SUPPLEMENT.

CONCLUSION OF THE WAR.

Although the attempts of Mr. Trist to conclude a treaty of peace immediately after the battle of Churubusco had not been successful, yet, in concert with the commander-in-chief, he lost no opportunity to repeat his overtures for so desirable an object. It was not, however, until the beginning of the following year, that the Mexicans would listen to such proposals. Their army was then reduced to a few insignificant parties, scattered here and there, more for safety than any hope of opposition to the invaders. Even the guerillas manifested symptoms of weariness. Accordingly, when in January, 1848, General Scott laid before the Mexican congress articles of a treaty, based upon those formerly rejected, that body immediately appointed Luis G. Cuevas, Bernardo Conto, and Miguel Atristain, as commissioners. These gentlemen, with Mr. Trist, acting on behalf of the United States, assembled at Guadalupe Hidalgo, and concluded a treaty of "peace, friendship, limits, and settlement" between the two republics.

The only thing still necessary to the conclusion of the war, was the ratification of the new treaty by the legislature of each country. In February the attested copy was received at Washington by President Polk, and transmitted to the United States senate. After being slightly amended, it was passed in that body, on the

Ratification of the Treaty,

10th of March, by a large majority. Mr. Sevier was appointed envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to present it for ratification to the Mexican congress. In company with Mr. Clifford, he soon arrived at Queretaro, where the national legislature was sitting, and laid before that body the corrected copy for their final action. It passed through both houses by a large majority, and was received with marked satisfaction by the Mexican people.

By this instrument the boundary line between the two republics was made to begin at the mouth of the Rio Grande, ascending the middle of that river to the southern boundary of New Mexico, thence westwardly, along the whole southern boundary of New Mexico, to its western termination; thence northward along the western line of New Mexico, to the first branch of the river Gila; thence down the middle of this branch and river to its junction with the Colorado; thence between Upper and Lower California to the Pacific. It secured to the United States the vast territories of New Mexico, California, Western Texas, and the Pacific coast, together with the fine harbour of San Francisco, and the internal navigation of the Colorado, Gila, and other rivers. Fif teen millions of dollars were to be paid to Mexico by the United States as compensation for part of this grant.

By an article of the treaty, arrangements had been made, for withdrawing all the United States troops from the Mexican territory within three months after the final ratifications, provided it could be effected before the commencement of the sickly season. In furtherance of this provision, the most active preparations immediately commenced for marching different portions of the army

Return of the United States Troops,

from the capital and interior town to Vera Cruz, whither they were to embark for New Orleans. Previous to this General Scott had left Mexico to attend a court of inquiry appointed by government to investigate reciprocal charges between himself and Generals Worth and Pillow. The duty of superintending the evacuation of the capital, and subsequent embarkation from Vera Cruz, devolved upon the temporary general-in-chief, MajorGeneral Butler. In the early part of June the greater part of the soldiers in the city of Mexico marched for Vera Cruz, under the supervision of Mr. Sevier. They left the latter city by detachments, reached New Orleans about the middle of June, and thence proceeded by steamboat or railway, towards their respective homes. Nothing can exceed the enthusiasm with which these. toil-worn veterans were hailed, as they entered, regiment by regiment, into the cities, from which, two years before, they had marched to the scene of strife. Business was suspended, the population rushed to meet them, military and civic processions attended their march, banquets were spread, addresses. delivered, and presents bestowed on them throughout their route.

Thus closed, after a duration of two years, the "Mexican War." It gave to the United States an immense tract of fine territory, secured one of the finest harbours in the world, and opened the road to a lucrative trade with those marts of oriental wealth, China and the East Indies. But the mere question of gain and loss is the least important of those developed during the struggle. Europe has long contemplated us as a mere commercial and business-loving nation, smothering our former military abilities, in inordinate love of wealth. The Semi

Reflections on the War,

nole wars have been sneeringly alluded to as proofs of this degeneracy; and the "wasp-waisted lieutenants" of West Point has been a mock word of contempt, used to deride that cradle of military science, the national academy. The war in Mexico has dissolved this vain dream, and taught astonished Europe a lesson, whose precepts will be remembered in every one of her belligerent assemblies for ages. As an evidence of military skill, Spartan valour, and patient endurance—let us add magnanimity to a humiliated foe-the Mexican war is an episode of history, having but few parallels. The tactics displayed in the great campaign against the capital, has far surpassed even the boasted military perfection of the French schools. How far it surpasses English ability may be inferred from the fact that while General Scott was making his preparations for assaulting Vera Cruz, most of the British prints scouted at the idea of his being successful, and with delusive complacency awaited the gratifying intelligence that the aspiring invaders had been completely foiled. When the astounding truth announced to them how immeasurably superior was American skill to English bravery, they could account for it only by asserting that the castle had been betrayed by its commandant. Yet great as was that achievement, it is now spoken of only as an ordinary event amid the splendid deeds wrought in the valley of Mexico.

It is, therefore, as an evidence of superior skill, as well as bravery that the Mexican war will in future be principally regarded, and in that light it will no doubt convey a wholesome warning to any nation which might hereafter, on frivolous pretences, undertake to interrupt the peace which happily now pervades our midst.

TREATY

OF PEACE, FRIENDSHIP, LIMITS, AND SETTLEMENT.

BETWEEN

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

AND

THE MEXICAN REPUBLIC.

Concluded at Guadalupe Hidalgo, Febraury 2, and Ratified, with the Amendments, by the American Senate, March 10, 1848; also Ratified by the Mexican Congress, May 25, 1848.

THE TREATY.

IN THE NAME OF ALMIGHTY GOD:

The United States of America and the United Mexican States, aniinated by a sincere desire to put an end to the calamities of the war which unhappily exists between the two Republics, and to establish on a solid basis relations of peace and friendship, which shall confer reciprocal benefits on the citizens of both, and assure the concord, harmony and mutual confidence wherein the two people should live as good neighbors, have, for the purpose, appointed their respective Plenipotentiaries; that is to say, the President of the United States has appointed N. P. TRIST, a citizen of the United States, and the President of the Mexican Republic has appointed Don LOUIS GONZAGA CUEVAS, Don BERNARDO CONTO, and Don MIGUEL ATRISTAIN, citizens of the said Republic, who, after a reciprocal communication of their respective powers, have, under the protection of Almighty God, the Author of Peace, arranged, agreed upon and signed the following Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Limits and Settlement, between the United States of America and the Mexican Republic.

ARTICLE I.

There shall be a firm and universal peace between the United States of America and the Mexican Republic, and between their respective countries, territories, cities, towns and people, without exception of places or persons.