Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-05-27

ID ;,.tice to the earnestness and zeal with which
I messed the necessity of beng prepared 10 anoiu
s,,.d with great Difference, the impolicy oil send
rs forces and expeditions into the country 80 lotaiy
lunproyIed TO be n source OF emoa'ia,sne"' r -
Nm ass,sancr those for whose aid lhey m9"' NC
| ! med F,om the most authentic advices lheh re-
cn TeYss il was asceria;ned that the forces
GO r;sta had sent to San Antonio had ialien BACK
~ Tho Western bank Of the RIO Grande, ana hehce
Aid not believe that serious concentration Oh lhe
of Me rico would take place until the autumn, When
thought serious inrason 81 me country ,'oum 'ans
,ioes Considerations of del'cacy which belong TO my
rlstons az citizen of the United States, forbid my
narru,nr what said in regard TO the duhes ano OBJ
,ns !. bich such a crisis would impose on those VINO
Rad ieJged themselves grac TO le1as ana 10 snS
tainuc Cause ,,o ,-do- n
,h r,isnds of Texas either impaired or destroyed by
abortiye expeditions sent into the country, P'ooaoy
before they are wanted, and unprovided with te means
of beinr useful because when they are really needed
the effort TO procure succor may be entirely
The fame of popular enthusiasm dithcnit 10
when once exnguished by suffering, reverses, and &C.
musi likewise confess that my opinions remain un-
changed, Of the true policy OF lexas-a poicy "h'cn
| hsl,eve NAV be comprehended IN very orei sum
mary To sustain herself vigorously in defensive.
TnIher than TO be weakened by inadequate efforts IN an
offensive war-To let the sword protect the pou9h-
share-To give such an organization 10 her n''ia as
shall make every freeman thorough SOLDIER through
ont the Republlc-To meet, repulse, ana defeat any
invading force that may cross the Rio Grande and to
devote her whole pecunary resources, whatever they
nav bc to the munitions Of war, necessary to accom-
pish this result and to keep her squadron afoat in Inc
Gulf in the undspued mastery of which, her safety
an essentially depends. When, in every sense OF the
word she makes good her present foothold, and can
realize the strike certain and eHectuai blow
at the heart of Mexico the only mode OF securing
nm honorable peace, her efforts may then, effectively
take the direction towards vigorous war oil INVASION
"A "Leflam al intcrRcct0nem.
1t has long been an approved maxim "that u Is aaH
gerous to despise Your enemy loo mnch whist ed
nit that this hard admontion to observe IN relation
10 hr hsxicans, yet the intrinsic diiIculles Oh sue
cessful invasion Of Mexico, not to be unacknowedg
ed mr. overlooked. They 10 be found either IN te
dious and oppressve march, longer than that Of Napo
leon from the frontiers of France TO Moscow, or an ex
pensye and hazardous transport of troops On the CUT
10 saw nothing of the task of subjngaling eight NIL
lions of people rrevocaby separated from our race
| by difference of language, complexion ard reli-
gion fortified by the strongest national prejudces and
autpa,hes Conquest under these circumstances, il
must be admitted would require money, cop'ous ma
pazines Of provisions and ammunition, large baggage
train aud the occupation Of succession OF posts pro-
tec,ng and covering your advance into the heart OF
an enemy's country, presenting many geographical as
we'll as statistical features OF perpexty and annoyance
If it is treason the Of Texas not TO desire
second SaRa tie expedition on larger scale, then
n willing To plead guilty the charge, and to admit
that prefer the useful and simple epic OF the
battle of San .Iacinto her own territory. Her true
policy in her present position, is TO hazard nothing, TO
stand last and meet the INVADERS Of they Gomez Nth
the uncrring certainty with which an American rifle
sends forth its messenger OF death.
am also free 10 confess that DO not desire TO
the cause of Texas weakened in the u s., in Europe,
by an absurd and aborve effort TO her annexa-
ton to this Union What man. in his senses, can be-
eve when the Constitution Of the u s. requires, un.
der the trea making power, the OF two
thirds of the States in the Contederacy such
sure tia. can be accomplished; that the effort in
Congress would be attended by any other
than convulsve agitation throughout this country OF
most painful and porentous character? An agitation,
however disastrous to ourselves yet more preudca to
Texas. In The mean time, the standing she holds would
be impaired the estimation Of the great powers OF Eu-
rope who have recognized her independence and the
admiration recently entertained for her vaor and en-.
terprse would be turned into contemptior her imbec
" and weakness.
The only probable effect of such an act Of faulty
would be 10 drive Great Britain into alliance with
Mexico far mch hnoic she has natural or desired
sympathy rhatsoerer
No, Texas has commenced her destiny an indie
pendent power and she must work out her salvation by
the ploughshare and the sword.
Her territory, for its superficial extent comprehends
the finest, most fertile, and most beautiful portion OF
the hab;table globe. On this territory her people,
small may be their numbers, are Invnciele Ihey
are growing in their infancy like Hercules apace and
like him, will strangle ere long the serpents that coil
around their cradle.
Whilst regret the undeserved prominence that has
been given to my opinions in relation TO the present
crisis in Texas, yet cannot but fearlessy avow them
although in opposition TO those of my best friends and
perhaps uf the public sentiment of the country itself
But what is the of firm conviction Of what we
conscentousy believe 10 be true, il it is not thus ho
nestly expressed For the sincerity Of my convictions
no guarantee can be required. have deep stake in
the country. Independently of the pecunlary claims
which have on her Government, land which know
will be ultimately discharged with the utmost fidelity
and honor) have territorial and active agricultural
interest in her SOIL the safety of which depends her
security. But what is far deeply interesting TO
me- have staked my reputation with the four principal
powers of Europe that she not only de acto ndepcnd
emit, but is capable and worthy of being
May | therefore, respectfully, and certainly in no
unfrendy spirit, ask your correspondent to believe
" that am incapable of njurng cause which my
sympathies would lead me to promote, or that my
eareat has any other extent but ts-Do not strike be-
fore you are ready, and then strike home.
| remain, Sir, with great esteem,
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES HAMILTON.