Daily American telegraph., 1852-01-13

correct which, as far as he could, he gave us a
letter for publication retracting the charge. He
also accompanied the delivery of that letter to us
with the declaration that he wished the world to
know that it was bis own free and spontaneous
act suggested by his own Sense of honor and
justice.
Further to explain to your Excellency why the
Mexican government was soc anxious to carry
through this arrangement, we should add that,
relying on the assurances given by Mr.. Clayton,
it had, in connection with and as part of this ar
rangement, made very advantageous settlement
with its domestic creditors for the reduction of
the interior debt and of the rate of interest there
on. Nor is it out of place here to remark that,
though that government has been SO much abused
for its failure to meet its engagements that fail
ure has been less from want of will than Of abil-
ity. A large portion of her indebtedness was
contracted during her revolutionary struggle,
and is similar in character to our own con
tinenta issues Though unable to pay, she
does not refuse to recognise her issues; and,
notwithstanding that she never received any
thing like an equivalent for them, she does
mot attempt, or manifest any disposition, to
repudiate or cut down the amount, without the
free consent Of the holders.
These terms being agreed upon, as above
stated, it was deemed important that they should
be approved and ratified by the Mexican Con-
gress. A special session was called for the pur-
pose. Owing to the breaking out of the cholera
in the capital with alarming virulence, consid-
cradle delay occurred. Meanwhile Gen. Taylor
died. and was succeeded by you, as Mr. Clayton
was by Mr.. Webster. On Mr.. Webster's adj
vent to the State Department, we called his
attention to the proposals made by us, as set forth
in our letters of the 18th and 10Th Of March.
1850 above quoted. We did not ask him to enter
into any written contract with us on the subject,
because adopting the views of General Taylors
Cabinet, we considered that he had no authority
to do SO. We do Mr.. Webster the justice to say
that he gave us no pledge that he would fulfil the
assurances given to the Mexican government,
through US, by your predecessor and his Secre-
tary of State.
We deemed it unnecessary to ask any such
pledge, and that to do so would be an impeach-
ment, not only of his integrity, but of the good
faith of the government.
Some time afterwards, we were told by gen.
tleman Of this city that Mr.. Webster had given
contract to the Earrings Brothers Co. We could
not believe it, and treated it as an idle rumor,
weak suggestion of his enemies On the follow
ing day, or few days later, the gentleman al
luded to assured us that he knew it to be fact
One of u.s. therefore, called on Mr.. Webster, who
refused to hold any further verbal communica
tons with us on the subject and told us to ad
dress him in writing. We accordingly addressed
him the following letter:
Mr. Green to Mr.. We5ster.
WASHINGTON, August 81, 1850.
"Hon. Daniel Webster, Sec'y Of State:
'.SIR: My friend, Mr.. 1. D. Marks, wrote to
me from Mexico, last winter, saying that, want !
ing funds, the Mexican government wished
to negotiate drafts on the government of the
United States for the two remaining install
ments under the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
and asked my aid to obtain an acceptance, so
as to make the drafts negotiable. My father,
who, in my absence, received his letter, applied
to the late administration, and it was understood
that the drafts would be accepted, payable at the
pleasure of the government, when al appropria-
ton was made by Congress; and that, as four and
a half per cent. would be allowed to the United
States for accepting, and the payment in advance
would save some ten per ceut mOre, the StCTc-
tary of the Treasury would, during the present
session, ask an appropriation to enable the gov
eminent to make the payment now, and thus save
the United States near or quite (half) mil
lion of dollars.
"With this understanding, Mr.. Marks has closed
q contract with the Mexican government, and
have lust received letter from him, saying that
as soon as he can be advised that the death Of
Gen. Taylor and the change in the Cabinet has
interposed no obstacle to the negotiation, he will
come to Washington and bring the drafts of the
Mexican government.
sWill you do us the favor to say whether you
are willing that the present administration should
carry into effect the understanding between your
predecessors and Mr. Marks, and oblge your
obedient servant, very respectfully,
"BEN. Z. GREEN"
Mr.. Webster TO Mr.. Green.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, September 2, 1850
aBen H. Green, esq, Washington:
"SIR: have received your letter Of the 31st
.ultimo stating that your friend, Mr.. l. d. Marks,
had closed contract with the Mexican government
for the payment Of the instalments due by the
United States to that government, pursuant to
the treaty Of Guadalupe Hidago, and inquiring
whether was willing that the present admins
tration should carry into effect the understan-
ding upon the subject between my predecessor
and that gentleman.
Gin reply, have to inform you that have
found no papers or evidence in this department
showing any such understanding with Mr. Marks