer period. They commenced plumber
ing citizens eighteen years ago, and con-
tinued it down TO about the commencement of the
present war. The whole amount Of claims is about
eight millions. Our Government having repeatedly
demanded an investigation and settlement of these
claims, without success, President Jackson, on the
9th of February, 1897, recommended to Congress Il
authorize reprlsals, and the of naval force
against Mexico, to enforce them, in case of further
refusal. On the 11th of April 1899, the Admins.
traion succeeded in concluding treaty with Mexico
which provided that two Mexican and two American
commissioners should sit at Washington, TO examine
the claims of American citizens on the Mexican Gov
eminent for spollations and that the cases of dsn