Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-12-21


| with whom we are not only DESTROYS of
cultlvating the relations of amity, but of
the most extended commercial inter-
course, and to practise all the rights of a
neighborhood hostility. Our own inter
ests are deeply involved in the matter,
since, however neutral may be our course
of policy, we capnot hope to escape the
effects Of spirit of jealousy on the part
of both of the powers. Nor can this
Government he Indifferent to the fact
that warfare, such as is waged between
those two nations, is calculated to weak
en- 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 powerful Ma
tons, which. intent only on advancing
their own peculiar views, may sooner OF
later attempt to bring about compliance
with terms, as the condition of their in
terposition, alike derogatory to the ma
ton granting them and detrimental to
the interests of the United States. We
could not be expected quietly to permit
any such interference to our disadyan-
tage. Considering that Texas is separa-
ted from the United States by mere ge-
ographical line, that her territory, in the
opinion of many, formed portion of the
United States, that it is homogeneous in
its population and pursuits with the ad-
joining 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 u.
States, speak the same language and live
under the same political institutions with
ourselves, this Government is bound by
every consideration Of interest as we'll as
of sympathy, to see that she shall be left
free to act, especially in regard to her
domestic affairs, unawed by force, and
unrestrained by the policy or views of
other countries. In full view of all these
considerations, the Executive has not
hesitated to express to the Government
of sIexico how deeply it deprecated a
continuance of the war, and how anx-
iously it desired to witness its termlna
ton. cannot but think that it becomes
the United States, as the oldest of the
American Republics, to hold language
to Mexico upon this subject of an unam-
biguous character. 1t is time this war
had ceased. There must be limit to
all wars and if the parent State, after
an eight years struggle, has failed to re-
duce to submission portion OF its sub
iects standing out in revolt against it,
and who have not on y proclaimed them
selves to be independent, but have been
recognised as such by other Powers, she
ought not to expect that other cations
will quietly look on, to their obvious in
jury, upon a protraction of hostilities.- -
These United States threw off their CO.
lonial dependence, and established indie
pendent Governments and Great Brit
ain, after having wasted her energies in
the attempt to subdue them for less pc
Rod than Mexico has attempted to subju-
gate Texas, had the wisdom and justice
to acknowledge their independence,
thereby recognising the obligation which
rested on her as one Of the family Of ma
tons. An example thus set by one of
the proudest as well as most powerful ma
tons of the earth, it could in no way
disparage Mexico to initiate. While,
therefore, the Executive would deplore
any collision with Mexico, OR any distur-
banoe of the friendly relations which ex-
list between the two countries, 1t cannot
permit that Government to control its
policy, whatever it may be, towards Tex
as but will treat her, as by the recog-
milton of her independence the United
States have long since declared they
would do, as entirely independent Of
Mexico. The high obligations Of public
duty may enforce from the constituted
authorities of the United States policy
which the course persevered in by Mexi-
co will have mainly contributed to pro-
duce; and the Executive in such con-
tingency, will with confidence throw it.
self 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 Govern
ment O: Mexico calculated in no small
degree to affect the trade of other ma
tons with Mexico. and to operate lnjuri-
ously to the United States. All foreign
ers by a decree of the Esd day Of Sep
TENDER. and after six months from the
day of its PRONUNCIATION, are forbidden to
carry on the business of selling by retail
any goods within the confines of Mexico.
Against this decree our Minister has not
failed to reTonstrate.
The trade heretofore carried only our
citizens with Santa Fs, in which much
capital was already invested, > and which
was becoming of daily increasing impor-
lance, has suddenly been arrested by a
decree of virtual prohibition on the part
of the Mexican Government. Whatev-
er may be the right Of Mexico to prohib-
It any particular course of trade, to the
citizens or subjects of foreign powers,
this late procedure, to say the least of it,
wears harsh~and unfriendIy aspect.
The instruments on the claims recent,
~ settled by the Convention with Mex
leo have been punctually paid as they