Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-07-26

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breach of neutrality
Mr.. de Bocanesra processes himself unable TO CON-
prehend how those persons OF whom he complains nave
been able TO evade the punishment decreed against
them by the laws Of the u. s. but he does not appear
to have clear idea of The principles or provisions OF
those laws The duties of neutral nations IN time oil
war are prescribed by the law OF nations, which is In
peravc and binding upon all Governments; and nations
not unfequently establish municipal regulations Tor
the better government Of the conduct OF their scis
or citizens
This has been done by the L. ) IN order to nam
tain with greater certainty, strict and impartial neu
tra!ty, pending between other countries Ana
wherever violation of neutral duties, as they exist by
the law of nations any breach OF IT'S own laws, has
been brought 10 the notice Of the Government aten'
ton has always been paid to 1t.
At an carly period of The Texan revolution, strict or.
ders were given by the President OF the u 3 to ell
officers the South and Southwestern frontier totake
care that those laws should be obseryed and the alien
ton of the Government OF the u s. has not been called
TO anv specific violation of them since the manifesto
ton on The part Of Mexico of an intention TO renew hos
Titles with Texas and all officers of the Government
remain charged with the strict and faithful execution
of these laws. On n recent occasion complaint
Ina de by the Representatives Of Texas that
men was fitted gu, in the U. S for the service Of Mexi
co against Texas.
Two vessels OF war it alleged, built purchased
in the t. S for the use Of the Government of Mexico,
and well understood as intended be employed against
Texas were equipped and ready TO sail from the wa!ers
of New York The was carefully inquired into,
official examination was made, and legal counsel in
yoked 1t appeared to be OF great doubt; but
Mexico was allowed the benefit Of that doubt and the
vessel left the u S. with the whole or part Of their
armament actually board. The same administra-
ton of even handed justice, the same impartial execu-
ton of the laws towards all parties, will continue TO be
observed.
II forces have been raised in the United States,
vessels fitted out in their ports for the Texan service,
contrary 10 law (no instance OF which has, as yet,
come to the knowledge Of the Government,) prompt
attention will be paid TO the first case, and 10 all case,
which may be made known TO 1t. As 10 advances
loans or donations OF money goods, made by lnd
vduals 10 the Government of Texas, or It's citizens
Mr. de Bocanegra hardly needs to be informed that
there is nothing unlawful in this, so long as Texas
is al peace with the United States, and that these
are things which Government undertakes TO re-
strain. Other citizens are equally at liberty should
they be so inclined, to shew their good will to-
wards Mexico by the same means. Still less
the Government Of the United States be called
upon TO interfere with opinions uttered in the pub
lie nssembages of free people, accustomed to the
independenl expression &c their sentiments resulting
in no violation Of the laws of their country, Of its
duties as neutral State. Towards the United States,
Mex and Texas stand III the same reaiion-as inde.
pendent States at OF the character of that
mankind viii form their own opinions, and in the L.
S. at least the utterance Of those opinions cannot be
| suppressed.
The second part of Mr. de Bocanegras complaint is
thus stated $40 sooner does the Me Government
in the exercise OF its rights, which il cannot and does
desire to prepare means to recover pos
session usurped from it, than the whole population OF
the u S especially in the Southern States, is in
motion: and, in the most public manner, large por-
ton Of them is directed upon Texas"
And how does MIR. de Bocancgra suppose that the
Government Of the United States can prevent, or is
bound TO undertake 10 prevent, tie people from thus
going To Texas; This is emigration: the sane emf
grafton, though not under the same circumstances,
which Mexico invited TO Texas before the revolution
These persons, so FAR az is known 10 tie Government
of the United States, repair 10 Texas not as citizens
Of the United States but ceasng to be such citizens
and rs changing, al the tme their allegiance and
their domic Should they RETURN after having entered
into the service Of foreign State still claiming 10 be
citizens of The IT, S il will be for the authorities OF
the T. S. Government TO determine how far they have
violated the municipal laws Of the country, and what
penalties they may have incurred. The Government
of the IT, S does not maintain nor never has maintain
ed the doctrine of the perpetuity of natural allegiance
And surely Mexico maintains no such doctrine; because
her actually existing government, like that OF the 81
founded IN the principle that men may throw oil the
obligation of that allegiance to which thcy are born.
The Government Of the u. S , from lis origin, has
maintained legal provisions for the naturalization OF
such subjects OF foreign States may chose TO come
hitler and make their home in The country, and, re-
nouncing their former allegiance, and complying with
certain stated requstons to take upon themselves the
character ofctlzVns oflhis Government. Mexico her
self has laws granting equal facilities 10 the natu5aza
ton of foreigners.
On the other hand, the y. S. have not passed any
law restraining their own citizens, native or natural.
led from leaving the country and forming political
lations elsewhere Nor do other Governments in mo-
dern times, attempt any such thing II is true that
there Governments which assert the principle OF
perpetual allegiance; yet in cases here this Is
rather matter Of theory than practice, the duties
of this supposed continuing allegiance are left 10 be
demanded Of the subject himself when within the reach
OF the power OF his former Government, and exgen
ces may arise and not attempted to be enforced ny
the imposition Of previous restraint preventing men
from leaving their country.
Upon this subject of the emigration Of individuals
from neutral TO belligerent States, in regard to which,
Mr. de Bocanegra appears so indignant, we must be
allowed TO bring Mexico into her presence, to COM
pare her with herself and respectfully invite her to Judge
the matter by her principles and her own conduct
In her great struggle against Spain for her own III
pendence, did she not open her arms vide 10 re-
ceive all who would 10 her from any part Of the
world, And did not multitudes flock 10 her new raised
standard of liberty from the L. S., from England Ire.
land France and l,aly-many of whom distinguished
themselves in her service both By md land She
does not appear II have supposed that the Governments
OF these persons thus coming 10 unite their fate with
hers we're by allowing the emgatIon even pending ci-
yl war, furnishing Just of offence to Spain Even
in Ter military operations against Texas, Mexico en-
ployea many foreign emgrants; and IL may be thought
remarkable that, those very operations not long be-
fore the battle of San Jacno, native citizen OF the
u. S held high command in her service, and perform
ed feats OF mean significance in Texas. VI that to-
nration, therefore, as she calls it, ard which she now
So warmly denounces, Mexico in that hour Of her emer
gcncy, embraced tie benefits eagerly, and TO the full
extent Of her power. May not eek, then, how she
reconcile her present complaint with her prac
ce well as how she accounts for SO long and unhro
ken silence upon a subject on " hch her remonstrance
is now 50 loud,
Spain chose to regard Mexico only in the light of a
rebeIlions pro:nce for twenty years after she had
asserted her own independence. Does Mexico now
admit that, for all that period, notwithstanding her
practical emancipation from Spanish power, it I'M
lawful for the subjects and citizens of other Govern
mens to carry with her the ordinary business Of
commerce. to accept her tempting offers 10 cmigrans
Certainly, such is not her opinion.
I Might IT not be asked then, if the United States
had not already and long ago acknowledged the indie.
pendence Of Texas, how long they should be expected
10 wait for the accomplishment Of lhe object, exist