Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. IV.djvu/279

WOODROW WILSON 237 to send a personal representative to deal with it at first hand and for this delicate mission selected ex- Governor John Lind of Minnesota, who was sent to Mexico. He was sent as adviser of the United States Embassy at Mexico City, and he began his negotiations with the Huerta administration through the United States charge d affaires. Gen eral Huerta showed little inclination, however, to accept the good offices tendered by this country through Mr. Lind. At this juncture, President Wilson for the third time took the Congress and people of the United States into his counsels by appearing personally before the joint session of both houses and making public his purpose and plans in dealing with the Mexican situation and with the results that followed his efforts. His address revealed how the Huerta provisional government had rejected the friendly offices of the United States, told of its effort to aid in the estab lishment of peace, and of a government which could be recognized by this nation, and which would be obeyed and respected by Mexico s own people. For the first time since Washington s administra tion, a President appeared before Congress to dis cuss foreign affairs. His cordial reception by members from all sides, and the endorsement of his course by a large majority of the members of Con gress, the press, and of the people of the Union, showed how strongly public opinion was behind him