The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-29
M,ON,OO0


interest I,VVoW
$1,000, 900
This report includes the interest then accrued,
and q number Of unaudiled claims, supposed to be
valid, which were not computed IN the report OF
the Secretary of the Treasury TO- the same Congress-
which report shows the public debt less than five
millions Of dollars.
Since the debt above referred to, no further gen.
eral estimate has been made at the Treasury De-
partment. 1t is known, however, that the revenues
Of the government have more than equaled its ex-
penditures; so that the debt has not materially in
creased, except from the interest which has since
accrued.
The undersigned avail themselves of this occa-
sion to offer to Mr.. Calhoun assurances Of their
'''''As 1''A' ISAAC VAN zANDT.
Hon. JOHN G. CALHOUN,
Secretary Of State.
Mr.. Van Zandt to Mr. Webster.-[Extractsl
LEGATION OF Texas,
Washington City, Dec. IA. 1924
Sir The undersigned, charge d'affalres Of the
Republic of Texas, (under the instructions of his
GOvernment,) begs leave to submit Tor your consi:
deration a subject Of general concern to civilized
nations, but Of peculiar interest to Texas, viz the
character OF the war at present waged against Tex
as by Mexico. From the nature Of the facts in
voved, it is believed that this step will be deemed
not only adniseable,. but entirely proper.
The civilized and Christian world are interested
in the unimpaired preservation of those rules Of
International intercourse, both in peace and war,
which have received the impress of wisdom and
humanity, and been strengthened through long
course of time by the practice and approval OF the
most enlightened Of modern states. To these rules.
in their application to the pending difficulties be-
tween Tesis and Mexico, your attention isrespect-
fully invited
Whenever people, seperate and sovereign, are
admitted into the great community Of nations, they
incur respon Utilities and contract obigat which
al oh
binding upon all the members Of that community,
the extent and force of which depend upon that
code OF ethics which prescrlbes the reciprocal du-
ties and obligations of each sovereign member
Hence arises the right to supervise the mode and
manner oil warfare pursued by one nation towards
another, and the corresponding duty of inhbtlng
the preparation OF acts at variance with the laws
OF humanity, and the settled ,lsages of civilized
nations.
In view Of the character of hostilities at present
waged by Mexico and Texas, and OF those prnci-
pies which it is believed have been so frequently
and fagrantly violated by M'xic', the hope is con-
hdenty INDUCED by my Government that he direct
interference uf nations mutually friendly will be
exerted to arrest species OF warfare unbect ming
the age IN which we live, and disgraceful to any
people protesting to be civilized
The course Of conduct uniformly observed by
the Government and people Of Texas towards Mex.
leo, stands in papable contrast with the manifold
and will, it is confidently believed, furnish abund-
ground for the exercise Of the right OF nterter
ence now evoked.
What is most to be deplored in war of this
character is, that the unofiending and defenceess
become victims OF the most relentless cruelty
War, IN ITS most generous and noble aspect, Is ac-
companied by great calamities Nations are seldom
benefited by u, and II must be productive of great
individual suffering. But when individuals and
nations are exasperated by repeated wrongs, even
cruelty may be rendered toerable, when it is used
as retaliation for injuries long endured. The mas
and ttaa hi lAann in4i Tod
Texas since the commencement Of the revolution
have been responded to by generous forbearance.
But that f''rbearance cannot be expected mnch
longer to exist.
Tie object of Mexico in her course cannot be
misux derstood. b. lncursious Of the character
complained Of she may dtpress our hushandmen md
farmers; the cry OF invasion that Is k up end Toe
xcte mt inclnt nj TO state OF war, may prevent
emigration and embarr es our revenue, by deter
ring men Of .ner and capital from making inl-
p0rtati0nsN goods into our country. These, Tor
time, may avail her something; but the aggregate
# human suffering will be poor recOmpense for
the advantages thus gained. The origin, genius.
and character OF the people OF Texis guarantees
Tor her ultimate Nations that contribute to
her advancement will command her gratitude.
Never since eighteen hundred and thirty sir has
M x,co attempted soy thing OF the character Of a
general invasion Of Texss, conducted the war up
any plan calculated to test the superiority tf tue
two nations upon the field OF battle, and bring The
war TO cose by the arbitrament Of arms Her
hostile demonstrations, thus tay, have consisted <
cusiv~ly in the candesnne app zach Of small bands
of rancheros from The valley OF the Rio Grande, &C.
by I,dians. (boih of whom are acluated
from pnrpos~s Of plusd-r aud thett) hut some times
associated with fragments Of the Mexican army,
C ompoeed, tor the ,ncsi part, al CONVEX sodery,
fiued for nothing either honorable in enterprise or
ma gnanimous in conduct
the p-opie If Texas being for the most part aRr-
cult uris'e, and engaged in the age OF the soil, he
cons Iences IF this predatory warfare have been
TO them extremely We aIious and ha'rsssnx, with
ou' in any degree Fastening the adjustment OF the
dficu ties existing between the parties. Entirely
diff rent il the general character of the Me xican
population They are literally nation Of herds
men; subsisting IN a great measure from the pro.
c-eds of their fl 'cks and heid', they can move
about ON place TO place, and make their homes
wherever INCLINATION or convenience may prompt,
without detrment.
Hitherto the conduct and disposition Of the Gov
eminent and people OF Ttxis have been diameir-
csllv opposed TO those manifested by Mex CO -
While Mexico has BEEN d-predating upon the pro-
perty NJ our exposed and detenceess frontier mur-
dering the inha bans cold blood, or ioi cling them
away INFO ioathsome and too often fatal captivity,
melting the numerous tribes OF hostile lndiaDs, who
reside along our northern from Ter. To piuuder our
exposed settlements, stimulating them to The most
cruel and barbarous massacres and inhu.nan butch
cries even OF our dcteaceless w omen and children.
and 10 commit every excess OF savage warfare, Tex
as, animated by the hope OF avoid ing a further
sort to arms and The attendant calsmties. for pju
ries ceved. returned fotbearance; her President
aod with that aim has uniformly restrained the
mpeiuosity and Gained the excitement o his coun-
trvmen, so often aroused by course Of conduct
which violates every right, both private and nation
al. and cruelty and depraviiy which would ds-
grace the DARKEST ages Of ieudal barbir n. The
popular impulse might have been turned upon the
enemy upon their own soil the result might have
prov, d that free people. burning with vengeance
long res vained, could levy heavy reirlbuton.
Such being the character Of hostile operations
ag ,inst Texas, the part Of enemy, which be-
Jog plainly volatve Of every principle Of civlzrd,
Christian, or honorable warfare, and at the same
ect of the war The re-conqnrst If Texas. he Pes
dent confidently hopes the Government OF h Uai-
ted States will ieel not only jus fled but call
cours- Of proceeding, and 10 require Of Mexico eth.
er the recognition OF the independence OF Texas,
or to make war upon her according TO the rules
tabl she'd and universally recognise by civilized ma.
of The vJni,ed Staies with necu.