The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-03
The Merican commissioners 10 Mr.. Trist


The Merican commissioners 10 Mr. Trisf.
TRANSLATION ]
| House OF ALFARA, THE CHAPuLTEPEc CAUsEwAY,
September 8, lSi7
The undersigned commissioned by the government OF
the Mexican republic concert with your exceency an
arrangement Tor peace, placing in your hands the
counter proet which they have framed conormably to
the last instructions of their government think proper
accompany it with the observations contained in this
note which will tend 10 place in clearer light the pa
enc disposition OF Mexico in the contest which uniortu
natey separates both countries The 18th article OF the
prolet which your excelency pleased deliver to
on the 9th OF August last and which has been the sub
ec OF our latter conferences, relates to the cesson
the part OF Mexico, lst OF the State of Texas; 3D. OF the
territory tins side of the limits of that State extending
the lett bank of the Bravo and to the southern frontier
OF New Mexico; 3D. of all New Mexico; 4th, of the
two CALIFORNIA;.
The existing has been undertaken solely on ac-
count OF the territory of the State of Texas respecting
the act OF the said State by which it annexed the
North American confederation after having proclaimed
It's independence of Mexico The Mexican republic offer
ing Gas we have informed your excelency) consent,
Tor proper decentralization, to the pretensions OF the
government of Washington to the territory of Texas, the
cause OF the war has disappeared, and the war itself
ought to cease since there is warrant for its conn
To the other territories mentioned in the lth
ce ofyour excellencys dught right has heretofore
been asserted by the republic OF North America do
believed for II to assert any Consequently itcoud
not acquire them except by the right of conquest by
the title which will result from the cession or sale which
Mexico might now make But as we are persuaded
that the republic of Washington will not only absolutely
epel but will hold in adherence, the first of these titles;
and as, on the other hand, IT would be thing, and
contrary to every idea of Justice, to make upon a
people for other than because refused TO sell
territory which its neighbor sought buy, expect,
from the justice OF the government and people OF North
America, that the ample modification which have to
propose to the cesson of territory (beyond that of the
State of Texas) contemplated by the said article A, will
not be motive to persist in war which the worthy
General OF the North American troops has justly styled
unnatural.
In our conferences, we have informed your exceency
that Mexico cannot cede the belt which lies between the
left bank of the Bravo and the right of the Nueces The
reason entertained for this alone the full certainty
that such territory never belonged to the State OF Texas
is founded the great value the abstract which
is placed upon IT. II is because that belt together with
the Bravo forms the natural barrier for Mexico, both in
military and commercial sense; and the barrier OF no
State ought to be sought, and State consent to
abandon its barrier But in order to all for
trouble hereafter the government of Mexico engages not
to found new settlements or establish colonies in the
space between the two rivers; that remaining in its
present unnhabited condition, it may safe
guard equally to both republics. Pursuant to our in.
struchons the preservation of this territory condition
sine qua non OF peace. Sentiments of honor and deca
cy (Which your excelencys noble character will know
how worthily to estmae) even than calculation
the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of New Mexico. Upon this point
we deem it superfuous add anything to that which
had the honor to explain to you orally In our confer
ences.
The cession of Lower California, which would be of
little advantage to the republic of North America, offers
great embaTassmens to Mexico considering the position
of that peninsula opposite 10 coast of Sonora from
which II is separated by the gulf of Cortes Your
excellency has appreciated remarks this point,
and we have been graed to that you have yielded
to them. The preservation of Lower California would
be enough to make it indispensable keep part of Up
per CALIFORNIA; for, otherwise, that peninsula would be
without any communication by land with the rest of the
peciay for power like Mexico, which not maritime
proper equivaen Of that part Of Upper California which
extends from the 37h degree upwards not only allows
to the United States the acquisition of excellent coast
of farttIo l,nIo ,Lol
presents to the advantage OF extending to that limit Its
Oregon possessions The wisdom of the government of
Washington, and the praseworhy industry of the Amer
lean people, will know how to draw rich fruits from the
important acquisition which we now offer.
In the sth article of your excelencys draught, the
grant of free passage the isthmus of Tehuan
epec to the South Sea is sought in favor of the North
American citizens. We have orally explained to your
exceency that years since the government Of the
reference to this object which soon transferred, with
the sanction of the government to English subjects,
of whose rights Mexico cannot dispose Therefore your
eXcelency will not wonder that upon this point we do
not accede to the desires of your government.
We have entered into this plain statement OF the mo-
yes which the republic has, for agreeing to ALLEVIATE
all the territory asked OF beyond the State of Texas be-
cause desire that the North American governme mt
and people may be persuaded that partial refusal
does not proceed from feelings of aversion created by
the antecedents in this or by the suHerngs which it
has inflicted upon Mexico but rests upon considerations
dictated by reason and justice which would operate at
any time with reference to the most friendly nation, al
though relations of friendship with her might be of
the closest character The other changes which your
exceency will find in nter-draurht of minor
moment and we believe that there will be serious OBJ
lection to them. The subject contained in the 18th ar
Gle has before been mentioned in your excelencys
country We atter ourselves from the integrity of your
government that it will not refuse to contract an en-
gagement conformable to honor, and that good har
mony in which two neghborng people ought to live.
The peace between both countries will be established
with greater soldity, if friendly power, (Engandl
which has noby offered its good offices to Mexico and
the United States, the present contest will offer
to grant its guaranty for TIE faithful uhlment of the
treaty which may be concluded The Mexican govern
ment understands that it would be very proper to solicit
this guaranty
ceency that you will be pleased to communicate your
decision upon the counterdraught, which have the
honor to present to you, within three days
The good and salutary work opinion, reach
happy end if each Of the contendng parties resolves to
abandon of its original pretensions. This has al
ways been the and nation hesated, at such
uncture to make great sacrifices to extnguish the de-
e'ructive flame of war. Mexico and the United States
have special thus to act We confess not
withou, blush that exhibiting to mankind the
scandal of two Christian nations, of two republics in the
another all the harm can, by disputes about bounda-
RES when we have of land to people and TO
cultivate in the beautiful hemisphere where Providence
caused us to be born. We venture to commend these
considerations to your excellency, before you to
definite decision upon propositions
We consequently do ourselves the honor TO offer you
our devotion and respect.
JOSE j. DE HERRERA.
BERNARDO COUTO,
IGNACIO MORA VILLAMIL,
MIGUEL ATRlSTA1N.
1p hia noNrN al Ia