Ex. Doc. No. 40.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

PROPOSITIONS FOR PEACE.

MESSAGE

FROM THE

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,

IN ANSWER

To the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 7th February, 1848, in relation to propositions from the Mexican authorities for a treaty of peace.

FEBRUARY 11, 1848.

Laid upon the table, and ordered to be printed.

To the House of Representatives of the United States:

In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 7th instant, I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State.

No "communication has been received from Mexico, containing propositions from the Mexican authorities or commissioners for a treaty of peace," except the "counter projet" presented by the Mexican commissioners to the commissioner of the United States, on the 6th of September last, a copy of which, with the documents accompanying it, I communicated to the Senate of the United States on the 2d instant. A copy of my communication to the Senate, embracing this "projet," is herewith communicated. JAMES K. POLK.

WASHINGTON, February 10, 1848.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 9, 1848.

The Secretary of State, to whom was referred the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 7th February, 1848, requesting the President to communicate to the House "whether any communication has been received from Mexico containing propositions from the Mexican authorities or commissioners for a treaty of peace," &c., respectfully reports that no such communication has been received. Nothing of such a character has ever been received at this department, except the "counter projet" for a treaty of peace, presented by the Mexican commissioners to the commissioner of the United States, on the 6th September last, and which was communicated by you to the Senate with your message of the 3d instant. A copy of this message, with the accompanying documents, is here with furnished.

To the PRESIDENT of the United States.

JAMES BUCHANAN.

LIST OF PAPERS.

Mr. Trist to Mr. Pacheco, August 25, 1847.

Mr. Pacheco to Mr. Trist, (translation,) August 26, 1847.
Mr. Trist to Mr. Pacheco, August 26, 1847:

Proposition submitted by Mr. Trist.

Mr. Trist to Mr. Buchanan, (with an accompaniment,) September 4, 1847.

Translations.

The Mexican coommissioners to Mr. Trist, September 6, 1847. Counter project by the Mexican commissioners.

Mr. Trist to the Mexican commissioners, September 7, 1847.

Mr. Trist to Mr. Pacheco.

TACUBAYA, August 25, 1847.

The undersigned, appointed commissioner of the United States of America to the United Mexican States, with full power to meet and confer with any person or persons having the like authority from the Mexican government, and with him or them to negotiate and conclude a lasting treaty of peace, friendship, and limits between the two republics, begs leave to invite the attention of his excellency the minister of relations of Mexico to the military convention establishing an armistice, concluded on the 23d and ratified on the 24th instant, and has the honor to state that he is prepared to meet the commissioner or commissioners on the part of

Mexico, and to request that an early day may be appointed for the meeting, at some place which may be convenient to both parties. The undersigned tenders to H. E. the minister of relations the assurance of his most distinguished consideration.

H. E. DON J. R. PACHECO, &c., &c., &c.

N. P. TRIST.

Mr. Pacheco to Mr. Trist.

[Translation.]

NATIONAL PALACE, Mexico, August 26, 1847.

The undersigned, minister of the interior and foreign relations, had the honor to receive and submit to his excellency the acting president of the republic the note in which Mr. Nicholas P. Trist, commissioner of the government of the United States, in consequence of the armistice concluded with the general-in-chief of the troops of that nation, made known, under date of yesterday, his readiness to treat with the commissioner or commissioners of this republic, respecting the propositions for peace which he is authorized to present; requesting that a day be promptly appointed for the meeting, at the place which may be judged convenient for both parties.

The undersigned has received orders from the most excellent president to inform Mr. Trist in reply, that he is already engaged in appointing, as speedily as possible, the commissioners to receive the propositions which Mr. Trist may have to make, and that they will repair at four o'clock in the evening of to-morrow to the village of Atzcaposalco, as an intermediate point between those occupied by the forces of the two nations; provided, that this selection be not considered inconvenient by Mr. Trist, to whom the undersigned offers the assurance of his distinguished consideration. J. R. PACHECO.

NICHOLAS P. TRIST, Esq.,

Commissioner of the United States of America.

Mr. Trist to Mr. Pacheco.

TACUBAYA, August 26, 1847.

The undersigned, commissioner of the United States of America, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the note of this date, from H. E. Senor Pacheco, minister of relations of Mexico, acquainting him that, if no objection exist on his part to the place indicated, he will be met by commissioners on the part of Mexico, to-morrow at four o'clock of the afternoon, in the village of Atz