The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-12-13
THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO.
DOCUMENTS ACCO PANYING THE PRE-
SlDaNT'S ANNUAL MESSAGE.
Mr.. DE Bocanegra to Mr.. Thompson.
9. ts lrRANsL ALTON

lrRANsLAT ALTON
NATIONAL PALACE MEXICO, August %, lS43.
The undersigned, Secrslsry of State for Foreign
Relations and Government, has received express
ders from his Excellency the Provisional President to
address the Hon. Waddy Thompson Envoy Extraor-
binary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United
States and to give him clear and de6nitye explsna-
tons respecting affair." the consequences Of which
are grave and serious for the two ma ions whose
friendship and good understanding should be main
taned for their reciprocal interests and for the vel
fare of the whole human race. t~r ~.
Unfortunately, the events which have been occur.
ring for so many years pasas well the colonization
of Texas by citizens of the United States as the in
surroction excited sustained and carried through by
citizens Of those same States--have appeared TO al
ford grounds for doubling the sincerity and rankness
of the conduct of that powerful Republic with re-
gard to the Mexican nation, although they were
bound together by treaties such esteemed sa-
cred in the intercourse and relations Of civilized
States This assertion has found place Ia the series
of historical truths and under this view alone il is
recalled by the Mexican Government with the deep
est regret, and because, in approaching the event
which is anticipated, it is indispensable to refer to
the most lamentable circumstances which have pro-
ceded it, The recognition Of the Independence Of
Texas by the Government Of the United States
which served as an example, and even a stimulus,
to similar recogntions by some Government, of Eu.
rope the point of altering the existing good
understanding and harmony: and il must be consider
ed as great sacrifice to the public and to the
friendship professed towards the Dles, that
the Government of the Mexican Republic should
have contented itself with making proper fFoiest
against the act in order thus to preserve the rights
OF the nation, its dignity and its honor. From the
moment when his excellcncy he Provisional Presi-
dent took the reis Of Go ernment he has conducted
himself according to the laudable maxims that Gov
ernneDts should be as firm in the purpose 10 be just
in their foreign relations in demanding Justice
whenever aggressions are committed against them
such as may place in jeopardy those rights which
they are bound to preserve at all cost. The Hon.
Waddy Thompson is the best witness show that his
excellency the President has condemned the dark
policy Of national antpathies, and has done all his
power to render the conduct of Mexico towards the
United States consistent, honorable, and cordial, in
order that no well grounded motive Of complaint
might ever exist, and that no breach might be made
in the existing stipuations; and il is likewise noto-
rious that it has been sometimes necessary TO subject
the nation to great Sacrifices in order to keep its
gagements inviolable. 1t likewise appears that the
Government of the United States, in reciprocity for
this uniform system, is bound, for the glory of its
own name, to remove all causes Of injury to the wei
fare of the two nations which may present them
selves. ttar.
The Mexican )vernment has collected sufficient
| evidence, published in abundance by the American
press, that proposition is TO be submitted to the de-
alterations of the Congress of the United ST. ties, at
| called Republic of Texas and although his excel
Iency the President hopes that authority Gil
spect will defeat design SO UNJUST and an attack so
decisive the rights Of the Mexican nation that
territory he has ordered the unders gned TO declare
to the Hon Waddy Thompson, with the view that he
may submit 1t to his Government, that the Mexican
Government will consider equivalent TO a declara
ton OF war against the Mexican Republic the passage
OF an act for the incorporation of Texas with the ter
rtory of the United States the certainty of the fact
being sufficient for the immediate proclamation Of
war; leaving to the civilized world to determine
with regard to the justice of the of the Mex-
can nation in struggle which it has been far from
provoking. as
The coonists of Texas, generously received by the
Mexican nation, entered into that country and rose
in insurrecon, under various pretexs, but with the
declared intention to wrest that territory from its
lawful possessor; and, as to Mexico, they lost
their character Of subjects, while those (a citizens
Of the United States WHO afterwards went to support
their rebellion are regarded only as adventurers-'
And if party in Texas is endeavorng TO effect
its incorporation with the United States, it is from
the consciousness Of their notorious ncapabity to
form and constitute independent nation, without
their having changed their situation, acquired any
right, to separate themselves from their mother
try. His eXcellency the Provisional President rest
ing this deep convction is obliged to prevent
aggression unprecedented in the annals of the world
from being consummated; aud if it be indispensable
for the Mexican nation to seek security for It's rights
at the expense Of the disasters Of war, it will call
upon tIOd ana rely on lis own euoTts Tor The defence
Of It's Just The Government of the under
signed, nevertheless, hatters itself with the hope that
the Government Of The Uriied States will ward off
from its country and from the deplorabe
quences OF rupture, by preserving the amcabe
iaons which his eXceency the President ardently
desires TO maintain, and will thus the glorious
Republic which the immortal Washington founded
from stain and JishoDor.
The undersigned hopes that his oxcellcncy the
Minister OF the United States will communicate his
I he and nnpt
the assurances of high confederation on the part Of
/ his most obedient servant,
j. NJ DE BOCANEGRA.
Hon. WADpY TnoMrsoN, Envoy, sc.
Mr.. Thompson TO Mr.. De Bocanegra.
LOCATION THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
MExco, August "a, lS43.
The undersigned has received ard read with as
tonshment the note Of his excelency Jose Maria de
Bocanegra, Minister of Foreign relations and Gov
ernment of Yesterdays date. At the very moment
when rumor of invasion Of the territory of Mex
leo by citizens of the United States having no other
authority than the public newspapers is proven TO be
without foundation. and upon which rumor his Ex-
cclency had addressed very strong note TO the
dersigned another IS received Of similar character,
based upon no better authority The direct threat OF
war which his Excellency makes, precludes The I'M
dersigned from offering any explanation whatever
upon the subject With proud man, or a proud
nation, the language OF menace IS not only uDavail-
ing but has an inevitable tendency to defeat its OBJ
! ject The Government Of the undersigned has
passion for war, foreign domestic. 1t seeks diff
ierent path of glory Still less does that Govern
ment desire with Mexico. But, if any thing
could excite such feeling, 1t will be the constant
petition Of these threats, alike Incompatible, in the
judgment Of the Undersigned with the respect due to
his own Gov rDment aid 10 that of exico and the
undersigned requests that they may not be repeated
If intended for intimidation, they will have no effect
and if a warning, they not necessary: for his
country IS always in condition 10 meet any emer-
gency.
The undersigned begs leave TO add, that "the glo-
rious republic founded by the immortal Washington
has ITS character in it, keeping and needs adj
moDioDs from any quarter TO prevent it from stain