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CHAPTER XXI

MEXICAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS

The foreign relations of Mexico begin with the official recognition of her independence by the United States. The first representative of Mexico was sent to Washington.[1] With the exception of the period of the Mexican War, the two countries have been at peace officially though differences of opinion have been frequent, acrid, and, at times, threatening. The list of subjects on which amicable adjustments have been arrived at is a long one and a credit to both. They have had frequent recourse to arbitration. In this way they have set the example to other nations, both before and after the foundation of the Hague Tribunal. They have settled the complaints of their citizens by Claims Commissions. After decisions have been definitely made by such Commissions there have been equitable adjustments, when they were called for by the discovery of new evidence.[2] Boundary claims have been amicably adjusted. Jurisdiction over the shifting


  1. See discussion in Exposición de la secretaria de hacienda de los estados unidos mexicanos de 15 de enero. . . Mexico, 1879, p. 46.
  2. See the discussion of the return to Mexico of money paid to the United States under decisions by the United States and Mexico Claims Commission after production of evidence showing the claims to be fraudulent, in Senate Report, 50th Congress, 2d Session, 1888-9, vol. 4, No. 2705, and in Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1900-1, p. 781 et seq. (the Abra Silver Mine Company case), and in ibid., p. 483 (the Weil case).

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