- The United States revenue-cutter Jeflferson, in 1836, arrived oif the harbor of Tampico, and was forbidden to enter. An officer and boat's crew, on landing, were temporarily arrested.
- The American vessel Northampton, was wTecked in 1836, near Tabasco, and taken possession of by Cus- tom-house officers and soldiers. The crew remonstrated, and the captain was wounded. More than half of the goods saved from the wreck were pillaged, and lost, by the revenue officers and soldiers. The Consul complained, but obtained no redress.
Such are the fifteen " accumulated wrongs," complained of by the American Government, and ordered to be for- mally presented by Mr. Ellis. It will be observed, that cot one of them is alleged to have been committed by the Mexican Government. No law, no act of the Goveiiiinenty is complained of. Custom-house officers may act illegally, and soldiers may commit outrages, police officers afid magistrates may be guilty of oppression, and yet the Government be wholly ignorant of the offences committed.
Milhons and miUions of American property have been seized, liy *irtue of orders issued directly by the Govern- ments of England and France ; yet in no instance, did the American Cabinet venture to hazard the peace of the country, by demanding reparation within a specified number of days. On the contrary, the settlement of our claims upon other nations, was preceded by protracted negotiations. Our claims for the value of slaves carried away by the British forces, in 1815, were not settled and paid, till 1826. Indemnity for French spoliations on our commerce, from 1806 to 1813, v/as not received till 1834.
In these cases, our claims were not a pretext for war, and consequently their payment was not hazarded by an insulting demand for a satisfactory reply in two weeks.