Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-20
MEXICO AND TEXAS.

inston, which has arrived there before this time
In the meantime we copy tIom The Galveston
News, of Nov 90 the following SKETCH as prepa-
red BY Gen. Duff Green
"To this Mr. Shannon replied, by notifying
Mr. Reon, that his two notes would be referred
TO his Government for further instructions, and
that until these instructions were received all
further official intercourse with the Mexican
Government would be suspended, unless both
notes were Withdrawn.
"Mr Shannon also takes occasion to say, that
he knows TOO we'll what is due TO the character
of his own Government, 10 make any reply TO
the charges contained in Mr. Rejons note for The
purpose Of yndcating the people and Govern
ment Of The United States; but that, inasmuch
as The publication Of these notes by Mexico and
The comments of the official newspapers thereon,
show that they were written and published Tor
the purpose Of creating prejudice IN the minds
OF the Mexican people against The United States,
and inasmuch as Mr.. Rejon had assumed that he
did not reply, because he could not controvert the
facts, or while The false charges and unjust impu-
lations were borne, he would reply, not for the
purpose of yindca,ing the Government and peo-
ple Of the United States, but that the Govern
ment and people Of Mexico, might be disabused,
and made responsible for the calumnies contain
ed in Mr.. Rejon's notes, in case they adopt and
Justify the same.
"He then proceeds TO answer the charges made
BY Mr.. Rejon, showing that the emsrants TO
Texas who declared their independence, and con-
uuered al San Jacinto came under the special
invitations from The Governments of Spain, of
Mexico, and OF the State of Coahuila and Texas,
and that the Government and people OF the U.
States had no agency whatever in giving those
invitations He then briefly reviewed the pro-
gress Of events in Mexico and in Texas, proving
that the Declaration Of Independence was the
consequence of the subversion of the Constilu
ton Of 1924, and OF the attempt OF Gen. Santa
Anna 10 establish military despotism on its
runs-vindicating the honor and character Of
the Government and people OF the United States,
and retorting upon Mr.. Rejon and the Govern
ment Of Santa Anna, the charge Of bad faith and
proving that Texas never owed allegiance 10 The
Government Of Santa Anna, or the present Co.
vernment OF Mexico, and that Mexico, and not
Texas is the aggressor in the war"
In connection with this subject, We lay before
our readers the following interesting extracts from
"The Texas Vindicator," Qhe official paper OF
the new President of Texas as showing his de-
termination to bring The destiny OF Texas TO
head. He has three strings 10 his bow-and We
should not be surprised, if we postpone annexa-
ton 10 an indefinite period, England Qike Othello)
may "speak upon the hinti given in the ID alter
natiye-and that the Sd is only thrown out by Mr.
President Jones' 10 accelerate also the operation
OF the Cd
"THE ALTERNarivEs.-There are (says the Tex
as Vindicator. J three alternatives now presented
To Texas, one of which she will shortly have
10 choose and in future TO pursue. The first is an
nexaton 10 the United States. The Second is an
adjustment OF our difficulties with Mexico by
the effective mediation of friendly power, based
upon pledge 10 maintain our national indePcn-
dcncc aud individuality, and upon the formation
ofcommercial treaties extending reciprocal ad-
vantages To the parties. The third and last, i
The one presented in the despatch of the 10th OF
June, lS43, addressed from the State Department
through our Minister abroad 10 foreign friendly
Governments, announcing 10 them that il Peace
or satisfactory Armisiice was not concluded
with Mexico within a reasonable period, Texas
would assume new attitude and that relying
upon her own strength and resources, she would
cross the Rio Grande, and raising the standard of
conquest, offer 10 the chiTalry and the enterprise
which might come 10 Join her standard that por
ton ofhe enenys country lying north Of the
Sierre Madre Mountains, and extending from the
Cult Of Mexico 10 the Pacific Ocean.
"Eihcr OF the two first alternatives might be
preferable 10 the last. AZ their advantages, how
ever, have teen fully discussed in the newspapers
OF the day, We shall not now trespass upon
our readers by repeating the arguments which
have been used pro and con- by the friends or
enemies Of them, and BY which the subjects have
been fairly exhausted We shall, therefore, con-
fine our few remarks 10 the last proposed alterna
tive-a war Of retaliation and conquest, War
has been Justly styled the last resort Of injured
. ma TONS But there are circumstances in which
il becomes necessar", and should this be The case
with Texas, we should, by considering the matter
calmly, become accustomed TO look upon il with
out alarm, and 10 embrace tho Alternative il our
foe continues implacable. Annexation may fail
Mediation may fail-as they both have already
done. Nothing in that event will be left 10 us but
War. The only question which can then arise
will be, Shall il be defensive or offensive in its
character This will be The sole issue before
the country.
The article then enters into an investigation OF
the policy which Texas should adopt in this event,
and concludes upon the boldest course-an oflen-
sive war and invasion Of the Northern Provinces
Of Mexico. It says:
"The continuance Of state of war must be in
furious TO every interest which Mexico has to
promote In addition TO every reason which APP
plies TO her domestic condition, and the situation
OF affairs at the Capital, her provinces are in a
state of revolt, and Northern Mexico between
contest with Texas, ard the powerful and war
like tribes oflndians now ravaging il must again
become a wilderness in very few years, or be
separated by conquest or revolution from The pa
TeHl COuuiFt I'LL pOa'iOh VI -
the Sierra Madre mountains and extending from
The Gulf 10 the Pacific ocean, is subject TO these
contingencies
Texas is satisfied with her present declared
and acknowledged limits, and has no desire TO
extend them, if suffered to remain at peace with
in them. But if driven to the necessity OF again
taking up arms and Of acting Extensively towards
Mexico, she may find it 10 be her indispensably
necessary policy, in order TO procure The requisite
l;arv al In OF CONQUEST.
and 10 offer this portion Of the enemys territory
10 the enterprise and chlvalry which may come to
Join her standard; and 10 progress in course OF
this kind until the PRIDE the prejudices and OBJ
slinacy of Mexico Shall have been subdued, and
a limit thus affixed 10 war and conquest
"But if war is to be the only alternative for
Texas the sooner il is commenced the better. II
the result is 10 be as vainly hoped By Mexico, the
expulsion orlhe present inhabitants from the coun-
try, i, may as we'll happen now, as few months,
or even years hence. The subjugation of the
present population of this country TO the power OF
Mexico is impossible They could only be de-
suoyed or expelled. Not five hundred OF The
present North American or European population
would remain in this country, If it were again
brought under the domination OF Mexico. II is
therefore, not only the interest, but it is the in
tense desire of the citizens Of Texas, that the
lndtleT SnOUIQ NC DTOuSnl W q oPcrut issuc' he
are anxious for war, and il would be difficult, il
no, impossible for the authorities any longer TO
restrain Them, and 10 maintain their present at
titude, even if disposed SO 10 90.
"The President therefore directs, that you will
embrace an early opportunity 10 make TO the Go
yernment Of France and Great Britain the follow
ing declaration, and accompany the same with
such verbal or written explanations as you may,
in your best judgment deem most advisable and
proper"
"DEcLARATfoN.
ain referring the termination of her difficulties
with Mexico to the Mediation Of foreign friendly
powers, Texas has given an earnest OF her desire
for peace.
ain anticipation Of the failure Of this media
tion she feels il her duty TO declare to those pow
ers thai if neace or O satisfactory armisiice Is