The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-05-06


heinz moro convenient than several replies to the re-
specliye communications which have received
I regret that have not the advantage OF view oi
the Treaty itself, Ms to enable me to ah"p' IN en-
precision ormy opinion TO the actual cohut'o"S H'''
stipuln,ons which it contains Not possessing mat
opportunity nm constrained to treat that question
nccurdmg to what presume to be the terms OF inc
Treaty. IT, without the loss of National character,
without the hazard of foreign war, WIN inc g'hor"'
concurrence Of the Nation, without any danger 10
the integrity of the Union, and without giving an I'M
reasonable price for Texas, the question OF AnneSa-
ton were presented il would appear IN qule dner-
cnt light from that in which, lOpPrehend' Is now 10
be rcguded. .
tending, believe, to the Rio del Norte, ny me
treaty Of Louisiana. They coded and rehqnlsnea
that title to SPUN by the trenty of lSr9, by whlch
the Sabine substituted for the Rio del Noie ms
our western boundary. This treaty was nesnc'"'eu
under the administration of Mr. Monroe, aud with the
concurrence of his Cabiuet, OF which Mcssrs Crnw'
ford, Calhoun, and WHIT, being majority, all south
ern gentlcmcn composed part When the trenty
was laid before the House of Representatives, beng
n member Of that body, ! expressed the opn'oh'
which then entertained, and still hold, that eNHs
WINS sacrificed to the acquisition Of Florida; bnt
thought il must from its position, inevitably ''l' mo
our possessions; that the point of Few years sooner
or later, of no sort Of consequence, ana lht III
giving five millions of dollars and Texas for 1t, we
gave more than just equivalent But, II we made
II great sacrifice ia the surrender of Texas, we ought
TO take care not to make too great sacrifice III lhe
attempt to rchcqnire it. -,
Ny opinions of the ineXpedicncy of the treaty OF
1919 did not prevail. The country and Congress
were satisfied with it, appropriations were made 10
carry it into effect the line the Sabine was reooS-
Missed by as boundary, in negotiations between
Spain and Mexico, after Mexico became ndepand-
ent and measures haxe been in actual progress TO
mark the line, from the Sabine to Red river, and
thence to the Pacific ocean. We have thus fairly
alienOted title to Texas by solemn national COM
pncts, to the fulfImGnt of which stand bound by
good filth and national honor. 1t il, therefore, per-
fncy idle and ridiculous, if not dishonurabe, TO talk
of reSuming title 10 rexas, il we had never
pnrtcd with it. We more do that than Spain
can resume Florida, France Louisiana, Great Bril-
lain the thirteen colonies, now composing part oil
the United States.
Daring the administration Of ATr Adams Mr. Poin-
sctt Minister of the United Suites at Mexico, IN
sruc,ed by me, with the Presidents authority, TO
propose a rcpurchasc Cf Texas; but he Gorborc
to make overture for that purpose. Upon his re-
turn to the United States, he informed me- at New
Orleans, that his for not making was that he
knew the purchase wholly impraccable. and
that he was persuaded that, if he made the overture,
it would have other effect than 10 nggravate rrta
tons, already existing, upon matters of difference be-
tween the two countries
The events which have since ronspirel in Texas
well known. She revoltcd against the Govern
ment Of Mexico, flew to arms, and finally fought and
won the memorable battle Of San Jacinto, nnnhila-
ting n Mexican President. The signal success of that
Revolution greatly aided if not wholly achieved,
by citizens Of the United States who had migrated 10
rexns These succors, if they could not always be
! prevented by the Government of the United States,
/ were furnished in manner and 10 extent which
brought to some nat TOTAL reproach in the eyes of
| an impartial world And , in my opinion, they i'm
pose upon the obligation Of scrupulously avoiding
the nputaon Of having instgated and aided the Re-
violation with the ultimate view ofterritoal nggran
dscment. After the battle Of San Jacinto, Fthe Uni
ted Stutes recognized the independence of Texas, in
! conformity with the principle and practice which
have always prevailed in their councils Of reorganlz
! ing the Government ''de focto," without regarding
/ the question de jtUe. That recognition did not affect
or impair the rights of Mexico, change the rea-
tons which existed between her and Texas. She, on
the contrary has preserved all her rights, and has
continued TO assert and so far know yet asserts,
her right 10 reduce Texas 10 obedience, as part of
! the Republic of Mexico. According to late intc-
gence it is probable she has agreed upon temporary
suspension of ho'tes; but, il that has been done,
presume is with the purpose, upon the tcrnina-
ton Of the armstice, of renewing the and en-
! forcing her rights, as she considers them.
This narrative shows the present actual condition
of Texas, far as have information about it. IL il
be correct, Mexico has not abandoned, but perse-
in the assertion of her rights by actual force of
arms, which, if suspended, are intended TO be re-
newed. Under these circumstances, if the Govern
ment Of the United States to acquire Texas, it
would acquire along with it all the membranes
which Texas is under, and among them the actual or
consequence there cannot be doubt. Annexation
and with Mexico are identical. Now, for one.
certainly willing to involve this country in for
eign with Indifference Sa rfng affair on account
Of the weakness Of Mexico s. her inability to inhct
serious injury upon this country. But do not look
upon it thus lightly. | regard all as great ca
lamites, to be avoided if possible, and honorable
peace the wsest and truest pulley of this country.
What the United States most need are union peace,
and patience Nor do think that the weakness of
power should form motive, in any case for Undue
ing to engage in TO depreciatc the evils of war
Honor and good faith and Justice are equally due
from this country towards the weak as towards the
strong And, if an act Of injustice to be perpe-
trnted towards any Power, it would be more COM
patible with the dignity of the nation, and, in my
judgment, less dishonorabe, infict it upon pow
erful instead of weak foreign nation. But are we
perfectly that should be free from injury in
state of war with Mexico? Have we any security
that countless numbers of foreign vessels under the
nuthorty and flag of Mexico, would not prey upon
our defenceless commerce in the Mexican Gulf or
the Pacific ocean, and every other sea and ocean,
What commerce, the other hand, does Mexico
offer indemnify for our losses to tho gallanr,
and enterprise of our counrymen? This view of the
subject supposes that the would be confined tc
the United States and Mexico the only bellige
rents. But have we any certain guaranty that Mex
leo would obtain no allies among the great European
| all,