Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1844-05-18
THE ACCOMPANYING CORRESPONDENCE
Mr.. Pan zandi 10 Mr.. Websfe.-[ExrHAcrs.l
LEG CATION or Texas,
WAsHISeroS, DrcEMBEn IA, 1871:

LEGATION OF Texas,
WAsHIsaroN, DECEMBER IA, 1872
SIR: The undersigned, Charge dAaires of the Republic
Of Texas, 1under the instructions Of his Government begs
leave submit for your consideration subject OF general
civilized nations, but OF peculiar interest to Texas
viz the character of at lOaged against Texas
by Mexico From the Of the facts involved be-
eved that this step will be deemed not only admissible but
entirely proper.
The civilized and Christian world interested in the
impaired preservation of those rules Of international inter-
course both peace and war; which have received the
press OF wisdom and humanity, and been strengthened
through long OF time by the practice and approval
of the enlightened OF modern States To these rules,
in their application the pending difficulties between Texas
and Mexico your attention is respectfully invited.
Whenever people, separate and sovereign, admitted
into the great community Of nations, they incur responsible
es and obligations which reciprocal in their
character and mutually binding upon all The members of
that community the and force Of which depend upon
that code Of ethics which prescbes the reciprocal duties and
obligations Of each sovereign member Hence arises The
right to supervise the and Of warfare pursued
by nation towards another and the corresponding duty
of nhbing the preparation of acts at variance with the
laws of humanity and the settled usages Of civilized nations.
In view Of the character Of hoses present wBged by
Mexico and Texas and of those principles which it is be-
lieved have been frequently and fagranty violated by
Mexico the hope confidently INDUCED by my Government
that the direct interference Of nations mutually friendly will
exerted species Of warfare unbecomng the
age in which live, and dsgracefu to any people profess
sing to be civilized
The course of conduct uniformly observed by the Govern
and people Of Texas towards Mexico, stands in papa
bic contra with the manifold enormties and wanton ag
gressons Of the latter and will is confidently believed,
furnish abund ground for the exercise of the right OF in
What be depored in Of this character is,
that the unoendng and defenceess become victims Of the
most relentless cruelty War, in its most generous and
noble aspect is accompanied by great caames. Nations
seldom benefited by it, and must be productive Of
great individual suffering. But when individuals and
lions exaspeated by repeated wrongs even cruelty may
be rendered torabe when 1t used as retaliation Tor nu
md uvhi
been inflicted upon Texas since the commencement OF the
revolution have been responded to by generous forbear
But that fobeaance cannot be expected much long
er to exist.
The object of Mexico in her cannot be misunder
stood. BY ncursons of the character complained of she
may depress husbandmen and famers the cry Of nva
sion that kept up, and the excitement incident TO state
war; may prevent emigration and embarass our revenue,
deeng Of enterprise and capital from making im
poatons of goods into country these for time may
avail her something, but the aggregate Of human suffering
will poor recompense for the advantages thus gained
The origin genius and character Of the people Of Texas
are guarantees for her ultimate Nations that
tribute to her advancement will command her gratitude
Never since eighteen hundred and thrtysix has Mexico
attempted any thing of the character Of general invasion
Texas conducted the upon any plan calculated TO
the superiority of the two nations upon the held OF bat
e and bring the close by the arbament Of arms
Her hostile demonstrations, thus far have consisted exclu
sivey clandesne approach Of small bands of rancho
from the valley of the Rio Grande accompanied by In
dans boh Of whom acuated from purposes OF plumber
SOmetlmes
Mexican army composed for the most part OF convict SOL
Jery, fitted for nothing either honorable IN enterprise or
magnanimous in conduct
The people of Texas being for the most part agrcuursts
engaged the age Of the SOIL the consequences OF
this predatory warfare been them extremely vexaous
and harasng without in any degree Fastening the adjust
men of the difficulties existing between the parties. En-
rey different the general character OF the Mexican Popu
laon they are literally nation Of herdsmen subsisting
in great from the proceeds Of their focks and
herds they about from place to place. and make
homes wherever inclination convenience may prompt
without detriment.
Hitherto the conduct and disposition Of the Government
people Of Texas have been opposed n 70
predans upon the property of exposed and deenceess
frontier numbering the inhabitants in cold blood, forcing
them away into oathsome and oo often fatal captivity
citing the numerous tribes Of hostile Indians who reside
along northern frontier plumber exposed settle
ments stimulating them the cruel and barbarous
and nhuman butcheres of deenceess
women and children, and commit every OF savage
warfare Texas animated by the hope OF avoiding further
resort and the attendant caamtes for injuries
ceved returned orbearance her President has sought
stain from the eusion Of blood and with that aim has uni
omly restrained the impetuosity and csmed the excite
men of his countrymeD, often aroused by Of
conduct which violates every right both private and nation
and cruelty and depravity which would disgrace the
darkest ages of euda barbarsm The popular impulse nigh
have been turned upon the enemy upon their soil the
result might have proved that free people, burning with
vengeance long restrained, could levy heavy reibuon
Such being tho character Of hostile operations against
4
tive of every principle of civilized Christian honorable
warfare, and the time little calculated achieve
the poesscd object Of the war; the econquest of Texas the
President confidently hopes the Government of the United
States will feel not only justified but called upon to in
tepose its high authority arrest this of proceeding
and require of Mexico either the recognition Of the nde-
pendence of Texas make upon her according the
rules established and universally recognised by civilized
nations is believed that this subject addresses itself
the Government Of the United States with peculiar force,
having the first welcome into the family Of nations
Many of her citizens thereby induced to emigate to
Texas Of whom have only for purposes Of trade
others become citizens and share the fate OF
young Republic but both of whom alike exposed TO the
outrages alluded Again the United States being the
leading and oldest independent Power this continent and
long famed for the Of her principles, her highly
enlightened and magnanmons policy both in peace and war;
ene her to the exercise Of the nterpoon invoked with
out subjecting her to the mputation Of arrogance.
If Mexico believes herself able resubjugae Texas her
right to make the effort will be denied the contrary
n she chooses invade territory with that purpose the
President in the Of the people Of all Texas will bid her
welcome II is not against with Mexico that Texas
would protest This she deprecates She is willing
time stake her u nation upon the issue of
conducted upon Christian principles. It is alone
against the uDboly, nhuman and Ruthless character has
assumed, and still maintains, which violates every rule of
honorable warfare precep Of religion, and def
the common sentiments OF humanity against
which she protests and nvokes the inerposton Of those
powerful nations which have recognised her independence
The Government Of Texns has already given Of
those wishes do conflict with the general interest and
convenience Of the country Fully approaching the friendly
sentiments of the United States and Powers who had
Independence of Texas and relynq much