Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1844-05-11

a view of the treaty itself, 30 as TO enable m
to adapt an expression Of my opinion to the al
tual condition and stipuEatidps which it COT
tains. Not possessing that opportunity, | Al
constrained to treat the question according I
what presume to be the terms Of the treat
: II, without the loss Of national character, with
out the hazard Of foreigm wa., with the gene
raj concurrence Of the nation, without an
danger TO the integrity of the Union, and with
] out giving an unreasonable price for Texas
the question Of annexation were presented,
] would appear in quite q different light from
that In which, | approhend, it 10 now to be re
garded.
The United States acquired a title 10 Texas
extending, as | believe TO the Rio del N6rto
by the treaty Of Louisiaua.-They coded ant
rolinquished that title to Spain by tho treaty
Of 1910, by which the Sabine was substituted
for the Rio del Norte as our western bounda
ny. This treaty was negotiated under the
Administration Of Mr.. Monroe, and with thu
concurrence Of his Cabinet, of which Messrs
Crawford, Calhoun, and Writ, being a MAORI
~, all Southern gentlemen, composed a part
Whom the treaty was laid before the House o.
Representatives, being a member Of that body
| expressed the opinion, which | then enter.
tanned, and stiIl hold, that Texas was sacrif.
ced 10 the acquisition Of Florida. We wanted
Florida but ! thought it must, from its posi-.
ton inevitably fall into our possession that
the point Of a few years, sooner or later, was
Of no sort Of consequence, and that in giving
five million dollars and Texas for 1t, we gave
more than a just equivalent. But, If we made
a great sacrifice in the surrender Of Texas, we
ought TO take care not to make too great a
sacrifice in the attempt to ~rG.acquirs it.
My opinions OF the inexpsdienCy Of the trSa-
~ Of 1919 did not prevail The country and
Congress were satisfied with it, appropriations
were made to carry it into effect, the line Of
the Sabine was recognised by Us as our boun.
Diary, in negotiations both with SPAN and Mex
leo, after Mexico became independent, and
measures have been in actual progress to mark
the line, from the Sabine 10 Red River, and
thence to tho Pacific ocean. We have thus
fairly alienated our title to Texas, by solemn
national c0tnpactB; to the fGlfIment Of which
we stand bound by good faith and national hon.
or. 1t 10 therefore, perfectly idle and ridicu-
lous, if not dishonorable, TO talk Of resuming
our title to Texas, as if we had never parted
with it. We can no more do that than Spain
can resume Florida, France Louisiana, or
Great Britain the thirteen colonies, now COM
posing a part of the United States,
During the administration Of Mr.. Adams,
Mr.. PoInsett, Minister Of tho United States at
Mexico, was instructed by the, with the Pres
dents authority to propose a re-purchase Of
Texas but he forb0re even 10 make an over
tnre for that purpose. Upon his return to the
United States, he informed me, at New Or
leans, that his reason for not making it was,
that he knew the pnrchaseRwa B wholly imprac-
ticable, and that he was persuaded that, if he
made the overture, it would nave no other ef-
feet than to agravate irritalIoas, already exis-
ting, upon matters Of difference between the
two countries.
The events which have since transpired in
Texas are well known. She revolted against
the Government of Mexico, few to arms, and
finally fought and won the memorable battle
Of San ~Jacinto, annihllatIng d Mexican army
and making q captive Of the Mexican Presi.
dent. The signal success Of that Revolution
was greatly aided, if not wholly achieved, by
citizens Of the United States who had migra-
ted 10 Texas. These succorg, If they could
not always be prevented by the Government
Of the United States, were furnished in a man
ner and TO an extent which brought upon US
some national reproach in the eyes of an i'm
partial world. And, in my opinion, they might
impose on us the obligation Of scrupulously
avoiding imputation Of having iHstigated and
aided the Revolution with the ultimate view
Of terrible aggrandizement. After the battle
of San J~aciato, the United States recognized
the independence Of Texas, in conformity with
the principle and practice which have always
prevailed in their councils Of recognising the
Government "de fact0," without regarding the
question deJure, That recognition did not eE-
feet or impair the rights OF Mexico, or change
the relations which existed between her and
Texas. She, on the contrary, has preserved
all her rights, and has continued to assert, and
SO far as | know yet asserts, her right to re.
duce Texas to obedience, an a part Of the Re-
public of Mexico. According to late inteIli.
genCs, it is probable that she has agreed upon
a temporary suspension Of hostilities but, if
that it has been done, ! presume it is with the
purpose, upon the termination Of the armstice,
of renewing the war and enforcing her rights,
as she considers them.
This narrative shows the present actual
condition Of Texas, 80 far az | have inf0rma-
ton about it. Ifit be correct, Mexico has not
abandoned, but persegeres in the assertion of
her rights by actual force Of arms, which, if
suspended, are intended to be renewed. I'm.
der these circumstances, if the Government
Vi III OHILCu 5LdLES WEIE 10 acquire E13B,I
it would acquire along with it ali the ineum.
brances which Texas lie under and among them
the actual or suspended war between Mexico
and Texas. Of that consequences there can
not be a doubt. Annexation and war with
Mexico are identical. Now, for one, / GER
tainly am not willing to involve this country
in a foreign war for the object of acquiring
Texas. | know there are those who regard
such a war with Indifference and as a trifing
affair, on account of the weakness of Mexico,
and her inability to infict gerious injury upon
this country. But | do not look upon it thus
Iregard all wars as great calamities,
to be avoided, if possible, and honorable peace
as the wisest and truest policy of this country.
What the United States most need are union,
peace, and patience. Nor dol think that the
weakness of a Power should form a motive, in
any case, for inducing us to engage in or to
dspreciate the evils of war. Honor and good
faith and justice are equally due from this
country towards the weak as towards the
And if an act of injustice were to be-
perpetrated towards any Power, it would be
compatible with the dignity Of the nation,
and, in my judgement, less dishenorable, to
it upon a powerful instead OF a weak
nation. But are we perfectly sure
we should be free from injury in a state
Of war with Mexico? Have we any security
hat countless numbers of foreign vessels, un-
der the authority and flag of Mexico, would
not prey upon our defenceless commerce in
The Mexican Gulf, on the Pacific Ocean, and
IN every other sea and ocean? What COM
nerce, on the other hand, does Mexico offer,
as an indemnity for our losses, to the galIan-
:ry and enterprise of our c~ountrymen? This
REV of the subject supposes that the war
be confined to the United States and