The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-05-09
DIR, M. Il. KREiDER.
To The Editor Of the Madisonim

had it in view to offer to the public some reiec
tons upon the letters of Mr.. Clay and Mr. Van Blu
rem in relation 10 the Annexation of Texas to this
country, but having seen that you have, in several
numbers of your paper, and particularly in that Of
Friday last, done ample justice TO the letter OF the
former ofthose gentlemen, will confne what have
to say at this time principally to that of the latter
Mr.. Van Buren,, like Mr.. Clay, takes the ground
that the annexation Of Texas to our Union at this
time, without the consent of Mexico would be a
breach OF faith on part towards that nation and
would furnish her with just cause of against
lie says that an construction has been Civ
en- to the act Of recognition by Government oflhe
independence of Texas ard that it has been taken for
granted that by such recognition declared 10 the
world, not only that Texas Independent in fact,
but also that she was Of right And he adds, that
the falacy Of this reasoning will be apparent when
il is considered that the usage Of nations TO acknow
ledge the Government de Jdcfo Of every country
established for the express purpose of avoiding all
inquiry into, or the expression Of any opinion upon,
the question of right between the contending par
ties"
lie declares the true principles Of the law Of ma
tons to be those by which we were governed in
recognition of the independence of Mexico and the
other Spanish American States, in the year 1922 -
He quotes the declaration Of President Monroe to
Congress on that occasion, that at was not contem
plated to change thereby, in the slightest manner our
friendly relations with either of the parties, but to
observe in all respects before, should the war be
continued, the most perfect neutrality between them"
And he gives also the declaration of MIR. Adams our
Secretary of State, to the Spanish Minister, that
The recognition was neither intended TO invalidate
any right Of Spain, nor to affect the employment of
any means which she might yet be disposed or en-.
abled to use, with the view Of re-unng those pro-
vnces TO the rest of her domnions"
Now, let us what was MIR. Van Buren's course
as Secretary of State under President Jackson, to-
wards Spain, in the very with reference to which
the foreg' ing principles had been proclaimed. In
the summer of July, 1929, an expedition fitted
out at Havana, under the authority Of the King of
Spain, for the invasion of Mexico That expedition
started in the month Of July, and the Spanish Gene.
raj Barradas with army Of from four 10 six thou
sand men, landed at Tampico, in Mexico, and took
possession Of that place, the 18th of August, and
held it until tie 18th of September On the 25th Of
August, 1929, and after kno,cn here that Tan,p
co ros ia the possession Of Spanish inpod,ng arnu Mr.
Van Buren,, as Secretary of STATE, prepared a des-
patch to our Minister in Mexico, directing him to
propose 10 the Mexican Government a purchase OF
the province Of Texas. And so far from considering
the war between Spain and Mexico an obstacle TO
such an arrangement, he actually urges i, as an ad
dona inducement for Mexico to enter into il. LIE,
US have his own words
THE unsettled state Of the Mexican Government
is too well known 10 be disguised. The successive
revolutions to which II has already been exposed at
test the iict and the dangers witch threaten IL from
the inngues, If not the open hostility Of Spain are
OF acharscief which cannot be regarded with indlf-
ference"
Again
THE comparatively small value Of the territory in
question to Mexico-i's remote and disconnec,ed SIT
uaiion-the unsettled condition Of her afair,-the
depr ssed and languishng state Of her finances and
NE Hih, and al This moment particularly hreaienirg al.
iiiuds Of Spain, all combine 10 point out and recon-
mend TO Mexico The policy, with portion Of hrter-
rdory of very limited and contingent benefit 10 sun
ply herself with the means Of offending the residue iL
e btier topsof Of success and with less onetous bor
dens 10 her ciizsrs."
Thus we see that Mr. Van Buren, could have had
no idea at that time that consent Of Spain was nj,
cessaiy TO the arrangement, nor that in making i,
any nights OF that nation would be at all violated.
that we had then Treaty Of ami,y
win her, as we now have with Mexico and not with
standing also, that she actually invading Merico
Nor ddthe Government Of Mexico itself either cr.
press or entertain any doubt Of its perfect gb, to dis
pose Of the territory, regardless of any claims of
Spain, although II was then, according to the doc.
'rIne OF Mr.. Van Buren, only de Jaoio government.
IL Il true that this was years after our recot nj
ton of Mexico; but Spain, have seen was still
carrying on the war, and had that moment an army
upon the Mexican sill. II is now also seven wear.
since we recognised the Independence Of Texas and
her soil has no, been polluoJ by tn. tread of Ms,i
can soldier during that period with the exception Of
one or two hssy and predatory incursons ACROSS h,
boundary without the attempt TO keep possession Of
a single acre 4 ground. Mr. is there any greater
now Of the ability Of Mex co to re.ubiu
gate Texas than there was in 1899 Of thu, Of su,;o
to reconquer MEXICO. And besides all this, il is be
e'ed to be fact that Texas has already been recoe
missed by more nations than had acknowledged Meri-
leo at that period.
j, should no, be overlooked that Spain did not ,o |
iusl'y Acknowledge the independence Of Merieo nm. |
III Decembr, 1896. Texas had before tia, tim, ia. |
clared he independence, and had also Go,ernmeo,
ie tacfo, which exercised exclusive jurisdiction owe,
her territory. Here, then, were at the same tinetwo
Governments de fsoio or, in other words, two coun
r'es actually independent and discIsmine the iuris
fiction oftbc word besides. The right Of TEXAS 10
YER Independence was as good as that Of NJ rico 10
'er' since the rights Of both were acquired in III,
'eno nanper--by revolution.
III
Gould The acknowledgment Of Mexico by Spain, un
Ter those c'reur's'sncss extend beyond the fact as
hen existed, with regard TO Mexico aIone1 Or, ifhy