Westward extension, 1841-1850, by George Pierce Garrison.

192

WESTWARD EXTENSION

[I837

making up the list for Ellis, Secretary of State Forsyth selected only those claims which had arisen
subsequent to the commercial treaty concluded between the United States and Mexico April 5, I83I,
and ratified April 5, I832; but the whole series of
unadjusted claims reached much further back, and
the complaints which culminated in the breach of
relations in I836 had been going on for ten years.
A list of claims submitted to Congress with the
special message of Jackson on February 6, I837,
numbered forty -six, and the earliest was dated
i8i6. It is true that Mexico was not then independent; but claims for supplies furnished the troops
engaged in the struggle to throw off the Spanish
dominion, or for property seized by them, were
recognized as valid by the Mexican officials themselves.1
The recommendation of the president was reported on by the House and Senate committees on
foreign relations. While substantially agreeing in
sentiment with the message, the reports favored
another demand for redress. The report to the
Senate was unanimously adopted; but want of time
seems to have prevented action on that to the
House.2 In furtherance of the policy recommended
by the reports, an appropriation was made to cover
the expense of another mission to Mexico when1 Moore, International Arbitrations, II., 1243.
2 Cong. Debates, 24 Cong., 2 Sess., 982-986, 1912-I916, I943';
House Reports, 29 Cong., i Sess., IV., No. 752, pp. 7-9.