Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1845-12-18
BURLINGTON HAWk-EYE

liiat II afforded any Just cause OF offence 10
| ms government; that the Republic of Tex
as was an independent power, owing 10
allegiance to Mexico; and constituting no
part Of her territory or rightful sovereignty
and jurisdiction. He was also assured
that 1t was the sincere desire of this gov
eminent to maintain with that of Mexico
relations OF peace and good understanding
lhal fnnctionary, however, notwiihstand-
ing these representations and assurances,
abruptly terminated his mission, and short
ly afterwards left t country. Our Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentia-
ny TO Mexico was refused all Official inter-
course with that government, and, after re-
naming several months, by the permission
OF ins own government, he returned TO the
United States. Thus, by the acts of Mex
leo, all diplomatic intercourse between the
two countries was suspended.
Since that time MEXICO has, until recent
ly, occupied an attitude Of hostility towards
the United States-has been marshalling
and organizing armies, issuing proclama-
tons, and avowing the intention to make
war on the United States, either by an open
declaration, or by invading Texas. Both
the Congress and conN ention Of the people
Of Teas invited this government to send
an army into chat territory, to protect and
defend them against the lDenaced attack
The moment the terms Of annexation, Of
iered by the United States, were accepted
by Texas, the latter became So far part
TO afford such protection and defence. |
therefore deemed it proper, as a precau-
tionary measure, to order a ST, ong squad
ron to the coasts Of Mexico, and to concen-
trate an efficient military force on the west
ern frontier Of lie as. Our army was or
dered to take position iii the country be-
tween the Nueces and the Del Norle, and
TO repel any invasion Of the Texan terrific
ry which might be attempted by tie Mex
lean forces. Our squadron III the gulf was
ordered to cooperate with The army. But
though our army and navy were placed III
position to defend our own, and the rights
OF Texas, they were ordered to commit no
act OF hostility against .,eXico, unless she
declared war, or was herself the aggressor
by striking the first blow. The result has
been, thai Mexico has made no aggressive
movement, and our military and naval com
manders have executed their orders with
such discretion, that the peace of the two
republics has not been disturbed.
Texas had declared her independence,
and maintained it 10y her arms for more than
niue years. She has had ali organized
government i'll successful operation during
that period. Her seperate existence, as
an independent State, had been recognized
by the United States and the principal pow
ers OF Europe. Treaties OF commerce and
navigation had been concluded with her
by different nations, and it had become
manifest to the whole world that any fur
Their attempt Oh the part Of Mexico 10 con
quer her, or overthrow her government,
would be vain. Even Mexico herself had
become satisfied Of this fact and whilst the
question Of annexation was pending before
people Of Texas, during the past summer,
the government eff Mexico, by a formal act,
agreed 10 recognize the independence Of
Texas on condition that she would not an
mex herself to any other power. The
agreement to acknowledge the independ-
ence OF Texas, whether with or without
this condition, is conclusive against Mex
leo. The independence Of Texas is a fact
conceded by Mexico herself, and she had
no right or authority 10 prescribe rcstric-
tions as to the form of government which
Texas might afterwards choose 10 assume.
But though Mexico cannot complain Of
the United States on account OF the annex
alton of Texas, it is to be regretted that Sc
rous causes of misunderstanding between
the two countries continue to exit, grow
ing out of unredressed injuries inflicted by
the Mexican authorities and people oil the
persons and property Of citizens OF the
United States, through a long series Of
years. Mexico has had admitted these in
iuries, but has neglected and refused to re-
pair them Such was the character of the
wrongs, and such the insults repeatedly
offered to American citizens and the Amer
lean flag by Mexico, in palpable violation
of the laws of nations and the treaty be-
tween the two countries of the fifth Of
April, 1881, that they have been repeated
ly brought to the notice of Congress by my
predecessors. As early as the eighth Of
February, 1887, the President Of the Unit
ed States declared, in message to Con-
gress, that ''lhe length Of time since some
Of the injuries have been committed, the
repeated and unavailing applications for
redress, the wanton character Of some OF
the outrages upon the persons and pro-
perry of our citizens, upon the officers and
flag of the United States, independent OF
recent insults to this government and peo-
pie by the late L traordinary Mexican
minister, would justify in the eyes Of all
Nations immediate war; He did not, how
ever, rec commend an immediate resort to
this extreme measure, which he declared,
''should not be used by just and generous
nations, confding in their strength for in
iuries committed, il it can he honorably
avoided but, in spirit Of iorbearance,
proposed that another demand be made on
Mexico for that redress which bad been
SO long and unjus,ly withheld. In these
views, committees Of the Two Houses Of
Congress, in reports made TO their respec-
tive bodies, concurred. Since these pro-
ceilings more than eight years have elaps-