Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-03-29

There had been no threat, no hostile feeling even,
between the two nations. Yet, Congress was
adjourning, and serious difficulty possible, this
precautionary measure was justly held matter OF
indispensable duty. twas accordingly adopted by
the almost unanimous vote of Congress In the
House it passed by yeas 2Ol, nays 6 in the Senate,
mem. con.
Here, then, is precedent which, after having
themselves placed the United States in imminent
hazard of war, if they have not made it inevitable,
it would well have become the Representatives of
the People to have followed. Had they done So,
they would have escaped the reproach, which now
attaches to them, of having applied the match to
train Of combustibles, and left the country utterly
unprotected unless by the stout hearts of its peo-
pie, against the explosion which they had every
reason to apprehend might follow.
After the foregoing was in type our attention was
called to an article on this subject in the Courier
DIES Etafs U,ais, Cat New York; which had before
escaped our notice. Considering the relations Of
the Editor of that paper, which bring him in con-
nexon with the best authorities in regard to the acts
and motives of foreign Powers, incline to attach
more importance to his remarks upon this question
than to those of journals who have not the same
advantages. We therefore invite the most serious
attention of cur readers to the following extract
from the remarks of the Editor of the Courier:
ssWe cannot blame the American Government for this
fdence, which persists maintaining in regard to Mexico
and for its almost obstinate hopes the preservation of peace
This confidence and these hopes may not be deceived they
founded certain rational probabilities, which we were
the first expose and admit But it is nevertheless great
fault in politicians foresce only the good and not the evil
chances These last numerous they
than the chances of peace take into considera
merely the declaration of Mexico, but the national
character Of the people, of whom vanity and obsnacy are dis
tnctive qualities Among possible events and which Gen.
ALMoSrE himself regards probable there is one OF which
person has thought and which would call the public
attention may be that at the moment when the American
Government reposing in its somewhat blind confidence
when it looks upon war; at any rate, an event still distant
and subject protocols and pcusve negotiations that
this moment may actually exist and that the next ar
rival from Vera Cruz Tampco may bring intelligence
that embargo has been laid upon all American vessels now
Mexican ports and that sill American residents have been
made prisoners Of and their property confscated The
possibility and in the probability Of these facts
logically results from opinion expressed by Gen. ALMoNrE,
which has been reported to by of those to whom he
uttered it. According the Mexican Minister, illusion
Congress upon and the sanction by the President of the
annexation BILL the international relations of the
two countries According to him. and according to his Gov
enment whose declarations have been explicit this head
the sanction Of the bill Of annexation is equivalent to an I'M
mediate declaration of war; and will be regarded such by
the Government of Mexico. We with Texas, says
Gen. ALNoSTE regard it of evoed provinces
you unite yourselves with it, and take under your proec-
ton you then with by the simple fact of your
declaration, and may ought treat You Immediately
enemies, without the necessity Of any previous notice for
initiative has from you, and deeds only respond
to enemy who has declared As consequence Of
this of viewing it. which is strictly RATIONAL cannot
be denied 1t be then, repeat it, that at this very
the Mexcans have already responded to the vote the
annexation by confscation and essential hostilies
Thc American press has oreseen this serious
uerce because there within its bosom party that does
regard the question of annexation yet settled All that
the bill has effected say these journals is approve the pn
cple of annexation and authorize the President open
goaons the purpose Of realizing it. This explanation is
true at bottom the United States concerned but
it is not true as regards Mexico AS the latter
consider the effect of the diplomatic by which sgnfe
that would regard the vote the bill of de-
claraon Of and it had the right give this construction
that act because between countries, parliamentary
manifestation, purely moral may be equivalent to actual hos
% The intention in this case, may be taken for the fact
and he of whom you show yourself to be the enemy has
right choose his own convenience, and not yours attack
you. Whether Texas be annexed not is longer the
question is altogether in the intention which you have Of
cay and publicly manifested to seize upon it, We believe,
therefore, that if Mexico has Immediately made seizure of
American property its roads and territory, has done
than put into practice rigorous principle Of the law Of
nations"