The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-07-16

revolution
orders were given by the President of the United
States to all officers the south and southweste-n
frontier TO take care that those laws should be observ
ed and the attention of the Government of the Uni
Tea States has not been called toany specific violation
Of them since The manifestation on the part of Mckee
oi an Intention to renew hostIties with Texas and
all officers of the Government remain charged with
The strict and faithful execution Of these laws. On
recent occasion complaint was made by the repIesen-
tatlves of Texas that armament was fitted out in
the United States for The service of Mexico against
Texas.
Two vessels Of war, was alleged built or pur-
chased IN the ned States for The use of the Govern
ment OF Mexico, and well understood as Intended to
be employed against Texas equipped and ready
To san from he waters of New York. The case was
carefully inquired into official examination was made
ana legal counsel invoked. 1t appeared To he case
If great d ubt, but Mexico was allowed the benefit Of
that doubt and the vessels left the United States with
the whole or pant of their armament actually on
board. The same administration of even handed Jus
tee, the impartial execution of the laws towards
all parties, will continue to be observed.
II forces have been raised in the United States or
vessels fitted in their ports for Texan service con
trary to law, instance OF which has yet come 10
the Knowledge of the Government prompt attention
will be paid the first case and TO all cases which
may be made known to it. As to advances loans or
donations of money goods, made by individuals
to the Government of Texas or its citizens, Mr.. de
Bocanegra hardly needs to be Informed that there is
nothing unlawful in this, so long Texas is at peace
W tn the United States and that these are things
which no Government undertakes to restrain Other
citizens equally liberty should they be so in
cline to show their good will towards Mexico by
the same means Still less can the Government of
the U nited States be called upon to interfere with
opinions uttered in the public assemblages Of free
People, accustomed to the independent expression of
their sentiments resulting in violation of the laws
i their country, of its duties as neutral State
towards the U nted States, Mexico and Texas stand
IN the same relation, independent States at war
Of the character of that war mankind will form their
own opinions, and in the United Stales at least the
utteTance of those opinions cannot be suppressed
The second par, Of Mr.. de Bocanegras complaint
is thus stated No sooner does the Mexican Govern
ment, in the exercise of its rights, which il cannot
and does not desire to renounce prepare means to re-
cover possession usurped from it, than the whole
populoton of the United States, especially in the
Southern States, is in commo,lon; and, in the most
public manner, large portion of them is directed up
on Texas"
And how does Mr.. de Bocanegra suppose that the
Government Of the United States prevent, or is
bound to undertake to prevent, the people from thus
going to Texas This is emigration; the same emf
grafton, though not under the same circumstances,
which Mexico invited to Texas before the revolution
These persons, far as is known to the Government
OF the United States, repair to Texas not as citizens
of the United States, but ceasing to be such citi
zens and as changing at the same time their allegi-
ance and their domcil. Should they return after
having entered into the service of foreign State,
still claiming to be citizens of the United States, it
will be for the authorities of the United States Go
vernment to determine how far they have violated
the municipal laws of the country and what penalties
they have incurred. The Government Of the United
States does not maintain, and never has maintained,
the doctrine of the perpetuity OF natural allegiance.
And surely Mexico maintains no such doctrine; be-
cause her actually existing Government, like that OF
the United States, is founded in the principle tn
ne fhrOu off he ion Of hat all
to which they are born
The Government of the United States, from its
origin has maintained legal provisions for the natu
ralizaton of such subjects Of foreign States may
choose to come hther and make their home in the
country, and, renouncng their former allegiance, and
complying with certain stated acquisitions, to take
upon themselves the character of citizens of this Go
vernment. Mexico herself has laws granting equal
facilities to the naturalization OF foreigners.
On the other hand the United States have not
passed any law restraining their own citizens, native
or naturalized from leaving the country and forming
political relations elsewhere. Nor do other Govern
ments, in modern times attempt any such thing. 1t
is true that there Governments which assert the
principle Of perpetual allegiance; yee even in cases
where this is not rather matter of theory than prac-
tice the duties of this supposed continual allegiance
are left to be demanded of the subject himself, when
within the reach of the power of his former Govern
ment, and exigencies may arise, and are not at
tempted to be enforced by tho imposition OF previous
men from leaving country.
Upon this subject of the emigration of individuals
from neutral to beligerant States in regard to which
Mr. de Bocanegra appears so indignant, we must be
allowed to bring Mexico into her own presence, to
compare her with herself and respectfully invite her
to Judge the matter by her own principles and her
own conduct. In her great struggle against Spain
for her own independence, did she not open her arms
to receive all who would come to her from any
part of the world And did not mutudes flock to her
new-rased standard of liberty from the United
States from England, Ireland, France and Italy,
many Of whom distinguished themselves in her SER
vice, both by sea and land She does not appear to
have supposed that the Governments Of these per-
sons thus coming to unite their fate with hers were,
by allowing the emigration, even pending civil
war furnishing Just cause of offence to Spain. Even
in her military operations against Texas, Mexico
employed many foreign emigrans and it may be
thought remarkable that in those very operations not
long before the battle of San Jacinto native citi-
zen of the United States held high command in her
service, and performed feats Of mean significance
in Texas OF that toleration therefore, she calls
! it. and which she now so warmly denounces Mexico
in that hour of her emergency embraced the benefits
| eagerly, and to the full extent of her power May
we not ask, them how she can reconcile her present
complaints with her own practice as well how
she accounts for so long and unbroken silence upon
a subject on which her remonstrance is now so loud
Spain chose to regard Mexico only in the light OF
n rebei,us province for near twenty years after she
| had asserted her independence. Does Mexico
now admit that, for all that PERIOD no withstanlng
her practical emancipation fro Spanish power ii was
unlawful for the subjects and citizens of o. her Gov
ernmens to carry with her the ordinary business
of commerce, to accept her tempting offers to emf
granls2 Certainly such is not her opinion.
Might it not be asked then, even if the United
| States had not already and long ago acknowledged
the independence of Texas, how long they should
be expected to wait for the accomplishment of the oh
cct existing only in purpose and intention o
the re subjugalion of that territory by Mexlcol
How long, let it be asked in the judgment of Mexi
co herself is the fact of actual indepe ndence b.
held of avail against an avowed purpose of future
conquest
Mr. dc Bocanegra is pleased to say, that if war ac
tually existed between the two countries proceedings
more hostile on the part of the United States coul,
no, have taken place than have taken place, tn,
insurgents Of Texas obtained more efectual co-ope
ration than they have obtained
i har arlnus 10 the liscnrn