1
r.. rrrA? -tie "
hi m m &
The whole art of Government consists in the' art of being honest. Jefferson.
I
l!
VOL 7.
STROCJDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY, PA., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1840.
No. 27.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
.. FclloW'Cilizens of the Senate
and House of Representatives :
In resuming 3oqr labors in the service of the
People, it is a subject of congratulation that there
lias been no period of our past history, when all
the elements of national prosperity have been so
fully developed. Since your last session no af
flicting dispensation has visited our country ; gen
eral cood health has prevailed ; abundance has
crown'd the toil of the husbandman; and labor in all
its branches is receiving an ample reward, while
education, science and the arts are rapidly enlarg
ing the means of social happiness. The progress
of our country in her career of greatness, not only
in the vast extension of our territorial limits and
the rapid increase of our populatian, but in resour
ces and wealth, and in the happy condition of our
people, is without example in the history of na
tions. As the wisdom, strength and benificencc of our
free institutions are unfolded, every day adds fresh
motives to contentment, and fresh incentives to
patriotism.
Our devout and sincere acknowledgments are
T-r" " " i.iiiii'wijjnii u j-. l'hii Asia i -U'lJJUiaj mrm aim rs. i-irm mmj imm
behalf of its citizens, but these were answered by
tne perpetration of new outrages. Promises of
redress made by Mexico in the most solemn forms
were postponed or evaded. The files and re
cords of the Department of State contain conclu
sive proofs of numerous lawless acts perpetrated
upon the property and persons of our citizens by
Mexico, and of wanton insults to our national flag.
The interposition of our Government t c obtain
redress was again and again invoked, under cir
cumstances which no nation ought to disregard.
It was hoped that these outrages would cease,
and that Mexico would be restrained by the laws
which regulate the conduct of civilized nations In
their intercourse with each other after the treaty
of amity, commerce and navigation of the 5th of
April, 1831, was concluded between the two re
publics; but this hope soon proved to be vain.
The course of seizure and confiscation of the
property of our citizens, the violation of their per
sons and the insults of our flag pursued by Mex
ico previous to that time, were scarcely suspend
redress had been demanded, should be communi
cated to the Government of the United States by
the Mexican Minister at Washington.
These solemn assurances, in answer to our de
mand for redress, were disregarded. By making
them, however, Mexico obtained farther delay.
President Van Buren, in his annual message to
Congress of the fifth of December, 1837, states
that 'although the large numbers' of our demands
for redress, and "many of themaggravrjfrd cases
of personal wrongs, have been now for years be
fore the Mexican Government, and some of the
causes of national complaint, and those of the
most offensive character, admitted of'immediate,
simple, and satisfactory replies, it is only within
a few days past that any specific communication
in answer to our last demand, made five months
ago, has been received from the Mexican minis
ter;" and that "for not one of our public com
plaints has satisfaction been given or offered ;
that but one of the cases of personal wrong has
been favorably considered, and that but four cases
vor of the claimants under the Convention of the ' was composed of a number of sovereign States,
confederated together m a federal Union similar
to our own. Each of these States had its own
Executive, legislature and judiciary, and, for all
except federal purposes, was as independent of
the General Government, and that of the otin-r
States, as is Pennsylvania or Virginia under our
Constitution. Texas and Coahuila united and
formed one of these Mexican States. The Stat.-
Constitution which they adopted, and which was
approved by the Mexican confederacy, asserted
ed for even a brief period, although the treaty so I of both descriptions, out of all those formerly pre-
oilmiiv uuinsub me rights and mines ot the re-' sented, and earnestly pressed, have as yet been
spective parties that it is impossible to misunder-! decided upon by the Mexican Government."
eleventh of April, 1S39, was to be paid to them
on the thirtieth of Aril, 1843, and "the principal
of the said rewards, and the interest accruing
thereon," was stipulated to "be paid in five years,
in equal instalments evey three months." Not
withstanding this new Convention was entered
into at the request of Mexico, and for the pur
pose of releiving her from embararsment, the
claimants have-only received the interest due on
the 30th of April, 1843, and three of tvventv in
stalments. Although the payment of the sum that they were "free and independent of the other
thus liquidated, and confessedly due by Mexico! Mexican United States, and of every other p;w
to our citizens as indemnity for acknowledged ' or and dominion whatsoever;"' and" prclauned
acts of outrage and wrong, was secured by trea-I the great principle of human liberty that "t!uv
ty, the obligations of which are ever held sacred j sovereignty of the State resides originally and
bv all just nations, yet Mexico has violated this essentially in the general mas of the individ.iaU
solemn engagement by failing and refusing to who compose it." To the Government under
make the payment. The two instalments due i this Constitution, as well ns to that under the
in April and July,1844, under the peucliar circum- Federal Constitution, the people of Texas owed
stances connected with themdiave been assumed i allegiance.
ny tne unued Mates and discharged to the clai- immigrants from foreign countnes,i:ieludmg the
ited bv the colonization laws
the Federal Government to
j mauls, but they are still due by Mexico. But this U. States, were invi
' is not all of which we have just cause of com-1 of tlie State and of
plaint, lo provide a remedy the claimants whn.n ' settle in Texas. Advantageous terms were ofT-
m. In less than seven years j President Van Buren, believing that it would be j cases were not decided by the joint commission . ored to induce them to leave their own country
of that treaty our grievances vain to make any farther attempt to obtain redress under the Convention of April the 11th, 1S39, it; nnd bec;ome Mexican citizens. This invitation,
our citizens, in nie i.m
Inn tn fko rrr; fiiwr of nil Ovvwl fnrlliPnmn. sulnQ 0F ""StOKC UlClIl
IwlnvPil mirv :alter "e conclusion
ovs 1 "ad become so intolerable that, in the opinion of 1 by the ordinary means within the power of the , was expressly stipulated by the sixth article of . was accepted by many of
It is a source of hiirh satisfaction to know that 1 L 'ion, mey snomu no longer oe en-, executive, communicated tins opinion to Uon- j tne dum or January, i& w, that "a new uonven- mttn mat in their new home they would be gov-
the relations of the United States with ail other j aiir(J 1,1 ms Message to Uongress m February, 'gress, m the message referred to, in which he tion shall be entered into for the settlement of erned by laws enacted by representatives elected
nations, wi.h a single exception, are
amicable character. Sincerely attachec
Tinlir.r nt noacp. narlv sirlnntPfl nn1 cf-pnHIln- nur
ed by this Government, 1 have anxiously oesired i aii;u aiJU unavailing uppiicauons lor re-; mannesteu ny tne iuexicau uovernmeni, it has mission, wuicu met in me city oi Washington, 1 rupuonc mey nan ion. umser a viovernrntMu.
to cultivate and cherish friendship and commerce 1 (irCti? ine wanton character or some ot the outra- become my painful duty to return the subject as j and ot all claims ot the Government and citizens . thus organized they continued until the year 1cm..
with every foreign Power.
of the most 1!J' he presented them to the consideration oi , said : "On a careful and deliberate examination all claims ot the Government and citizens of the by themselves, and that ther lives, liberty, and
i to the ' l. uy miy declared that "I he length ot time of the contents, (of the correspondence oi the ! United fctates against the republic of Mexico property, would be protected by constitutional
... j bince some ot the injuries have been committed, i Mexican Government, Vane considering the spirit , which were not finally decided bv the late coin- iruaranties similar to those which existed m i n;
The spirit and luibits es UP0U tnp property and persons of our citizens, ' it now stands, to Congress, to whom it belongs, to of Mexico against the United States."
tii i;t. ;. ii..t
t t i ? i i i i .i
. v. juiu n military rnvojution oroue out in iviexirn,
of the Arnerican neoDlenrp f ivnmblp to thp mnm-' uPon tno ofheers and flag of the United Stales, . decide upon the time, the mode, and the measure ! In conformity with this stipulation, a third which entirely subverted the Federal and Stato
tenance of such international harmony. In ad- in"ePei,teilt of recent insults to this Government of redress." Had the United States at that time j Convention was concluded and signed at the city Constitutions, i
hering to this wise policy, a preliminary nnd
paramount duty obviously consists m the protec-
and placed a military dictator at
and people by the late extraordinary Mexican adopted compulsory measures, and takoti redress 1 of Mexico on the 20th November, 1813, bv the ! the head of the Government.
Minister, would justifv in the eyes of all nations 1 into their own hands, all our difficulties with j Plenipotentiaries of the two Govenments.bv which ' Bv a sweeping decree of Congress subsfrvi-
tinn of nur nntionnl intprpst fmm nnrrvwrlnnnnt-! immediate war." In a spirit of kindness and Mexico would probably lonir since been ad iusted, I provision was made for ascertaining and pavine- ont to the will of the dictator, the several Statu
or sacrifice, and our national honor from reproach. ' forbearance, however, he recommended reprisals and the existing war been evaded. Magnanimity ; these claims. In January, 1644, this Convention Constitutions were abolished, and the State.
i r n ll.lna - . I 1 I I I t T . 1 T . 1 J 1.1 r f II .1 11 . a I IT 1 ri . . .4 1. 1 a J . . 1 ... .
These must be maintained at any hazard. They ' a a UIIluCi juuu 01 reuruss. ne ueciareu mat ana mouerauon on our part only had the enect to , was raiineu ny tne senate ot ine united states ineiuseives convrrieu into more eeparimpnts o
admit of no compromise or neglect, and must be ' war snou n9fc e used as a remedy "by just and complicate these difficulties, and render an ami-1 with two amendments, which were manifestly the Central Government. The j eople of Texn -scrupulously
and constantly guarded. In their ' generous nations, confiding in their strength for cable settlement of them the more embarrassing, j reasonable in their character. Upon a reference U'ere unwilling to submit to this usurpation. Ke.
viuilant vindication, collision and conflict -with "'juries committed, if it can be honorably avoided," 1 That such measures of redress, under similar of the amendments proposed to the Government sistance to such tyranny became a high duty
- . . t in 11 f All tilt in. ..n..w...J 1 A. : I I A . A IT 1 x 1 . J' . I 1 ll 4 I 1 . I I XT" i..' I I ' 'l'-irtm- t a I lit a . I i-.,,. II . ..
enmohmoc honnmo nnovniri. . auut,u, 4L ildo UCUU11CU LO II1G LilllL. COIlSlUer- UrOVOCiiLlOnS- COrninirTPn V ilTlV Oi Lllfi DOWfJriUl Ui iUC.VJCU. LI1H b'illllK evUKinns. flimcil 1L1PS HULL UK- J I'AdO uo H11JV tlUMUVCU UUIIIUU IIIti 11 MCt: LU
j that an act be passed authorizing reprisals ami by the United States from the Mexican authori-; hnxc sufibrcd and patiently endured from Ifexico the month of March, 163G, ias.ued a formal de-
tnrnifrn I'nirora mav
Jva.WJtk SW ill", y UVlllUbtUJVJ KJy,sJHl UiiUii iU I . J J -3 ' J J I : ' 7 , mr 1
. . . . w (...K i i I-.- t , (i n iii r .i i i i i i i i i i . n l r r .
able. Such has been our scrupulous adherence ' U1U pr'-aunc emuarrai-seu condition ot that nations ot fcurope, would have heen promptly re- lays were interposed which have so long mariced osnirai uovcrnment or iiexn:o irom me mo
to the dictates of justice, in all our foreign inter-' counfr3" "e should act with both wisdon and mod-' sorted to by the United States, cannot be doubted. : the policy of that Government toward the United ; ment that Government had abolished her State
course, that, though steadily and rapidly ad van-! eratin giving to Mexico one more opportuni-f The national honor, and the preservation of the ' States. It has not even yet decided whether it ' constitution in its place substituted an arbitrary
cing in prosperity and power, we have n-iveti no f3r t0 alone for the past, before we take redress national character throughout the world, as well : would or would not accede to them, although the ;i'i despotic Central Government,
just cause of complaint to any nation, and have ",t0 our mvn j,fu0'-c; To avoid all misconception as our own self respect and the protection due tof subject has been repeatedly pressed upon its con-' Such were the principal causes of the Texan
enjoyed ihe blessings ofpeace for more than thirty .! 011 tne lKUt of Mexico, as well as to protect cur our own citizens, would have rendered such a sideration. " revolution. The people of Texas at once lie-
ycars. From a poficy so sacred to humanitv, and 1 0W1 natlon:il character from reproach, thi3 oppor- resort indispensable. The history of no civilized j Mexico has thus violated a second time the faith ', termincd upon resistance, and ftew to arms. In
so salutary in its effects upon our political system, ! tmuty should be given with the avowed design nation m modern times has presented within so ' of treaties, by failing or refusing to carry into ef- the midst of these important and exciting' events,
we should nevei be induced voluntarily "to de- 4 a.nt 'u PrePanition to take immediate satisfac- brief a period so many wanton attacks upon the ' feet thesixth article of the Convention of Janu-' however, they did not omit to place their liber
narL tion, if it should not be obtained on a repetition honor of its flag, and upon the property and per-1 ary, 1S43. I ties upon a secure and permanent foundation.
- 1 . rn i it- i' r " . . -i . i ' n i" .1 t. s - i (fill. t
The cxisliu"- war with Mexico was neither OI uie uuminu I0r ll- -to this end J recommend sens or its citizens, as had at that tune uecn nornc c?ucn is tne history ot the wrongs which we; - -y elected memners to a convention, who. u
desired nor provoked by the United States,
the contrary
to, to avert
gravated and
Mexico, in vi
and of every
civilized nations.
bv her own act. forced this war nnnn n T.nnn- i vessels of war on the coast of Mexico."
before the advance of our army to the left bank or ! Committees of both Houses of Congress, to new negotiation was entered upon with lair pro- outrages were constantly occurring, which have 1'can Constitution. About the same time, Santa
the Rio Grande, we had ample cause of war , Avnicn the message of the President was referred, mises on the part of Mexico, but with the real j continued to increase our cause of complaint and Anna then the dictator of Mexico, invaded Tex
against Mexico; and had the United States resor- j "u sustained his views of the character of the purpose, as the event has proved, of indefinitely j to swell the amount of our demands. While the u with a numerous army for the purpose of sub
ted to this extremity, we micht have annealed to wrongs which we had suffered from Mexico, and postponing the reparation which we demanded, citizens of the United States were conductin'r a 1 dumg her people, and enforcing obedience to his
whole civilized world for the im-tiee of our ' recommended that another demand for redress ' and. which was so justly due. This negotiation, .lawful commerce with Mexico under the ffuarantv arbitrary and despotic government. On the 21st
in the . of a treaty or "amity, commerce.and navigation." t ot" April, 1836, he was met by the Texan citizens
On
I A I If" TT 1 t - 1 . " I 1 1-.--- T I T 1 1 I ft s I A a 1 T t t 1 . - I
all honorable means were resorted " u OI u,e navai lorce or tne united estates, oy tics anu people, isut Jicxico was a sister lie-, mrougn a long serious ot years, fco lar irom j ciarauon mat tneir "political connection with the
it. After years of endurance of ar-'' .e ccutive against Mexico, to enforce them public, on the iNorth American continent, occu-' affording reasonable satisfaction for the injuries ; Mexican nation has forever ended, and that the
unredressed wrongs on our part, ' 111 ine event 0t a refusal by the Mexican uovern- pymga territory contiguous to our own, and was and insults we had borne, a great aggravation of people ot lexas do now constitute a trice, sov-
olation of solemn treaty stipulations, u,ei,t l come io an amicauie adjustment ot the m a iceute and distracted condition : and these : them consists in the tact, that while the United kkkign, and independent Rwunucand are fully
principle of justice recon-nized by : matters in controversy between us, upon another considerations is presumed, induced Congress to States, anxiou3 to preserve a good understanding , invested with all the rights and attributes which
enmmpnripH JinnUfip- nnH time : demand thereof, made Irom on board one ol our forbear stiil lonjrer. with Mexico, have been constantly, but vain I v. properly belong to independent nations. ' They
the
cause.
Instead of taking redress into our own hands.a i employed in seeking redress for past wrom'smew , so adopted for their government a liberal repub-
I should bo made before authorizing war or repri-" after more than a year's delay, resulted in the ! of a treaty or 41 amity, commerce.and nav'ioration." t ot" April, 1836, he was met by the 'I
I deem it to be my duty to pre.ent to you, on , sals- ine Committee on Foreign Relations of Convention of the 11th of April, 1P39, " for the many of them havesuftered all the injuries which soldiers, and on that day was achieved by them
the present occasion, a condensed review of the j Senate, in their report, say : u After such a adjustment of claims of citizens of the United have resulted in open war. This treaty, instead the memorable battle of San Jacinto, by which
injuries we had sustained, of the causes which led iuyuj,tIlu' B"ou,u prompt justice oe reiuseu ny we oiaies or America upon the Government or the ot anording protection to our citizens, has been wey conquereu tneir inaepenuence. uonsuier-
Com- the means of inviting them into the ports of mg the numbers engaged on the respective sides,
exam- j Mexico, that they might be, as they have been in History does not record a more brilliant achieve-
to the war. and ot its nrnnrpss Rinr its mm. iuexican government, we may anneal to an na- mexican ltenuDlic. The lomt Uoard o
. A. ,. . l.l 1 1 . . . .
This is rendered tliemore necpssa- "on?, not Oiiiy lor the equity and moderation witii missioners created hy this Uonvention to
use of the misapprehensions which have which we shall have acted toward a sister repub- ine and decide upon these claims was not organi-' numerous instances, plundered of their property, went. Santa Anna himself was among the cap-
extent nrevftilp.ri ! tn hk nrJtnn nnrl trim Jic, nut lor tne necessity which will then corn- zed until the month or Aun-nst. 1S4 . and under and dennved o their personal ihprtv it ihpv lives.
mencemenL
ry because
to some
character. The war has been represented as i Pe us to 6ee redress for our wrongs, either by the terms of the Convention they were to termi-i dured insist on their rights. Had the unlawful! In the month of May, 1836, Santa Anna
unjust and unnecessary, and as one of aggression actual war or reprisals. The subject will then nate their duties within eighteen mouths from seizures of American property, and the violation ( acknowledged, by a treaty with the Texan
on our part upon a weak and injured enemy. be presented before Congress, at the commence- that time. Four of the eighteen months were; of personal liberty of our citizens, to say nothing j authorities in the most solemn form 11 the
Such erroneous views, though entertained by but hient of tiie next session, in a clear and distinct ' consumed in preliminary discussions on frivolous j of the insults to our flag which have occurred in ' fuj eutire' and perfect independence of the
few, have been widely and extensively circulated J rm an( tne Committee cannot doubt but that and dilatory points raised by the Mexican Com- the ports of Mexico.taken place on the high seas, , t ' Ur V w . t i i
i,. i, i fx , .-Ij , L-,ip1 monenro-; .;!! un ,0;ti i I n .1 r ..i" i C r i lie public of I cxus. It is true ho was then
UiilV atiiiuuiw, UUL lICLVt; UeCU BUrcaU llirOUIl- ",W,J"1 - iiimiv,ui(Hoiy uuwivu u.o inisfiuuujfl. UIIU JL Hda IIUL UIHIl 115U illUULU UIJ l UtUU LlJUIIl.-rUi VUS lUlllf SUiUU JlilVtJ JJUUSL1LU- i
. - , .i ,1 . . r . t i. ,1. i f.i 1 i-w i .i . .. , .. i . , . . n nnsnnnp nt wn
out iviexico anu tne wnoie world. A more el-,lllu-v ue t:;s.ary io vinoicaie ine nonor or we uccemoer, nw, that they
fectual means could not have been divised to en- i country, and
iey commenced the ex-J ted a state of actual war between the two coun-. ? Prisoncr. of war but lfc 1S equally true that
tries. In so long suffering Mexico to violate her
ic had failed to re-conquer Texas, and had
authority
irttie of
mlfKiso.
term of the commission expired, leaving many ' failed to perform one of the first and highest du- v t WMKti'pQ uwo Qinnnrlp n tu ..mv
that the great body of our people have thrown no j concur with the President tliat ample cause exists claim? undisposed of for want of time. The claims ! ties which every Govornmentowcs to its citizens; , .j,;, if-ynded Texas under his com
such obstacles in the way of the Government in ! for taking redress into our own hands, and be-1 authorized by the Convention to decide incase of; and the consequence has been that many of them ' , "l i7 .
ecu irom a state or ainuence to( 0
'he proud name of American citi- "lent, unmolested, to Mexico.
zen, which ought to protect all who bear it from rrora the day that the battle of San Jacin
insultand injury throughout the world.has afford- to was fought until the present hour, Mexico
I ensure ample reparation to our in- animation of tiie claims of our citizens upon Mex-
courage the enemy and protract the war than to ljured citizens." j ico. Fourteen months only remained to exam-1 most solemn treaty obligations, plunder our citi-' met with signal defeat: that his
advocate and adhere to their cause, and thus give The Couunitteeon Foreign AfTaird of the House me decide upon these numerous and compli- j zens of their property, and imprison their persons 1 had not been revoked, and that by vii
them "aid and comfort" of Representatives made a similar recommenda- c;ltcd cases- I" the month of Feb. 18-12, the 1 whithout affording them any redress, we have this treaty he obtained his personal n
it lb u. buurct; ui national pnae ana exultation, jaauon. in tneir report, thev sav that thev "fuliv 1,511,1 U1 u,t- cummit
prosecuting the war success;
themselves to be emine
cessfully, but have shown j lieve that we should be justified in the opinion of I disagreement between the Mexican and Ameri-j have been reduc
ntly patriotic, and ready other nations for taking such a step. Eut thev :can commissioners, amounted to two millions bankruptcy. Tl
to vindicate tneir country s honor and interests at are willing to hy the experiment of another de-, twenty-six thousand one hundred and thirty-nine
any sacrifice. The alacrity and promptness with mand, made in the most solemn form, upon thai dollars and sixty-eight cents. They were pen
which our volunteer forces rushed to the field on 'justice of the Mexicican Government, before any j US before the umpire when the commission ex
their country's call, proved not only their patriot- farther proceedings are adopted." " pired, additional claims which had been examin-
ism, but their deep conviction that our cause is ISTo difference of opinion upon the subject is be-' ed and awarded by the American commissioners,
Just- llieved to have existed in Congress at that time: amounting to nine hundred and twenty-eight
' .. . . - ' ii i t i i i. iii
The wrongs which we have suffered from Mex-1 the Executive and Legislative department mw
ico almost ever since she became an independent curred ; and yet such has been our forbearance,
Power, and the patient endurance with which i and desire to preserve peace with Mexico, that
we have borne them, are without a parallel in the wrongs of which we then complained, and
the history of modern civilized nations. There i which gave rise to these solemn proceedings, not
is reason to believe that if these wrongs had been ; only remain unredressed to this day, but addi
resented and resisted in the first instance, the 1 tioiial causes of cnmnlnint. nf an jurrmivaiPif re
present war might have been avoided. One out- acter, have ever since been accumulatim?.
Shortly aller these proceedings, a special mes
senger was dispatched to Mexico, to make a fi
nal demand for redress ; and on the 20th of July,
1837, tiie demand was made. The reply of the
Mexican Government bears date on the 29th of
the same month, and contains assurances of the
"anxious wish" of the Mexican Government "not
to delay the moment of that final and equitable
adjustment which is to terminate the existing
rage, howe ver, permitted to paBs with impunity,
almost necessarily encouraged the perpetration
of another, until at last Mexico seemed to attrib
ute to attribute to weakness and indecision on
our part a forbearance which was the offspring of
magnanimity, and of a sincere desire to preserve
friendly relations with a sister Republic.
Scarcely had Mexico achieved her indepen
dence, which the United States were the first
among the nations to acknowledge, when she i difficulties between the two Governments ;" that
commenced the system of insult and spoliation,
whicn sne has ever since pursued. Our citizens
engaged in lawful commerce were imprisoned,
their vessels seized, and our flag insulted in her
ports. If money was wanted, the lawless eeizure
and confiscation of our merchant vessels and their
cargoes was a ready resource ; and if, to accom
plish their purposes, it become necessary to im
prison the owners, captains and crews, it wag
done. Rulers superseded rulers in Mexico in
rapid succession, but still there was no change in
this eyutem of depredation. The Government of
the United States made repeated reclainationB on
"nothing should be left undone which may con
tribute to the most speedy and equitable deter
mination of the subjects which have so seriously
engaged the attention of the American Govern
ment;" that the "Mexican Government would
adopt, as the only guides for its conduct, the
plainest principles of public right, the sacred obli
gations imposed by the international law, and the
religious faith of treaties ;" and that "whatever
reason and justice may dictate respecting each
case will be done." The assurance was farther
given, that the decision of the Mexican Govern
ment upon each cause of complaint, for which
and eighty-eight cents, upon which he did not de
cide, alleging that his authority had ceased with
the termination of the joint commission. Besides
these claims, there were others of American cit
izens amounting to three hundred and thirty-six
thousand eight hundred find thirty-seven dollars
and five cents, which had been submitted to the
Board, and upon which they had not time to de
cide before their final adjournment.
The sum of two millions twenty-six thousand
one hundred and thirty-nine dollars and sixty-
eight cents, which had been awarded to the
ed no such protection to our citizens in Mexico
We had ample cause of war against Mexico long
before the breaking out of hostilities. But even
then we forbore to take redress into our own hands,
thousand six hundred and twenty-seven dollars until Mexico herself became the aggressor by in-
vading our soil in hostile array and shedding the
blood of our citizens.
Such are the grave causes of complaint on the
1ms never possessed the lower lo reconquer
Texas. In the language of the Secretary of
State of the United States, in a dispatch to
our Minister in Mexico, under date of the 8th
of July, 1842, "Mexico may have chosen to
consider, and may still choose to consider,
Texas as having been at all times since eight-
part, ot the U. fetates against Mexico causes ecn hundred and thirtv-fivc, and as still con
which existed long before the annexation of Tex- tinuing, a rebellious province ; but the world
as to tho American Union : and vet animated bv . Un Knn Aurnnt ;..
'ut; wuiiui: uwu a uidiiiiiuuiuous uiouera-i , i- .1 4l t? .1 " r t t.4.i..
I,;,.., ,Bj;,rt ,i,nni, , 1 ui iuu maud, rioin iliu uniu 01 uu: uaiui:
tion, we did not adopt those measures of redress T . ... , QO , . . ...
which, under such circumstances, are the iustifi- lU kjm' Jimio 111 M,n, 10t,u' """"
....... '
ed resort of injured nations.
The annexation of Texas to the U. States con
stituted no just cause of offence lo Mexico. The
claims, was a.liquidated and ascertained debt duo! pretext that it did so is wholly inconsistent, and
by Mexico, about which there could be no dispute, I reconcilable with well authenticated facts coi.
and wliirli Iip u..c i.n..m! tr, rmv .u.nnrMnrr.M t h,. i ectcd withtlie revolution by which Texas became
pay according
terms of tho convention. Soon 11 tier the final
awards for this amount had been made, the Mex
ican Government asked for a postponement of the
time of m:iL-nirr nnvmont nllpmnrr ihnt it wnilld 1 01 rOVOlUtlOIl
........ o I'-J , -o o " '
independent of Mexico. That this may be the
more manifest, it may he proper to advert to the
causes and to the history of the principal events
be incouvenient to make the payment at the time
stipulated. In the spirit of forbearing kindness
towards a sister Republic, which Mexico has so
long abused, the United States promptly compli
ed with her request. A second Convention was
accordingly concluded between the two Govern
ments on the thirtieth of January, which
upon its face declares that "this new arrangement
is entered into for the accommodation of Mexico."
By tho terms of this Convention, all ihe interest
due on the awards; which had been made i.i fa-
Texas constituted a portion of tho ancient prov
ince of Louisiana, ceded (o the United States by
France in the year of 18U3. In the year 1819,
the United States by the Florida treaty, ceded
to Spain all that part of Louisiana within the
present limits of Texas ; and Mexico, by the rev
olution which cepaiated her from Spain, and ren
dered her an independent nation.succeeded to the
rights of the mothpr country over this territorj'.
In the year Jb2'l, Mexico established a federal
present moment, Texas has exhibited the.
same external signs of national independence
as Mexico herself, and with quite as much
stability of Government. Practically fr.-v.
and independent, acknowledged as a politico I
Sovereignty by the principal powers of the
world, no hostile foot finding rest within her
territory for six or seven years, nnd Mexico
herself refraining for all that period from any
farther attempt to re-establish her own author
ity over that territory, it cannot but be surpri
sing to find Mr. de Boeanogra" (the Secretary
of Foreign Affairs of Mexico) " complaining
that for that whole period citizens of the Uni
ted States or its Government, have been fa
voring the rebels of Texas, and supplying
them with vessels, ammunition, and money
as if the war for tho reduction of the provinc-
Const ituton, under wh ch t ie Mexican Rupublic I ol Texas had heen constantly prosecuted b