Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-13
immediate fuldlment of the promise made your

immediate fulflment Of the promise MADE your
predecessor.
You will embrace some convenient opporuni-
", after you have complied with the FOREGOING III
Structions, TO address note 10 INC Mexican 20
vernmen,, in which YOU will say that you are IN
structed TO inform il that the President perceives
with regret that il has entirely misconceivcd The
object of the communication which The Secretary
OF the legation OF the United States in conformity
with his instructions made TO II in reference TO The
treaty recently entered into with Texas. lis OBJ
icc as il plainly imports 10 be, was TO announce
TO the Government Of Mexico, that the treaty had
been signed and submitted 10 The Senate for ITS APP
proval; that the measure had been adopted WIN
no uniriendly or hostile feelings to Mexico, ana
that the Government OF thc uned STATES was rcd
DIV 10 adjust, on liberal terms the question OF bonn-
dary. and any other that might grow ont OF the
treaty Il constituted no part OF is object to in
vile discussion as 10 its right 10 make The treaty
To suppose So would be 10 assume mat IL had
made il without duly examining aud establishing
10 its entire satisfaction, lis right to do so;
supposlion which would neither compot with the
fact nor with what is due 10 its honor and dlsni-
~. Such being The case, it cannot, consistently
with either, permit itself TO he drawn INTO con-
lroversy with the government OF Mexico as 10 It's
right to make the treaty; and you VIII INFORM &C
cordinsly, that YOU have been instructed TO pass
has attempted TO conrover our right 10 enter into II.
We hold Texas to he independent dc lnrt as we'll
as dc tacto; and as competent: in every respect 10
snler into a treaty OF cession, or any other, as
Mexico herself, or any other independent power;
and that in entering into the treaty OF annexa-
ton with her, we violated no prior engagement
or stipulation with Mexico. We would, indeed,
have been glad in doing SO. 10 have acted with
the concurrence OF Mexico, il circumstances had
permit;ed--not because we believed that she had
any rishttul claim OF sovereignty over Texas Ut
that the later was not competent, of Itself, 10
transfer the full and complete right and title 10
its territory; but because, in our desire 10 pre-
serve the most friendly relations with Mexico,
we were disposed 10 treat her with respect, how
ever unfonnded we believed her claim 10 Texas
10 be- II was in conformity with that desire that
the instructions were given 10 make the commu-
nication 10 the Government Of Mexico, announc-
ing the signature Of The Treaty, and our readi-
ness 10 adjust all questions which might grow
ont OF it, between the Two countries, on the most
liberal terms.
You will also state, that YOU arc instructed TO
pass over unno!iced the menaces and offensive
language which the Government of Mexico has
thought proper to use. II makes great mistake
in supposns that The United States can be deter
red, By menaces from adopting measure, which.
after mature deiteraton, they have determined
thew have RICH, 10 do, and which they believe 10
be essential 10 lheii safety and prosperity They
are DESTROYS OF peace with Mexico and all other
nations; bu they always stand prepared. TO defend
themselves, il need be, against any attack 10
which they may be subjected in pursuing line
Of policy deemed by themselves just and exped-
EN-, Nor can they he provoked 10 rctort the OF
iensivc language used. The Government of the
u. States is too mindful Of what is due 10 lis own
self-respec and dignity TO be driven, by any pro-
vocation, however unwarranted or great, from that
decorum of language which ought ever 10 be OBJ
served in the official correspondence of independ-
ent States. In their estimation, a good cause
needs no such support and bad one canno, be
strengthened by il.
From The failure of the Senate approve the
Treaty Of annexation with Texas, it is not Deem
cd advisable to instruct you to make any overture
or propositions to the Government of Mexico in
relation TO that subject; but should any disposition
be manifested on its part 10 open negotiations, or
any propositions be made in reference TO it, you
will receive and Immediately transmit them 10
This Department
| am, Sir, your obedent servant,
J. {. CALHOUN.