Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-12-13

proceedings; and il felt it to be due as well to it.
self as to the honor Of the country, that strong
representation should be made to the Mexican gov
eminent on the subject This was accordingly
done, as will be seen by copy of the accompany
ing despatch from the Secretary of State to the
United States Envoy at Mexico. Mexico has no
right to leopard the peace of the world BY urging
any longer, useless and fruitless contest Such
condition of things would not be tolerated on the
European continent. Why should it be on this?
A war of desolaon such as is now threatened by
Mexico, cannot be waged without involving our
peace and tranquility. IL is idle to believe that
such war could be looked upon with Indifference
by our citizens, nhabitng adjoining States, and
our neutrality would be violated, in despite of all
efforts on The part Of government to prevent it
The country is settled by emigrants from the Uni
ted Staes under invitations held out to them by
Spain and Mexico Those emigrants have left be-
hind them friends and relatives who would not fail
to syrpothise with them in their difficulties, and
who would be led by those sympathies to particle
pate in their struggles, however energetic the
action of Government to prevent it. Nor would
the numerous and formidable bands of Indians, the
most warlike 10 be found in any land, which occn
Ply the extensive regions contiguous to the States
of Arkansas and Missouri and who are in possess
sion of large tracts of country within the limits of
Texas, be likely to remain passive. The inclina-
tons Of those numerous tribes lead them invariably
to war whenever preteXs exist.
Mexico had no just ground Of dspeasure against
this government or people. What interest of hers
nothing since Texas was forever lost to her. The
independence of Texas recognised by several
Of the leading powers of the earth. She was free
to treat-free to adopt her own line of policy-free
TO take the which she believed best cal
{ cuated to secure her happiness. Her government
and people decided annexation to the u States;
and the Executive saw, in the acquisition of such
a territory, the means of advancing their perma-
nent happiness and glory. What principle of good
faith then violated? what rule of political NOR
,is nIol,t p1a fn,tS hprc
was concerned the measure sh' nd have been re-
Iarded by her as highly beneficial Her inability
to reconquer Texas had been exhibited, ] repeat,
by eight-now nine years of fruitless and runous
contest. In the meantime, Texas has been grow
i ing in population and resources. Emigration has
lowed into her territory from parts of the World,
II IN current which continues to increase in strength
= Mexico requires permanent boundary between
hat young republic auL herself. Texas, ut no dis
1 ant day. if she continues separate aud detached
u rom the United States, will inevitably seek to con-
g olidate her strength by adding toher domain the
Is contiguous provinces of Mexico The spirit ofre
T. Jot from The control of the Central Government
ms, heretofore, manifested itself in some of those
ID PROVINCES and it is fair to infer that they would be
&c inclined TO take the first favorable opportunity to
It proclaim their independence and to torn close al
&c iiances with Texas. The war would thus be end
,n less or, if cessaons Of hostties should occur,
oi hey would only endure for season. The inter-
ests of Mexico therefore, could in nothing be bet
,e er consulted than in peace with her neighbors
VI which would result in the establishment Of per-
n nanent boundary. Upon the ratification of the
i. treaty, the Executive prepared to treat with
ler the most liberal basis. Hence the bounda-
~ RES of Texas were LETT underlined by the treaty.
I'd The Executive proposed to settle these upon terms
as that all the world should have pronounced Just and
d. easonabe. No negotiation upon that poiit could
ur nave been undertaken between the United States
en- md Mexico, in advance of the ratification of the
v treaty. We should have had no right-no power
auhOritV. n have conducted such n
,h tlon; and to have undertaken it, would have been
L. IN assumption equally revolving TO the pride of
OF ,lexco and Texas, and subectng to the charge
)f arrogance: while to have proposed in advance
ed If annexation, satisfy Mexico for any contingent
ty interest she might have in Texas, would have been
to TO have treated Texas not as an Independent pow
be Ell, but as mere dependency Of Mexico. This
lssumpto on could not have been acted on by the
,st Executive, without setting at defiance your SOL
e- emn declaration that the Republic indepen-
es lent State Mexico had, it is true, threatened
h against the United States in the the Treaty
la of Annexation was ratified The Executive could
be not permit itself to be influenced by this threat
1t represented in this the spirit of People, who
ls are ready to sacrifice much for peace but nothing
we to intimidation. war, under any circumstances,
dr. is greatly TO be deplored and the United States is
y the last nation to desire but it, the condition
of peace it be required of to forego the unques
en tionable right of treating wi h an independent
of power Of our own Continent upon matters highly
n.y. interesting to both, and that upon naked aud
in sustained pretension Of claim by third power, 10
Ike control the freewill of the power with whom we
a treat-devoted may be to peace, and anxious
OF to cultivate friendly relations with the whole world,
the Executive does not hesitate to say, that the
las People of the United States would be ready to
eff brave all consequences, than submit to such
he condition. But no apprehension of war enter
h tanned by the Executives; and must express frank
y the opinion that had the Treaty been ratified by
The the Senate, it would have been followed by a
to prompt settlement to the entire satisfaction Of Mex
The leo, of every matter in difference between the two
the countries. Seeing then that new preparations for
hostile invasion of Texas about to be adopted
ion by Mexico and that these were brought about be-
of cause Texas had adopted the suggestions of the
the Executive upon the subject of Annexation, could
ted not passivey have folded its and permitted
ac- war; threatened TO be accompanied by every act
1t that could mark Darbarous age, to be waged a.
gainst her, because she had done
my Other considerations of a controlling character
9th influenced the course of the Executive. The rea-
the ~ which had thus been negotiated, had failed 10
md receive the ratification of the Senate. One of the
us chief objections which was urged against it, was
nd ound to consist in the fact tta the question of an
eat nexaton had not been submitted to the ordeal OF
Of public opinion in the United States However UNI
it tenabe such an objection was esteemed to he IN
he view of the unquestionable power of the Execu'
on tive to negotiate the treaty. and the great and last
ing interests involved in the question, elt II TO be
in my duty to submit the whole subject to Congress
one the best expounders of popular sentiment No de
as inve action having been taken the subject by
ere Congress, the question referred itself directly 10
an he decision OF the States and the People. The
OBJ great popular election which has Just terminated
the afforded the best opportunity of ascerainlng the
in will of the States and the People upon II. Pending
in that ssue it became the imperative duty OF the
in Executive to inform Mexico that the question OF an
his nexalion still before the American people, and
dly that until their decision pronounced, any ser
lies Gus invasion of Texas would be regarded at
nts tempt to TO- esta their judgment, and could not be
ex- looked upon with indifference. ] am most happy
ere TO inform you that no such invasion has takei
the place; and trust that whatever your action may