The New York herald., 1845-02-22
WASHINGTON, d. G. Feb. 20, lS45.

EDITOR HERALD
Our foreign relations at this moment, are full OF
deep aud absorbing interest. When did England
begin her negotiations with Mexico for the acqHi-
sition of the CALIFORNIA; Was it before we be-
gan our movements for annexation! How was
England to pay for the purchase? Every body
knows Mexico is irretrieveably sunk in debt, The
greater portion of which is due unto the people of
England.
II the reader has good memory and will 60 back
with me to 1S4l, he will probably recollect a
scheme was put on foot by Mexican boDdholders,
to acquire territory in Mexico, as indemnifcatien
for their claims in that year.
They proposed to purchase of Mexico a central
tract OF country, with the privilege of transport
ing English emigrants to it for the purpose Of CO.
lonization. They invoked the Intervention Of
the British Government in favor of their design,
which was withheld, and the whole scheme ap-
parently ceased TO occupy the public mind. No.
thing was said or limited at about California
Santa Anna was then out of power, being at
his country residence, near Jalapa. He not long
after became the President Of the Republic, in the
admn,st.a,,on Of which he medltated schemes of
quired a strong and powerful army, which could
only be raised and maintained by large sums of
money, even larger IN amount than the internal re-
sources OF the country would yield. He was wise
enough to see that Texas was forever separated
and lost In New Mexico or California he saw
sparsely populated country, and knew, that in the
eventof any serious conflict with the United States,
1t too. would, in all probability, be occupied by
American troops. The Texas expedition against
Santa Fe. alarmed him for the safety of that dis
tant and detenceless province Byparting with it
would, very likely, he believed, enable him to
have consolidated the remainder of Mexico, over
which he would, he could, maintain kind Of
permanent or perpetual Dictatorship: We shall
probably never learn all the means England has
resorted to in paving the way for the acquisi-
ton Of California.
Among them, however, was that of exciting sus.
plcion on the minds of persons at the head of the
government against the government and people Of
the United States For several years past feeling
IN Mexico has prevailed so adverse to the United
States as to assume at times attitude of threat
IN hostility, although our government should
I'VE been regarded more favorably to the existence
OF sister Republic, If really such, than Great Bri-
ain.
We have reason to think England was in treaty
for California, before Mr.. Tyler opened treaty for
Texas. She squabbled about the right of search.
tired TO bring France into a protest against Texas
annexation,, aad put forth pretensions to Oregon
which could not consistently with our honor be
yielded to, while she was at the same time in &C.
tive negotiations for the purchase OF one of the
most extensive and desirable sections of country on
TINS continent What IS still to be the issue Will
she even now abandon her secret negotiation, or
Will she persevere? She rarely relinqushes an en-
terprise once began. What is our duty il she per-
ssts y IN seeking this dangerous aggrandsement =
we ought Immediately to make firm and decided
protest against any such acquisition on this conti
nent. Our admission OF Texas into the Union can
have no Just pretext for such disastrous dismem-
oerment OF Mexico With California and the bav
OF san francisco In The possession OF the English
what would the Oregon be worth to us? Would
not the Sandwich Islands necessarily fall under
their dominion Where then would our wbalino
vessels have security, or harbors for watering ane
rehulngl With the British in California what
would become of our Santa Fe lradel The wav
would also be open to the invasion Of our Wes,ern
states The English would then occupy position
70 intercept communication between the frontier
states and Oregon. The subject of the OCCUPATION
racter. Wv"
The DISCLOSURE OF her designs upon that fine
country, VIII have one good effect When they