Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. II.djvu/289

 JAMES BUCHANAN 231 high seas from search or detention by the vessels of war of any other nation.&quot; The effect was most salutary. The British government receded, aban doned the claim of the right of search, and recog nized the principle of international law in favor of the freedom of the seas. During the whole of Mr. Buchanan s adminis tration our relations with Mexico were in a com plicated and critical position, in consequence of the internal condition of that country and of the dan ger of interference by European powers. Great outrages were committed in Mexico upon our citi zens and their property, and their claims against that government exceeded $10,000,000. Mr. Buchanan recommended to congress to send assist ance to the constitutional government in Mexico, which had been forcibly superseded by military rule, but which still held the allegiance of the majority of the people, and to enforce redress for the wrongs of our citizens. He saw very clearly that, unless active measures should be taken by the government of the United States to reach a power with which a settlement of all claims and difficulties could be effected, some other nation would undertake to es tablish a government in Mexico, and the United States would then have to interfere, not only to secure the rights of their citizens, but to assert the principle of the Monroe doctrine. He also in structed the Mexican minister, Mr. McLane, to