, 1842-03-26

there OF an Independent government, ana
: the abandonment of the rights OF Mexico.
0 would occasion our ruin and disgrace, and
make to disappear from the surface OF the
4 country which we have conquered with our
: valor and our blood, the valiant race who so
t fooIishly thinks itself villi6ed and degraded.
Mishap may overtake a people ignorant Of
its destinies; but the nation who foresees the
entire extent of her danger, with the consci
t BUSINESS of her rights, her dignity and her re-
, sources, is enabled to resist misfortune or re.
tard her overthrow by the exercise OF her
energies and her censtancy. Such IS the
use of decision; and you may rely upon find
ing that of the Mexicans unanimous 10 de-
fend their honor, and | will exhaust the en-
ergies of my soul to give new proofs that
the glorious standard of my country shall
moi be outraged unavengee.
ITO the tumultuous (tumulturia) popula-
ton of the valley of the Mississippi, with
which you permit yourself to threaten me,
we will oppose the population Of our valleys
and our mountains. OF our towns, and our
large cities, that is an aggregate population
Of eight millions of inhabitants. who form a
nation by sofnanv titles respectable. am
astonished that you should announce to me
so openly (sin emboz) the hostility Of a peo-
pie friendly to Mexico, and bound to US by
relations, whose intimacy would forbid such
aggressions. The civilized world will not
learn, without scandal, that the inhabitants
of the United States, infringing their own
laws, and violating the most sacred %interna-
tionaI rights, support, for a second time, a
usurpation which they have commenced. and
constantly supported, abusing and hooking
TIE generosity with which the Mexicans be-
slowed upon their countrymen rich and cove
ted lands, and invited them 10 enjoy the
benefit Of their institutions. II Mexico
should receive such hostility from those who
call themselves her friends, she will treat
them as enemies in the field of battle; she
peal to the judgment of the universe upon
such an aggression, as unjust as it would be
violent.
"Like every philanthropy man, | app!e-
clate the blessings of peace, and admit that
war has its disasters, its vicissitudes, and its
dangers-but a peace bought at the expense
OF The dignity OF n nation, is an inadmissible
peace: and TO it we must prefere war, which
may save our honor, whatever may be the
results it may entail upon US. fully appre-
clate the problematic conditian of Texas; S
and have before me the entire series of its
consequences. | believe wal to be n~ecessa-
~. ] believe it to be a measure indispensa-
bic TO the salvation of Mexico, and that her
government will not faithfully perform her
duties, II she does not strain her resorces Ia \
the utmost boldly to enforce n full comics. (
sion other justice.
"You have yourself seen, that an unex-
pected and surprising freak of fortune alone U
prevented total ruin of the remains of the r
army, which had already lost the
greater part Of the territory depending upon -
Is defence. Still greater efforts, than those
attempted at that period, can still be made Z
md shall be, for have the will and the pow. a
sr sufficient, which God and the Mexican peo- Il
pie have given me TO establish solidIy the
honor Of the nation | govern. =.
"1f the mediation Of the governments of :,
Great Britain and the United States, had }
or its object any reasonable adjustment in
were not compromised the incon- Il
estable rights Of the nation to a territory Il
lsurped under the name of an Independent q
lation, | would not refuse to admit it, as well :
m account OF my respect for these govern. =
nents, rs from a due consideration of the in L
erests of humanity; but if this principle is ST
o be brought into question, we Mexicans "
refer the tolls Of war, satisfied that we have
lot provoked it;and we appeal to the Supreme =,
Judge Of the social world, to supper, the JUS. "
ice of our cause by a triumph which we will 81
'ot pervert 20 the oppression and extermi- S
of Texas. N
"The prisoners from Santa Fe have been
reated according 10 the usages in cases of n,
%risoners Of war; for as such humanity re- :.
uires US to consider them, without however .
isregarding prudent measures of security. sy
have ordered the youth, Van Ness and ry
TO be placed in absolute liberty.
trough consideration for the respectable o.,
lmilies in the United States to which thew ..
and to give testimony that the Mex. ''
an government knows how to emper the tr
verify OF its justice by measures of lenity
nd commiseration. RI
"From Mr.. Samuel Houston, from your. Dc
If, and from two or three more Texans.
i've received many kind attentions So far en-
my delicate duties as chief of the nation mi
i'll permit me, | shall be most happy, as a pr
'ivate individual, gratefully to repay them
whatever misfortune, inconstant fate. NAV
'epare for them. You, sir, are fully able ".