Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-24


cided terms against it, The war thus threatene'
10 be renewed, was promulgated By edicts and dc
crees, which ordered, on The part oil the Me1ica'
military, the desolation of whole tracts oil coun
try. and The destruction, without discrimination
Of all ages, sexes and conditions Of existence
Over the manner OF conducting the war; Mexico
possesses no exclusive control. She has no rlSh
10 violate at pleasure the principles which an en-
lighened civilization has laid down Ior The con
due, of nations al war, and thereby retrograde 10
period of barbarism, which, happily Tor The world
has long since passed away. All nations are IN
ierested in enforcing an observance oi thos'
principles; and the U. States, The oldest OF INT
American Republics, and the nearest OF The CT
vilzed powers TO the theatre on which ihsse enoi
mites were proposed 10 be enacted, could not qul
etly content themselves to witness such state
things. They had, through the Executive, OF
another occasion, (and, as was believed, with tht
appreciation of the whole country,) remonstratee
against oulrages similar, but even less lnaunar
than those which, by her new edicls and DEGREES
she has threatened 10 perpetrae, and oil which the
late inhuman massacre at Tabasco was but the
precursor.
The bloody and nhuman murder Of Fannir
and his companions, equalled only in savage bar
barity by the usages oflhe untutored Indian tribes
proved how little confidence could be placed on
The most solemn sipulations OF her generals; While
the fate OF others who bccam her captves IN wal
many of whom, no longer able to sustain Inc
iatgues and privations OF long journeys, were
shot down by the way side, while their compa'
Mons who survived were subjected 10 suferings
even more painful than death-hsd left an indell'
bic stain on the page of civilization. The exec
utive, with the evidence OF an intention on the
part of Mexico 10 renew scenes so revolving 10
humanity, could do no less than renew remon-
s,rances formerly urged. For fulfilling duties 50
imperative MEXICO has thought proper, through heI
accredited organs, because she has had represent
ed to her the inhumanity ofsuch proceedings, to
indulge in language unknown othe courtesy OF dl-
intercourse, and offensive in the highest
degree to this government and people. Nor has she
offended in this only She has not only violated cx-
istins conventions between the two countries by
arbitrary and unjust DEGREES against our trade
and intercourse, but withholds instalmenls OF debt
due 10 our citizens, which she solemnly pledged
herself 10 pay. under circumstances which arc
lav explained by the accompanying letter from
Mr. Green, our Secretary OF Legation. And
when our Minister has invited the attention OF hei
Government TO wrongs committed by her loca
authorities not only on the property, but on The
persons Of our felow-citizens engaged in prose
cutting fair and honest pursuits, she has added in,
sull TO injury, BY not even deigning for months
together, TO return an answer TO his representa-
tons. Still further, 10 manifest her unfriendly
feelings towards the United States, she has issued
DEGREES expelling from some Of her provinces
American citizens engaged in the peaceful pur.
suits Of life, and now denies 10 those Of our Gill
zens, prosecuting the whale fishery on the North
West coast of the Pacific, the privilege which
has, through all time heretofore, been accorded &c
them, of exchanging goods of small amount r
value, al her ports in California, for supplies in
diSpensahle TO their health and comfort.
Nor will il escape the observation of Congress
that, in conducting correspondence with Min,
isler of the U. States, who cannot and does MOI
know any distinction between The geographical
sections OF the Union, charges wholly unfoundcd
are made against particular States, and an appeal
10 others for aid and protection against supposed
wrongs.
In this same connection, sectional prejudice
are attempted 10 be excited, and the hazardous and
objectionable effort is made 10 tomen, division:
amongst the States Of the Union, and thereby EN-
bitter their peace. Mexico has still 10 learn, thai
however freely we may indulge in discussion
among ourselves, The American people will tole
rate no interference in their domestic affairs BY
any foreign government; and in all that concerns
the constitutional guarantees and the national hn
or the people Of the U. States have but one mind
and one heart.
The subject of annexation addresses itself
most fortunately, 10 every portion oil The Union
The Executive weuld have teen unmindiul Of its
highest obligations ii cond have adopted course
of policy dictated BY sectional interests and loca
feelings On the contrary. it was because the
question was neither local nor sectional, bu
made its appeal to the interests of the whole
Union, and of every Stale in the Union, that the
negotiation, and finally The treaty of annexation
was entered into; and il has afforded me no ordi
nary pleasure 10 perceive, thai, 50 far as demon
STATIONS have been made upon il By the people
they have proceeded from all portions OF IN:
Union Mexico may seek TO excite divisions
amongst us, BY u,tering unjust Recommendations
against particular States; bul when she comes &c
know, that the invitations addressed TO our fellow.
citizens by Spain, and afterwards by berselG to
settle Texas, were accepted by emigrar;s from
all the States and when, in addition 10 his, she
refreshes her recollection with the TACT, thai
the first effort which was made 10 acquire
Texas was during the administration OF dis
linguished citizen from an Eastern State, which
was afterwards renewed under the auspices Of Z
President from The Southwest, she will awake 10 a
knowledge Of the futily Of her present purpose
OF sowing discussions among Us, or producing
distractions in our councils, by attacks either or
particular States, or on persons who are now il
the retirement of private life. Considering the
appeal which she now makes TO eminent citizen.
BY name, can she hope 10 escape censure fol
having ascribed 10 them, as we'll as 10 others q
design las she pretends now for the first time re-
vealedD Of having originated negotiations 10 de
spoil her, b. duplicity and falsehood, OF portion
Of her territory? The opinion then, IS now
prevailed with the Executive, that the anneya
lion of Texas to the Union was matter OF Vas
importance. In order TO acquire that territory
before it had assumed position among the in
dependent powers Of The earth, propositions were
made TO Mexico for cession OF il to the Uni
ted States. Mexico saw in these proceedings, a
the time, no cause Of complaint. She is now
when simply reminded OF them, awakened 10 tht
knowledge Of The fact, which she, through he
Secretary Of State, promulgates 10 The whole
world as true, that those negotiations were
founded in deception and falschood, and superin
duced By unjus, and iniQuitous motives. Will,
Texas was dependency of Mexico, the Uni
ted States opened negotiations with the latter pow
CT for The cession Of her then acknowledged ter
ritory; and now, that Texas is independent o.
Mexico and has maintained 4 separate exist
ence for nine years-during which time she ha:
been received into the family of nations, and j.
represented by accredited ambassadors at many
of the principal courts OIL Europe-and Wnen ]
has become obvious to the whole world, that she
is forever los, 10 Mexico, the United States i.
charged with deception and falsehood in all rela
ting 10 the past, and condemna;ory accusations
are made against States which have had no spe-
cial agency in the matter, because the Executive
Of The whole Union has negotiated with free anc
independent Texas upon matter vitality impor
tant TO the interests Of both countries. And afe
nine years OF unayailing war, MEXICO now an
nounces an intention, through her Secretary o
Foreign Affairs, never 10 consent 10 the indepen
dence Of Texas, or TO abandon the effort 10 re
conquer that republic. She thus announces /;
perpetual claim, which, at the end of century
will furnish her as plausible ground for discon
tent against any nation which, at the end of tina
time may enter into treaty with Texas, as sh.
possesses at this moment against the U. States
The lapse Of time can add nothing 10 her title Il
independence.
A course of conduct, such as has been dc
scribed on the part of Mexico in violation Of al
friendly feeling, and of the courtesy which
should characterize the intercourse between III
nations of the earth, might well justify the Unite,
States in resort 10 any measures 10 vindicat
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