Hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1843-1845, 1844-05-16
BURLINGTON, IOWA, MAY 16, 1884,
We wanted Florida; but | though. it

We wanted Florida; bu. l though.
must. from its position, inevitably fal
into our possession; that the poin, of
few years, sooner or later, was of n,
sort of consequence, and that in givin,
five millions Of dollars and Texas for
we gave more than just equivalen,
But, If we made grea, sacrifice in III
surrender of Texas, we ough. to TAX,
care not TO make too great sacrific,
IN the attempt to re-acquire it.
My opinions Of the inexpediency o
the treaty Of 1919 did not prevail
The country and Congress were salts
fed with it, appropriations were mad,
to carry it into effect, the line of .hs
Sabine was recognized by US az our
boundary, in negotiations both with
Spain and Mexico, after Mexico be-
came independent, and measures have
been in actual progress to mark The
line, from the Sabine to Red river, and
thence to The Pacific ocean. We have
thus fairly aliena.ed our title to Texas.
by solemn national compac,s. TO the
fulfilment of which we stand bound by
good faith and national honor. 1t is,
therefore, perfectly idle and ridiculous,
if not lishonorable, 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 composing
part of the United States.
During the administration of Mr. hd-
ans, MIR Poinsett, Minister Of the
United States at Mexico, was instructed
by me, with the Presidents authority,
to propose a re.purchase Of Texas;
but he forebore even 10 make an over
,ure for that purpose. Upon his re-
turn to the United States, he informed
me at New Orleans. that his reason
for not making it was, that he knew
the purchase was wholly impractical
BILE, and that he was persuaded that, if
he made the overture, it would have
no other effect than to sggravate irrita-
tons, already existing. upon matters Of
difference between the two countries.
The events which have since trans
pired 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 Jacin,o, annihila,ing Mexican
army and making a captive of the
Mexican President. The signal sue
cess Of that Revolution was greatly
aided, if not wholly achieved, by cili-
zens Of the United States who had
emigrated TO Texas. These succors,
if they could not always be prevented
by the government of the United States,
were furnished in manner 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 impose on US the obligation of
scrupulously avoiding the imputation
Of having ins!igated and aided the Rev.
olution with the ultimate view of terri.
torial aggrandizement. After the bat
lie of San Jacin,o, 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 gov.
eminent "ds facto.' wi,hou. regarding
the question de jure. That recogni.
lion did no, affect 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 asset.
and so far as know We. asserts, her
right 10 reduce Texas 10 obedience, as
a part Of the republic Of Mexico. Ac.
cording to late intelligence, i. is proba.
bic that she has agreed upon tempo.
rary suspension Of hostili.ies; but, If
that has been done, / presume it is
with the purpose. upon the termina-
ton Of the armis,ice. of renewing the
war and enforcing her rights, as she
them.
This narrative shows the present ac-
tual condition Of Texas so far as have
information about it. II it he correct,
Mexico has not abandoned. but perse-
veres in the assertion Of her rights by
actual force Of arms, which il suspend.
ed, arc intended 10 be renewed. Under
these circumstances, if the government.
Of the United States were to acquire
Texas. i. would acquire along with it
all the membranes which Texas is
under, and among them the actual or
suspended war between Mexico and
Texas. OF that consequence there
cannot be doubt. Annexation and
war with Mexico are identical. Now,
for one, certainly am not willing TO
involve this country in a foreign war
for the object Of acquiring Texas. II
know there are those who regard such
a war with Indifference, and as trifling