Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-06-27
CONGRESSIONAL.
IN SENATE-SArunpAy, JuSr Is.
TE\AS.


ofthc Legislature of Come cicui, and number OF
memorial. and petitions from various quarters,
PRAYING for the recognition OF the independence
oi Texas, made the following report
The Committee ON Foreign Relations, to whom
were referred resolutions of the Legislature OF
Connecticut, snndrv memorials. and other pro-
ceed'nes OF various meetings OF the People, all re-
commenting the recognition Of the Independence
OF Texas, has, according 10 order. had them under
consideration. aud now beg leave To submit 10 the
Senate the following report and resolution:
Tho right OF one independent Power TO recog
nlsc the lict olthc existence OF new Power, about
toassume position among the nallonso of the earth,
is incontest,be. II is founded upon another right
that winch appertalns 10 every sovereignty 10
take care OF ITS own interests, by establishing
and cultva,,ng such commercial other relations
with the new Power rs may be deemed expcdient
lis exercise gives ust ground OF umhrauc or
cause OF war. The policy which has hitherto
guided the Government of the United states in
respect 10 new Powers has been 10 act on the fact
at Their existence, without regard To their orig H.
whether that has been hv the subverSion of II
pre-exisIing Governments, OF by the violent
luntary separation ol one from another part of II
common nation. In cases where an old establish
ed nation has thought proper 10 change the form
Of lis government, the United States, conforming
10 the rule which has ever governed their conduct,
OF strictly abstaining from all interference IN the
domestic concerns oi other States, has stopped
TO inquire whether the new Government has been
ilghtlnllv adopted or not. II has been sufficient
for them that il is in fact the Government of the
country in practical operation. There IS, howe
vcr, marked difference in the instance of an old
nation which has altered the form of its govern
msnt, and newly organized Power which has luN
sprung into existence. In former case, (such,
FOR example. WAS that OF Francc) the naton
had existed iof ages as separate and independent
community. II is matter OF history; and the re-
cognIlIon OF its new Government was not ncccs-
sar, 10 denote the existence of a nation hut with
respect to new Powers, the recognition of their
Governments comprchcnds, first, an acknow.
ledemcnt OF their ability 10 exist rs independent
States, and. secondly the capacity OF their part-
cnlhr Governments To perform the duties and fulfil
the obligations towards foreign Powers incident to
their condition. Hence, more caution aud
1eliberaiion are necessary IN considering and de-
lermining the question OF III. acknowledgment of
new Power than that of the new Government of
IN old Power.
The Government 9th, United States la, taken
no part IN the contest which has unhappiIy existed
brwccn Texas and Mexico. 1t has avowcd lis
intention, and taken measures To maintain strict
neutrality towards the beligcrcnis II individual
ci,lzens of the United States impced by sympa-
thy for those who were believed to be struggling
for liberty and independence against oppression
and tyranny, have engaged in the contest, il has
been without the authority of the Government.
On the contrary, the laws which have been hith-
erto found necessary or cXpcdent to prevent
citizens OF the United States from taking part in
foreign wars have been directed to be enforced.
Sentiments OF sympathy and devotion to civil
b,s, al. 4
the United States, have prompted the adoption Of
the resolutions and other manifestations of popular
feeling which have been referred To the committee
recommt nding an acknowledgment OF the indie
pendence of Texas The committee shares fully
in all these sentiments but n wise and prudent
Government should not act solely ON the impulse
of feeling however natural and andablc II may be.
1t ought to avoid precipitation, and not adopt so
grave n measure as that of recognising the indie
pcndcncc of a new power until has satisfactory
information, and has fully dclihera,cd
The committee has information respecting
the recent movements in Texas, except such as is
derived from the public prints. According 10 that,
the war broke ont IN Texas last autumn. lis pro-
tossed object, like that Of our revolutionary contest
in the commencement not separation and
independence, but a redress of grievances. In
March last, Independence was proclaimed, and
ablisled. No means OF ascertalning accurately
the exact amount Of the population of Texas
at the command of the commcc. 1t has been
estimated AT some sixty or seventy thousand souls.
Nor are the precise limits of the country which pas
under the denomination Of Texas known to the
committee. They are probably not clearly de-
fined, but they are supposed to be extensive, and
sufficiently large, when peored, to form re-
spectacle Power.
Ifthr population is small if, when compared
with that oi the United Mexican States, amounting
probabyio not less than eight millions Of souls, the
contest has been unequal, ii has, nevertheless,
been maintained by Texas with uncommon resolu-
ton undaunlrd valor and eminent success And
the signal and splendid victory in which thar
portion the Mexican army which was command
ed by Gen. Santa Ana, the President of the Mcxi-
can Governments, IN person, was entirely over
thrown, with uncxamplcd slaughter, compared with
the nconsdcrablc loss onthe other side put to h,
and captured, including among the prisoners the
President himself and his staff, may be considered
as decisive OF the independence of Texas Tha,
memorable event viii probably be followed by
negotiations which may lead to the acknowledge
ment by Mexico ofthe Independence of Texas, and
the settlement of its boundaries And, under all
circumstances, it might, perhaps, be more contor
mablc with the amicablc relations subsisiing be-
tween the United States and the United Mexican
States, that the latter should prccede the former
in the acknowledgment Of the Independence of
Texas But if the should be protractcd. or
If there should be unreasonable delay on the part
of the Mexican Government, the Government of
the United States ought not to await its action.
The recognition of Texas as an independent