Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-12-10
DAVID FULTON, EDrrOx.
VOL. 4-.--NO. l3.

"'O J"S'J oHA " III long US re-
membered by their grateful countrymen. The
parental care of the government they loved
and served should be extended to their surviv-
ing families.
Shortly after the adjournment of The last
session of Congress, the gratifying intelligence
was received of the signal victory of Buena
Vista and OF the fall of the city of Vera Cruz.
and with it the strong castle of San Juan de
Ulloa, by which it was defended. Believing
that after these and other successes, so homo
rable TO our arms and so disastrous to Mexico,
the period was proptious to afford her anoth-
er opportunity, # she thought proper TO en-
brace it, to enter into negotiations for peace, a
commissioned was appointed to proceed TO the
headquarters of our army, with full powers to
enter upon negotiations, and to conclude just
and honorable treaty of peace. He was not
directed to make any new overtures of peace,
but was the bearer of despatch from the Sec
rotary of State of the United States to the Min
lister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, in reply to
one received from the latter of the 22d of Feb
ruary, 1S47, in which the Mexican govern
mcnt was informed of his appointment, and Of
his presence at the headquarters of our army,
and that he was invested with full powers to
conclude defnitlve treaty of peace, whenev-
ep the Mexican government might signify a
desire to do so. While | was unwilling to
subject the United States to another indignant
refusal, was yet resolved that the evils OF
the war should not be protracted day longer
than might be rendered absolutely necessary
by the Mexican government,
Care was taken to g We no instructions to
the commissioner which could in any way
interfere with our military operations, or re-
lax our energies i'll the prosecution of the war.
He possessed no authority in any manner to
control these operations. He was authorized
to exhibit his instructions 10 the General in
command of the army; and in the event of a
| 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 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 z lven with view to
ntermt hostilities, until the treaty thus rati-
| fed by Mexico could be transmitted to Wash.
| lngton, and receive the action Of the govern
ment of the United States.
| The commissioner was also directed, on
reaching the army, to deliver to the General
iE command the despatch he bore from the
Secretary of the State of the Minister Of For
Pign Affairs of Mexico, and, on receiving it,
the General was instructed by the Secretary
of War to cause it to be transmitted to the
commander Of the Mexican forces, with a
request that it night be communicated to his
government.
The commissioner did not reach the head
quarters of the army until after another bril-
| liant victory had crowned our arms at CerrC
Gordo.
The despatch which he bore from the Sec
rotary of War to the General IN command OF
! the army was received by that officer, then at
JaIapa, on the seventh day of May, 1s47. to-
gether with the despatch from the Secretary
| of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs oil
Mexico. having been transmitted to him from
Vera Cruz The commissioner arrived at the
headquarters of the army a few days after
wards. His presence with the army and his
diplomatic character were made known to the
Mexican government, from Pueba, on the
twelfth of June, 1847, by the transmission Of
the despatch from the Secretary of State to the
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico.
Many weeks elapsed after its receipts, and
no overtures were made, nor any desire ex
pressed by the Mexican government to ente
into negotiations for peace.
Our army pursued its march upon the CAPT
tai, and, as it approached it, was met by for
midabIe resistance. Our forces first encoun
tered the enemy, and achieved signal victories
in the severely contested battles of Conteras
and Churubusco. Il was not until after these
actions had resulted in decisive victories, and
the capital of the enemy was within our pow
or, that the Mexican government manifested
any disposition to enter into negotiations fo
peace; and even then, as events have proved
there is too much reason to believe they were
insinrere, and that in agreeing to go through
tho forms Of negotiation, the object was Il
gain time to strengthen the defences of theI
capital, and to prepare for fresh resistance.
The General in command Of the army deem
ed it expedient to suspend hostlIltles tempo
rariIy, by entering into an armistlce with Z
view to the opening of negotiations. Com
missioners were appointed on the part of Mex
leo to meet the commissioner on the part o
United States. The result of the conference!
which took place betw cen these functionarie'
of the two governments was failure to con
cIude treaty of peace.
The commissioner of the United State:
took with him the pro ect of treaty already
prepared, by the terms of which the lndemnl
ty required by the United States was cesslol
of territory.
1t is we'll known that the only indemnify
which it is in the power OF Mexico to make il
satisfaction of the Just and long deferred
claims of our citizens against her, and the on
" means by which she can reimburse tn
United States for the expense of the war, i
a cession TO the United States of a portion o
her territory. Mexico has no money to pay
and no other means of making the required
/ indemnify If we refuse this, we can obtain
nothing else. To jectindemnity, by refus
e ing TO accept a cession of territory, would b
to abondon all our just demands, and TO wag
r the war, bearing ali its expenses, without
: purpose or definite object
A state OF war abrogatcs treaties previous
: ly existing between the beIIigerents, and
e treaty of peace puts an end to all claims 10
, indemnity-for tortious acts committed, unde
the authority of one government against tn
| citizens or subjects of another, unless the
+ are provided for i'll its stpulatlons. A treat
of peace which would terminate the eNsstin
r war, without providing for indemnity, woul
enable Mexico-the acknowledged debto
p. and herself the aggressor in the war-to re
= lieve herself from her just liabilities. BY sue
. treaty, our citizens, who hold just demand
] against her, would have no remedy elthe
t against Mexico or their own government
\ Our duty to these citizens must forever pre-
5 vent such peace, and no treaty which doe
r not provide ample means of discharging thes
] demands can receive my sanction.
;, A treaty of peace should settle all existin
3 differences between the two countries. If a
adequate cession of territory should be mad
j by such treaty, the United States shout