Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-05-09
From the New York Sun.
rhe United States and England, Mexico,
Texas and Oregon.


MARIE against the commerce of Engl
were met by the retaliatory orders in council,
,rbich seriously injured our trade q commerce
osa neutral power, in addition to which we were
barassed by the claim of Eng land to the right
If search-thpn the impressment of American
seamen-untI aggression added to aggression
compelled our government, when remonstrance
and NEGOTIATION had become exhausted, TO
threaten war. The opposition TO the admins
ration at that period took every opportunity to
embarrass our government and sustain the
course of EngIand-charged the government
with being under French influence, and among
other discreditabIe institutions declared that
this country could not be ''kicked into war
with England" When war, however, was
declared under very embarrassing circumstan-
ces, the opposition, in order to obtain posses
sion Of the administration, declared The war to
be on our part "unjnst, uncalled for, and OPP
pressve." They rdiculed our victories and
Teoiced over our defeats. They called the
Hartford convention to divide the Union, and
burnt blue lights at New London to convey
to the blockading enemy signals Of our move
ments. The people, however, triumphed,
and an honorable peace, which we have faith
fully kept on our part,-and indeed we may
say which has been faithfully kept by both
parties,-has enabled the country to enjoy
many years of repose, to multiply our popula-
ton, increase our States and strengthen our
resources. The heirs, executors and assigns
of that very antl-war party have, on the Texas
question, been playing the same game against
our country, and in favor of England, which
they did in 1912. When peace was firmly
established on the continent of Europe, Eng
land saw at once that manufacturing rivals
would spring mp on all sides. and it became
necessary to look round and open new mar
kets 10 sustain that important interest. Much
was expected in this country from the in
fancy Of our manufactures. and, indeed, much
was realized. Friendly relations were estab-
lshed with VenezuIa, New Grenada, Cent
raj America, Peru, Chilli, Mexico, Brazil, the
Argentine republic, &C., and the surplus man
ufactnres of Great Britain, which were shut
out of the continent Of Europe. found a profit
able market on the North and South American
continents. The increase of our manuf ctorie7,
however, and the imposition Of high tariff,
very materially curtaiIed the orders for manu-
featured articles, and indicated that, at no dis
tant period, the United States would supply
altogether and exclusively the wants Of this
country. England cast her eye on Texas,
which was positively independent of Mexico,
and as such, was acknowledged by both Great
Britain, France, and the United States. Tex
as, as an independent government, with a COM
mercia( treaty with England, receiving her
goods at a low ad valorem duty, could have
had no difficulty in inundating the whole south
ern and western frontier Of the United States,
including California, Mexico, and the borders
Of the Pacific, with her manufactures, to the
injury of our revenue and the destruction OF
our national industry. The moment her de-
signs were apparent, propositions were made
TO annex Texas, which were accepted, and a
treaty formed. England saw at once that she
was checkmatpd, and that we were careful OF
our interests; but at the very moment when
she was about su:rendering her experiment,
MIR. Webster's letter against annexation APP
peared, followed by Mr.. Cl:y's, then by Mr..
Van Buren's and Governor Wreht's, and f.
naIly by a secret circular from reputed friends
of Van Buren,, together with violent oppoSi
ton 10 that measure by the late antwar-party
The British ministry fnIing themselves
sustained by several leaders and men of both
parties in this country, renewed their opposi
ton to the measure with TedOub'vd energy
and have induced Mexico-who is withou
claim or right, or even equity, in the question
to suspend amicahle relations with th
III Texas to prevent the consent Of the people
This is the present position Of affairs, brough
about by portion of our own people, VIII
have, by their opposition to annexation, place
US where probably they most desired, nnde
the couiroi Of the governments Of Europe, O
plunged rs into war to sustain our indppen
dence. We have no apprehension of Difficult
ties with England in relation to Oregon. On
f0 ilp nj y r
defined by treaties between two or more OF tn
great powers Of the earth-Russia, the Unite
States, France, Spain, and England-and b
actual possession prior to tina: convention wit
England which gave her people the right
trade in the territory. Our rights are plain an
undoubted. But negotiations will amcabl
settle that question-therc are no dif1icuite
between this country and England to settle
we have no difficulties with Europe, unleS
Europe shall declare that the United State
shall come under European control. Our BIT
siness now is with Mexico. The people {
the United States have declared in favor
annexation, the measure has been adopted b
Congress, and if Texas consents we are bOun
10 carry out that measure at all hazards; an
II Mexico sees fit to declare war against us, W
must defend ourselves in cause which W
know to be both righteous and just, the be:
of our abilities. If we yield, we become
colony of Europe, and we must be governe
altogether by the direction of the crowne
heads. War is always to be avoided when
can be Gone with honor. We shall suffer grea
ly, but those of our countrymen who have
this case invited forei gn interference, are lk
ly to be the greatest sufferers. We have COZ
fdence in the frmness of the administrations
confidence that the people are with them-co
fide1ce in the issue. Let preparations I
made forthwith to place the country in sta
of defence, and let the government be susta
ed by those who have been, and arc nGS
friends TO annexation and to the independents
security, and good faith of the country in ev
~ exigency.