The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-12-20

vitations held out to them by Spain and
Mexico. Those emigrants have left behind
them friends and relatives who would not
fail to sympathizo with them in their diff
cultes, and who would be led by those
to participate in their struggles, .
however energetic the action Of Govern
ment TO prevent it. Nor would the numer-
Gus and formidable band of Indians, the
most warlikc to be found III any land, which
OCCUPY the extensive regions contiguous 10
the States of Arkansas and Missouri, and
who are in possession of large tracts Of
within the limits of Texas, be like
" to remain passive. The inclination Of
those numerous tribes lead them invariably
to war wherever preeXts exist.
Mexico has no just ground Of displeas-
ure against this government or people for
negotiating the treaty. What interest of
hers was affected by the treaty! She was
dcspoiled of nothing, since Texas was re-
cognized by several of the leading powers
Of the earth. She was free to treat--iree
to adopt her own line of policy-lree 10
take the course which she believed was
best calculated to secure her happiness
Her government and people decided on an
nexation to the United States; and the
Executive saw, in the acquisition of such
a territory, the means Of advancing their
permanent happiness and glory. What
principle of good faith then was violated!
What rule Of political morals trampled un-
der foot
SO far as Mexico herself was concerned,
the measure should have been regarded by
her as highly beneficial. Her inability to
re-conquer Texas had been exhibited,
repeat, by eight-now nine years of fruit
less and ruinous contest. In the mean
time, Texas has been growing in popula-
ton and resources. Emigration has flow
ed into her territory, from all parts Of the
world in u current which continues 20 III
crease in strength. Mexico requires per-
manct boundary between that young re-
public and herself Texas, at no distant
day, if she continues separate and detached
from the United States, will inevitably seek
to consolidate her strength by adding to her
domain the contiguous provinces of Mexico.
The spirit of revolt from the control of
government has, therefore, manifested il
self in some Of those provinces and it is
fair to infer that they would be inclined to
take the first favorable opportunity to pro-
claim their independence, and to form close
alliances with Texas. The war would
thus be endless, or, if cessation olhostilities
should occur, they would only endure for
a season. The interests of Mexico, there
fore, could in nothing be better consulted
than in a peace with her neighbors, which
would result in the establishment of a per-
manent boundary. Upon the ratification of
the treaty, the Executive was prepared to
treat with her on the most liberal basis
Hence the boundaries of Texas were left
underlined by the treaty.
The Executive proposed to settle these
upon terms that all the world should have
pronounced just aud reasonable. No ne
COLLATION. upon that point could have been
undertaken between the L. States and Mex
leo, in advance of the ratification of the
treaty. We should have had no right-no
power--no authority to have conducted
such a negotiation and to have undcrta-
ken it would have been assumption equally
revolving to the pride of Mexico and Tex
as, and subjecting us to the charge Of arro-
gancc while to have proposed in advance
Of annexation, to satisfy Mexico for any
contingent interest she might have in Tex
as, would have been to have treated Texas,
not as an Independent power, but as a mere
dependency Of Mexico.
This assumption could not have been
acted on by the Executive, without setting
at defiance your own solemn declaration
that that Republic was an independent
State. Mexico had, it is true threatened
war against the L. States, in the event the
Treaty Of Annexation was ratified. The
Executive could not permit itself to be in
duenced by this threat. 1t represented in
this the spirit of our people, who are ready
to sacrifice much for peace, but nothing to
intimidation, A war, under any crcum-
stances, is greatly to be depIorcd and the
L. States is the last nation to desire it: but
ii, as the condition Of peace, it be required
of us to lorcgo the unqucsiionablc right Of
treating with an independent power, orour
own continent, upon matters highly inter-
osting to both, and that upon naked and
mnsustained pretcnsion of claim by third
power, to control the iree-wiIl of the pow
er with whom we trcat--deyored as we may
be to peace, and anxious to cultivate friend
~ relations with the whole world, the Ex-
eculiyc does not hesitate to say that the
people Of the U. States would be ready to
brave oil consequences sooner than submit
to such condition.
But no apprehension of war was enter.
tanned by the Executive and | must en-
press frankly the opinion that had the rea-
~ been ratified by the Senate, it would
l r.1i l..