Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-12-19
Diplomatic Correspondence.
From the Baltimore American, Dec. 9.
THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO:

| FROM the baltimore American, Dec. y.
THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO:
| The intelligence published in Saturdays Ame-
rican of the suspension Of diplomatic intercourse
between the United States and Mexico gives ad-
ditional interest to the documents which accom-
panied the Presidents Message and others since
received, on the subject of our relations with
Mexico.
! We shall endeavor to put our readers in possess
sion of the leading points in this business. For
that purpose come at once to Mr.. CALHOUN s
| letter to Mr.. SHANNON, our Minister at Mexico
dated Sept. lG, 1914, written upon the knowledge
of the fact that Mexico contemplated speedy re-
newal of the war against Texas, and that she
designed to make it a war Of determination.
| This letter is an elaborate document Mr.
CALHOUN begins by referring to the orders of
Gen. WoLL, commander of the army Of invasion,
and to the decree of SANTA ANNA, issued in June
last, as preparatory to the re-commencement of
hostilties upon Texas. BY these, all communi-
catoir with Texas is forbidden; all persons found
holding intercourse with the Texans are TO be
punished as traitors; and it is further declared that
"every individual who may be found at the dis
lance OF one league from the left bank of the Rio
Bravo will be regarded favourer and accom-
plice OF the usurpers of that part Of the National
Territory, and as traitor to his country and
after summary military trial he is to be punish
ed accordingly. Mr.. CALHOUN alludes 10 the
",
who were shot at Tobasco, as illustrative of the
manner in which this order was to be carried out
ut embraces" he observes, ''every individual
who may be found east of a line drawn three
miles east of the Rio del Norte, without distnc-
ton OF age or sex, foreigner or citizen, condition
or vocation. All CT every description, whether
they resist or ssIender, TO be treated as trail
tors and all who flee TO be shot down. The war
is Intended, In short, to be one Of utter extirpa-
ton. All who breathe are to be DESTROYED or dri-
ven out, and Texas left desoate waste and so
proclaimed to the world by Mexico, in advance
OF her projected INVASION
MIR. CALHOUN then proceeds 10 state the consi-
deraons which are believed to require the inter
position of the United States:
"lhe hrst question which presents itself for
consideration on this statement Of facts is, shall
we stand by and witness in silence the renewal
OF the war by Mexico, and its prosecution in this
blood thirsty and desolating spirit? In order to
answer 1t fully and satisfactorily it will be ne
cessary to inquire first into her object for renew
ing the war at this time.
"Ihere can be but one; and that is, to defeat the
annexation Of Texas tc our Union She knows
full well that the rejection Of the treaty has but
postponed the question Of annexation. She knows
that Congress adjourned without finally dspos-
ing OF 1t; that it is now pending before both
Houses, and actively canvassed before the people
throughout the wide extent of our Union; and
that ii will in all probability be decided in its ia
vor, unless it should be defeated by some move
ment exterior TO the country.
1--WE would be blind not 20 see that she pro-
poses 10 effect it By the projected invasion, either
by conquering and subjectiDg Texas to her power
or by forcing her 10 withdraw the proposition for
annexation, and to form commercial and political
connexions with some other Power less congenal
to her feelings and favorable to her independence
and more threatening TO her and our permanent
welfare and safety. Of the two, the latter is
much the more probable. She once attempted
conquest, but signaIly failed. although the attempt
was made under the lead OF her most skiliul and
renowned general, at the head of wel-appoint-
ed army, consisting OF her best disciplined and
bravest troops, and while Texas was yet in her
infancy, without Government, almost without
means, and with an uncomfortable population
With this example before her, she can scarcely
hope to succeed now, under leader of less skill
and renown, and when Texas has settled down
under well-established Government, and has SO
greatly increased la means and population"
There are then, two points upon which Mr.
CALHOUN urges the propriety and necessity Of our
interference. First, because of the ferocous u,an-
ner in which Mexico proposes 10 wage the war
against Texas; secondly, because the design OF
Mexico is to defeat the policy of annexation which
the United States proffered to Texas, and which,
Mr.. Calhoun contends, is policy essential to out
safety and well-being.
| On this latter point the letter is emphatic No
measure, it is declared, has been more steadily Of
longer pursued by the Government Of the United
States than this very measure of annexation
The facts in proof are arrayed with all the ear
nes,ness Of con omore advocate-such as the
belief Of many that Texas was included in The
cession of Louisiana; that it was Improperly, il
not unconsttutlonally surrendered by the treaty
of Florida in 1919; that repeated efforts have
been made TO regain the territory, twice in Mr.
ADAMs's administration, once in 1926, and acair
in 1927, and thrice under Gen. JACKSON, first in
1929, again in 1888, and finally in 1885.
sin pursuance he continues, ''of this long
cherished and established policy, and under til,
conviction Of The necessity Of acting promptly il
order to prevent the defeat of the measure III,
present administration invited Texas 10 renew
The proposition for annexation which had beef
declined by IFS predecessor. 1t was accepted
and, as has been stated, is now pending. TIT
) question recurs, Shall we stand by quietly AM
permit Mexico TO defeat it, without making an eff
fort to oppose her? Shall we, after This long AM
continued effort to annex Texas, now, when thu
measure is about to be contaminated allow Mex
leo TO put it aside. perhaps foreverl Shall ih
: "goldeD opportunity be lost never again to re
turn' Shall we permit Texas, for having accept
ed an invitation, rendered her at critical 100