- MISSION OF MR. SLIDELL TO MEXICO.
Before an attempt could be made to acquire California by negotiation, it was necessary to restore the diplomatic intercourse between the two countries. For this purpose, the American Consul in Mexico, in compliance with in- structions, addressed a letter, 13th October, 1845, to the Mexican Secretary of State, inquiring whether the Mexi- can Government " would receive an Envoy from the United States, entrusted with full powers to adjust all questions in dispute hetiveen the two Governments^ Two days afterwards, the Secretary personally delivered to the Consul a reply, stating, "that although the Mexican nation is deeply injured by the United States through the acts committed by them in the Department of Texas, which belongs to this nation, my Government is disposed to receive the Commissioner of the United States who may come to this country with full powers to settle the present dispute in a peaceful, reasonable, and honorable manner, thus giving a new proof that even in the midst of its inju- ries and of its firm decision to exact adequate reparation for them, it does not repell with contumely the measures of reason and peace to which it is invited by its adver- sary." This, it will be observed, was an indirect reply to the question put by the Consul. Instead of consenting to receive an Envoy with full powers to adjust all questions in dispute, the Secretary refers expressly to the dispute 112 REVIEW OF THE MEXICAN Vv'AR.
about Texas, and, with a show of condescension, says that his Government Avill receive the Commissioner who may come to settle the present dispute. The language irresistibly refers to a Commissioner who is to offer, not to demand, reparation for a certain injury, alleged to have been committed in " the department of Texas."