The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-12-01

been we'll known and appreciated On this subject
invite the attention Of Congress to the report OF the
Secretary of State, from which it will be that
while our cotton is admitted free Of duty and the
duty on rice has been much reduced, which has al
ready led to greatly increased consumption, strong
disposition has been recently evinced by that great body
to reduce upon certain conditions, their present duty
upon tobacco This being the first intimaton of
cession his interesting subject made by anyEu
lOpean power cannot but regard as well calculated
to the only impeachment which has far existed
to the most liberal commercial intercourse between
and them In this view, our Minister at Berlin, who
has heretofore ndusriousy pursued the subject, has
been instructed to enter upon the negotiation of COM
mercial treaty. which, while it will open advan-
tagesO the agricultural interests of the United States,
and a more free and expanded field for commercial
of the Union. Should the negotiation be crowned
with success its results will 10 communicated both
Houses of Congress.
communicate herewith certain dispatches received
from Minister Mexico and also nee
which has nty occurred between the Envoy from
that Republic and the Secretary of State. II must
be regarded not little extraordinary that the
Government of Mexico in anticipation Of public
discussion, which it has been pleased to i"frr from
newspaper publications. likely to take place in Con-
grcss relating 10 the alton of Texas the Uni
ted States should have far anticipated the result of
such discussion as TO have announced its determine
ton to visit any such anticipated decision by formal
declaration OF war against the United States
l
that question: fit subject for its calm elaboration
and final Judgment, the Executive has reason to
doubt that it will entirely fail of its object The
Representatives of brave and patriotic people will
suffer apprehension of future consequences to en-
barrass them in TIE course of their proposed debe-
rations. Nor will the Executive Department of the
Government fall for any such cause, to discharge its
whole duty to the country.
The war which has existed for so long time be-
| tween Mexico and Texas has, since the battle of
San Jacno, consisted for the part of predatory
incursions which, while they have been attended with
much of suffering to individuals, and have kept the
borders Of the two countries in state Of constant
alarm, have failed to approach to any defnitiye re-
suit. Mexico has fitted out no formidable armament
by land or by sea for the subjugation Of Texas
I'll years have now elapsed since Texas declared
her independence Of Mexico, and during that time
| she has been recognised sovereign power by
several of the principal civilized states. Mexico
nevertheless, perseveres in her plans of
quest, and refuses to recognise her indepen-
| dence. The predatory incursions 10 which |
have alluded, have been atteoded, in one instance
with the breaking up of the courts Of Justice BY
the Selling upon the persons of the judges, jury
and officers of the court, and dragging them along
with unarmed, and therefore nou-combatant citizens
into cruel and oppressive bondage, thus leaving
crime to go unpublished and immortality to pass un.
reproved. border warfare is evermore to be dep
recated, and over such war as has existed for so
many years between these two States, humanity has
of things to be depored only because of the ndivid
ual suffering attendant upon It, The effects are far
more extensive. The Creator Of the Universe has
given man the Earth for his resting place, and its
fruits for his subsistence. Whatever, therefore,
shall make the first any part of il scene of DESC
ation, affects injuriousy his heritage and may be re-
garded as general calamity Wars may sometimes
be necessary; but all nations have common interest
in bringing them speedily to close. The United
States have an immediate interest in seeing an end
put to the state Of hostties existing between Mexi
co and Texas. They neighbors, of the same
continent, with whom we are not only DESTROYS of
cultvating the relations OF amity, but of the
tended commercial intercourse, and to practise all
the rights of a neighborhood hospitality. Our own in
terests deeply involved in the matter, since how
ever neutral may be course of policy, cannot
hope TO escape the ELECTS of spirit Of jealousy
the part Of both of the powers. Nor can this Gov
i eminent be Indifferent 10 the fact that warfare such
as is waged between those two nations calculated
TO weaken both powers, and finally to render them,
and especially the weaker Of the two the subjects of
interference on the part OF stronger and more power
full nations, which, intent only advancing their
peculiar views, may sooner later attempt to bring
about compliance with terms, as the condition of
their ntcrposition, alike derogaory to the nation
granting them and detrimental TO the interests of the
United States. We could not be expected quietly to
| permit any such inter ercncc TO our disadvantage
Considering that Texas is separated from the United
States by mere geographical line that her territory
in the opinion Of many, formed portion Of the terri
tory OF the United States, that it is homogeneous
in IFS population and pursuits with the adjoining
States, makes contributions to the commerce of the
world In the same articles with them and that most
of her inhabitants have been citizens of the United
States, speak the same language and live under
similar political institutions with ourselves. this Co
vernmcnt bound by every consideration of interest
as well as of sympathy, TO that she shall be left
Tree TO act especially IN regard To her domestic af-
fairs, unawed by force, and unrcstrained by the poll
cy or views oil other countries In full view of all
/ YhcSr all he Exa.
to express to the Government of Mexico how deeply
1t deprecated continuance Of the war and how anx.
ously II desired to witness its termination cannot
but think that it becomes the United States a, the
Oldest Of the American Republics to hold language
TO Mexico upon this subject of imam biguous cha
rscter. II is time that this war had ceased There
must be limit to all wars and il the parent Stale
after eight years struggle, has failed to reduce 10
submission portion OF It's subjects standing out in
revolt against it, and who have not only proclaimed
themselves TO be independent but have been recog-
Missed as such by other Powers she ought expect
that other nations will quietly look on to their oSv
| Gus injury, upon protraction OF hosities These
United States threw off their colonial dependence
and established independent Governments and
Great Britain, after having wasted her energies in
the attempt TO subdue them for less period than
! Mexico has attempted TO subjugotc Texas, had the
wisdom and justice to acknowledge their ndepend
ence, thereby recognising the obligation which rested
on her Of the family Of nations. An example
thus set by of the proudest as well as most
powerful nations of the EARTH il could IN no way
! disparage Mexico to initiate. While, therefore the
Executive would deporo any collision with Mexico,
or any disturbance of the friendly relations which
exist between the two countries, cannot permit that
| Government TO control its policy, whatever it may
be, towards Texas; but will treat her as by the re-
! cognton of her independence the United States have
long since declared they would do as entirely indie
pendent Of Mexico The high obligations of public
duty may enforce from the constituted authorities Of
the United States policy which the course perse-
vered in by Mexico will have mainly contributed TO
produce and the Executive, in such contingency,
will with confidence throw itself upon the patriotism
Of the People TO sustain the Government in its course
of action.
Measures of an unusual character have recently
] been adopted by the Mexican Government calcula-
ted IN no small degree to affect the trade Of other
tons with Mexico, and TO operate injuriously to the
United States. All foreigners by decree Of the 23d
day Of September and after six months from the