Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-12-13

At your last Session, ! Submitted to the at.
tention of Congress, the Convention with the
Republic of Peru, Of the l7lh of March, 1871,
providing for the adjustment Of the claims Of
citzans of the United States against that Re-
public but nv dentive action was taken upon
the subject. ] again invite to it your attention
and prompt action.
IN my last Annual Message, felt it to be
my duty to make known to Congress, in terms
b'Nh plain and emphatic, my opinion in regard
to the war which has so long existed between
Mexico and Texas which, since the battle OF
San Jacintc, has consisted altogether Of preda-
tory incursions, attended by circumstances re.
voting 10 humanity. repeat nov, what then
sad that, after eight years Of feeble and inet.
fectial eE.r,s To recover Texas, il was tine
that the war should have ceased. The United
States had direct interest in the question.
The contyuty of the two nations to our terri.
tory was but too well calculated to involve our
peace. Unjust suspicious were engcndered in
the mind of one or the othcr Of the belgercn's
against us and, as a necessary consequence,
American interests were made to suffer, and
our peace became daily endangered. In adl
ton to which, it must have been obvious to all
that the exhaustion produced by The war, sub
jpcted both Mexico and Texas t, the in'efe.
renee of other powers: which, without the
interposi,ion OF this Government, might even
tualc in the ,nnst serious injury to the United
States. This Government, from time tn time,
exerted its friendly offices to bring about ter
inination of hvstties upon terms honorable
alike to both the hetigercnts. its etf,ris in
this behalf proved unavailiny. Mexico seemed
almost without an object, to perscvere in the
war, and no other alternative was left the Exec.
utivc but to take advantage of the wcll-known
dispositions of Texas, aud to invite her To encr
into a treaty for annexins her territory to thai
of the United States.
Since your last session. Mexico has threatened 10
renew the war, and has either made, or proposes to
make. formidable prepare ions for invading Texas.
She has issued DEGREES aud procama'lons, prepara-
tory TO the commencement OF hDst'litles, full OF
threats, revolving to humanity; an when. il carried
into effect would arouse the attention ot Hil CHRIS
tendon. This new demrnsrrton of fee ing, there
is too much reason believe, has been produced IN
consequence of The negOation of the late treaty Of
annexation with Texas The Executive, therefore,
could not he indifferent TO such proceedings; and it
fel, i, to be due well to itself as to the honor of
the country, that strong representation should be
made To the Mexican Government upon the subject
This was accordingly done; as will he seen by the
copy of the accompanying despatch from the Secrc
tarv Of State to the United States Envoy nj Mexico.
Mexico has right TO leopard the pence u the world
bv urging any onle. useless and frnliless contest.
Such condition Of things woni not be tolerated on
A of desnaiion such rs ID NOW threatened by
aIexico, cannot be wagei without invoicing peace
and tranquility. 1t is idle to believe that such war
could be looked upon with ind ference by our own
citizens inhnbiring nli lining St,tcsi and oar net
traity wond be violated in despite of all Efforts on
the part of the Government TO prevent IT, The coun-
try is settled by rinpranis from the United states,
under invitations held ont to them by SPAN and
Mexico. Those emlgrants have left behind them
friends and relatives who would not fail 10 sympa hse
with them their difficulties, and who would lie led
BY those svmpathies to participate in their struggles
however energetic the action of Government: To pre-.
vent il. Nor would the numerous and formidable
bands of Indians, the most war.ic TO be found in
any land, which occupy the extensive regions con-
tsuous to the States Of Arkansas and Missouri and
who are in possession of large tracts Of country
within the limits of 'Icxas be likely to remain pas.
sivc. The inclination of these numerous tribes lead
them invariably to war whenever preiexis exist.
Mexico had no just ground Of displcasurc against
this Jvernment or People for negotiating the treaty
What interest of hers affected by the treaty p
She was despoled OF nothing, since Texas was for,
ever lost to her. The independence Of Texas was
recognized by several of the leading Powers Of the
e,rlh. She was free to treai-.ree to adopt her owr
line Of policy-frce to take the which she b,.
leved was best calculated to secure her happiness
Her Government and People decided annexation
To the Unel States; and The Executive saw, in TIT
acqni on OF such territory the means Of advan
cling their permanent happiness and glory. VIVA
principle OF goo faith then was violated what ruiz
Ut political morals tramped under foot? So far n
Mexico herself was eJncerneI the measure shout,
have been regarded by her as highly beneficial. He
inability TO reconquer Tcxns had been exhibited,
repeat by el5ht-now nlne-ycars of fruess an,
ruinous contest. In the mean,lna Texas has beef
growing in population and resources. Emigration
has Owed into her territory, from all parts OF tn
w,rd, in current which continues to increase il
strength. Mexico requires permanent b0undar
between that young republic and herself Texas a
distant day, if she continues separate and delache
from the United States will inevitably seek To con
sDli91te her Strength by adding 10 her domain til
contiguous provinces Of Mexico The spirit Of revol
from the control of the Central GJvcrnment has
heretofore manifested itself in some of those prov
inces; and it is fair 10 infer that they would be incl
mel To take the first favorable Opportunity proclaim
their independence and to form close alliances wit
Texas The would thus be endless; or, if cessa
lions of hostiles should occur, they would only en-
duTe for season.
The interests OF Mexico, therefore, could in nothin
he better consulted than in peace with her nei.
bors, which would result in the establishment of
permanent boundary. Upon the ratification of ii,
treaty. the Executive was prepared 10 treat with he
on the most LIBERAL basis. Hence the boundaries ,
Texas were left underlined by the treaty. The Excel
tive proposed To settle these upon terms that all 4,
world should have pronounced just and reasanab
No NEGOTIATION upon that p,Ent could have bee
undertaken between the United States and Mexic
in advance of the ratification OF the treaty. W
should hive had no righ;-no power-no authority
70 have conducted such ncgo'laon and to ha,
undertaken it, would hav: been an assumpro
equally revolving to the pride of Mexico and Texa
and sui Jecng us To the charge of arrogance; viii
TO have proposed in advance OF anncxaon to >aiisf
Mexico for any contingent Interest she might have
Texas, would have been TO have treated Texas NJ
an independent power. bu, as a mere dependence
OF Mexico. This assumption could not have bee
acted on by the Executive, without setting at deiilnt
your own Ilemn declaration that that Republic WI
an Independent State. Mexico had it is true threa
sned war against the United States, in the even, Il
Treaty Of Annexation was ratified. The Eyecut
could not pern itself to be inf ,cnced by this ihrer
II represented in his the spirit of Our People, wi
are ready to sacrifice much for peace, but nothing
intimidation. war, under any circumstances
greatly TO be drplored, and the United Iates is 1
last nation to desire il but if, as the condition
peace be required of US to forego the unquestionat
right of treating with an independent power, of O
own Continent upon matters highly interesting
bolh and that upon naked and unsusained prete
sion Of claim by third power, 10 control the free "
of the power with whom treat-devo'ed as
may be to peace, and anxious 10 cultivate friun,
relations with the whole world, the Executive d,
not hesitae to say that the People Of the Unit
States would be willing 10 brave all consequence
sooner than submit to such conditions. But no
prehension of war was entertained bv the Executi
and must express frankly the opinion that, had
Treaty been ratified by the Senate, ii would have b,
followed by prompt settlement To the entire sa
faction of Me.ico of every matter in difference
81, t,,nn plriaa Saan than that ~