The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-30


that since nsttuting this inquiry have had no other
conviction than such favorable to peace.
The people and their authorities, like the Supreme
Government have foreseen all the evils of prolonged
war Though disposed to favor any great effort that
could restore the briiancy of ii there
no alternative left, 80 long as there were means and
honorable means for obtaining peace they will not
fail to condemn unwse the conduct of the govern
ment which does not put an immediate end to their
suherings. The people have an unquestionable right
to demand security that they shall suffer more than
may be incidental to their condition 1t Is not merely
gross Injustice but an act also Of gross inhumanty,
TO compel them to pass through all the horrors OF
bloody contest after long years OF civii war
Thus satisfied and tranquil at time when, by its
policy, the government counting upon an Immense
majority Of the nation, immediately acceded TO the
desire of the American commissioner VINO proposed 10
resume the negotiations which had been suspended in
Of the unhappy circumstances Of Septem-
Der last as Congress is well advised The interior
President who succeeded me after the first term
of my administration appointed commissio ners en-
joyng his confidence, who discharged the duties of
their Offices with all the fidelity and loyalty which
reputation. But he had determined that no pro-
ceedings should be had until early in January. His
lowing the system which had pursued, he anxious
to ascertain the sentiments of the people Of the re-
public and such notifications they might have un-
dergonc guided not only by lessons drawn from our
condition but from the opinions of the press
Of both parties presenting it did the question under
a thousand different aspects.
No one during all this time could charge the Co
vernment with having attacked the liberty Of thought
Neither could any question its sincerity In obtain
matter of such transcendent Importance The duties
devoving upon it in consequence of the alternative of
not being adopted you yourselves gentlemen can
weigh with that calmness and GOODNESS which become
the discussion of subject nearly concerning the
dearest interests Of our unfortunate nation The YER
dict Of impartial history will surely not impeach my
motives, in consequence Of the great and wel-known
services which have been rendered since the fatal rup
ture with the United States.
The instructions given for my guidance at that time
as Minister Of Relations and to the commissioners OF
the republic though much more favorable, as was
In rpoS
definite character. The government, also, reserv-
ing to itself the right of modifying them according to
the information it might receive gave the comnis-
sioners full liberty to conclude the negotiations. with
the belief that neither in letter spirit any offence
was intended to our honor and that no compromise
was effected of which civilized people need to be
ashamed. Though very decided in favor of peace
ana disposed to make such sacrifices as
might demand the government never had any idea of
acceding to any conditions either humating or such
as should give to the negotiation character unworthy
of our independence. In the opinion of the govern
nent has its limits, and has peace. Even the
extreme misfortune of the nation could not to be
forgotten that regard consideration which
one nation and one government owes to anothcr-the
more important in the ordinary pacific relations of the
two in proportion to the msfortunes which may visit
either. And here, gentlemen ] should inform you
that the propositions of have proceeded directly
from the government of the United States. They
have sent Ministers Pcnipotentiary to this republic
who have commenced negotiations and there has been
no single act of the Mexican government. in the
course Of them which be characterized as either
meanness weakness
The Minister of Relations will transmit to tho two
Chambers all the documents which may be necessary
for the national interests we'll the articles Of the
treaty. signed at Guadalupe on the I'd Of February
last. YOU yourselves. win be convinced rs the
Government is that the territorial cession less than
could be expected, than could have been agreed
upon. Neither was there any ground to expect that
the United States would in any respect modify their
pretensons. The limits of Texas. of Upper Califor-
MIA and new Mexico are of such great interest and
Importance that the Government of the American
Union has announced before its Congress. that with
out the cession Of the said territories it will continue
the war on the plan indicated by the Presidents mes
sage of the 9th Of December Of the last year. The
negotiation, then, cannet be condemned in conse-
quencc gifts not having diminished the loss Of terri
tory taking into consideration the advantages Of
Perhapsit will deserve praise for having succeeded in
obtaining that additions have been made to the
original caimsthc capital being lost and the army Of
the 18th of September disbanded
Had the government been able to indulge any we'll
founded hope that that of the United States would
cede from demand to which had legitimate title
its conduct would have been different il would have
reserved the treaty for more opportune season But
declaration solemn. and the repeated assurances
OF the American Minister, leave room whatever to
doubt that any peace was utterly out Of the question
which did not involve the cesson of the territories
mentioned The government and its pie nipotentiares
have nevertheless enforced and defended the justice
OF the nation. and can declare to you that nothing
which they ought to have done has been omitted
Subsequent events, which well known show in the
cearest manner that the acted with judg
ment in designating the time in which negotiations
should CONNIE nee and be concluded
The armistce which followed the negotiation of the
treaty and the immediate reestablisnent of consti
tutona order in all its branches the ample guarantees
character that Of American citizens should reside
in the territories cededthe suppression Of the Indian
tribes which should make ncursons upon our frontier
the indemnity of fifteen millions OF dollars and the
payment to be made by the government Of the United
States for claims liqudated and pending against the
republic-the solemn promise to assuage II at any time
there shall be occasion the calamites of well
to respect the well known rights of humanity and of
sosietyand finally the closing stipulation, that the
dividing line established by the fifth article shall never
be changed. except by the full consent of both repub
lies expressed through their general governments in
cont itv with heir respp
these considerations give to the negotiation all the dig
nifty well a all the security that could be demanded
in this class Of transactions.
If the government has found itself compelled to re-
spect acts thus contaminated without insisting upon
compliance with our tariff rates treasury laws
when the question of the introduction of goods into
custom houses in the interior of the republic
under discussion. it has resulted alone from n well
tabshed principle that no treaty is to be regarded as
possessing force value until 1t has been duly
titled. Such stpulations rs have been made on these
points Of the treasury and commerce will be readily
explained on the principle mentioned and by the prac
tcc generally adopted in all countries under similar
circumstances
The treaty, gentlemen, concluded by our plcnipo-
tentares in the city of Guadalupe is submitted to the
judgment of the national representatives Of public
opinion, and to the verdict of foreign nation. The
termination Of a war such n, we have suffered, the
changes which ii has produced interesting to the
whole world They merit the examination Of the
philosopher well as the politician and from their
very nature constitute new period of vital impor-
lance to the republic. Justice. humanity. convenience
and honor present. under different aspects treaties
celebrated between two nations and according to the
dominant feeling, they regarded rs advantageous
detrimental. Opinions in consequenc vary con-
sideraby; and it is by no means easy to weigh the
disadvantages of the extremes. and make choice in
the scale of cool reason and calm calculation Never
thcless the treaty of Guadalupe whatever Judgment
may be passed upon it, either by the present genera
tion by that which may succeed will never be cen
sured dshonorabc oppressive to the liberty and
sovegnty fthe nation. IL cannot be pronounced un
worthy of noble misfortune and Of generous feelings
The Mexican republic has treated the United States
and they with IT, Independent people The spirit
with which the negotiation has been conducted might
be cited to show that we do not deserve all the
charges which have been made aganst us during the
True fertile and beautiful portion of soil
is ceded-a portion Of considerable extent and con-
tanning the elements of new and fourishing States. ]
do not wish to conceal the truth at moment so
socmn-nuch less the profound regret occasioned in
my bosom by the separation Of Upper California and
New Mexico from the national Mexican Union. ! do
thnri af intc-