, 1844-12-21
Vol. IV.-.NO. 2.


tion held out TO them by Spain and Mexico. Those emf
grants have left behind them friends and relatives who
would not fail to sympathise with them in their difficulties,
and who would be led by those s%ympathies TO participateIn
their struggles, however energetic the action of government
to prevent it. Nor would the numerous and formidable
bands of Indians, the most warlike to be found in any land,
which occupy the extensive regions contiguous 10 the states
Of Arkansas and Mo-, and who are in possession Of large
tracts of country within the limits of Texas, be likely to
remain passive. The inclination of those numerous tribes
lead them invariably 10 war wherever pretexts exist.
Mexico has no just ground Of displeasure against this
government or people for negotiating the treaty. What in
terest of hers was affected by the treaty2 She was ~despoil-
ed of nothing, since Texas was recognized by several OF
the leading powers of the earth. She was free to treat
free to adopt her own line of poicy-freet to take the course
which she believed was best calculated TO secure her. hap
piness. Her government and people decided on annexation
TO the United States; and the executive saw, in the acquisi-
ton of such a territory, the means OF advancing their per-
manent happiness and glory. What principle Of good faith
then was violated? What rule Of political morals trampled
under foot?
So far as Mexico herself was concerned, the measure
should have been regarded by her as highly beneficial. Her
inability to re-conquer Texas had been exhibited, I repeat,
by eight-now nine years of fruitess and ruinous contest.
In the meantime, Texas has been growing in population and
resources. Emigration has flowed into her territory, from
all parts of the world, in a current which continues to in
crease in strength. Mexico requires a permanent bounda-
nv between that young republic and herself. Texas, at no
distant day, if she continues separate and detached from the
United States, will inevitably seek to consolidate her
strength by adding TO her domain the contiguous provinces
Of Mexico.
The spirit of revolt from the control of the central gov
ernment has, therefore, manifested itself in.Fsome of those
provinces; and it is fair to infer that they would be inclined
TO take the first favorable opportunity to proclaim their IN
dependence and to form close alliances with Texas. The
war would thus be endless, or, if cessations, Of hostilities
should occur. they would only endure for a tseason. The
interests of Mexico, therefore, could in nothing be better
consulted than in a peace with her %neighbors, which would
result in the establishment of a permanent boundary. Up
on the ratification of the treaty, the executive was prepared
TO treat with her on the most liberal basis. Hence the
boundaries of Texas was left underlined by the treaty.
Tho axacufiye DrODOse TO settle these uDOn terms that all
the world should have pronounced just and reasonable
No negotiation upon that point could have been undertaken
between the United States and Mexico, in advance OF the
ratification of the treaty. We shonld have had. no right-no
power-no authority to have conducted such I negotiations;
and to have undertaken it would have been assumption e.
quany revolving TO the pride of Mexico and Texas, and sub
jecting us to the charge of arrogance; while to have proPos-
ed in advance of annexation, to satisfy Mexico for any con-
tingent interest she might have in Texas, would have'been
TO have treated Texas, not as an independent power, but as
a mere dependency Of Mexico.
This assumption could not have been acted on by The eI-
ecutive, without setting at defiance your own solemn dec
laration that that republic was an Independent state. Mex
leo had, it is true, threatened war against the United states,
in the even. the treaty of annexation was ratified. The ex-
ecutiye could not permit itself TO be influenced by this threat.
1t represented in this the spirit Of our people, who are
ready to sacrifice much for peace, but nothing to intimida-
ton. A war, under any circumstances, is greatly to be de-
plored. and the United States is the last nation to desire it;
but if, as the condition of peace, it be required of us TO
forepo the unquestionable right of treating with an inde-
pendent power, of our own continent, upon matters highly
z W bohs u"N
pretension of claim by a third power, TO control the free-wili
of the power with whom we treat-devoted as We may be
70 peace, and anxious to cultivate friendly relations with the
whole world, the executive does not hesitate to say that
the people of the United States would be ready to brave
all consequences sooner than to submit to such condition.
But no apprehension of war was entertained by the ex-
ecutive: and must express frankly the opinion that, had
the treaty been ratified by the senate, 1t would have been
followed by a prompt settlement, to the entire satisfaction
of Mexico, of every matter in difference between the two
countries. Seeing, then, that the new preparations for hos
tile invasion Of Texas were about to be adopted by Mexico,
and that these were brought about because Texas had a
dopted the suggcs. ions of the executive upon the subject Of
annexation, it could not have passively have folded its arms
and permitted war, threatened to be accompanied by eve
nv act that would mark a barbarous age, to be waged against
her; because she had done so.
Other considerations of a controlling character influenced
the course of the executive. The treaty which had been
negotiated, had failedto receive the ratification of the SEN
ate. One of the chief objections which were urged against
it, was found TO consist in the fact that the question of an
nexation had not been submitted to the ordeal of public
opinion in the United States. However untenable such an
objection was esteemed to be, in view of the unquestiona-
Bile power of the executive to negotiate the treaty, and the
great and lasting interests involved in the question, l felt
il O be my duty to submit the whole subject to congress as
the best expounders of popular sentiment. No definite ac-
ton having been taken on the ~subjectby congress, the ques-
ton referred itself directly to the decision Of the states and
the people.
The great popular election which has Just terminated, al:
forded the best opportunity of ascertaining the will OF the
states and people upon it. Pending that issue, it becazs
the imperative duty Of the executive to inform Mexico thai
the question of annexation was still before the American
people, and that, until their opinion was pronounced, an,
serious invasion of Texas would he regardedas an attsnp
to foresiall their judgment, and could not be looked aPoI
with Indifference. | am most happy to inform you that nj
n such invasion has taken place, and l trust that. whateve