Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-12-16

self-g government was sufficient 10 defeat
the purposes OF British and French int.
terences, and that the almost unanimous
voice of the people of Texas has given
to that interference peaceful and effect
i've rebuke. From this example, Euro
pean governments may learn how vain
diplomatic arts and intrigues must ever
prove upon this continent, against that
system of selt.government which seems
natural to our soil and which will ever
resist foreign interference.
Towards Texas, | do not doubt that a
liberal and general spirit will aciua'e
Congress in all that concerns her inter-
ests and prosperity, and that she will new
err have cause 10 regret that she has uni
ted her clone star" to our glorious con-
stellation.
regret to inform you that our rela-
tons with Mexico, since last years ses-
sion have no. been Of the amicable char
acter which tits our desire 10 cultivate
with all Foreign nations. On the 9th day
of March last, the Mexican envoy extraor
binary and Minister Plenipotentiary 10
the United States made q formal protest,
in the name of his government, against
the joint resolution passed by Congress-
sfor the annexation Of Texas to the U.
States" which he chose TO regard as a
violation of the rights Of Mexico, and IN
consequence of it, he demanded his pass
ports. He was informed that the gov
eminent oc the United States did not con
slider the join, Resolution as violation
OF any of The rights Of Mexico, or that it
afforded any just cause OF offence 10 his
government; that the Republic of Texas
was an Independent Power owing no al
legience to Mexico, and constituting no
part of her territory or rightful sover'
eighty or jurisdiction.
| He was also assured that it WIS the sincere
desire of this government TO MAINTAIN with that
| Of Mexico relations oil peace and good under
standing. That functionary however, notwith-
standing these representations and assurances,
abruptly terminated his mission and shorty al
terwar DIS left the country. Our envoy eXtfaot-
dinaryand minister plenipotentiary to Mexico was
refused all official intercourse with that govern
ment, and after remaining several months ov
the permission Of his own government he re-
| turned to the u. Suites. Thus by the acts OF
Mexico. all diplomatic intercourse between the
two countries suspended.
Since that time Mexico has until recently, oc-
cuped an attitude of hostility towards the u D
has been mar shalling and organizing armies,
issuing proclamations and avowlng me ih'chiioh
to make war on the u. S. either by an open dec
laraon or invading Texas. Both the Cone ress
and Convention of the people OF Texas invited
this government to send an army into their ter
ritory to protect and defend them against the
menaced attack. The moment the terms OF an
nexation, offered by the u. 5. were accepted by
Texas, the latter became so Tar part OF our own
country as to make it our duty to afford such
protectio and defence.
therefore deemed it proper, as precautions
ry measure, to order strong squadron to the
coast of Mexico, and to concentrate On efficient
military force on the western frontier OF Texas
Our army was ordered to take position IN the
country between the Nueces and Del Norte, and
TO repel any invasion of the Texan territory
which nigh, be attempted by the Mexican forces.
Our squadron in the gulf was ordered to co ope.
rate with the army. But though our army and
navy were placed in position to defend our
own, and the rights Of Texas. they were order
ed to commit no act Of hostility against Mexico,
unless she declared war, was herself the first
aggrcssor by striking the first blow. The result
has been that Mexico has made no aggressive
movement, and our military and naval comman-
ders have issued their orders with such dlscre-
uOn, tldl the peuCC VI VIC wv iSP""HNs -'"S '0'
been diaturbed.
Texas had declared her independence, and
maintained it by her arms for more than nine
years. She has had an organized government in
successful operation during that period. Her
separate existence, as independent State, had
been recognized by the U. S. and the principal
Powers of Europe Treaties Of commerce and
navigation had been concluded with her by differ
cnt nations, and it rad become manifest to the
bola th.t
of Mexico to conquer her or to overthrow her
government. would be vain. Even Mexico her.
self had become satisfied of this fact and Wills:
the question of annexation was pending before
the people Of Texas during the past summer, the
government of Mexico by formal act, agreed to
recognize the independence OF Texas on condi-
ton that she would not annex herself 10 any 9TH
er Power. The agreement to acknowledge the
independence of Texas, whether with or without
this condition, is conclusive against Mexico her.
sel', and she had no right or authority to pre-
scribe restrictions q to the form of government
whichTexas might afterwards choose to assume.
But though Mexico cannot complain OF the u.
States on account OF the annexation OF Texas, 1t
is to be regretted that serious causes o! msun
| Outstanding between the TWO countries continue
| To exist, growing out of unredressed injuries IN
! nicted by the Mexican authorities and people on
| the persons and property of the U. S. through
long series of years. Mexico has admitted the
injuries, but has neglected and refused TO repair
them. Such was the character of the wrongs,
and such the insult repeatedly offered to Amer-
can citizens and the American flag by Mexico IN
| in palpable violation of The laws OF nations and
tho treaty between the two countries Of the fifth
of April 81, that they have repeatedly been BROS
TO the notice of Congress by my predecessors
AS carly as the 9Th of February 1887, the Pres
idcnt of the u. S. declared in message TO Con-
gresS that, the length Of time since some OF the
! Injuries have been committed, the unlvailing ap-
plcations for redress, the wanton character OF
some of The outruees upon the persons and proc
cry of our cltZens--upon the officers and flag
OF the L. S Independent of recent insults TO this
government and people 10y the late Extraordinary
Mexican minister, would justify in the eyes of
all nations immediate war He did not howev-
er, recommend an immediate resort 10 this ex
treme measure which he declared should not be
used by just and generous nations, confiding in
their strength, for injuries committed, il II be
h onorably avoided-but in spirit of torbearance
proposed that another demand be made upon
Mexico for that redress which had been 50 long
and so unjustly withheld. In these views CON-
mittees of the two houses of Congress, in reports
made TO their respective bodies, concarred Since
these proceedings more than eigh! years have
elapsed, during which in addition 10 the wrongs
then complained of, others of an aggravated
character have been committed on persons and
property OF our citizens. A special agent was
sent TO Mexico in the summer of 1888 with full
authority to make another and final demand of
redress. The demand was made; the Mexican
government promised to repair the wrongs of
which we complained and after much delay, a
trpntV of indemnify with that vieu, vos copctp-