James Buchanan, Buchanan's administration on the eve of the rebellion

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[285] They also guaranteed to us the secure possession and enjoyment of the Tehuantepec route, and of several other transit routes for our commerce, free from duty, across the territories of the Republic, on its way to California, and our other possessions on the Northwest coast, as well as to the independent Republics on the Pacific and to Eastern Asia.

In consideration of these advantages, ‘and in compensation for the revenue surrendered by Mexico on the goods and merchandise transported free of duty through the territory of that Republic, the Government of the United States agreed to pay to the Government of Mexico the sum of four millions of dollars.’ Of this sum two millions were to be-paid immediately to Mexico, and the remaining two millions were to be retained by our Government ‘for the payment of the claims of citizens of the United States against the Government of the Republic of Mexico for injuries already inflicted, and which may be proven to be just according to the law and usage of nations and the principles of equity.’ It was believed that these stipulations, whilst providing two millions toward the payment of the claims of our citizens, would enable President Juarez with the remaining two millions to expel the usurping Government of Miramon from the capital, and place the Constitutional Government in possession of the whole territory of the Republic. This, we need not say, would have greatly promoted the interests of the United States. Besides, what was vastly important, these treaties, by vesting in the United States territorial and commercial rights which we would be bound to defend, might for this reason have prevented any European Government from attempting to acquire dominion over the territories of Mexico, and thus the Monroe doctrine would probably have remained inviolate. With this view Mr. McLane was seriously impressed. In his despatch of December 14th, 1859, to the Secretary of State, communicating the treaties, he expresses the apprehension that should they not be ratified, further anarchy would prevail in Mexico until it should be terminated by direct interference from some other quarter.

On the 4th January, 1860, the President submitted to the Senate the treaty and the convention with a view to their ratification,