The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-12-06
has united her lone star to our glorious cons,el-

1 regret To inform YOU that our relations with
Mexico, since your last session, have not been OF
the amlcahle character which 1t is our desire to
cultivate with all foreign nations. On the sixth
day of March last, the Mexican envoy extraordi-
nary and minister pcnipolenlary To the United
States made formal protest, IN the name of his
government, against the joint resolution passed 10y
Congress, Tor the annexation of Texas TO the
United States which he chose to regard as a
violation of the rights of Mexico, and, IN conse-
quence of It, he demanded his passports. He was
informed that the government of the United
States did not consider this joint resolution as a
violation of any of the rights of Mexico, that it
afforded any just cause of offence TO his govern
ment; that the Republic Of Texas indie
pendent Power, owing allegiance TO Mexico,
| and constituting no part of her territory or right
full sovereignty and jurisdiction. He was also
sured that it was the sincere desire of this 60
vernment TO maintain with that of Mexico rea
tions of peace and good understanding. That
functOnary, however, notwithstanding these rep
| reservations and assurances, abruptly terminated
his mission, and shortly afterwards left the coun-
try. Our Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Penipotenlary to Mexico was refused all official
intercourse with that government. and, after re-
naming several months, by the permission of his
own government, he returned to the United States.
Thus, by the acts of Mexico, all diplomatic in
tercourse between the TWO countries was suspend
ed
Since that time Mexico. has, until recently oc
cupled an attitude of hostility tow ards the United
States-has been marshalling and organizing ar
mics, issuing pruclama tons, and avowlng the in
| tention 10 make war the United States. either
by open declaration, or by invading Texas
Both the Congress and Convention of the people
| of Texas invited this Government to send an army
INTO that territory, 10 protect and defend them
against the menaced attack The moment the
terms of annexation. offered by the United States
were accepted by Texas, the latter became SO
far part OF our own country, as TO make it our
duty TO afford such protection and defence.
therefore deemed II proper, as a precautionary
measure, To order strong squadron to the coasts
of Mexico, and To concentrate efficient military
force on the western frontier of Texas. Omr
| army was ordered to take position in the country
between the Nueces and the 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 hostility against Mexico, unless she de-
clared war, herself the aggressor by strik-
ing the first blow. The result has been, that
Mexico has made no aggressive movement and
our military and naval commanders have execut-
ed their orders with such discretion, that the
peace of the two republics has not been disturbed
Texas had declared her independence, and
| maintained it by her arms for more than nine
years She has had organized government in
successful operation during that period Her
separate existence, as an independent State, had
been recognized by the United States and the
| principal Powers of Europe. Treaties of COM
merce and navigation had been concluded with
her by different nations, ard it had become mani
fest 10 the whole world that any further attempt
on the part OF Mexico TO conquer her, or over
| throw her government, would be vain. Even
| Mexico herself had become satisfied of this fact /:
| aud whilst the question OF annexation was pend
| ing before the people Of Texas, during the past
summer, the government of Mexico, by formal
act, agreed to recognize the independence of Tex
as on condition that she would not annex herself
to any other Power. The agreement to acknowl-
edge the independence of Texas, whether with
| or without this condition. is conclusive AGAINST
| Mexico. The Independence of Texas is fact
conceded by Mexico herself, and she had no rich
or authority to prescribe restrictions as to the form
of government which Texas might afterwards
| chOOse TO assume.
But though Mexico cannot complain of the
| United States account of the annexation of
Texas, it to he regretted that serious causes OF
/ misunderstanding between the two countries con
tlnue to exist growing out of unredressed injuries
! inflicted by the Mexican authorities and people
on the persons and property of citizens of the
| United States, through long series of years
Mexico has admitted these injuries, bat has neg.
| lected and refused to repair Them. Such was the
character of the wrongs, and such the insults re-
| peatedly offered to American citizens and the
| American flag by Mexico, in paIpable violation OF
| the laws of nations and the treaty between the
two countries Of the 9Th of April, 1881, that they
have been repeatedly brought to the notice Of
| Congress by my predecessors. As early as the
| 9Th of February. 1887, tho President of The Uni
led States declared, in message to Congress
that the length of time since some of the injuries
| have been committed, the repeated and unavail.
ing applications for redress, the wanton character
of some Of the oulrages upon the persons md pro
perry of our citizens upon the officers and FLAG o
the United States, independent of recent insults
to this government and people by the late Elk
traordinaTy Mexican minister, would justify ir
the eyes Of all nations immediate war; He did
not, however, recommend an immediate resort tt
this extreme measure, which, he declared, Should
not be used by inst and generous nations, confid
ing in their strength for injuries committed, if il
can be honorably avoided > but, in a spirit of for.
bearance, proposed that another demand be made
on Mexico for that redress which had been sc
long and unjuslly withheld In these views
committees of the two Houses of Congress. in re-
rF do n NfaHW