Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-01-12
DrAcE WIT III VI L X &c o.
BY ALBERT GALLATIN.
(Continued.
IV.-Neeofiation and Var.

ment whether it would receive an Enroy
from the United States, entrusted with fuil
mower 10 adjust all the questions IN dis
n,,te between the two Governments
The answer Of Mr.. De la Pena y Pena
Minister Of the Foreign Relations Of MeXi-
co. was: THAT, although the Mexican
nation was deeply Injured by the United
States. though the acts committed by them
in the department Of Texas, which belongs
10 his nation, his Government was disposed
10 receive the Commissioner OF the tnlted
States who might come TO the capital, with
full powers from his Government 10 settle
the present dispute in peaceful. reason
able, and honorable manner thus giving
new proof that. even in the midst Of lis
injuries and of its firm decision TO exact
adequate reparatio:: fer them the Govern
ment Of Mexico does not reply with con
tumelv To the measures Of reason AMI
peace, to which ii was invited by its adj
yersary.
The Mexican Minister AT the Same ttne
intimatcd that the previous recall Of the
whole naval force ofthc United States, then
living in sight of the port Of Vera Cruz was
Indispensable; and this was accordingly
done by our Government.
But il is essential 10 observe that whilst
Mr.. Black had. according to hi, instruc-
fions, inquired whether the Mexican Gov
eminent would receive an EHrDg from the
United States with full power - adjust all
the questions In dispute between the two
Governments, the Mexican Minister had
answered that his Government was dis
posed to receive the Cnmna issioHcr Of the
United States who might come with full
powers 10 settle the present dispute in
peaceful. reasons able, and honorable man
ner.
Mr. Slidcll was. in November following.
appoint ID Envoy Extraordinary and Min
lister Plenipotentiary OF the United States
OF America near the Government Of the
Mexican Republic. and he arrived in Next
co on the sixth of December
Mr.. Herrera. the President Of Mexico
was undoubtedly disposed 10 settl,. the dis
pufcs between the two countries: bat. taking
advantage of the irritation of the mass 81
the people. his political opponents were
attempting to ovcrset him for having made.
as they said. unworthy concessions. The
arrival of Mr.. Slidcll disturbed him cx-
trencly. and Mr.. Pena Pena declared f.
Mr.. Black that his appearance in the capt
tai ut this time might prov" destructive To
the Government. and thus defeat tn whole
Herrera complained. without any iounda-
ton that MIR. Slldell had come sooner than
had been UNDERSTOOD: he rcsorted Il several
frivolous objections against the tenor of
his powers: and he minated that the dit-
ficultics respecting Texas must be adjust
ed before any other subject Of discussion
should be taken into consideration.
But the main question was. whether
ShotiI Mr. ~,
character Of Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotcntiary, 70 reside III TIL
Republic. 1t was insisted By the Mexican
Government that il had only agreed to re-
ceive a Commissioner to treat on the qu"s-
tons which had arisen from the events in /
Texas. and that until this was done the
suspended diplomatic intercourse could
not be restored. and residing Minister
Plenipotcntiarv be admitted
Why our Government should have in
sisted that the intended negotiation should
be carried on bv a residing Envoy Extra +
ordinary and Minister Plenipotclltiary is
altogether unintellgible. The questions
at issue might have been discussed and
settled as easily. fully. and satisfactorily
BY commissioners appointed for that >pe-
cial purpose. as by residing ministers or
ENJOYS. 1t is we'll known that. whenever
diplomatic relations have been superseded
by war. treaties OF peace are always ncgo-
hafed by commissioners appointed for that ,
special purpose. who are personally. amply
protected by the law otnatouS. bat who arc
never received as resident ministers I'll
after the peace has restored tn ordinary
diplomatic intercourse. Thus the trratv
of peace of 1898. between France and
England. was negotiated and concluded at
Paris by British commissioners. whom it
would have been deemed absurd 10 admit
as resident ENJOYS or ministers before !
peace had been made
The only distinction which can possibly !
be made between the two cases IS, that ,
there was not as vet actual war between =
Mexico and the United States But the
of Texas was no ordinary oc- ,.
currence- twas i most clear act of I'M ;,
provoked aggres>on; a deep and most III. !,
tcn>iVc INJURY: III fact. Il declaration 81 war.
il Mexico had accepted it as such. In !,
lieu ot this. that country had only resort j
ed To suspension OF the ordinary diplo- "
matte relations. Ii would seem as if our :,
Government had considered this az an No, !
Of unparalleled audacity. which Mexico :,
must be compelled 10 retract before any I
negotiations for the arrangement of exist ,
ing difficulties could take place: as an in i
sun 10 the Government and 10 fhe nation. II
which must compel tito assert lis Just rights \
and 10 arcnSe ITS injured honor n
General Herrera was not mistaken in his :
His Government was over =
set IN the latter end of the month of D.. =
,ember. 1S45. and fell into the hands ~ :.
hose who had denounced him Cor bax;,,r =
listened TO overtures of an arrangement II, :
he difficulties between the Two nations p
When Mexico felt its inability - con. .
end with the United States. and. instead !
II considering the annexation of Texas p
10 be. as ii really was. tantamount 70 a de- =
siarailon of war. only suspended the or +
lihary diplomatic relations between the =,
"o countries. its Government. if directed 8.
~ wise counse!s. and not impeded by y,