Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-05-23
MORE OF THE ARMtSTtCE.

AVA ~ ~ II Va Al ~ Va ~ i ~ 1Ls
AS we feared, our intelligent friend
correspondent has been misinformed in
regard to the armistice between Mexico
and Texas. Upon looking into the doc.
uments accompanying the treaty. which
have been published ir the newspapers,
We find proof of the existence of an ar
mistice between Mexico and Texas,more
than that referred to by Mr.. Van Buren,
and committing our government itself
by an express acknowledgment of its ex-
stence. As we have repeatedly stated
in our paper, the obstacle to the imme-
date remuneration of Texas depends u
pom the question of war or no war be-
tween Mexico and Texas. If there be
a war between them, there is no honest
mind that can fail TO perceive that this
nation is bound in good faith to abstain,
while her treaties exist with Mexico.
from making the new treaty now propos-
ed with Texas. Nor while, in the one
treaty. we propose amlty to Mexico, and
neutrality in controveI sizes between her
and other nations in the proposed
treaty with Texas, we pledge ourselves
to adopt her war against Mexico. and
are bounG by our constitution, as soon
as she becomes member of our Union,
to repel all foreign invasion from her
confines. 1t is impossible, then, without
surrendering our national character Tor
probty, and good faith that we can stand
upon both these treaties. And as we hold
that in public, as well as in private af
fairs, honesty is the best policy, we in
slst upon it that it is the best policy to
abstain from ratifying treaty with one
nation which violates a treaty which we
have previously made with another
Were we to take this step. in what pos
ture would our government stand in the
eyes Of the world? Our government re-
pudiates its solemn treaties made one
nation, to acquisitions by compact with
another.
Our political opponents at home, as
we'll as foreign nations. already charge
the States of this Union with repudiatine
debts; and federalism. has passed bank.
rupt law, authorizing every voluntary
bankrupt to repudiate his debts.
II the general government should take
this step in violation of the treaty with
Mexico, would the character of our coun-
try be left to our posterity the same no.
BILE and honorable inheritance which was
handed down to US by asbingeon, JEFF
ferson, and jackson?
We DO not believe that the great mass
of our countrymen are willing to sacri.
flee the honor, the renown. and the real
glory of this country. for any earthly ac-
QUESTION. If, then, Texas has admitted
by solemn proclamation. the existence
OF war between her and Mexico-iF the
government of the United States has, by
a solemn official document, declared its
full knowledge that this is the state of
relations between Texas and Mexico
how can the President and the Senate
of the United States. without sacrificing
the honor OF the county. adopt this war
with Mexico in the face of our treaty of
peace with that coantry9 How can they
do it. and save the constitution, which
commits the war-making power wholly
to the Congress of the United States?-
How stand the facts upon the documents
recently transmitted to the Senate by
the President Of the United Statess
In Mr.. Upshur's letter to Mr. Murphy
dated August 8, 1S43, we find the fol-
lowing declaration in the last paragraph:
No communication has been receired
from you at THIS department since that
u1ich enclosed President Housion's pro.