The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-12-09

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negotiation of the late treaty of annexation with Tex
ns Tho Executive, therefore, could not be indler-
ent TO such proceedings and II felt II 10 be due, az
well TO itself as 10 the honor Of the country, that
strong representation should be mnde to tho Mexican
| government on the subject. This was accordingly
done, as will bo seen by copy Of the accompany
ing despatch from the Secretary of State TO the Uni
ted Staes Envoy nj Mexico has right to leopard
tho peace of the world by urging any onger,a useless
| and lruitless contest. Such condition OF things
| would not DO tolerated on the European continent -
WHY should Il be on this Of dcsolation,
such ms il nav threatened by Mexico, cannot DO wag-
J ed without involving our peace and tranquility II
H. idle 10 believe that such war could be looked up
on with indifference by our citizens nhnbng adloln-
! ing States aud our neutrality would be violated III
despite of all efforts the part of government TO pre-
! vent it, The country is settled by emigants from
the United States, under invitations held out 10 them
! by Spain and Mexico Those emigan,s have left be-
hind them friends and relations who would not fail to
sympathse with them in their difficulties, and who
would be led by those sympathes 10 participate in
their struggles, however energetic the action OF Gov
| erment to prevent it, Nor would the numerous aud
formidable band Of Indians, the most warke to be
found in any land, which occupy the extensive
gions contiguous to the States Of Arkansas and Mis-
souri,, and who in possession of largo truets Of
country within the limits Of lexas be likely TO remain
passive The inclination of these numerous tribes
lead them invariably to whenever pretext exist.
Mexico had no just ground Of displeasure against
this government or people. What interest oi hers
was affected by tho treaty She despoiled Of
nothing since Texas forever lost to her. The
Independence of Texas recognized by several of
the leading powers Of the earth. She free to
treat free to adopt her own line Of pocy-lree 10
take the course which she believed was best calcutta
ted TO secure her happiness, 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
happiness and glory. What principle of good faith
then yiontcd2 What rule Of political morals
4 r.,
concerned, the measure should have been regarded
10y her as highly beneficial. Her inability recon-
qncr Texas has been exhibited, repeat, by eight, now
nine years, of iruless and runous contest
In the mean time Texas has been growing in pop
ularion and resources. Emigration has flowed into
her territory fom all parts of the world in current
which continues TO Increase IN strength. Mexico re-
quires permanent boundary between that young
public aud herself Texas, at no distant day, il she
continues separate and detached from the United
States, will inevitably seek to consolidate her strength
by nlding TO her domain ;he contiguous provinces Of
Mexico Tho spirit of revolt from the control of :he
Central Government has, heretofore, manifested it,
sell in some Of those provinces; and il is fair TO infer
that they would DO inclined to take the first favor
abo opportunity to proclaim their independence, and
TO form close alliances with Texas. The war would
thus be endless if cessalions Of hosttes should
occur, they would endure for season. The inter-
ests of Mexico therefore, could in nothing be better
consulted than in peace with her neighhors, which
would result IN the establishment Of permanent
boundary. Upon the ratification Of the treaty, the
Executive was prepared to treat with her the most
liberal basis Hence the boundaries Of Tex
"a were left underlined ny the treaty. The
Executive proposed to settle these upon terms that all
the world should have pronounced just and reason
able. No negotiation upon that point could have
been undertaken between the United States and
Mexico in advance of the ratification Of the treaty.
We should have had no right no power no author
ity, to have conducted such negocintioni and 10
have undertaken it, would have been M assumption
yybi In hnvn nl IA, nd Df
annexation, to satisfy Mexico for any contingent in
terest she might have in Texas, would have been 10
havorentcd Texas not as an independent power, but
n dependency Of Mexico. This assunp-
ton could not have been acted on by tho Executive,
without setting ut defiance your solemn declara-
ton that that Republic Independent State
Mexico had, it is true threatened against the
United States in the event the treaty OF annexation
was rntif d. The Executive could not permit itself
to be Influenced by this threat 1t represented in
this the spirit of our people, who are ready to sacri-
flee much for peace, but nothing to intimidation.
war; under any circumstances us greatly TO be depor
ed and the United States the last nation desire
it; but it, the condition of peace it he required oC
to foTego the unquestionabe right Of treating with
an independent power, Of our own continent, upon
matters highly interesting TO both, and that upon a
naked and unsustaued pretension Of claim by third
power, TO control the Tree will of the power with
whom treat-devoted ns may be To peace, and
anxious to cultivate friendly relations with tho whole
world, the Executive does hesitate TO say that, the
people nj the United States would be ready to brave
all consequences sooner Than 10 submit to such cond
tons. But apprehension of war entertained
by the Executive; and must express frankly the o.
pnion that had the treaty been ratified by the Senate
il would have been followed by prompt settlement
to the entire satisfaction Of Mexico, of every matter
in difference between the two countries Seeing then
that new preparations Cor hostile invasion of Texas
about to he adopted by Mexico, and that these
were brought about because Texas had adopted the
suggestions of the Executive upou the subject of
nexaton, it could not pnssvely have folded its arms
and permitted u war threatened to be accompanied |
by every that could mark barbarous age to be
waged against her, because she had done
Other considerations ora controlling character infu-
enced the course of the Executive The treaty which
had thus been negotiated, have failed to the |
Of the Senate. One fthe chief obec- !
tons which urged uganstit, was found to con-
ss in the fact that the question Of annexation had
been submitted to the ordeal of public opinion in the
u. States. However unenable such objection was
esteemed to be, in view Of the unquestionabIe power
Of the Executive to negotiate the treaty, and the
great and lasting interests involved in the question,
felt it 10 be my duty submit the whole subject to
Congress as the best expounders of popular
sentiment, No definite action having been taken on
The subject by Congress, the question referred itself
directly to the decision of the States and or the Peo-
ala ,h, ho.a