Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-06-01
Vol. 8.

have proceeded. 1t is in that way only that |
justice can be done 10 my intentions; and that
is all desire. The annexation OF the terri |
tory, and the consequent assumption by us Of a |
responsibility TO protect and defend Its inhabi-
tants, would, in respect TO the consideration to
which | am about 10 refer, stand upon the
same footing with that of its admission as
state. The recognition Of Texas as an indie
pendent state, was measure which received.
in various and appropriate forms, the sanction
Of every department Of the government, whose
cooperation was necessary 10 its validity, and
had my hearty concurrence. From this act
Of our government, just and proper in all res
poets as it was, an inference has, however,
been drawn, and brought to bear upon the
present question, not only very far beyon its
real bearing, but by which its true character is
entirely reversed. Many persons who enter
upon the consideration Of the subj Jet with the
purest intentions, and incapable of knowingly
giving false Interpretation TO any thing con-
nected with it, take 1t for granted that the Uni
ted States in recognizing the independence of
Texas declared 10 the world, not only that she
was independent in fact, but also that she was
such Of right. Acting upon this erroneous
construction, they very naturally conclude,
that, having gone thus far, having examined
into and passed not only upon the existence Of
its enjoyment, it is now land more especially
after the lapse of several years. too late to
hesitate upon the question of annexation on
the ground Of any existing controversy upon
those points. The falacy OF this reasoning
will be apparent when it is considered that the
usage Of nations to acknowledge the govern
ment, de tactO, of every country, was es,ab-
lished for the express purpose OF avoiding all
inquiry into, or the expression OF any opinion
upon, the question Of right between the con-
tending parties. They acknowledge no other
power in any country than that which is in fact
supreme. They cannot inquire beyond that
point without interfering with the internal con
Germs Of other natons-a practice which all
disclaim, and a disclaimer which il has been
our invariable usage not only 10 make, but to
enforce with scrupuous fidelity. To recog
nze the independence Of the government de
| facto, is also a matter OF state necessity; for
without it, neither commercial nor diplomatic
intercourse between any such power and the
nations of the world could be carried by quar-
rels between cOntending parties, in regard to
their respective right TO the supreme power -.
In respect 10 all beyond this, the laws and usa.
ges OF nations require the observance Of u
strict neutrality between the contending par
ties, as long as the war lasts 1t is due, also
from every government to its own citizens, TO
declare when q revolted colony shall De re-
garded as an independent nation. Because ait
belongs 10 the government alone to make the
decarati On and because, until it is made, or
the parent state relinqushes hel claims. courts
of Justice must consider the ancient state OF
things as remaining unaltered, and the sove~
reign power Of the parent state over that colo
ny as still subsisting." But nothing can be
> further from giving to the act of recognition
its true character, than TO suppose that il has
the slightest bearing upon the rights Of the
parties; it being, as have said, rcsorted to
for the express purpose Of avoiding any such
construction. Such is not only the law and
usage Of nations, but such also have been the
reiterated avowals of our own government
do not remember that the recognition of Tex
ian independence gave rise TO any corresPon
dence between Mexico and our government
and if it did, | have not the means of stating
its character. But the principles upon which
all such acts are based, were fully set forth by
this government upon the occasion Of the re.
: cogniion of the independence of the Spanish
American states. In the message Of president
Monroe, TO the house of representatives, sug'
geslng the proprety Of the recognition, il
= was expressly declared that, in proposing this
measure it was "not contemplated to change
thereby, in the slightest manner, our friendly
relations with either of the parties; but tC
, observe in all respects, as heretofore, shoult
the war be continued, the most perfect neutral
ity between them" The committee on for
eign affairs, in their elaborate report upon the
subject, say: our recognition must necessa
y rily be co-eXistent only with the fact on which
> it is founded, and cannot survive it. While
the nations OF South America are actually in
= dependent, it is simply to speak the truth tc
" acknowledge them 10 be so. Should Spain
contrary 10 her acknowledged interest, renew
the war for the conquest Of South America, We
shall, indeed, regret it; but we shall observe
. as we have done between the independent par
: ties, an honest and impartial neutrality
The secretary Of state, in defence OF the &C
of recognition, said 10 the Spanish minister
This recognition is neither intended TO inval
: da,e any right Of Spain, nor to affect the EN-
. ployment OF any means which she may sc
y be disposed or enabled to use, with the vleN
, of re-uni.ing those provinces TO the rest oil nc
!, domnions." Tha, these avowal5 were |
~ strict conformity to the true principles oil tn
!" aw of nations, there can DO no doubt. The
:, were, al all events, those which this govern
" ment has solemnly announced as It's rule
y action in regard TO contests between rival par
" ties for tho supreme power in foreign states
- - That the admission of Texas as member
" this conledoracy, whilst the contest for ii
"a maintenance Of the independence she had OF
~ quired was still pending, and consequent a
~ sumption Of the responsibility OF pro'ectIr
her against invasion, would have been pla
'l' departure from the laws and usagos oil nation
10 and u violation Of the principles to which
w. b,d oyowad our adherence in the face OF II