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

II
says, dauers itself that the Government oil the I'M
ted States has not promoted - insnrreeuon N
Texas, favored the usurpation ot Its territory, OF
| supplied the rebels with vessels, ammunition anc
| money. II MIR de Bocanegra intends this as frank
| admission Of the honest and cautious neutrality o.
the Government OF the United States in the contest
between Mexico and Texas, he does that Govern
| ment justice, and no moe than justice, but II the
language be intended to intimate an opposite and
reproaehful meaning that sning is only the more
offensive for being inSinuatod rather than distinctly
avowcd. MIR de Bocancgra would seem to represent
that from 1885 TO the present time cit Zens OF tue
United States, ifnot their Government, have peer
aiding rebels in Texas in arms against the iawiu'
authority OF Mexico. This is not little eNuaor .
binary. Mexico may have chosen to consider anu
may still choose to consider, Texas as having oeen
at all times since 1885, and as sun continuing a
rebcllious province; but the world has been obliged
10 take very different view Of the matter. From
the time of tSo battle of Jacn,o, in April, 1886,
10 the present moment Texas has exhibited the
same external signs OF national Independence as
Mexico herself, and with quito rs much stability
of Government. Practically free and independent,
acknowledged political sovere snty by the ptin-
cipal Powers Of the world, no hostile foo, finding
rest within her territory for six or seven years and
Mexico herself retaining for all that period from
any further attempt to re- establish her own authori-
ty that territory, il cannot but be surprising
TO find Mr. dc Bocanegra complaining that for that
whole period citizens OF the United States, or its
Government have been avoring the rebels Of Texas,
and supplying them with vessels, ammunition, and
money; ii the war for the reduction oil the pro-
vince of Texas had been constantly prosecuted 10y
Mexico, and her success prevented by these infu-
enees from abroad.
The general facts appertainng to the settlement
OF Texas, and the revolution in its Government can
no. but be we'll known 10 Mr. de BGcanegra. BY
the treaty OF the 22d OF Februry 1919, between the
United States and Spain, the Sabine was adopted
as the line OF boundary between the two Powers
Up TO that period considerable colonz ation had
been effected in Texas; but the territory between
the Sabine and the Rio Grande being confirmed TO
Spain by the treaty, applications were made to that
Power Tor grants OF land, and such grants, per-
missions OF settlement, were in fact made by the
Spanish authorities in favor Of citizens Of the United
States proposing TO emigrate to Texas, in numerous
families, before the declaration Of independence by
Mexico. And these carly grants confirmed,
as is we'll known, by successive acts ofthe Mexican
Government after its separation from Spain. In
January, 1928, a national colonization law
passed, holding out strong inducements TO all per-
sons who should incline 10 undertake the settlement
of unculiivated lands; and altough the Mexican law
prohibited for time citizens OF foreign countries
from settling colonsts in territories Immediately
adjoining such foreign countries, yet even this
striclion was afterwards repealed or suspended.-
So that, in fact, Mexico from the mencement OF
her political existence held out the most liberal IN
ducements TO emgrants into her territories with full
knowledge that these inducements were likely 10
act and expecting they would act with the greatest
eifoct upon citizens Of the United States; espe.
cially of the Southern States, whose agricultural
pursuits naturally rendered the rich lands of
Texas, so we'll suited 10 their accustomed oecu-
pations, objects of desire 10 them. The early
coonists OF the United States, introduced by Moses
and Stephen Austin under these Inducements and
invitations, were persons Of most respectable charac
ter, and Their undertaking was attended with very
severe hardships, occa,ioned, in small degree by
the successive changes in the Government OF
Mex co. They nevertheless persevered and accom-
plished settlement. And, under the encourage
ment and alurements thus held out by Mexico,
other emgrants followed, and many thousand colo
nists from the United States and elsewhere had
settled in Texas within ten years from the date OF
Mexican Independence. Having some reason to
complain, as they thought, Of the Government over
them, and especially Of the agsressons ofthe Mexi
can military stationed in Texas, they sought relief
by applying TO the supreme Government for the
separation Of Texas from Coahula and for q local
Government for Texas itself. Not having succeed
ed IN this object in the process OF time in the pro-
sress OF events, they saw fit TO attempt an entire
separation nom Mexico 10 set up Government, OF
their own, and 10 establish q political Sovereignty
War ensued, and the battle of San Jacnio, fought
on the 2Ist Of pri, 1886. achieved their indepen.
dence. The war was from that time at an end; and
in March following, the independence of Texas
was formally acknowledged by the Government, Of
the United States.
In the events leading to the actual result. Of these
hos;llities, the Uuited States had no agency and
took no part. Its Government had, from the fret,
abstaned from giving aid or succor to either party
II knew its neutral obligations and fairly endeavor.
ed 10 fulfil them all. IL acknowledged the indepen-
dence OF Texas only when that Independence was
an apparent and an Ascertainsd fact; and It's exam
pic in this particular has been followed by several
OF the most considerable Powers OF Europe.
IL has been sometimes stated, as II for the Dur.
pose OF giving moro reason 10 the complaints of
Mexico, that, Of the military force which acted
against Mexico with efficiency and success in 1886.
a large portion consisted OF volunteers then fresh
from the United States. Bot this is q great error
IL IS well ascertaned that Of those who bore arms in
the Texan ranks in the battle OF San Jacinto,
lhree-fourths at leas, were eolonists invited into
Texas by the grants and the colonization laws oi
Mexico and called TO the by the exigences of
the time in 1886, from their farms and other objects
of private pursuit.
Mr. dc Bocanegra's complaint is tWolold: first,
that citizens OF the United States have supplied the
reoels in Texas wih ammunition, arms, vessels,
VIM munitions Of war, and marched IN
commit hostilies against a friendly nation. nnds,
The eye and with the knowledge Of the public autho-
Ies. 10 aii this Mr. dc Bocanegrs appears to for
get that while the United States are al peace with
Mexico they are also at pence with Texas. Thai
both stand on the same footing Of friendly naions.
that since 1887 the United States have REGARDED
IeHas san independent sovereignty, az much as
Mexico and that trade and commerce with citizen,
OF Government Of war with Mexico cannot ON
TINT account be regarded intercourse by which
assistance and succor are given 10 Mexican rebels
The whole current Of Mr. de Bocanegra's remarks
runs IN the same direction ns IL the indcpendenee
OF Texas had not been acknowledged II has be.o
acknowledged; il was acknowledged in 1887. oo,ios,
the remembrance ard protest OF Mexico; and most
OF the acts Of any importance Of which Mr. de Boca-
negra complains flow necessarily from that recog.
milton. lie speaks Of Texas as SUI being Han
integral part Of the territory OF the Mexican Rspub
le;" but he canno, but understand that the United
states do not so regard IT,. The rsai eononl,in, ~
Mexico, therefore, Is in substance neither more nor
iess IMAM complaint against the recognition OF
Texan Independence.
IL may be thought rather late 10 repeat thu, com
plant, add not quite Just 10 eonine il 10 the United
states, TO the exemption Of England. France and
Belgium, unless the United States, having been Tho
hrst 10 acknoWl ledge the independen.e Of Mrv;co
herself TO be blamed for setting an eTamnle n,
the recognition Of that Of Texls. Butt, siill true
That MIR dc Bocanegra's specification Of his grounds
oil complaint and remonstrlnce, IS mainly conGnod
10 such Transactions and occurrences as are the ma
tufai consequence OF the political relations ex,tino
between Tex s ard the United States. Aeknov,
Ieusng Texas % be on Independent nation. the
Governrnen. the United States of course airous
ma eneoura ges lawful trade and commerce between
the Two countries. II articles contrabsnd OF war bs
found mingled with this commerce. while MeYico
ana Texas are beiigeren, States, Mexico has the
ght 20 intercept the nnsit OF such articles TO her
enemy. rms IS tho common right Of all bellige
rents, and belongs 10 Mexico in the same extent az
70 other nations. But Mr. de Bocldegra IS quite
"sil aware that is not the practice Of nations IN
undertake 10 prohibit their own subjects nv nrevi.
Gus laws, rom traicking in articles conirab5nd Of
"ur ouch trade - carried on NJ the risk Of those
eogagoo m IT. under the liabilities and penalties
presented ny the law Of nations, or by particular
reale' lit be true, therefore, That eli zens Of the
Cnteu states have been engaged in a commerce bv
VIRGO exas' an enemy OF Mexico, has been sup