The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-05-21


nation, to make acquisitions BY a comPsct WIN an
othei
"Our political opponents home, As well as foreign
nations. already charge the States OF 'his ha.'on WIN
repudiatiBg debts and federalism has passed bank
rupt Law, authorsng every voluntary bankrupt 10 re-
pudlate his debts.
"If the General Government should take this step
in violation the treaty with Mexico, would the char
acter Of country be left TO posterity the same
noble and honorable Inheritance which was handed
down 10 US by Washington, Jefferson, and Jackson -
From the National Intellisencer, Thursday, May
10th;
But, of all the arguments against the measure-ai.
excepting that Of the indeiibo national disgrace
attending breaches Of faith by tho wilful violation oil
solemn treaties the when Is entitled TO tho great
weight is the fact that the proposed anne xaon,
and assumption Of the relations and obligations oil
Texas would be the establishment Of state Of war
between The Uni ed States and Mexico. This posi-
ton has been fully maintained in able papers from
eminent persons lately spread before read u.s. that
spared the necessity Of terrifying 1t, as might
be done impregnaby, by reference to those writers
on public law whose authority is equity recoR-
Missed by our own judicial tribunals and by the high
court of nations.
1--WE trust that among readers there is not one
who is capable Of regarding with unconcern the deb-
crate violation by his Government OF the existing
treaty OF amity, Of boundary, and OF commerce be-
tween the United States and Mexico
We have not been able since the discussion OF tho
question Of Annexation commenced, to find solitary
argument in support Of this grave accusation, unless
the incomprehcnsible gable in the Globe concern
ing ''armistice, deserve the name of argument
In fact this charge Of violation of a solemn treaty,
not thought of in the commencement of the dis
cusson, and not brought forw ard until every
gument against the erpsdieney of Annexation was
hea daun Few nrn AhOlifopisfs
now question the expedency of the measure, or its
necessity, in national point of view: but treaty
with Mexico is held up as the lion in the path.
The first Article Of the Treaty of Ami,y, Com
merce and Navigation between the United States Of
America and the United Mexican States, concluded
April 5, 1884, is in the following terms:
"Article |. There shall be firm, inpio able and
urersai peace, and true and sincere friendship be-
tween the United States of America and the United
Mexican States, In all the eItent OF their and
Terri Dries, and between their people and citizens
sp,ctivey, ,cihom distinction Of persons places
This treaty to continue in force for the term of
eight years but, the 34h Article provided that Gin
all those parts which relate to peace and friendship
is shall be permanently and ptpeta Iy binding both
the contracting parties
This is the only article Of any treaty with Mexico
which it can be alleged would be violated by the i'm
medi,te annexation Of Texas. The terms of the ar
uce are certainly most comprehensve-an inviola-
bic, universal, perpetual, true, and sincere friend
ship between all the citizens of both countries with
out distinction of persons or places black white
male or female, tall or short, old and young North
and South, living in valleys, on plains mountains,
all are bound by this treaty to swear an eternal
friendship with each other after the manner of the
German sentimentalists. And the worst of it is
that we have the same, similar stipulatons (the
phraseolosy being copied from diplomatic formula
as old the hills) with dozen other foreign po W.
ers that if there be any truth in the Spanish pro-
verb, our country has perous number of dear
friends.
That this article is to be construed according to the
literal meaning of the words, proposition too alb
surd to be seriously discussed. There would be no
end 10 the mutual complaints, ecamations and ex-
actions to which such Interpretation Of it would
give rise We should be compelled to have a Con
ven'ion of indemnity with Mexico every six months
for her past aggressons upon citizens show what
notions of true and sincere friendship" towards
them she is disposed to entertain.
The truth is, this article does not bind us to display
any other friendship towards Mexico than that which
we are bound to manifest towards all the nations of
the earth with which we have pacific intercourse
that is, rigid adherence the law of nations and to
justice. special, exclusive friendship with any ua-
ton, IS contrary to the spirit of our institutions and
to the whole practice Of our Government
The true question is, therefore, whether the annex
atom Of Texas, without the consent of Mexico
would be infraction Of the Law Of nationsi The
Ia hold l.
have seen no argument, or appeal to authority, in
support of the assertion; WHILE on the other hand
we see immediate Annexation advocated by those
who certainly cannot be ignorant of the law of ma
tons, and would hardly advise their Government or
urge their feow-citzens to deliberate infraction
of national law.
The National Intelligencer talks of reference
TO those writers public law whose authority i.
equally recognised by our Judicial tribunals, and
by the high court Of nations" But it specifies no
writer, and points to no chapter There is
certainly no lack Of writers public law nor of de-
cisons by courts on points Of public law Why not.
in pity Of our ignorance, indulge us with a few of
HEM
So, Mr.. Van Buren, in his letter of the tven-
tieth of April, intima,es that he could prove An
nexaton to be violation Of national faith
though II would o, have been either in 1897
OF 1929" Yet though hi. own consistency as
statesman, well as the honor of the country is al
stake, be employs not single argument, nor gives
hint of he ground upon Which his opinion is foo nded
lie says "If were TO 60 into discussion Of this
question: and the facts sssrily connected with il
should be writing book instead Of a letter" Well
why not write book ,h,nl The Importance Of the
Object would justify it, Or at least give US the out
lines Of the book the headings Of the chapters, the
general tenor of the Argument or few Of "ihe fact.
necessarily connected with it," in order that VIC NAV
endesvor to form own judgment.