Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1845-04-12
From the National Intel!igencer, March %.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.

Of the session Of Congress, whose crown
ing act was the passage of law, in viola
ton not only of existing treaties, but of
our own constitution and form of govern
nent. Time sufficient has almost elapsed
for us TO hear of the manner of the recep-
ton of the news of this act by the people
and government of Mexico. From Texas
we have already heard. that, so far from
being gratefully welcomed in that country,
the first news of the passage in one branch
Of Congress of the annexing resolution was
greeted with indignan, and contemptuous
reproaches. 1t remains for US to learn.
whether, with this probability Of failure
in our designs upon Texas, we are not act
ually at war with Mexico; having upon
principles of public law, laid down by all
writers on the subject, and repeatedly
affirmed by our own government, incurred
all the responsibility Of such state of
things.
Of the immediate consequences of the
passage Of the Joint Resolution of Con-
gress 'for the annexation Of Texas to the
United States" there are variant opinions.
The resolution may or may not be deemed
by the government of Mexico to be an act
of annexation. 1t may perhaps be consid-
cred as only a stronger expression than this
government has heretofore made of q pur-
pose to amer; which perhaps is the true
light in which to regard it, In this view
of it, however offensive to the rights of
Mexico, as she understands them. the reso-
luton may not be considered as an act Of
war but as an intended wrong. yet not CON
summated and which. in fact. if the tone of
the Texan press is to be taken as foretasie
If that of the government, never will be
contaminated. Under that construction,
or restrained by other motives. Mexico
may, and it is hoped will, have RETAINED
from instantaneous reprisGls.
On this point, however, there are, among
the best informed men. different opinions.
We have placed on the preceding page
two articles from high sources of inteli.
gence, coming TO directly opposite conclu.
sions; both of which articles are well
worthy of most attentive perusa by our
readers.
So long as The Senate remained in ses-
sion, and there was possibility Of any
further action of that body upon the sub
ect of our relations with Mexico, we alb
stained from remark upon the extraordinary
position in which Congress, after passing
the act Of neutrality-suspicious. as our
own government upon former occasion
expressly maintained, to a declaration of
war-ad journed, without making or at.
tempting to make, the slightest provision,
even contingently, for the national defence
The Senate having ad journed without any
further action on this subject, we desire to
ask the serious attention of the public to
the neglect by Congress of its obvious duty,
the consequences of which, though now
matter of speculation merely, may be of
the most disastrous character.
Whilst turning this matter over in our
mind some days ago, happening to take up
the Richmond Wing of the llth inst we
were smtten with surprise at the remarka-
bic coincidence of the views of writer
in that paper on this sub ect with our own.
We refer to the following passage, which
congresses into a few sentences a volume
of practical instruction on this subject:
"Grant that the rivalry, the resentment the
policy Of Great Britain, ght all be with pru.
dence put cut Of view let it, If you will, have
been all an infamous pretence that she meant US
any thing but what was most friendly, and that
she has, indeed, an unbounded complaisance
towards US; still Mexico is le(t-not alone since
she will have the warm sympathy OF all nations;
not uEaidcd, since their citizens will flock TO her
banner on land and at sea; not unencouraged,
since our own total omission Of precauton
against her will leave her the power 10 innict a
terrible blow upon our myriads Of helpless mer-
chanlmen before we can retort upon her. | see
not how we can nuie her much; while upon our
trade she can let slip the havoc OF prvateers by
the thousand! What has been done 10 guard
against such mischief by sea? Nothing but
demagogue efforts to cheaper our navy And
what 10 retort such ravage by land? Nothing but
10 attempt reductions OF our poor little army
the mere nucleus Of a public force. To Texas,
the very object Of seizure, not company OF
| United States infantry has been ordered. Not a
dollar is at Tie Presidents disposal for anu hos
Tile contingency not step for defence againt
any sudden Increment is lef legally in his
poacer! 1t would seem that the authors Of what
has been done were determined tina, they would
mol only shock the world by their violence Of
iniquity, but asonsh it by their utter contempt
of all preceden;s."
In regard to the Texas project, through.
"uI lis whole progress, from its birth to
its present maturity, our readers will bear
us witness, we have not failed 10 warn
them of the dangerous pass into which us
authors and advocates were forcing our
country. Five or six weeks ago. appre.
bending the catastrophe which has since
occurred, we took the freedom 10 say that
step giving such just cause for war--a
step against which war was already de,
nounced in advance, a step SO likely 10 in
Il IL