Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-12-21

be Indifferent to such proceedings; and it felt 1t
TO be due. as well TO itself as to the honor Of the
country, that strong representation should be
made 10 the Mexican Government upon the sub |
ject. This was accordingly done; as will be
seen by the copy Of the accompanying despatch
from the Secretary OF State to the United States
Envoy a, Mexico.
Mexico has no right to leopard the peace Of the
world by urging any longer, useless and fruit |
less contest. Such a condition Of things would
not be tolerated on The European contnent.-l
Why should it be on this? A war Of desoation, |
such as is now threatened by Mexico, cannot be
waged without threatening our peace and tran |
guilty. 1t is idle to believe that such wal
could be looked upon with indifference by our
own citizens, inhabting adjoining States, and our
neutrality would be viola ed, in despite Of all
efforts on the part Of the Government TO prevent
it. The country is settled by emigrans from the
United States, under>invitaons held out to them
by Spain and Mexico. Those emigrants have
left behind them friends and relatives who would
not fail to sympathse with them in their difficult.
ties, and who would be led by those sympethies
to participate in their struggles, however energet
ic the action OF Government to prevent it. Nor
would the numerous and formidable bands OF In
dams, the most warlike to be found in any land,
which occupy the extensive regions contiguous TO
the States Of Arkansas aud Missouri and who are
in possession OF large tracts Of country within
the limits OF Texas, be likely to remain passive
The inclination Of these numerous tribes lead
them invariably TO war when ever pretexts exist
Mexico has no just ground Of displeasure
against this Government or People for negotiating
the treaty. What interest Of hers was effected
by the treaty! She was despoiled Of nothing,
since Texas was forever lost to her. The indie.
pendence OF Texas was recognised by several OF
r Il No, r.
10 treat-free TO adopt her own line Of policy
free 10 take the course which she believed was
best calculated to secure her happiness. Her
Government and people decided on annexation
10 the United States; and the Executive saw, in
the acquisition OF such territory, the mems Of
advancing their permanent happiness and glory.
What principle OF good faith then was violated?
What rule OF political morals tiampled under
fool?
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, | repeat, by eight
now nine years OF frutIess and ruinons contest.
In the mean time, Texas has been growing in
population and resources. Emigration has flowed
into her territory, from all parts OF the world,
in current which continues 10 increase in
strength. Mexico requires permanent boundary
between t0dI young TtpuOllC dilu uclSell. leAdS,
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 coGtro Of the
Central Government, has heretofore manifested
itself in some Of those provinces; and it is fair
TO infer that they would be inclined TO take the
first favorable opportunity to proclaim theiI
independence, and to form close alliances with
Texas. The war would thus be endless; or, il
cessatons OF hostilities should occur, they would
only endure for season. The interests o
Mexico, therefore, could in nothing be better
consulted than in peace with her neighbors
which would result in the establishment Of g
permanent boundary. Upon the ratification oil
the treaty. the Executive was prepared to trca
with her on the most liberal basis. Hence thu
boundaries Of Texas were left underlined by the
treaty.
The Executive proposed to settle these upor
terms that all the world should have pronounced
Just and reasonable No negotiation upon that
point could have been undertaken between the u
States and Mexico, in advance OF the ratification
OF the treaty. We should have had no right - nc
power-no authority, to have conducted such a
negotiation, and to have undertaken it, would
have been assumption equally revolving TO the
pride of Mexico and Texas, and su5iectng US 10
the charge OF arrogance, while to have proposed
in advance Ct annexation, TO satisfy Mexico fol
any contingent interest she might have in Texas
would have been TO have treated Texas, not as an
independent power, but as mere dependency 0
Mexico.
This assumption could rot have been acted or
by The Executive, without setting at defiance
your own solemn declaration thar the Republic
was an independent State. Mexico, had. it is true
threatened war against the United States, in the
event the treaty oil Annexation was ratified. The
Executive could not pern! itself to be Influenced
by this threat. It represented ia this the spirit
OF our people, who are ready 10 sacrifice much
for peace, but nothing 10 intimidation. A war
under any circumstances. is greatly TO be deplored
and the United States is the last nation to desire
it, but it, as the condition Of peace, it be required
OF US 10 lorcgo the unq0cslionable right o.
treating with an independent power, OF our own
Continent, upon matters hi.hly interesting to
both, and that upon a naked and unsuStained
pretenson Of claim by third power, TO control
the free.will Of the power with whom we treat
devoted as we may be to 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 10
brave all consequences sooner than submit to
such condition.
But no apprehension Of war was entertained
by the Executives and must express frankly the
opinion that had the treaty been ratified by the
Senate, it would have been followed by prompt
settlement, 10 The entire satisfaction Of Mexico, OF
every matter in difference between the Two