The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-01-15

English armed vessels 10 tho coasts OF Mexico and
Texas. Shoaid Ms sUNaisE psoss we'll fosadsd, we
think II not improbable that the ntmation given Ia
late Texan pspsr, that considerable American fee,
was expected IN their waters, was based upon cor
rect information
II will be observed that the puts especial
emphasis the word 'surmise as II il were impor-
tant TO be observed. What could the suggestion I'M
deI the circumstances he, h1t sxsssss We axs nol
in the secrets Of The British Cksrgs nor Of the Mex
can Government, and can only judge OF the motives
by which they actuatsd and the objects they have
in view BY their acts, and the circumstances and pro-
liabilities Of the case. The conclusion 10 which VIC
came, ia the matter in point, Uas. therefore, q sur
mise but il a surmise backed by good aud pro-
babe reasons, which the stsgsace did not iii 10
give 10 its readers, but which publication in its
columns only three days previous, went to corrobo
rate in quite remarkable manner. We expressed
the opinion that the pretended misunderstanding
intended smainly"to afford plausible pretext 'tr
Tie introduction, IN unusual numbers, Of English armed
vessels 10 the coasts y .urico and 1sras !" this in
paper Of the 30th November quoted IN the Intel
ligsncer OF the 18th December. In the latter paper
OF the 9Th, the following paragraph occupied promi
nent place in the editorial column;
"Imporiant British .Narsi .uoremeat.-Thc Halifax
Post OF the 2oth November, states that Vice Admi-
raj Sir Charles Adams, departed from that port ,oih
fleet on the 26th for Central America, and remarks
that the business the fleet on of deep Importance
Some old difficulties alluded TO- as 9eu the
recent contempt shoWa the British flag al party al ,chich
the BRITISH Minister present. and what is probably
more grievous than all the rest the restrictions Of
Santa Anna injurious 10 British trade Sir Charles
thinks to do something by way Of remedy"
Now, notwithstanding this coIrobora,ng ercum-
stance coming in aid Of what before believed TO
be good for the opinion we expressed, i, may
turn out that our "surmse no' well founded. Ii
may turn out that Mr. Doyle, the British Charge in
Mexico, is sensitive to the honor of his flag, that
the accidental display, ut Mexican festival Of Br
t,sh ia s.L. H..
against Texas, was SO serious An offence that the
humblest apologies could not paciiy him that Great
Britain has no more magnanmIty than 10 be bent up
on lhreshing her ancient protege for trfing and
uninteniional an offence and that Santa Anna is
indeed reporing at his country seat while with
England ho,ers on his borders But suppose this do
turn out To be the case still submit to the Iate
gencer whether il treated the qusstion fairly sup
pressing the reass ms which given for contrary
opinion, and pronouncibg them "msre surmise and
conf, cture," when lis own columns contained SO re-
Gently record Of facts which precisely matched and
corr TOLERATED that opinion.
And here well any where, we may take occa.
sion TO repeat remark which made al the time of
republl' hing the last quoted paragraph from the In
ttHgencer viz that while that paper ridc uled aud
censured in no measured terms The temperate and
guarded alluson Of the President his annual mes
sage TO the recent DEGREES of the Mexican dictator
strictiag the trade Of foreigners in that Republic il
informs It's readers, without word of comment or
and for other more trivial and unjus ifebs Causes
Great Britain had despatched fleet with hostile in
tent TO the Coasts of Mexico
Al the same time that the IislHgencer pretends 10
treat as entitled to no weight, the positive evidences
which have tTanspired of the intention of Britain 10
effect the abolition Of slavery in Texas and to reduce
that Stale to acerlain-or rather uncertain-degree
OF dependency, 1t is ready enough to catch at and
magnify The importance OF any thing which may lead
ITS readers to opposite belief Hence the following
n mar ipr hy. Al 81 81.
iageneer about the same time the articles before
alluded To.
President Houston, in late speech at Calves
ton, used the following strong language
my Countrymen: One question in relation to
England. What has England done And there is no
secret IN connexon with her. say it before God but
that Texas wants peace, 10 be attained by the inter-
venion Of three great Powers England has assured
US that we have her most friendly disposition and
and. There IS no condition mentioned Abolition
or any thing OF the kind, is wholly unknown TO the
archives oil tho Government. They have right 10
advise II they choose, and we 10 reject There is
thing compulsory on their part. England is in nowise
making claims or asserting anything as a right which
is incompatible with the interests OF this country"
his contradicts explicitly the charge of collu-
sion between the Governments Of England1and Texas,
on The subject OF the abolition Of slavery the price
Of British alliance
Who can read this quotation and not see that Pre-
true question, whether England is or is not pressing
hor abolition dogmas upon Texas Who can discover
any thing "erpiet" in his remarks Yet see what the
lnfeiiigenee would wiring from them " an cxplici,
denial OF a collision between Enela and Texas
the subject Of the abol ton of slavery in Texas
" as the price Of British alliance" This charge was
never madc-at least was only invented in order to
furnish the ground work Of a contradiction. The
first time il saw the light as far as we are aware
was in Texan Administration Journal which stated
It, Tor the purpose OF saying, on the authority Of Cap
tain Elliott British Charge in Texas) that II was not
true. II was started with a view 10 lead off on
false scent and the inieigenoer gives II and its
contradiction currency with apparently, at leas the
same purpose.
1t is not at all likely that England has made Il q
condition" with Texas, that in order 10 secure her
friendly Offices" slavery must be abolished in the
Republic A sklu angler does not make il condi.
uon with fishes that he shall have his gills hooked be-
fore he is allowed 10 nihblc at the bait nor bird
catcher that bis game shall agree 10 be killed and
cooked b fore he is allowed to put his feet into the
net Nevertheless, the hook is baiied and the line
thrown the net also is spread and If arc not mis-
taken in the character Of the Ineiigeneer there are
not lacking deecw
Such denials that Of Captain Elliot, and this of
Houston seized with much relish by the IneHi-
genoer, as they do not the question fairly and
plainly, serve only TO confirm the charges which ere
really made.
Here We are disposed to stop. But the Ini,Lligen
Ger OF subs, queDt dates cIpores the sam, FEELINGS that
we think we have air ly detected in IT, still stronger
and more prceptby. We pass over it, article apollo
gc''c Of the Mex can Government and Minister who
have twice threatened war with this county on the
strength of newspaper publ cations and discussions
and other articles which are worthy of nj
because we have reader material.
The inieh'gewr Of the 18th ult., has forced upon
s notice the nversation heretofore quoted in our
sheet between distinguished peer Of the rcsn and
The Chief OF the Foreign Office, in the British Para-
ment, the subject OF Texas and slavery; and at.
Temps IN the face Of the disclosures made by those
isnctonarcs, to maIpt,u the Assertion that no official
action has been taken or is contemplated BY Great
Biitan TO effect changes in The domestic policy Of
Texas. In tins 'fort, the inisiigeneer does not
hesitate TO suppress The truth it, indeed that phrase is
no, too mild one to describe what IT IL guilty Of