The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-09
THE UNION.

from the Mexican government OF the treaty il
from the Senate and does not extend To the slightest
modification IN any OF lis provisions;
One oil the principal reasons which induced me 10
address a note TO the Mexican Minister for Foreign
Affairs explanation of the amendments OF the Senate
was to avoid delay and prevent unnecessary discussion
This noe dated the 18th instant, with copy OF
which you have been furnished together with your
intimate and personal knowledge of all the proceedings
OF The Senate the treaty. will enable you promptly
10 furnish every explanation which may he required.
Should you lind IT impossible, after exhausting every
honorable effort for this purpose. TO obtain raii-
ieatio1 from the President and Congress OF Mexico
OF the treaty, has been amended by the Senate.
may then become necessary for you, in conversation
with The proper Mexican authorities, TO express opn
ION as to what por,ion OF the Senaies amendments they
might probably be willing TO yield for the sake of
storing peace between the two republics. This will be
very delicate duty but upon one point at least you will
be relieved from all embarrassment Neither the Pres-
dent nor the Senate OF the United States
TO raty any treaty containing the tenth article OF the
treaty OF Guadalupe Hdago in favor of grantees of land
in Texas elsewhere The government OF the United
States do not the power carry such article
into execution; and il they did it would be highly unjust
sst in retaining this article then all prospect OF imne
daie peace ended and Of this you may give them
absolute assurance.
In regard the amendments made by the Senate to the
18th article of the treaty relation to the mode of pay
ment OF the $2 900 O00 il believed that the might
be different. That enlightened BODY would probably moi
insist these amendments, il should appear that they
involved the question OF peace That they may
involve this question is not mprobabe but of this you
can better Judge upon the spot than the President
| this distance.
1t is well known that the present Mexican government
are sorey sraened for want OF the pecnnary means of
support. Their have been rghtfuy seized by
the commanding general for the support Of the United
States army in Mexico; and they thus left compare
lively. without resources. The Mexican government is
pledged TO peace, They have staked their existence
upon peace. Without peace they must be destroyed 1t
may be, however that they sustain themselves in
making peace and executing the treaty without aniie
patng the receipt OF The whole part OF the $l2
Should this appear to you 10 be clearly the and that
they cannot obtain the necessary proong their
existence under the amendments of the Senate 10 the
18th article is not supposed you would incur any risk
by assuring them that the Sesaie would recede from
these amendments.
by the Senate contains positive and unconditional
obligation the part of the United States pay TO the
Mexican republic the sum of $l2,OOooOO in four annual
nsialmens OF three millions each, commencing year
after the ratification of the treaty by the Mexican gov
eminent Negotiable transferable certificates cannot,
however be issued for that amount All that this gov
eminent could possibly do under the treaty ii
stands would be TO furnish the Mexican government
with evidences Of the debt in exact conformity with the
terms of the article amended Upon such evidences
it is believed that the Mexican government might raise
the means necessary for their immediate support In this
belief the President may be mistaken, because capitalists
are timid Should it appear to the Senate that
such would probably prove be the fact is confident
believed that they would not risk defeat Of the treaty
by adherng to their amendments TO the twelfth article
The remaining amendments, although doubtless highly
proper, comparatively unimp0ant According the
Presidents understanding OF that portion Of the eth ar
Gle as originally stool whloh relates to the Catholic
Church. it contains nothing more than application
of the clauses contained in the Louisiana and Florida
treaties, and in the amendment OF the Senate to the
present treaty providing Tor the security Of the Catholic
inhabitants in the free exercise Of their religion with.
out restriction. In this view OF the subject, the amend
ment could not finally leopard the fate of the present
| treaty.
1t is not deemed necessary to remark particularly upon
the remaining amendments
Sill. repeat that until you find this to be unaaina.
ble you to insist strenuousy upon the ratification of
the treaty by the Mexican government just ii has been
ratified by the Senate You might, for this purpose urge
upon them The following together with
L. II this be DONE the war will be promptly ended and
the blessings of peace will be Immediately restored On
the other hand, should the treaty be hack the
President to be again submitted to the Senate, this
occasion considerable delay, and may altogether defeat
the object.
| q Should the war be renewed, the Mexican govern
ment again expect TO make peace terms
favorable those contained in the present treaty. In
the opinion of large and increasing number OF
these terms far less favorable TO the
United States than had right 10 expect The present
treaty negotiated substantially ia conformity with
the ultmatum of my instructions dated the 18th April
last, at period when we hal only Just learned the cap
ture of Vera Cruz and the castle Of San Juan dulloa
Between that period and the date of the treaty. crcum
stances had entirely changed and vast amount of pre-.
cous blood and of treasure had been expended in reach
ing and capturing the city OF Mexico. Whilst for that
reason the President might have Justly eyaced far more
that he promptly asssned to all the material provisions
of the present treaty and submitted it 10 the Senate
Should the war be renewed instead OF purchasing at
fair price portion OF the territories which we have been
obliged TO conquer, and which are now in our unds-
turbeI possession, and restoring the remainder to Mex
leo, shall be compelled to appropriate, without pc
cqniary compensation, a Just and ample indemnify in
Mexican territory for all the expenses Of the war.
Although the President has the most entire confidence
in your sagacity ability, and discretion, yet it is deemed
proper make suggestions to yoa in regard TO the
conduct which you ought pursue In accomplishing the
objects of your mission.
| The Mexicans sensitive and suspicious people
They are now humbled in their estimation by our
brilliant and repeated victories Their jealousy ough, to
be aayed by treating them, in all your intercourse with
which the Spanish attach such peculiar importance
ought to BE- strictly observed by you This will only
promote the success OF your mission. but may lay the
foundation OF lasting peace and sincere friendship be-
| tween the two republics
Whilst in Mexico you will communicate freely and
unreservedy with the commanding general of the Ameri-
forces who will be instructed to render you all the
aid in his power in accomplishing the object Of your
mission
You will bear with you copy OF the treaty with the
amendments OF the Senate ratified in due form by the
President of the United States, together with full rower
to exchange the raiiicaons with any Mexican authority
clothed with like iull power from his government to
perform this duty After the exchange Of notifications
you will TO the United States with the copy OF the
treaty, ratified by the Mexican government, which you
shall hare received
Should the Mexican government ratfy the treaty with
the amendment OF the Senate striking its tenth article
and should refuse to ratfy all any of the remaining
amendments, you will then, notwithstanding, urge them
to send without delay commissioner other diplomatic
agent the United States, clothed with full power ex
change notifications in the city Of Washington the
Senate should advise and consent 10 the ratification OF the
treaty in the form in which shall have been ratified by
Mexico.