The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-05-08


OF the United States but of party in that country,
winch does, indeed, possess bare majority, but
which has identified itself with everything that is
most odious to large and enlightened minority in
coed the dissatisfaction of the States of New Eng
land, or New York, or of Ohio, at having to
meet the calls of war for the sake of an afro
cous aggression on neighborng territory, and for
SINCE expelled from their own soil? The military
establishment OF the United States is very well
adapted to the objects contemplated by its founders
LOT militia, animated by patriotic uanimity, might
me Union But offensive and defensive war are two
different things. The regular army of the United
states was reduced in 1872 to 9,0l2 men, who are
employed IN the garrlsons on the coast, where they
must remain But to undertake field operations a
all, even they were to extend no further than the
occupation OF the Texan territory, an army of
10000 or 25OO0 men would be indispen
siole and although such force might be
raised among the loose population of the Southern
states, II could only be equipped and maintained at
the cost OF the whole Union. How would such bur
dens be borne for the sake of such cause! BY
what newly-devised system of credit would the par
tisans Of Reputation extract loan from the capital
lists OF Europe! Or, by what new taxes is the re-
Venue to be raised to meet war expenditure The
invasion and conquest of a vast region by a State
which Is without an army and without credit. il a
novelty IN the history of nations; and although the
United States have several times flung abroad ma
RAIDERS and sympathizers in great profuson, they
would nnd It rather more onerous to support the
operations of regular war.
Such a war would indeed be a mere prolonpation
OF boctless struggle, fTexas herself took decid-
ed part IN favor OF annexation; but nothing can be
further from the truth. American Presidents have
told us ON various occasions that Texas was solicit
ing humble place amidst the group of United re-
pubics; and that her territory was forthwith TO be
reunited to that of the Union, which was dismem
bered BY the treaty Of 1879 but it appears to be not
lmproDaolc that instead of converting Texans into
Americans, the Americans who went out to settle and
sympathize,, are fairly turned into Texans!
What, they say, . are the advantages Of
t naer US loy thus all-annexng Union They
lney promise US high tariff, but the Custom
house dutles which may be levied on our trade win
be carried to the revenue OF the United States WHY
did we come here at al M the first event that befalls
us Is to replace under all the restrictions existing
In the Union and to deprive US of all the peculiar
advantages which led us to speculate on the future
prosperity Of the Texan Repubicp These argu
can settlers doubtless cmigrated to Texas for the
purpose Of selzing the country and annexing it to
their own, they will have no scruple in betraying
the one any more than the other, and will probably
De guided by their own immediate interests, rather
than by any political considerations at ALL
We most sincerely believe that those interests,
as well as the general interests of the country will
be sacrificed by annexation; and General Jackson
used an argument which was at least sincere, when
ne endeavoured to raise the jealousy of the United
States by describing the progress of Texas, as an
independent community, more highly favoured by
climate and by commercial legislation than any
part OF the Union. Some may wish to win Texas
as an ally, but many more would be well pleased to
crush her as q future rival.
Mexico, on the other hand, would be completely
united in repeling such an attack. The unsettled
state OF the country, and the independent habits of
the people have left them far behind the United
States In all that belongs to the arts of peace but the
Mexcans are perhaps less unprepared than the An
go-Americans for irregular warfare Strange as il
n war ho ala
lar throughout the ancient Spanish provinces the
people would engage in it en- niasse; and with ordi-
nary ability on the part OF their Generals, they would
oppose formidable resistance to any American
force which could enter the country
IL at the present crisis, the affairs of Mexico and
OF Texas were wisely and vigorously managed, it
might still be possible to terminate this discussion
without any evil consequences The recognition of
the independence of Texas by Mexico has been too
long delayed; let 1t now be granted on condition that
the Texan Government binds itself to maintain that
independence invioate. Texas has no claim to rem
der herself independent of Mexico for the sole pur-
pose OF becoming dependent on the United States.
Her independence is absolute, or it is nothing And
IT compact ofths nature could be effected between
Mexico and Texas, with or without the mediation
and guarantee OF the European Powers it is not
easy 10 see by what means the United States could
give effect to their scheme Of annexation except by
an open violation OF all rights and by direct APP
peal to force.-LOsIdon Times, dpril l5
The MONSTER Gun FOR THE AMERICAN NAVY
Ihe heavy piece OF ordnance, ordered some time
ago In this town to be made for the Princeton Uni
ted States steam frgate, is approaching to COM
pietion; and being the largest cannon made in
this country and requiring in its construction great
skill and attention to perfect solid mass, has
become an object OF considerable interest and curl
osity amongst nautical and scientific men. II will
be remembered that the Princeton had on board
gun of great weight and caibre, which, last year,
burst on being fired while large party of American
officers were present to view the vessel by which
several persons lost their lives, including the Secre-
..FS e Al
ed, which was of malleablc iron, and made imper-
tectiy OF the same MATERIAL requiring, if we'll made
less bulk tor gwen strength than cast iron.) The
gun was manufactured in the solid by Mr.. Horsfll,
al MS -Msrsey steel and iron works, and being of
great length and proportonac thickness the secure
~ welding or conglomeratng the whole from pieces
into one equal mass before turning and boring, re-
CURED the utmost effort of modern skill, and the aid
OF powerful machinery IN heating and fashoning IT,
In the rough it nearly fourteen feet long, and
little short OF thirty inches in diameter the thicker
end. A round shaft OF seven inches in diameter
was first formed, and on this, as foundation were
tudlnariy, on edge and reversed in position SO as
to tit These placed round the original spindle,
were, Gas well as the shaf brought to white heat,
and securely welded by hammer eight tons in
weight worked by steam Another layer, in like
manner, was added over the former, and so on until
the whole was OF the requisite thickness throughout
When thus 80 far fashioned, and proved to be per-
fect ana equal IN all Its parts, the most Gre
forged work-was sent to the works of Messrs
Fawcet 81 Co., engine makers and founders. The
gun, as sent to the foundry, weighed II tons cwt
2qrs and IL lbs, In the turning and boring il was
reduced IN weight about tons | cwt The length
OF the cannon, now that it is turned and bored il "
feet, and the bore IL feet in length and IL inches in
diameter, leaving thickness OF solid metal Of ono
foot at the brccch. In form the piece is plain and
unassunlIng In appearance, without raised mould
ings or rlngs,. ION the French sysem,) the object
being to ATTAIN the required strength Mt each point
without useless metal; and the whole apering near
~ equally from The breach, which is 27k inches in
diameter, TO the muzzle, which is 10 inches--gying
thickness of metal to it MS tube of "A inches at the
former, and 81 inches at the latter q The model for
this gun was provided by the Americans, who or
dered II, and was made an inch-and -ahalf scale.
nearly three months, though the operation is by no
means slow, considering the quantity of metal TO be
cut away at gradual and cautious rate, to prevent
any lmperfection The first drill introduced was se-
llanbxa L.