Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-12-12

be found in any land, which occupy
the extensive regions contiguous to
the States of Argansas 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 numerous
tribes lead them invariably TO war when
ever pretext exist.
Mexico had no just ground of displea-
sure against this Government or peo-
pie for negotiating the treaty. What
interest of hers was affected by the
treaty? She was despoiled of nothing,
since Texas was forever lost to her,
The independence of Texas was recog-
Missed by several ofthe leading powers of
the earth. She was free to treat-free
to adopt her own line of policy-free
to take the course which She believed
was best calculated to secure her hap
plness. Her Government and people
decided on annexation to the United
States and the Executive saw, in the
acquisition OF such territory, the means
of advancing their permanent happi-
ness and glory. What principle of
good faith then was violated2 what
rule of political morals was trampled
under foot? So far as Mexico herself
was concerned, the measure should be
regarded by her as highly beneficial
Her inability TO conquer Texas had
been exhibited, repeat, by eight
now nlne-years Of fruitless and ruin
Gus contest. In the mean time, Texas
has been growing in population and
resources. Emigration has flowed in
to her territory, from all parts Of the
world, In current which continues to
increase in strength. Mexico requires
a permanent boundary between that
young Republic and herself. Texas,
at no distant day, if she continues se-
parate and detached from the United
States, will inevitably seek to CONSOLE
date her strength by adding to her do
main the contiguous provinces Of Mex
leo. The spirit Of revolt from the con-
troll Of the Central Government has,
heretofore, manifested itself in some of
those provinces and it is fair to infer
that they would be inclined to take the
first favorable opportunity to declare
their independence, and to form close
alliances with Texas. The war would
thus be endless; or, If cessationS of
hostilities should occur, they would
only endure for season. The inter-
ests Of Mexico, therefore, could in no
thing bebetter consulted than in a peace
with her neighbors, which would re-
suit in the establishment Of a perma-
nent boundary. Upon the ratification
of the treaty, the Executive was pre-
pared to treat with her on the most IL
beral basis. Hence the boundaries of
Texas were left underlined by the trea-
ty, The Executive proposed to settle
these upon terms that all the world
should have pronounced just and rea-
sonable. No negotiation upon that
point could have been undertaken be-
tween the United States and Mexico,
in advance of the ratification of the
treaty. We should have had no right
no power-no authority, to have
conducted such negotiation; and to
have undertaken it, would have been
an assumption equally revolving to the
pride of Mexico and Texas, and sub
jecting US to the charge OF arrogance:
while to have proposed in advance of,
annexation, TO satisfy Mexico for any
contingent interest she might have IN
Texas, would have been to have treated
Texas, not as an independent power,
but as a mere dependency of Mexico.
This assumption could not have been
acted on by the Executive, without
setting at defiance your own solemn
declaration that that Republic was an
independent State. Mexico had, it is
true, threatened wal against the United
States, in the event the treaty OF annex
alton was ratified. The Executive
could not permit itselfto be influenced
BY this threat. 1t represented in this,
the spirit OF our people, who are ready
to sacrifice much for peace, but moth
ing to intimidation. A war, under a.
ny circumstances, is greatly to be de-
plored, and the United States is the
last nation to desire it; but if, as the
condition of peace, it be required of us
to forego the unquentionable right of
treating with an independent power, of
our own continent, upon matters high
ly interesting to both, and that upon
naked and unsustained pretension oil
claim by third power, to control the
free will of the power with whom we
treat-devoted as we may be to peace,
and anxious to cultivate friendly rela-
tons with the world, the Executives
does not hesitate to say, that the peo-
ME of the limited States wOuld he rea