Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-07-19

has not Texas right TO complain OF thisl For no
reason, certainly, but because the PERMISSION 70
trade, or the actual trading by the citizens OF
Government in articles eonuaeand OF war, Is not
breach OF neutrality.
i Mr. De Bocanegra processes himself unable to
Icomprehend how those persons OF whom he COM
| plains have been able TO evade the punishment de-
creed against them by the laws oil the United States;
but he does not appear TO have clear idea OF the
principles or provisions OF thos, laws. Tie duties
OF neutral nations in time OF war prescribed by
the law Of nations, which is imperative and binding
upon all Governments; and nations not untrequentiy
establish municipal regulations for bs:ter govern
/ nent OF the conduct OF their subjects or cit zens.
This has been done by tho United States, in order
10 maintain with groates certainty strict and impair
tai neutrality, pending war between other counties.
And wherever violation Of neutral duties, as they
exist by the law OF nations, any breach OF its own
laws has been brought TO the notice Of the Govern.
| mcnt, attention has always been paid to il.
Al carly period Of the Texan revolution strict
orders were given by the President OF the United
States TO all officers the south and south western
frontier TO take that those laws should be ob
served; and the attention OF the Government OF the
United States has not been called To any specific
violation Of them since the manifestation the part
oil Mexico OF an intention TO renew hosilities with
Texas, and all officers Of the Government remain
charged with the strict and faithful execution Of these
laws. On a recent occasion complaint was made by
the representatives OF Texas that an armament WAS
fitted out in the United States for the service OF
Mexico against Texas.
Two vessels OF war, it was alleged, built or pur-
chased in the United States for the use OF the Gov.
crnment OF Mexico, and well understood rs intended
to DO employed against Texas, were equipped and
ready TO sail from the waters Of New York. The
case was carefully inquired into, official cximna
ton was made, aud legal counsel invoked. IL up.
peared 10 be n case of great doubt, but Mexico
allowed the benefit OF that doubt, and the vessels
lett the United States with the whole n part Of
their armament actually on boird. The same adj
mnstrstion OF even.handed justice, the same i'm
partial execution Of the laws towards all parties
will continue 10 be observed.
lfforces have been raised in the United States. or
vessels fitted out in their ports for Texian service.
contrary TO law, no instance of which has rs yet
come TO the knowledge OF the Government, prompt
attention will bo paid TO the first case, and 10 all
cases which may be made known TO IL. AS to ad-
vances, loans, or donations Of money or goods, made
by individuals TO the Government OF Texas, or its
citizens, MIR dc Bocanesra hardly needs TO be in
formed that there is nothing unlawful in this, long
as Texas Is at peace with the United States, and
that these are things which no Government under
takes 10 restrain. Other citizens are equally at Ii
berry, should they be so Inclined to show their good
will towards Mexico by the same means Still less
can tho Government OF the United States be called
upon TO interfere with opinions uttered in the pubs
lie assemblagos of free People, accustomed 10
the independent expression OF their sentiments
sultng IN no violation of the laws Of their country,
or OF its duties neutral State. Towards the
United States, Mexico and Texas stand in the
same relation, as independent States at war. OF
own opinions, and in the United States at eas, the
utterance OF those opinions cannot be suppressed.
The second part Of Mr. de Boeanegra's complaint
10 thus stated: "No sooner does the Mexican Go
vernmen in the exercise OF lis rights, which il
cannot and does not desire 10 renouncs, prepare
means TO recover a possession usurped from il,
" than the whole population OF the United States,
" especially in the Southern States, is in eommo.
" uon and, in the most public manner, large pcr-
" ton OF them is directed upon Texas."
And how does Mr. de BOcanegra supDose that the
Government of the United States can prevent, or
is bound TO undertake TO prevent, the people from
thus gong 10 Texas1 This is emigration; the same
emigration, though not under the same c.rcumstan-
ces, which Mexico invited TO Texas before the revo.
luton. These persons, so far as is known to the
Government OF the United States repair TO Texas
not as citizens OF the United States, but as csasug
to be such citizens, and as changing at the same
time their allegiance and their domicil. Should
they return after having entered into the service of
foreign State, still claiming to be citizens Of the
United States, 1t will be for the authorities of the
United States Government TO determine, how far
they have violated the municipal laws of the coun.
Try and what penalties they have incurred The
Governments OF the United States does not maintain
and never maintained the doctrine OF the perpetuity
oil natural allegiance. And surely Mexico main>
ans no such doctrne because her actually existing
Government, like that OF the United States is foun-
ded in the principle that may throw OFT the OBJ
iisllon oil that allegiance TO which they are born.
The Government OF the United States from its
origin mas maintained legal provisions Tor the untur.
alzaton OF such subjects OF foreign States ns may
| choose to come hlther and make their home in the
country, and renouncing their former allegiance
and complying with certain stated requisiiions to
take upon themselves the character OF citizens OF
this Government. Mexico hetselfha laws granting
equal facilities to the naturalization OF foreigners
On the o,ker hind, the United States hive not
passed any law resraning their own citizens, ma To-
tive or na;urazed, from leaving the country and
forming political relations elsewhere Nor do other
1 .ffau -
thing. II IS true that there are Governments which
even in cases where this is not rather matter Of
theory than practice, the duties of this supposed
continuing allegiance are left TO be demanded OF the
subject himself when within the reach oil the power
! Of his former Government, and as eN'gencies may
arise and are not attempted to DO enforced by the
| ieaving their country. '" ''o'"
Upon this subject of the emigr.,;an of issiv;d,.l
rom neutral to Osiiis-ren. Statss, in regard TO
which MIR. de Bocanegra appears go indi,nsn, ~
must be allowed to bring Mexico into her own nrs
sence, 10 compare her with herself and rA.r--.f.i
invite her TO judge the matter by her principles
ani her own rnnju-,. In her great struggle nennst
Spain tor her own independence, did she not omen
her arms vide TO receive oil who would come TO
her from any part Of the word7 And did not rnnl-
ttudes flock TO hek new raised standard of liberty
tom tho United States, from England Ireland
France, and Italy, many of whom distinguished
themselves IN her service, both by sea and and7-
She docs not appear 10 have supposed That tho 90
their fate with hers, were, by allowing the emigra.
ton even pending civil war, furnishing lust cause
OF ohence 10 Spain. Even in her military onsrn
tons against Texas, Mexico employed many 70.
reign emigrants; and it may be thought remarkable
mat IN those very operations not long before The
battle OF San Jaclnto, native citizen Of the IJnei
states held high command in her service. ard ner
formed ieats OF no mean significance in Texas. or
mat toleraiion therefore, as she calls IT, and which
she now go warmly denounce5, Mexico, in thai
hour OF her emergency, embraced the benefits en-
gerry and to the full extent Of her power Nav
we no! ask, them how she can reconcile her presen,
complaints with her own practice, as well ns boyv |
she accounts tor 50 long and unbtlken silence unon
subject on which her remons,rance IL now so
lou57 ~
Spain chose TO regard Mexico only in the lieb,
"i rebeilious province for twenty years alter
sne had asserted her own Independence Does
mex'co now admit that, for oil that period not
Whhslandhg her practical emancipation from Sua.
nish power, il WIS unlawful for the subjects and
citizens Of other Governments to carry on with her
the ordinary business or commerce. or to nccept her
tempting oilers TO emigransl Certainly such is no,
her opinion
Nigh. u not DO asked, then, even if the United
states had not already and long ago acknovleJqed
ihe ihde peodenee Of Texas, how long they should
DC expected to wait for tho accomplishment Of the
OuJccl now existing only in the purpose and inten.
CO ~ '''N'
How long, let it be asked in the Judgment OF MeY.
ico hers,li, Is the fact Of actual independence to
heu o. no avail against an ayoued purpose Of future
Mr. de B1canegrn is pleased 10 soy, that II war
sctu'ly existed between the two countries proceeds
ins9 more hostile on the part OF the United States