Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1844-12-18

was recognized by several Of the leadus
powers Of the earth. She was free u
trcai-free 10 adopi her own liue of Polir!
free to take Ihe course which she belle
we'd was best calculated 10 secure her hap
piness. Her Government and People de
cded on annexation 10 the U. States; AM
The Executive saw. in The acquisition o
such ierrilora, he means Of advancing
their perman nj happiness and glory
What principle of good faith then was
violated? whaI rule Of political morals
trampled under foot? So far as Mexict
herself was concerned; the measure should
have been regarded by her as highly bene
fetal. Her inability 10 reconquer Texas
had been exhibited, repeat. by eight
now niue-years Of fruitless and ruinous
contest. In the meantime. Texas has
beeu growing in population and resources.
E,nisralion has flowed into her territory,
from all parts of the word, in current
which contiuaes To increase in strength
Mexico requires rern,anen, bnandary
between tha, young republic aud herself.
Texas, at no distant day, if she continues
separate aud detached from the United
Sa'es. will inevitably seek to consolidate
b r strength 10y adding TO her domain the
contiguous provinces of Mexico. The
spiri of revolt from the control of the
Central Government has. hereto fore, man
ifes,ed itself in some of those provinces;
and it is to infer that they would be in
clined To rake the first favorable oppnrtu-
nifty 10 procloim their independence, and
10 form close alliances with Texas. The
war would thus be- endless or. if cesSaIions
of hostillies should occur, they would only
endure for season. The interests. Of
Mexico, therefore. could in nothing be
better consulted than in a peace with her
neighbors, which would result in the es-
tahlishmeut of permenent boundary.
Upon the ratification oflhe treaty, tie Ex.
ccutvc was prepared TO treat with her on
the mos, liberal basis. Hence The boun-
daries of Texas were left undefned by the
treaty. The Executive proposed to settle
these upon terms that all the world should
have pronounced just aud reasonable. No
negotiation upon tha, poiut could have
been undertaken between The United States
and Mexico. in advance ofthe ratification
Of The treaty. We should have had no
right-nn power-no authority to have
conducted such negotiation; and 10 have
undertaken it would have heen an assuinp-
tinn equally revolving to The pride of Mexi-
CO and Texas, and subjecliug US 10 the
charge Of arrogancei while TO havepro
sed in advance Of annexation, TO satisfy
Mexico for any contingent interest she
might have in Texas. would have been to
have treated Texas not as au independent
power, buIas mere dependency OF Mex.
leo. This assumption could not have heen
acted on by The Executive, without setting
al defiance your own solemn declaration
that that Republic was an independent
State. Mexico had. it is true. threatened
wa against the U. States. in the event The
treaty of annexation was ratified. The
Executive could mol permit ilseifto be
influenced by this threat. 1t represented
in this The spirit of our people, who are
ready to sacrifice much for peace, but no
thing 10 intimidation. war, under any
circumstances, is greatly to be deplnred.
and The Uuifed States is lhe last nation TO
dosre it; bulif. as the condition Of peace,
it be required of us to forego the unqnes-
tionable risa, Of treating with an indepcn-
dent power, OF our own continent, upon
matters highly interesting to both, aud that
upon naked aud unsuslained pre,ensluns
of caim by third power. 10 control the
free will of the power with whom we
treal-devoted as we may bc 10 peace
u d anxious 10 cultivate friendly relations
with the whole world. the Executive d0es
not hesitate TO say lha, he people OF the
United STATES would he ready to brave
all consequences, sooner than submit TO such
condition.. Blu, m apprehension Of war
was entertained by the Executive. and |
must express frankly The opinion, that had
the treaty been ratified by the SenaIe it
would have been followed by.a prompt
settlement. 10 the entire satisfaction OF
Mexico, of every MAILER in difference be-
tween The two conlries. Seeing, then. that
new preparations for hostile invasion OF
Texas were about to be adopted by Mex.
leo, and these were brought about because
Texas has adopted the susgestios of the
Executive upon the subject of annexation.
ii could not passively have foldedits arms
and permitted q war, threatened To be ac.
companied by every act that could mark a
barbarous age, TO be- waged against her.
because she had done so.
Other considerations Of q c0nrfolins
character influenced the course Of the Elk
ecuuvc. The treaty which had thus bee n
negotiated, had failed 10 receive he ruff.
cutinn of the Senate. One of the chlel
objections which were urged against it.
was tound TO consist in The fact, That the
question ofannexaion had moi been sub
IYitled to the ordeal Of public opinion in
The United States. Hrwever untenable
such an objection was esteemed TO be, IN
view of The unquestionable power of the
Executive TO negotiate The treaty. and the
great and lasting interests involved in The
question, / fel, it be my duty to submi'
Y tt, l.