The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1844-12-11

the fact TO the Executive at as early a day as
possible, so that the whole matter may be com
municated TO Congress.
AT your last session, ! submitted, 10 the atten-
ton of Congress, the Convention with the Re-
public Of Peru of the 17h March, 1871, provi-
ding for the adjustment of the claims of citizens
of the United Statos against that Republic; but
no deinitiye action was taken upon the subject.
| again invite to il your attention and prompt
action.
In my last Annual Message, | felt il to be my
duty to make known to Congress, in terms both
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 ia
cinto, has consisted altogether Of predatory in
c%ursions, attended by circumstances revolving to
humanity. l repeat now, what | then said,
that, after eight years of feeble and Intellectual
effort to recover Texas, it was time that the war
should have ceased. The United States had a
direct interest in the question. The contiguity
OF the two nations to our territory was but too
well calculated to involve our peace. Unjust
suspicious were engendered in the mind Of one
or the other of the belligerents against us; and,
asa necessary consequence, American interests
were made to suffer, and our peace became daily
endangered. In addition to (Which, it 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, with
out the interposition of this Government, might
eventuate in the most serious injury to the Uni
ted States. This Government, from time to
time, exerted its friendly Offices to bring about a
termination of hostilities upon terms honorable
alike to both the belligerents. Its efforts in this
behalf proved unavailing. Mexico seemed, al
most without an object, to persevere in the war,
and no other alternative was left the Executive
but to take advantage of the well-known dispo-
sltlons Of Texas, and to invite her enter into a
treaty for a~nnexing her territory to that of the
United States.
Since your last session, Mexico has threatened
to renew the war, and has either made, or pro-
poses to make, formidable preparations for inva-
ding Texas. She has issued DEGREES and proc
lamations, preparatory to the commencement OF
hostllities, full Of threats, revolving to humanity
and which, if carried into effect, would arouse
the attention of all Christendom. This new
demonstration of feeling, there is too much rca-
son to believe, has been produced in conse-
quence of the negotiation of the late treaty OF
annexation with Texas. The Executive, there
fore, could not be Indifferent to such proceedings
"AN ~ ~ w w NNN3 pp - w ibpNily Il " lilC
honor of the country, that a strong representa-
ton should be made to the Mexican Government
upon the subject. This was accordingly done
as will be seen by the copy of the accompanying
despatch from the Secretary of State to the
United States Envoy at Mexico. Mexico has
no right to leopard the peace of the world by
urging any longer, a useless and f~ruitless con
test. Such a condition of things would not be
fOIorofa1 49, 4ha NJ
should it be on this? A war of desolation, such
us is now threatened by Mexico, cannot be wa
ged without involving our peace and tranquility.
1t is idle to believe that such war could be look
ed upon with Indifference by on. W citizens.
lnhabiting adjoining States; and our neutrality
would be violated, in despite Of all efforts on
the part OF the Government to prevent it. The
country is settled by emigrants from the United
States, under invitations held out to them by
Spain and Mexico. Those emigrants have left
behind them friends and relatives who would not
tallto sympathise with them in their difficulties,
and who would be led by those sylnpathies to
participate in their struggles, however energetic
the action of the Government to prevent it.
Nor would the numerous and formidable bands
OF Indians, the most warlike TO be found in any
land, which occupy the extensive regions cont
guous to the States of Arkansas and Missouri,
and who are in possession of large tracts OF
country within the limits of Texas, be likely to
remain passive. The incIinations of those nu-
merous tribes led them invariably to war when
ever pretexts exist.
Mexico had no just ground of displeasure
against this Government or People for negotia-
ting the treaty. What interest of hers was aE-
tected by the treaty? She was dispoiled of no
thing, slRce Texas was forever lost to her. The
independence of Texas was recognised by sever
al OF the leading powers of the earth. She was
free to treat-free to adopt her own line of poll
cy-iree to take the course which she believed
was best calculated to secure her happiness
Her Government and People decided on annexa-
ton to the United States; and the Executive
saw, in the acquisition of such a territory, the
means of advancing their permanent happiness
and glory. What principle Of good faith then
was violated? what rule of political morals tram.
pied under foot? So far as Mexico herself was
concerned, the measure should have been regar-
ded by her as highly beneficial. Her inability
to reconquer Texas had been exhibited, / repeat,
by eight-now nine-years of f~ruitless and rl-
lnous contest. In the meantime, Texas has
been growing in population and resources. Emf.
BEatioh nus moved INTO her territory, from all
parts OF the world, in q current which continues
to increase in strength. Mexico requires a per.
manent boundary between that young republic
and herself. Texas, at no distant day, If she
ontinue separate and detached from the United
States, will inevitably seek to consolidate her
strength by adding to her domain the contiguous
provinces Of Mexico. The spirit of revolt from
the control of the Central Government has here
t%ofore, manifested itself in some of those proyin.
cess; audit is fair to infer that they would be in.
clined to take the first favorable opportunity &c
proclaim their independence, and to form close