The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-12-04

<AiAciiCoh AHtcIcbtS were iHdQe 10 Su0eI, anu
our peace became daily endangered. In addition
TO winch, 1t must have been obvious to all, that
the exhaustion produced by the war, subjected
both Mexico and Texas to the interference Of other
powers, which, wltht ut the inteiposition OF this
Government, might eventuate in the most serious
injury to the United States This government,
from time to time. exerted its friendly Offices to
bring about termination of hostilities upon terms
honorable alike to both the beigerents. Its efforts
IN This behalf proved unavailing. Mexico seemed,
almost without an object, TO persevere in the war,
and no other alternative was left The Executive but
to take advantage OF the well known dispositions
OF Texas and to invite her to enter into treaty for
annexlng her territory TO that OF the United States
Since your last session, Mexico has threatenedt to
| renew the war, and has either made, or proposes
to make, formidable preparations for invading Tex
as. She has issued DEGREES and proclamations pre-
paratoiy TO the commencement Of hostllities, full
OF threats, revolving to humanity; and which, if
carried into effect would arouse the attention OF all
Chrlstendom. This new demonstration OF feeling,
there IS too much reason to believe, has been pro-
ducedin cOnse sequence of the negotiation OF the late
treaty OF annexation with Texas The Executive,
therefore, could not be Indifferent to such proceed
ngs; and itfelt 1t TO be due, as we'll to itself to
the honor Of the country, that strong representa-
| ton should be made to The Mexican Government
| upon the subject. This was accordingly done, DIS
will be seen by the copy OF the accompanying de.
spaich from The Secretary OF State TO the United
| States Envoy at Mexico. Mexico has no right 10
leopard the peace OF the world by urging any lon
ger, useless and truitless contest. Such con-
dition OF things would not be tolerated on the
L
A war of desolation, such as is now threatened by
| Mexico, cannot be waged without involving our
peace and tranquility. II is idle to believe that
such war could be looked upon with indifference
by our own citizens, inhabiting adjoining States;
and our neutrality would be violated, in despite OF
all efforts on the part of the Government to prevent
t. The country is settled by emigrants from the
| United States, uader invitations held out to them
by Spain and Mexico. Those emigrants have lett
| behind them friends and relatives who would not
tail TO sympathlse with them in their difficulties,
| and who would be led by those sympathies to par
tcIpate in their struggles, however energetic the
action OF Government to prevent it. Nor would
| the numerous and formidable bands Of Indians, the
most warlike TO be found in any land, which occu.
py the extensive regions contiguous 10 the States
| OF Arkansas and Missouri. and who are in posses
| soR OF large tracts Of country within the limits OF
Texas, be likely to remain passive; The lncna-
! ton OF those numerous tribes lead them invariably
| to war whenever prctexs exist.
Mexico had no just ground Of dspleasure against
this government or people for negotiating the treG-
ty What interest OF hers was affected by the
treaty? She despolled of nothing, since
| Texas was forever lost 10 her. The independence
| of Texas was recognised by several OF the lead
ing powers OF the earth: She was tree to treat
the course which she believed was best calculated
| to secure her happiness, Her government and peo-
pie decided on annexation to the Ulited States;
/ and the Executive saw, IN the acquisition OF such
| nent happiness and glory. What principle OF good
faith then violated? what rule of political mo
rails trampled under foot? So lar as Mexico her.
| self was concerned, the measure should have been
regarded by her as highly beneficial Her nabiIi.
~ 10 reconqner Texas had been exhibited
| peat, by eight, now nine, years OF iruilless and
ruinous contest. In the meantime, Texas has been
| growing In population and resources. Emigration
has flowed into her territory, from all parts Of the
| world, in current which continues TO increase in
| strength. Mexico requires permanent boundary
| between that young republic and he Tself. Texas,
at no distant day. II she continues separate aud de-
tached from the United States, will inc vitality seek
TO consolidate her strength by adding TO her domain
the contiguous proynces of Mexico The spir. Of
revolt from the control Of the Central Government
has, heretofore, manifested Itself IN some OF those
PROVINCES; and It is fair to infer that they would
be inclined TO take the frs. favorable opportunity
to proclaim their Independence, and to torn close
| alliances with Texas The war would thus be
endless or, if cessations OF hostilites should oc-
cur, they would only endure for season. The
| interests Of Mexico, therefore, could In nothing
be. better consulted than in peace with her
neighbors, which would result in the establishment
| OF permanent boundary. Upon the ratification
of the treaty, the Executive was prepared 10 treat
/ with her on the most liberal basis Hence the
boundaries OF Texas were lett underlined by the
treaty. The Executive proposed osettle these up
on terms that all the world should have pronounced
Just and reasonable. No negotiation upon that
point could have been undertaken between the
United States and Mexico, i'll advance of the raiii-
| cation Of the treaty We should have had no right
no power-no authority, TO have conducted such a
Legociation and to have undertaken IL, 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, 10 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
| 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,
1t is true, threatened war against the United States
in the event the Treaty OF Annexation ratified.
The Executive could not permit itself TO be lnfiu-
enced by this threat. i represented in this, the
spirit OF our people, who are ready TO sacrifice
much for peace, but nothing to intimidation. A
war, under any circumstances, is greatly TO be de-
p!ored and the United States Is The last nation 10
desire it but if, as the condition Of peace, it be
required OF usto forego the unquestionable right oil
| treating with an Independent power, OF our own
Continent, upon matters highly interesting to both,
| and that upon naked and unsustained pretenson
| Of claim by a third power, to control the free
i will OF the power with whom we treat-devoted as
we may be 10 peace, and anxious to cultivate
friendly relations with the whole world, the Exc
cutlve does not hesitate TO say that the people OF The
u States would be ready to brave all consequences,
| sooner than submit to such condition But no
i apprehension OF war was entertained by the Exc
cuive; and must express frankly the opinion that,
had the treaty been ratified by the Senate, II would
have been followed by prompt settlement, 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 brought about because Texas has
| adopted the suggestions OF the Executive upon the
subject OF Annexation, II could not passvely have
folded its arms and permitted war, threatened to
| be accompanied by every act that could mark
| barbarous age, to be waged against her, because
| she mad done
o.her considerations Of controlling character nnu
snced the Of the Executive. The treaty which
had thus been negotiated had failed to receive the rat e.
cation Of the Senate. One Of the Chief objections which
were urged against Il, found to consist the fact
that the question Of annexation had been submitted
to the ordeal o public opinion in the United States How
unsenable such objection esteemed be- in
view Of the unquestionabie power Of the Executive TO
negotiate the treaty and the great and lasting interests
involved in the question et IL 10 be my duty submit
tho whole subject to Congress the best cxpoundcs OF
popular sentiment No dehn tive action having been
taken the subject by Congress, the question referred
itself directly to the decision OF the States and the People
The great popular election which has just mated