The Arkansas banner., 1845-12-24

Vol. HI.
 this continent against he system of self-go.
 vernment which seems natural to our soil
 and which will ever resist foreign interference
 Towards Texas, do not doubt that libe
 ral and generous spirit will actuate Congres.
 in all that concerns her interest and pros
 perity, and that she will never have cause tc
 regret that she has united her clone star'' tc
 our glorious constellation.
 regret to inform you that our relation,
 with Mexico, since your last session, hay,
 not been of the amcable character which i
 IS our desire to cultivate with all foreign na
 tons. On the 9th day of March last, the Mex
 lcan envoy extraordinary and minister pie
 nlpotentlary 10 the U. States made forma
 protest. In the name of lis government, agains
 the Joint resolution passed by Congress ssfo
 the annexation of Texas to the U. States
 which he chose to regard as a violation o
 the rights of Mexico, and in consequence 0 It demanded his passports. He was inform. ed that the government of the U States die not consider this joint resolution as a viola ton of any of the rights of Mexico, or ;ha Il afforded any just cause of offence 10 his government; that the Republic of Texas was an independent power, owing no allegiance to Mexico, and constituting no part of hel territory or rightiul sovereignty and iuris- dlcllon. He was also assured that it was lbe sincere desire of this government to main tam with that of Mexico relations of peace and good understanding. That fanctionarv however, notwithstanding these representa- tons and assurances, abruptly terminated his mission and shortly afterwards Jeff the coun- hy. Our envoy extraordinary and min ister plenipotentiary to Mexico was refused all official intercourse with that government, and after remaining several months, by the permission of his own government, he re- turned 10 the U. States. Thus, by the acts of Mexico, all diplomatic intercourse be- tween the two countries was suspended
 Since that time Mexico, has, until recently, occupied an attitude of hostility towards the U Slates-has been marshalIing and organ- Zng armies. issuing procamations, and avow- ing the intention 10 make war on the U. S., either by open declaration, orby invading Texas Both the Congress and convention the people of Texas invited this Government to send an army into that territory, To protect and defend them against the menaeed attack, The moment the terms of annexation. offer. ed by the U. States were accepted by Texas, the latter became so far part of our own country, as 10 make il our duty 10 afford such protection and defence. l therefore deemed It proper, as precautionary measure. to or tier strong squadron to the coast of Mexico. and to concentrate an efficient military force on the western frontier of Texas Our army was ordered 10 take position in the country between the Nueces and Rio Del Norte, and to repel any invasion of the Texan territory which might be attempted by the Mexican forces.
 Our squadron in the Gulf was ordered to CO., operate with the army. But though our army and navy were placed in position to defend our own, and the rights of Texas. they were ordered to commit no act of hos tlllty against Mexico, unless she declared war, or was herself the aggressor by striking the first blow. The result has been, that Mexico has made no aggressive movement, and onr military and naval commanders have execu- ted their orders with such discretion, that the peace of the two republics has not been dis turbed.
 Texas has declared her independence, and it Iy her arms for more than 9 years. She has had an organized govern ment in successful operation during that pe- riod, Her separate existence, as an indepen- dent State, had been recognized by the U. States and the principal powers of Europe. Treaties of commerce and navigation had been concluded with her by different nations, and 1t had become manifest to the whole world that any further attempt on the part of Mexico to conquer her, or overthrow her go- vernment, would be vain. Even Mexico her self had become satisfied of this fact; and while 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 inde- pendence of Texas on condition that she would not annex herself to any other power. The agreement to acknowledge the indepen- dence of Texas whether with or without this condition, is conclusive against Mexico. The of Texas is fact conceded by Mexico herself, and she had no right or au- thority to prescribe restrictions as to the go- vernment which Texas might afterwards choose to assume
 But though Mexico cannot complain ol the U. States on account of the annexation of Texas, il is to be regretted that serious causes of misunderstanding between the two countries continue to exist, growing out ol unredressed injuries inflicted by the Mexican authorities and people on the persons and property of citizens of tIIe U States, through a long series of years. Mexico has admitted these injuries, but has neglected and refused to repair them. Such was the character oI the wrongs, and such the insults repeatedly offered 10 the American citizens and the Ame- rican flag by Mexico, in palpahle violation oi the laws of nations and the treaty between the two countries of the 9th of April, 1881. that they have been repeatedly brought 10 the notice of Congress by my predecessors. As early es the Sth Feb, lS37, the President ol the U. States declared, in a message to Con- gress, that .'the length of time since.som ol the injuries have been committed, the wanton character of some of the outrages upon the persons and property of our citizens; upon the officers and flag of the U S., independent of recentInsults tothis government and peo- pie by the late extraordinary Mexican minis ter, would justify in the eyes of all nations immediate war" He did not however, reconl- mend an immediate resort to this extreme