Independent Democrat., 1844-08-07

} most prominent in their opposition TO ar
: nexatlon. During the administration {
! Mr.. Adams, two, several attempts wer
} made in 1926 and 1927, by Mr.. Clay, a
Secretary of State, 10 obtain Texas fror
1 Mexico. And ia the administration Z
J General jackson, in 1929, another effoi
was made with the same power by Mr.
Van Buren, as his Secretary of State. =
During all this period, Mexico was engag
ed in war with Spain for her indepen
dence. Not a mere constructive or pape
war, but an actual war--war in all it
horrors and realities. In 1926, Spar
held possession of the castle of ST. Jear
de Ulloa, commanding the harbor Of Verl
Cruz. In 1929, a formidable Spanish or
mament, consisting of thirteen ships 0
war and 5000 troops, was fitted out anC
sailed from the island of Cuba. Thi:
force invaded Mexico--the city of Tam.
pico was taken--ihe commanding general
at the head of his victorious army, march
ed into the interior of the country, issuing
his proclamation calling on the inhabitants
to return to their allegiance. Five pitch
ed battles were fought; aud finally, in
September of the same year. the entire
Spanish army capitulaled, and then the
war ended. Spain, however, refused to
acknowledge the independence of Mexico
for seven years afterwards. Our Govern.
ment was not ignorant of the preparation
for this last effort on the part of Spain,
to rcconquer her revoIted province. No
tice of the fact was published in the Ga
zettes at Washington at the very time ne.
gotiations were opened. In none of these
negotiations was the least intimation given
10 Spain of our Intentions. We are lately
informed by Mr.. Alexander Everett, our
then minister at the Court of Spain, ''that
during the whole of the time when these
negotiations were going on between our
Government and Mexico for the purchase
of Texas, not syllable Of instruction
was sent TO him to consult or 10 conciliate
the Spanish Government; and that during
all that period Spain stouly and uniformly
maintained her complete right to recon
qder her province of Mexico" Note TO MIR.
Ovens spcech.l If this pretended right
OF re conquest Is so sacred that 1t may
not be impugned without just cause OF
war, was il no, much more worthy of re-
spcCtiui Confederation in The oaseUf Spain,
who, at the various periods Of these nego-
Iiations held fortified castles in the con-
tested territory and was backing her pre-.
tensions with formidable demonstrations,
than in the case of Mexico, whose prInci-
pal war for years past, in the language of
the Texan minister, has consisted OF
''taunts and threats, of braggadocia bull
leiins and gasconading proclamations. y
The only justification for our Government
in all these negotiations (and it Is a com.
plete one) is that Mexico had previously
established her independence, and that
Spanish pride prevented its recognition.
True, the United States, in 1928, recog.
nized the independence of Mexico. And
it is Just as true, that Texas has also es.
her independence, recognized by
us also, and that Mexican obstinacy pre-
vents its recognition. confidently assert
that the most ingenious sophistry cannot
present the slightest difference in princi !
Die between these cases. And these pre-.
cedents, occurring at times when the
question did not in the slightest degree
Dartake of party character, afford the
fullest and most complete justification for
his government in concluding the late
reaty of annexation without the coasent
If Mexico.
The merits Of this objection to annexa-
ion may be tested by simple inquiry
n whom does the right to dispose of Tex
IS restq In. Texas or Mexico? Incon-
estibly il belongs TO either one or the 9th
II. Will any one who admits the right
# revolution, be so bold as to assert that
he right of cession Of this territory still
,xists in Mexico?
There is another view of this subject
which would, under any circumstance.
Iispense with the consent of Mexico to the
proposed measure Texas was sover-
'IgiI 81 ieaenendent State of the Mexi-
AN Confederacy OF 1871. SSiIea the
Confederate Government was overthrown,
Texas refused to submit to the new g ".
and, Consequently, never owei it
Ier allegiance. The present government
f Mexico has therefore no more constitu.
ional or moral right TO exact submission
rom Texas than from Louisiana.
There is not the remotest probability
hat Texas can be brought under Mexican
uie. In all The violent and fanatical op-
osilion 10 annexation no assertion to this
fleet has been made. And in the face of
he acknowledged facts that Texas is a
rec, sovereign, and independent State,
nd ever will maintain her independence
# Mexico-that Mexico has not the right
o dispose of the territory of Texas-we
re grayely and solemnIy warned, that by
a treaty with Texas annexing
L. L.. - r