Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-05-19

tco lie Was taken ln manu- ~ some over jealous
friend OF Texas. aad hostility to the young Repub
lie imputed to him on account Of the sentiment -
lie has replied through the Charleston press, in a
characteristic letter. assigning his for the
opinion advanced.
To the Editor Of the Chaiesioa NcfeHry.
, Sir-wh,lst | can take no sort OF exception 10 the
very friendly and respectful criticism of your cor
respondent (who subseribes himself citizen OF
Texas,l on the remarks which maSc at public
meeting OF the citizens Of Lee aud Baker Counties
at Palmyra, Georgia, should nevertheless regret,
If any thing did say, or could have said, on the
occasion in question: should damp. IN the slightest
degree, the srdor Of those who may feel disposed
adventure. either their blood or treasure, in the
cause of our young and closely related sister Re.
Ipublic.
| Those who were present at that meeting, will
am sure, do justice to the earnestness and zeal with
which pressed the necessity OF being prepared TO
afford timely TO friends IN that quarter,
whilst I suggested, with great Difference. the i'm
policy OF sending forces aud expeditions into the
country, totally unprovded as to be a source of
embarrassment rather than assistance, TO those for
whose aid they might be designed. From the most
authentic advIccs then received from Texas, IL was
ascertained TINT the forces Gen. Arista had sen, 10
san Antonio had fallen back on the western bank
OF the RIO Grande, and hence did not believe that
a serious concentration OF the troops of Mexico
would take place until the autumn, when, thought
a serious inrason Of fhs country trOth take place
Considerations OF delicacy which belong TO my re
lations citizen of the United States, forbid my
narraing what 81 d IN regard to the duties and
obligations which such crisis would impose those
who had pledged themselves 10 emigrafs 10 Taras
aud 10 sustain the eduss.
COATES sir that do not desire 10 SEQ tho arior
of the friends of Texas either impaired destroyed
by aborlive expeditions sent into the country proba-
bly, before they are wanted, and unprovded with
the means of being useful, because when they ure
really needed the effort TO procure succOr may be en-
tirely Intellectual. The fame OF popular enthusiasm
is d dicult to tekinde, when once extinguished by
suffering, reverscs, and defeat.
must likewise confess that my opinions remain
| unchanged, OF the true policy OF TexaS-a policy
which believe may DO comprehended in very
bref summary.-To sustain herself vigorously in a
defensive. rather than TO be weakened by made
quate efforts in an offensive war.-To let the sword
| protect the poughshare.-To give such organiza
| ton TO her militia as shall make every freeman
thorough soldier, throughout the RepuLlic.-To
meet repulse, and defeat, any invading force that
may cross the Rio Grande, and to devote her whole
pecuniary resources, whatever they may he, TO the
munitions OF war; necessary 10 accomplish this re-
suit, and to keep her squadron ahcat in the Gulf,
IN the undisputed mastery OF which, her safety SO
essentially depends When, in every sense OF the
word she makes good her present foothold and can
realize the means TO strike a certain and eitectual
blow at the heart of Mexico, as the only mode OF
securing an honorable peace, her efforts may then,
effectively, take the direction towards vigorous
war of invasion-a "beiIDI dd hsiernseionem."
1t has long been approved maxim, shat il is
dangerous TO despise your enemy too much"
Willis; admit thot this is hard hdmonition TO
observe in relation TO the Mexcans, yet the in-
trinsic difficulties Of successful invasion OF Next
co. are no, TO be unacknowledged or overlooked.
They arc TO be found either in tedious and op.
pressive march, longer than that Vt Napoleon from
the frontiers of France 10 Moscow, an expensive
and hazardous transport Of troops on the gulph 10
say nothiog Of the task Of subiugatlns eight millions
Of people irrevocably separated from our race by
difference of language, complexion and religion,
fortified by the strongest national prejudces and
antiquities. Conquest under these circumstances,
IL must be admitted, would require money, copious
magazines of provisions and ammunition, large
baggage train and the occupation of succession of
posts protecting and covering your advance into
the heart Of an enemy's country, presenting many
geographical as well as statistical features OF per-
pleXity and annoyance.
Ii IL is treason 10 the cause of Texas not TO de
sire second SANTA FE expedition on larger scale,
then am willing TO plead guilty 10 the charge, and
to admit that | prefer the more useful and simple
epic of the battle OF San Jacinto on her terri
tory. Her true policy in her present position, is
to hazard nothing stnnd fast and meet the Inva.
ders tf they come, eih the Unsrring certainty with
which an American rifle sends forth its messenger
OF death.
am also free to confess. that do not desire to
see the cause Of Texas weakened in the U. States,
or in Europe, by an absurd and abortive effort 10
secure her annexation TO this Union. What man,
in his senses, can believe, when the Constitution Of
the U. States requires, under the treaty. making
power the concurrence OF two thirds Of the States in
the Coniederacy TO such measure, that IL can he
Accomplished or that the effort IN Congress would
be attended 10y any other consequence, than con-
vulsve sgitatiOn throughout this country OF most
painful and potcItous character An agitation,
however disastrous TO ourselves, yet more prelude
cial to Texasl In the time, the standing she
holds would be impaired IN the estimation OF the
grea, powers Of Europe who have recognized her
independence, and the admiration recently enter.
tanned for her va.or and enterprise would be turned
into contempt for her irnbecility and weakness.
The only probable affect OF such oct Of faiui-
~ would be 10 drive Great Britain into an alliance
with Mexico, for WhieI, kHotU she has 10 natural
or desired sympathy oh lisocrer.
No, Texas has commenced her destiny as an in
dependent power and she must work out her saliva
ton by the ploughshare and the sword.
Her territory, for its superficial extent, compro
hends the finest, most fertile and most beautiful
portion Of the habitable globe. On this territory
her people, small as may be their numbers, nre
lnvnclbe. They are growing IN their infancy like
Hercules apace, and like him. will sirange ere long
the sorpenis thut coil around their cradle.
Whilst | regret the undeseryed prominence that
has been gwen to my opinions IN relation TO the
present crisis IN Texas, yet cannot but learessly
nvow them, although m opposition to those OF my
best friends and perhaps Of the public sentiment OF
the country itself. But what is the uso of frm
conviction Of what we cOnsclentiously believe to be
true, u II IS not thus honestly expressed For the
slncertyof my convictions no guarantee can he re
quired. / have deep stake m the country. In.
depcndently Of the pecuniary claims which ! have
on her Government, land which | know will he
ultimately discharged with the utmost fidelity and
honor) have territorial and nctive agricultural
interest IN her SOIL the safety Of which depends on
her security. But what is FAR more deeply inter.
estIng 10 me. have staked my reputation with the
four principal powers OF Europe that she is not only
de taeio independent but Is capable and worthy Of
being 30.
May Therefore respectfully, md certainly in no
uniriendy spirit, nsk your correspondent 10 believe
Chat am incapable Of inlufing a cause which my
sYmpaihes would lead me 10 promote or that my
eavsa has any other extent but this DO net strike
befOrs uou are ready and then strike home.
remain sic with great esteem,
respectfully your obedlont setv'i,
JAMES HAMILTON
irJ' We do not comprehend that extraordinary
genius, Mr. John Jones. Like honest Dogbeuy he
IS altogether too learned to be understood In his los,
paper, with great flourish Of trumpets he an.