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

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and form of Government. Time sufficient has
almost elapsed for us to hear Of the manner OF the
reception 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 pas
age in one branch of Congress of the Annexing
Resolution was greeted with indignant and con-
tsmptuous reproaches. II remains for us to learn,
ss,ealsr with this probability OF failure in our de-
signs upon Texas, we are not actually at war with
Mexico; having, upon principles Of public law,
laid down by all writers on the subject, and repeat
edly 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 Congress for the annexa-
ton Of Texas the United States, there 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 considered as
only stronger expression than this Government
has heretofore made of a purpose 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, she understands them, the Resolution
may not be considered an act of war; but as an
tended wrong yet not consummated, and which, in
fact, if the tone of the Texan press is to be taken
as foretaste Of that of the Government never will
be consummated. Under that construction, or
restrained by other motives, Mexico may and it is
hoped WILL have refrained from instantaneous re-
prisals.
On this point, however, there are, among the best
informed men, different opinions. We have placed
on the fourth page two articles from high sources
of intelligence, coming to directly opposite con-
illusions; both of which articles are well worthy
of most attentive perusal by our readers.
So long the Senate remained in session, and
there possibility Of any further action Of that
body upon the subject Of relations with Mex-
co, we abstained from remark upon the extraordi-
nary position in which Congress, after passing the
act OF neutrality-suspicious., as our own Govern
ment upon former occasion expressly maintained,
to declaration of war-adjourned, without ma
king or attempting TO make the slightest provision,
even contingenty, for the national defence. The
Senate having adjourned without any further action
this subject, desire to ask the serious atten-
ton 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 18th instant, we were smitten with
surprise at the remarkable coincidence of the views
of writer in that paper on this subject with our
own. We refer to the following passage, which
congresses into few sentences volume Of pract-
cal instruction on this subject:
Grant that the rivalry, the resentment the poll
e ID H. II
put out of view let it, if you will, have been all
an infamous pretence that she meant us any thing
but what most friendly, and that she has, in
deed, unbounded complaisance towards us :
still Mexico is leftnot alone, since she will have
the warm sympathy Of all nations not unaided
IS 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 to nfict terrible blow upon our
myriads of helpless merchantmen before we can
retort upon her. ] see not how we can injure her
much; while upon our trade she can let slip the
havoc of privateers by the thousand What has
been done to guard against such mischief by sea
Nothing but demagogue efforts to cheaper our
navy. And what to retort any such ravage by
land! Nothing but to attempt reductions of our
poor little army, the mere nucleus of public
force. To Texas, the very object Of seizure, not
company of United States infantry has been
ucreu. NOI "a N0UGr IS az me TreStdeni 8 0isp0-
sal for any hostile contingency; not a step for
defence against any sudden movement Is tetf ie-
gdly an has power! II would seem that the authors
OF what has been done were determined that thew
would not only shock the world by their violence
OF inlquiy, but asonish il by their utter contempt
of all precedents'
In regard to the Texas project, throuuhout its
whole progress, from its birth to its present MAIN
rity, our readers will bear us witness. we have no,
failed to warn them of the dangerous pass into
which its authors and advocates were forcing o,r
country. Five six weeks ago, apprehendinc the
catastrophe which has since occurred, we took Tho
freedom to say that step giving such just cause of
war-a step against which war was already de-
nounccd in advance-a step so likely to involve us
with others besides Mexico, could not, without
public mprudence little short of Madness be taken
unless accompanied with something Of military and
naval preparation. We insisted that, if annexa-
ton were to become the national policy, our ma
rne should be at once put in condition of general
efficiency for active service, and that an adequate
increase Of our military force should be forthwith
provided for.
We need not say that such an indispensable act
ofprecaution has been scorned The sclf-styled De-
nsacracy has sighted much our own safety as the
rights of Others Ihas chosen, in defiance of every
rational calculation, to hold that whatever il likes
may be committed with tie same IMMUNITY abroad