Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-02-13
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The Protocol subject.

WIsnlNcToS. Feb. 8, 1e49
10 the House Of Representatives Of TIC U States.
In rcply TO the resolutions Of the Iiousc OF
Representatives Of the 9Th instant, c"mmuni-
cate herewith report from the Secretary Of
State, accompanied with all the documents and
corr, spondence relating ~ the treaty oil peace
concluded between the United States and Mex
leo, at Guadalupe iidalgo, on the sd OF fcbru-
ary, lS48, and 10 the amendments OF the Senate
thereto, as requested by the House IN me sa'd
resolutions. -,
Amongst the documents transmitted VIII oe
found a copy Of the instructions gwen 10 me
Commissioners Of the United States VINO look
to Mexico the treaty as amended by the senate
and ratified by the President OF The Unllcd states.
In my message to the House Of Representatives
Of the 29lh of July, l645, gave as my reason
for declining TO furnish these instructions IN
compliance with resolution OF the House, lh2t
Sin nv opinion il would be inconsistent with The
public interest to give publicity to them at The
present time" Although il may still be doubt
ed whether giving them publicity IN our own
country, as necessary consequence 10 MEXICO
may not have prejudcal influence on our pup.
lie interests, yet as they have been again caIen
for.by the House, aud called for IN conneAioh
with other documents, TO the correct understan
ding of which they are Indispensable, | nave
deemed il my duty TO transmit them.
still entertain The opinion expressed IN me
message referred 10, that, as general RUE, aPP'i
| cable 10 all our important negotiations WIN o.
reign Powers, il could not fail 10 be preludlcial 10
The public interest 10 publish the instructions 10
our Ministers, until some time had elapsed ai'ei
| the conclusion oil such negotiations
10 these instructions oi The 18TH ot Marcn, io49,
-, :,.1d hat assigned
10 The Commissioners OF The United States OF con.
sum,naling the treaty OF peace, which was signed
al Guadaoupe Hidalgo on Inc ID day oil feoTn-
ary last, between The United States and the Mex-
can republic, and which on The l0h March last
was ratified by the Senate with amendments"
They were informed THAT this brief statement
will indicate 10 you clearly The line OF your duty.
You are not sent To Mexico for The purpose 0! ne
eotiaring any new treaty, or oi changing IN any
particular the ratified treaty which you VIII Dear
with YOU. None OF the amendments adopted oy
the Senate can be rejected or modlneo except oy
| The authority OF that body. Yonr wncie ouiy
| will, then, consist in using every honorable ell
| fort 10 obtain from the Mexican government a
ratification o! The ucay in The io'm 10 when u
has been ratified b. The Senate, and his win
the least pracIlcable delays "For this purpose,
il NAV. and mos. probably will, become hfces
sary ma. you should ex plain 10 the Mexican Mill
lister for Foreign Affairs, or 10 The authorized
ayenis of The Mexican Government, The reasons
which have influenced The Senate In Accepting
these scverai amendments 10 The treaty. This
duly you will perform as much as possible BY
PERSONAL conferences. Diplomatic notes are le
be avoided, unless iu case OF Gecessiiy. inest
nigh, lead 10 endless discussions ana inoennlit
delay. Besides. they could not nave any pfach
cal result as your MISSION is cohtlnso 10 Procar
inc ratification from the Mexican Government
Of the treaty as i, came from the Senate, and does
not extend 10 the slishles, modification in any
lis provisions"
The Commissioners were sen! 10 Mexico Il
nrocnre the ratification of the treaty as axeHde
Nv "a. Senate. Their instructions confined then
10 this poinr. II wanproperlha The amendment
10 The treaty adopted BY The United States shou'