Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1845-12-12


the blessings OF our unlon,-the history Of
the world may be challenged to furnish a par.
allel.
The jurisdiction of the United States,
which at the formation of the federal const;.
tuition was bounded by the St. Mary's and the
Atlantic, has passed the Capes of Florida,
and peacefully extended to the Del Norte.-
In contemplating the grandeur of this event,
1t is not to be forgotten that the result was
achieved in despite of the diplomatic ~interfer-
ence Of European monarchies. Even France
the country which had been an ancient ally-
the country which has a common interest
with us in maintaining the freedom of tho
seas-the country which, by the cession Of
Louisiana, first opened to US access to tho
Gulf of Mexico-the country with which we
have been every year drawing more and
more closely the bonds of successful
commencement Unexpectedly, and to our
unteigned regret, took part in an effort to pre-
vent annexation, and to impose on Texas as
a condition of the recognition of her indepen-
dence by Mexico, that she would never Join
herself to the United States. We NAV re-
Jolce that the tranquil and pervading influence
OF the American principle of selt-government
was sufficient to defeat the purposes of Brit
ish and French interference, and that the al.
most unanimous voice of the people of Tex
as has given to that interference a peaceful
and effective rebuke. From this example,
European governments may learn how vain
diplomatic arts and intrigues must ever provo
upon this continent, against that system Of
self-government which seems natural to our
soil, and which will ever resist foreign inter.
ference.
Towards Texas, | do not,doubt that a lib.
eral and generous spirit will actuate Congress
in all that concerns her interests and prosper.
ity, and that she will never have cause to re-
greet that size has united her clone STAR TO
our glorious constellation.
Texas had declared her independence, and
maintained it by her arms for more than nine
years. She has had an organized govern
ment in successful operation during that pc
Rod. Her separate existence, as an indepen-
dent State, had been recognized by the Uni
ted States and the principal Powers of Eu-
rope. Treaties of commerce and navigation
} had been concluded with her by different ma
} tons and 1t had become manifest to the whole
: world that any further attempt on the part Of
. Mexico to conquer her, or overthrow her GOV
= rnment, would be vain. Even Mexico her.
self had become satisfied of this fact; and
whilst the question of annexation was pend
ing before the people of Texas, during the
past summer, the government of Mexico by
a formal act agreed to recognize the indepen.
dence Of Texas, on condition that she would
not annex herself to any other power. The
agreement to acknowledge the independence
OF Texas, whether with or without this con-
dition, is conclusive against Mexico. The
independence of Texas is a fact conceded by
Mexico herself, and she had no right or au-
thority to prescribe restrictions as to the form
of government which Texas might afterwards
choose to assume.
But though Mexico cannot complain of the
limited Stntac on oacount &c ,ha a,zo.-,:z-
of Texas, it is to be regretted that serious
causes of misunderstanding between the two
countries continued to exist, growing out of
unredressed Injuries inflicted by the Mexican
authorities and people on the persons and
| property of citizens of the United States,
through a long series of years. Mexico has
: admitted these injuries, but has neglected and
refused to repair them. Such was the char.
acter of the wrongs, and such the insults re-
. p~eatedly offered to American citizens and tho
. American flag by Mexico, in ~palpable viola
: ton of the laws of nations and the treaty be-
tween the two countries of the 9Th April, 49,
: 81 that they have been repeatedly brought to
n the notice of Congress by my predeces sors-
5 Then follows a detailed account of all the
circumstances connected with the Mexican
indemnity, including the difficulties with that
government in relation to the matter. He
= then proceeds:
Such a continued and unprovoked series Of
wrongs could never have been tolerated by the
United States, had they been committed by one
of the principal nations of Europe. Mexico
was, however, a neighboring sister republic,
which following our example, had achieved
her independence, and for whose success and
prosperity all our sympathies were early en-.
listed. The United States were the first to
recognize her independence, and to receive
her into the family Of nations, and have ever
= been DESTROYS of cultlvating with her a good
II understanding. We have, therefore, borns
the repeated wrongs she has committed, with
great patience, in the hope that a returning
sense of justice would ultimately guide her
councils, and that we might, if possible,
honorAbly avoid any hostile collision with her.
Without the previous authority of Con-
gress, the Executive possessed no power TO
a adopt or enforce adequate remedies for the
IS injuries we had suffered, or to do more than
le be prepared to repel the threatened aggressioa
g on the part of Mexico. After our army and
s. navy had remained on the frontier and coasts
l. Of Mexico for many weeks, without any hos.
lie tile movement on her part, though her mona.
at ces were continued, / deemed it important e
put an end, if possible, to this state of things
n With this view, / caused steps TO be taken
in the month Of September last, TO ascerti,
it distinctly, and in an authentic form, whs. u,