Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-12-12


from the control OF the Central Gov
erument has, heretofore, nantes.
ted itself in some 81 these provinces; and
il is fair 10 infer that they would be
inclined to take the first favorable OPP
TO proclaim their Independence,
anC to form close alliances with Texas.
The war would thus be endless, or, ifcessa-
ton OF hostilities should occur, they would
only endure for season The interests
Of Mexico therefore, could in nothing
be better consulted than 10 peace with
her nclghbors, which would result 10 the
establishment of permanent boundary.
Upon the ratification Of the treaty, the
Executive was prepared to treat with her
upon The most liberal basis. Hence the
boundaries OF Texas were left underlined
by the treaty. The Executive proposed
TO settle these upon terms that Ell the
world should have pronounced Just and
reasonable. No negotiation upon that
point could havo been undertaken be.
tween The United States and Mexico, in
advance Of the ratification of the treaty.
We should have had no right--no power
no authority, TO have conducted such
negotiation; and TO have undertaken it,
would have been an assumption equally
revolving to the pride Of Mexico and
Texas, and subjecting US to the charge
Of arrogance; while to have proposed in
advance Of annexation, to satisfy Mexico
for any contingent interest she might
have in Texas, would have been to have
treated Texas, not as an independent
power, but as mere dependency Of Mex
leo. The assumption, could not have
been acted on by the Executive, without
setting at defiance your own solemn dec
Iaration that that Republic was an indie.
pendent State. Mexico had. il is true,
threatened war against the United States,
in the event the treaty Of annexation was
ratified. The Executive could not per.
nit itself to be influenced by this threat.
II represented in this, the spirit Of our peo
pie, who are ready to sacrifice much for
peace, but nothing to intimidation. A
war, under any circumstances, is greatly
to be deplored and the United States is
the lest nation, to deserve it; but if, as the
condition OF peace, it be required Of US
to forego the unques,ionable right of
treating with an independent power, Of
our own continent, upon matters highly
interesting to both, and that upon naked
and unsustained pre,enslon oil claim by a
third power, 10 control the free will Of
the power with whom we treat-devoted
as we may be to peace, and anxious TO
cultivate friendly relations with the whole
world, the Executive does not hesitate to
say, that the people OF the United States
would be ready to brave all consequences,
sooner than submit to such condition. -
But no sppret ension o. war was enter
tanned by tho Executive; and | must ex.
press frankly the opinion that, had the
treaty been ratified by the Senate, it would
have been followed by prompt settle
ment, to the entire satisfaction of Mexico,
of every matter in difference between the
two countries. Seeing then that new
preparations for hostile invasion of Texas
were about to be. adopted by Mexico, and
that these were brough. about because
Texas had adopted the suggestions Of the
Executive upon the subject OF annexa-
ton, it could not passively have folded
its arms and permitted war, threatened
to be accompanied by every act that could
mark barbarous age, TO be waged
agains, her, because she had done so.
Other considerations ola controlling
character influenced the course of the
Executive. The treaty which had thus
bt en- negotiated, had failed to receive the
ratification Of the Senate.-One Of the
chief obj ctions which was urged against
it, was found 10 consist in the fact, that
the question Of annexation had not been
submitted to the ordeal of public opinion
in the United States. However unteha-
BILE such an objection was esteemed to be,
in view OF the UNREASONABLE power of
the Exc cuilve 10 negotiate the treaty,
and the great and lasting interest in
volved in the question. folt it to be
my duty to submit the whole subject to
to Congress as the best expounders Of
popular sentiment. No definite action
having been taken on The subject by Con
gress, the question referred iis,lf directly
to the decision Of the States and the PEG.
pie. The great popular election which
has Just terminated, afforded the best op.
portuni,y of ascertaining the will of the
States, and the people upon il. Pending that
issue, it became the imperative duty Of
the Executive to inform Mexico that the
question Of annexation was still before
the American People, and that until their
decision was pronounced, any serious in
vasion OF Texas, would be regarded as
an attempt to forestall their judgement
and could not be looked upon with indIf.
ference. | am most happy 10 inform you,
that no such invasion has taken place;
and | trust that whatever your action
may be upon it, Mexico will see the inn
porlance Of deciding the matter by re.
sort 10 peaceful expedlents, in preference
to those of arms. The decision OF the
People and the States. on this great and
interesting subject, has been decisiveIy
manifested. The question of annexation
has been presented akedly TO their con.
sderation. By the treaty itself, all COL
lateral and incidental issues, which were
calculated 20 divide and distract the pub
lie counsels, were carefully avoided
These were left to the wisdom of the fu.
ture TO determine. /, presented, re-
peat, the isolated question Of annexation;