Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1844-05-09

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lions both with Spain sne Mexico, aftei
Mexico became independents and mea
sures have benin actual progress TO marx
the line. from The Sabine 10 Red river
and thence to the Pacific ocean. We
have thu fairly slienated our title to Tex.
as. BY solemn national cpnipatis. 10 the
fulhlmeht of which we siebd hound by
good faith and national hoaGr. Ii is.
therefore. perfectly idle aaa ridiculous, il
hot dishpnorable. 10 talk OF tesaming ouI
title 70 Texas. as If we bad never parted
whit We can DO more ldri ibai than
Spain can resume Florida. France, Lpu
isiana, 81 Great Britain the thirteen cbto.
MES, composing a part 81 tbs- United
States.
During the administration df Mr. AID.
ans, Mr. Poinsett, Minister Of jhe United
State at Mexico. was insirucled by me,
with the Presidents authority. 10 propose
a re purchase Of Texas; balS he forbore
even to make sn overture for tbat pupose
Upon bis return to The United States, be
informed me. at New Orlesa3, that bis
reason f3f not making il was, that be
knew the purchase was wholly impFacti-
cable, and that be was persuaded that, if
be made the overture, it would have no
other effect than 10 aggravkte irri.s;ions,
already existing. upon mallers OF differ
ence between the two countries.
The events which have sipce lranspiIed
in Texas are well known. Sh4 reyolted
against The Government Of Mexico, few
10 arms. ana finally fough and won the
memorable battle Of San Jscinto, ami
hilating q Mexican army aod making a
captive OF the Mexican President. The
signal success Of that Revolution mas
greatly aided. If moi wholly achieved. by
citizens Of The Uniied~StaIes hp had mi
grated 10 Texas. These succofs, if they
could moi always be prevented by the
Government of the United States. were
furnished ID a manner and to an exteEt
which brought upon Us some national re.
proach in tde eyes Of an impariisl world.
And, in MY opinion. they impose on us
The obligation Of scruPplopsly avoiding
The lmputaiion Of having iastigaied and
aided the Revolution with the. ultimate
vie wof territorial aggrandizement a ier
the battle Of San Jacruto, The United
States Recognised .the ildepeR dence Of
Texas, 10 Conformity with theeprinciple
and1practiee which have-alwsyE prevail
ed 10 THEFT councils Of recognising lhe
Government r. de fdcto," WITHHOLD regard.
ing the question ae jure. That rscogni-,
lion did not affect or impair the right OF
Mexico. Oh change the relations which ex.
Isted between her and Texas, She, 90 the
contrary, has preserved all her rights, aud
has continued to assert, aud SO far as |,
know yet asserts, her light 10 red hce Tex
as No obedience, as "a part of the Republic
of Mexicd According 10 late intelligence,
il is probable that she has agreed upon
Temporary suspension of hostiliiSs but,
if that has been done. I presume Al is with
the purposes upon the terminatich of-ihe
artnistlce, of renewing the wsn,and en-
forcing her tights, as she considtts thenns
This narrative shows The present. actual
condition off Texas, so far as hRve In
formation about it. Hit be correes, Mexi.
co has not Abandoned. but peFseFeres 10
the assertion pr her rights by actual force
Of arms, which, if.suspended. are! intend.
ed 10 be rehe wed. Under these tircum-
stances, il the Government Of the United
States were 10 acquire Texas. il would &C.
quire along with it all the membranes
which Texas i under, and among them
the actual d suspended war between
Mexico and Texas. Oflhat consequence
there CANNOT be doubt Annexation and
war with Mexico are identical. Now, Tor
one, | certainly am not wiling to involve
this country in 2 foreign war for the object
OF acquiring Texas. / know there are
those who regard ouch wa. with lndif
ference and as trifling affair, on account
OF the weakness Of Mexico, and her ina
bility to iuiltct serious injury upoAthis
country. Butt do not look upon il thus
lightly. | 1rAgard all wars as grssk Ga
lanitiss, 10 BE avoided. if possible, and
honorable peace as The wisest and lreest
policy Of this country Wha, the United
States most need are union, peace, and
patience. Nor DO think that The weak
ness 81. a Power, should form motive, in
any case, Tot INDUCING US to engage in or
TO dsRle ciate the evils of war. Hopor and
good lii a1d justice are equally due
from.his country towards the weak as
towards the strong. And, il an aci Of IN
Justice werelto5e perperated towards any
Power, il would be more compatible with
the dignity ofihe nation, and,m Dry Judg
menl, less dishoIorable. 10 iniliel il hpoh
a powerful instead Of weak foreign ma
lion. But are xe perfectly sure that we
should Be free from injury 10 slate Of
war wilh Mexico I? Have We any secu
riiv that countless numbers OF foreign sess
sells, under The authority and Gag Of Mexi-
CO, would notsprey upon our defeneeless
commerce ID The Mexican gulf, on the
Pacific ocean. Eaad on every other sea and
ocean. What commerce, on the other
hand. does Mexico offer as an indemnity
for our losses, Ito the galIantry and enter 4
mise Of our edanirymens This view of
The subject suhposes that the war would
be confined 10 the United States and Nix
leo as The onEy belligerents. But have. we
any certain Guaranty that Mexico would
obtain no allies among tbe great EUROPEAN
Powers Suppose any such Pogets jkal
oes Of our incteasing greatness. add DIS
posed 10 check our growth and cEiIgle sus,
we're todakeFnsrl IN oeHaiisoii MeTieo ia
:he war. how would the different 9Slhssr;-
ents present themselves 10 Sprs'e dom
and The enlightened world We nave
been seriously changed With "a ineIei1taie
spirit Of ieFriloriAl ssgrandizene nt,; shd
without admitting The justice OF me ShAf.ye