With this view of the whole protocol, and considering that the
explanations which it contained were in accordance with the treaty, I
did not deem it necessary to take any action upon the subject. Had it
varied from the terms of the treaty as amended by the Senate, although
it would even then have been a nullity in itself, yet duty might have
required that I should make this fact known to the Mexican Government,
This not being the case, I treated it in the same manner I would have
done had these explanations been made verbally by the commissioners to
the Mexican minister for foreign affairs and communicated in a dispatch
to the State Department.
JAMES K. POLK.
WASHINGTON, _February 9, 1849_.
_To the Senate of the United States_:
In compliance with the resolution of the Senate of the 6th instant,
requesting the President to cause to be laid before that body, in
"executive or open session, in his discretion, any instructions given to
Ambrose H. Sevier and Nathan Clifford, commissioned as ministers
plenipotentiary on the part of the United States to the Government of
Mexico, or to either of said ministers, prior to the ratification by the
Government of Mexico of the treaty of peace between the United States
and that Republic," and certain correspondence and other papers
specified in the said resolution, I communicate herewith a report from
the Secretary of State, together with copies of the documents called
for.
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