Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-01-09


packet Neptune we have received our files Of Texas
pa pers to the 2ith instant The principal item OF m
t.gence is the Message of President Houston 1t Is
a calm and candid document, unpretending IN style
and disc losing many important facts
The President commences by congratuatlng Con
gress on The pacific relations of Texas towards other
powers. For more than year past no annoyance has
! been experienced from Mexico The nations winch
have recognized Texan independence, have erlnced
disposition 10 bring about permanent and amtcalls
adjustment of the difficulties with M"xlco. The IRE
sident acknowledges the friendly office OF Great Bf
tain, and entetans no distrust OF The conduct or mo
tives of that nation In June los Mexico announced
her willingness 10 proclaim an arnstice with Texas
The proposition was embraced by the Executive and
Comm ssioners appointed to meet those designa'
ted by Mexico and tx upon the terms OF the almisuce
The result has not yet transplred President Houston
has dissemination u honorable peace and hopes
that the protract warfare between Mexico and Texas
will be put an end to by the efforts Of the commission
es Of the two countries INTEL gence was received
some lime since of the will ngness OF Mexico 10 release
her Texan prisoners, on condition that Texas would
set OF Liberty ell Mexican oaptves. THIS has been
done
The French Government continues to manifest a
friendly disposition ards Texas and has expressed
the desire and intention of establishing line ct Royal
steam ships between the two countries. diplomatic
agent has been despatched 10 the Netherlands and ne
quotations being established with SPain IN view OF
a similar policy.
The President complains of the capture of Snively
men by United States troops, within the limits OF
Texas, unwarrantable aggression he declares
that Snvey had all the official sanctions Of the Co.
vcrnment, necessary TO protect him from outage. he
doubts not however, TINT redress will be afforded, on
proper represe nta,ion Of the facts. He further men,
tons certain nractons of the Revenue Laws by ira
ders Red River, and the ma,reatment of the Off
GERS while in the performance of their duties.
Treaties of Peace have been concluded with the va
rious tribes of Indians nhabng Texas, with lew e3-
20
molestaton from them.
In regard 10 the finances of The country, the rfes-
dent is explicit and frank. When his administrator
commenced, the people were without 4 currency ano
the Government surrounded by most embarrassing
difficulties nevertheless the direct taxes were reduced,
and the collections postponed twelve months beyond
the usual period The experiment oil creating ano
sustaining new currency was tired, and by Juocious
sraints and rigid economy, 1t has been established,
despite the delinquency of officers entrusted with the
revenue and other sources of hindrance The exche-
quer bills are now at par vaue-they do not exceed n
amount 81 100000. The President urges as means
of supporting this currency, the exclusion, by prohlo-
tory statutes of foreign bank notes. and the suppression
of all bank, individual or corporation paper issued
within the Republic.
ltis earnestly recommended that the Collectors of
Taxes should, in future, be appointed by the President
and Senate; and not elected, now, by the people
the hitter mode is considered unsafe, and fruitful IN
mrschefs.
The charge That texas mas repuoIateo nel liabilities
is Indignantly repelled. Their payment has been de
ferred from inabilily-no denied through dishonesty.
Her notes will all be redeemed in tme-at least so says
President Houston. He further that the holders
of Texan liabilities have fair opportunity for secure
and profitabl. investment The public domain-con.
ssting of $50 millions of ncres-is held subject to the
redemption of The debt. These lands may be acquired
under The existing laws By the holders of Prnmssory
notes. at two dollars per acre. All lind taxes and fees
Tor patents all taxes assessed previous ID last year, are
receivable in this currency.
For The last two years the have been COM
mensurate t, the support of the Government and there
is now small surplus in the Treasury. The exports
this year will largely exceed the imports.
Definite penal legislation is required in regard to va
rous crimes such treason, insurec,lon mutny and
sedton.
Congress organized on the 1lth Dec In the
House, Hon. X. Scurry was elected Speaker without
opposition. The standing committees announced
The next day.
!. reported that dispatches have been received from
the Texan Commissioners appointed TO treat with Mex
co, and have been sent to the Of Government
Their contents are unknown.
Forty fifty families of German emigrants arrived
at Galveston a few days since.
The New ORLEANS "Age" says, at is intimated that
the Texan Commissioners for concluding armstlce
between Texas and Mexico, have lately written from
Monterey, that peace can be maintained by nothing
short Of the submission Of Te1a. 10 Mexico"