The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-04
From the ST. Louis Missourian
OUR MEXICAN RELATIONS.

Although it is impossible TO tell what Mexico will
do, yet the attitude she has assumed has imposed
upon our government the necessity of adopting
measures to meet any emergencies that may occur.
Though it may not be the intention of Mexico to
invade Texas, yet if Mexico finds the Texian from
tiers exposed, she will undoubtedly make predato-
ry incursions. She may not desire TO invade the
United States and infict injuries u.s. but she will
unquestionably plumber, and perhaps murder, our
citizens found in her territories. This we hold to
be selfevdent, heng what she has done in more
than one instance, when she had none but the kind
est feelings towards u.s. and that she is exaspe-
rated, she will certainly not check the vicious pro-
pensites of her people and government for plumber
especially when they have some little show of iust-
fcaton for their acts and can do it with impunty.
There Is now large number of our citizens who
have Just reached New Mexico with their merchan-
disc; others the way: these will oil fall prey
TO the rapacity, ifnot the ferocy, of the New Mex
cans; and our government ought to take proper and
decisive measures TO prevent such u catastrophe by
the concentrating within our own territory suff-
cent force to give succor, to check any hostile
movements in and about Santa Fe
Bent's fort, on the Arkansas, about 600 miles
from Santa Fe, presents favorable position for
stationing garrison, not only on account of its
vicinity to Santa Fe, (being only about eight days
forced march,) but account of its commanding
position with regard to the Indians. There are eight
thousand warriors in the vicinity of this fort, or
WiitSh Suu bc iAuuchSCu ny ~, IL OCCuplcu Us u
military station. These warriors, in the event of
war between Mexico and the United States, would
naturally take part with Mexico, being prompted
by love of plumber; and as the Mexicans would
have nothing to plumber, they would exercise
their propensity by plundering the Americans.
These all can be kept on friendly terms with the
Americans, by little management on our part; and,
in case Of war, if found necessary, can be turned
against the Mexcans. If hostiIities should break
out, five hundred or a thousand men stationed at
Bent's fort could, with the people of the fort make
descent upon Santa Fe, take immediate possession
Of that place, and afterwards push on southwark
towards Chihuahua and Durango, or westward to
California, both; so that in few months the
whole of the North Mexican States would fall in
our power, and place us ina position, when peace
IS made, to have it our own way. The importance
IT adopting such measure OF defence cannot be
estimated. 1t may prevent collision; it may prevent
plumber and murder; il will keep up friend
ly relations with the Indians; and, in case of war;
will give an immense advantage, by enabling us
10 strike prompt and decisive blow, which must
terminate hostes in few months.
We understand that Colonel Charles Bent is now
in this city, and will leave in few weeks for his
fort on the Arkansas. He is an experienced trader
we'll versed in the Indian life and possesses almost
unbounded influence over the tribes in the vicinity
Of his fortress. We have not seen him, but under
stand he favors some such measures as we have
suggested above. He also has quite large number Of
hardy, adventurous men in his employ, who could
be enlisted in case of necessity and who would
make fearless and intrepid soldiers.