Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-31

stood and intended TO guaranty 10 the latter spe-
cifc political existence, as soon as she should be
in condition 10 exercise it.
sin 1888, the inhabitants having ascertained
that their numbers were equal 10 most, and ex-
ceeded several of the old States and that the re-
sources of the country were such as to constitute
the required elements for a Slate they held Con-
vention and formed Constitution upon the prin-
eiples OF that OF the Mexican Republic. This was
presented to the General Congress with petition
to be admitted into the Union. The application
was rejected, and the delegate imprisoned.
'In 1884, the Constitutional Congress was dis
solved by military order Of the President Santa
Auna, before the expiration of its appointed term,
and in The following year new Congress was as
sembled by virtue of another military order,
which is said 10 have been arlslocralical, &C.
clesiaslicaI and central in its politics. Numerous
applications were made, By meetings Of the cili-
Gems and by some of the Stale Legislatures, 10
restore the Constitution and Federal Government,
and protests were presented against Tue subver-
sion OF the laws; but they were disrcgarded, and,
in many instances, the authors were prosecuted
and imprisoned.
aThe Central Government deposed tie Con-
stiiutional Vice President without trial, elected
another TO his place, united the Senate and
House OF Representatives in one chamber, and,
thus constituted, declared itself invested with all
the powers of legitimate Constitution. I'm
der this assumption, il abolished the Federal
Constitution and established a Consolidated Go
vernment.
an September, 1885, Gen. Cos invaded the
province of Texas by land, with orders 10 disarm
the citizens, and 10 require an unconditional sub
mission 10 the Central Government, under penal
~ OF expulsion from the country. At the same
time all the ports were declared 10 be in stale of
blockade, and a military force having been sent
10 Gonzales to require from the citizens eur
render Of their arms, hattie ensued, which Ter
minated in the retreat of the Mexicans.
"The Texans assert, that this resistance was
not because they even hen wished to separate
from the Confederacy; but on the contrary, be-
cause they were DESTROYS to bring back the Go
yernnent to the terms of the Constitution oil
1924.
"They, therefore held a Convention at San
Philippe in November, 1895, composed OF fifty
six representatives from all the municipalities, il
which they declared that as Santa Anna and
other military chieltains had, by force of arms
oyerthrown tie Federal institutions OF Mexico
and dissolved the social compact which existed
between Texas and the other members OF III.
Confederacy, they had taken up arms against III.
cncroachmcnts military despots and in deienc.
Of the Constitution.
"1his was considered as an absolute separa
ton from Mexico, and on The Sd of March, 1896.
delegates of the people from all The districts de.
clared Texas free, sovereign and independent
State"
In communicating this report 10 Congress, Pre-
sident Jackson, referring 10 the recognition
of the independence and application Of Tex
as to be annexed 10 the United States ad-
vised tina, the Government OF The United States
should maintain its then "present attitude, il not
until Mexico herselfor one OF the great foreign
Powers should recognise the independence Of tue
new Government, at least until the lapse of time
or the course OF events should have proved beyond
cavil or dispute the ability OF the people OF that
country TO maintain their separate sovereignty,
or TO uphold The Government constituted by them. !"
Such was the language OF President Jackson.
The contingencies contemplated by him have been
accomplished The independence OF Texas has
been acknowledged By more Than one Of The great
foreign Powers, and eight years. have elapsed,
and Texas during all thai Time has proved be
yond cavil or dispute her abilt, 10 maintain her
sovereignty" During the greater part Of that
time her proposition for annexation was pending
before the Government of the United States, and
vel such was the respect for the Government OF
Mexico, and such the desire 10 preserve lis friend
ship and good will, that although no one could
believe that the Government! OF Mexico could re-
conquer Texas and although The acquisition oil
Texas has been "tbe subject Of negotiation b. al
most every Administration Tor Tie last twenty
wears" the Government of The United States has
loreborne 10 agreelo The proposition for anncxa-
ton until, in the progress OF events new circum-
stances connected with negotiations between the
Governments of England and Mexico forbade any
further delay.
For further proof that the declaration Of the in
dependence Of Texas was the work OF The Gov
eminent Of Mexico and not OF the Government
Of the United States the undersigned refers 10 The
admission made hy Mr.. Rejon himself, that the
revolt, as he terms il, in Texas, was occasoned
by the refusal of the Mexican Government TO ap-
prove Of The Constitution adopted by the people
OF Texas for the purpose oil becoming one OF the
Conlederated Mexican States, and by the decree
aboishing slavery and the measures adopted by
the Mexican Government To compel them ito
comply with laws which they dcspised."
His Excellepcy admits that the Government of
Spain first invited citizens of The United States TO
Texas, and that The Government of Mexico re-
newed that invitation by rendering large grants of
land. These invitations were accompanied by
pledges Of protection of person and property, and
the Mexican Government should have foreseen
that natives of the United States, well informed
as to what their rights were, and accustomed 10
Government in which Just laws and good faith
Government to subvcrt the constitutional Gov
eminent and laws, and it is therefore manifest
from this statement OF The case that their reno
val 10 Texas and their declaration OF independ-
ence was the work of the Government Of Mexico
and not OF The Government Of the United States,
as is unjustly charged by his Excellency.
The undersigned refers 10 these facts as con-
elusive, not only 10 disprove the calumnes
against the Government Of the United States,
which it is the purpose Of his Excelle?cy Mr..
Reon to impress upon the people of Mexico; but
also to show that in forbearing TO accept the an
nexaiion Of Texas for so long period, when
rendered by those who alone had the right 10 do
50, and who had achieved her independence of
Mexico, and in renewing the assurance that lit
is now adopted in no spirit of hostility 10 Mexico,
and that, if annexation is consummated, The
United States will be prepared to adjust all ques-
tons growing out OF il, including that ofbounda-
ry on the most liberal terms" his Government
has given the strongest proofs of desire 10 pre-
the Government and people of Mexico; and the
undersigned takes this occasion 10 say, that
should those relations be disturbed, or should The
Government Of Mexico fail hereafter TO receive
The compensation which the Government Of the
United States, for the sake OF preserving those
relations, would willingly have given for ter
ritory over which Mexico does not now, and
cannot hereafter exercise jurisdiction, The Mex
lean people must charge the loss which they
will thus sustain to his Excellency Mr.. Rejon,
and the Government by whose order his notes
oflhc 3Ist uimo and the 9th inst, were written.
His Exccency makes an elaborate comment,
the purpose of which is to induce belief that
the Government of the United States is about 10
seize upon the territory of Texas upon the ground
that "it was embraced in the oession OF Louisiana
by France to the United States in 1903, and was
improperly surrendered by the treaty OF 1919" In
reply 10 all that his Excellency has said on this
subject il is sufficient to say that the United States
do moi seek, and never have sonshl The acquisi-
ton Of Texas on any such pretence, and that the
undersigned made The remark which his Excel
lency has quoted and of which he has made a
use so unfair and uncandid, in connexion with
the fact that "a large portion ofthe territory lies
in the Valley of the Mississippi, and is indispen-
sable 10 The defence ofa distant weak andimportant