Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1846-12-19


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conquer Tefas. which he rlaimed a. q revoited
province Of Mexico. He had denounced 40 guilty
OF treason all those Mexicans who considered
Texas as no longer constituting part Of the ter.
ritory of Mexico, and who were friendly TO the
cause of peare = 81 .ras s-er1'a7 f " !
The duration Of the war which he wsged ..
gainst the United States was iodeGnts, because I
the ead which he proposed Of the reconquest Of |
Teas, was hopeless Besides, there was good I
reason TO believe. from oil his conduct. that Il
was his intention to convert the republic of Mexi.
CO into monarchy, aud TO cell a foreign Euro.
pean prince TO tbs, throne. Preparatory to this
end he had daring his short rule, destroyed the
liberty Of the press, toleratng that portion Of II
only which openly advocated the establishment
of monarchy.
The better TO secure the success Of bic ulti.
| mate designs he had, by an arbitrary decree,
| convoked a Congress--nos 20 be elected by thei
| free choice ofth people. but to be chosen in
manner to make them subservent to his will,
| and 10 give him absolute control over their de-
| liberations. .1rl3 31a9e1i
| Under ell these circumstances, il was believed
| that any revolution in Mexico, founded upon op-
| position 10 the ambitious projects OF Parades,
would tend 10 promote the eonse Of peace a. well
| as prevent any attempted European interference
| in The affairs OF the No,tb American continent
bott objects OF deep interest to the United
! States
| Any such foreign interference, if attempted,
must have been resisted by the United States,
| My views 1,pon that subjec: were fully comma
nicstsd TO Congress in my last annual message.
In any event, IL vas certain that no change what
! ever in the government Of Mexico which would
deprive Parades of power could be for tie worse,
50 far az the United States were concerned, while
II was highly probable that any change must Be
! for the better. ,.r-.t7-. e s.gi fee. taE,oal
4 This was the state of sffa irs ist ng when Con.
gre,s, on the 18th Of May last, recognized the
existence Of the war which bad been commenced
by the government of Paredes; and became an
object Of much importance, with view 70 a
speedy settlement of an honorable peace, that
Paredes should not retain power in Mexico.
before that time were symptoms Of revoiu-
fion N Mexico, favored as Il was understood 10
be. by the more liberal party, and especially by
those who were opposed to foreign interference
and 70 the monarc hical form OF government. gia
Santa Anna was then in exile in Havana. hav.
ing been expelled from power and banished from
his country by q revolution which occurred IN
| December, iS44 but il was known that he had
still, cons siderable party in his favor in Mexico
$ il was Also equally well known that no vigilance
I which could be esertpd by our squadron would
s In all probsbility have prevented him from ef
o fecting a landing somewhere on the extensive
Gulf coast Of Mexico, IL he desired to return ts
y his country.
/
n policy; had expressed his regret that he ha'
o subvrrted the federal constitution Of 1924, an
| svowed that he wss now in favor of its Testora
}. ton. He bad publicly declared his hostility, il
s the strongest terms. to the establishment Of
l. monarchy. and 10 Europesn interference in tn
e affairs Of bis country. 17 gf ~. lsHt r.
q Information TO this effect had been received
q from sources belev, d 10 be reliable, al the dat
r Of the recognition OF the ox ST. nee OF the wa
D. by Congress, aud was uttcr~ords fully confirm
Z ed by hp receip, ef the dcepsich OF our consu
!. in the Cily o, nj, xico. wlh the accompanying
documents. which src herewith Transmitted
!. Besidcs, Il Was reasonable To suppose that h
m mus; src the ruinsus conss Quences to Mexic
!. q, war iiia the United States, and that
~ w,uh be his interest 10 favor peace. ig
II was under these circumstances and upo
We these conside eratsons that IL WAS deemed exped
y. ent not to obs,vuc, his return 10 Mexico, shou
is hr attempt 60 do sn. Our object was the rest
ei ration Of Vencp ard with that view, no yeosG
%. was perceived Why We should take part wi
re-. Parndcs, and aid him. by means of our blecksd
ed IN preventing the return Of his rival 10 Mexie
l" On the contrary, il Wus believed ttat the init
90 tine ~ Cons which ordinary saascy could y
~ o' but an,ciyale as the truit OF Santa Annas
~, - turn 10 Mexico, and his cantest with Pured'
a, might strongly tend to produce dlspossti
-. with both parties ln restore and preserve pea
with the United States, s.-r- .,rs S.
,,h Psreees was soldier by profession, and
,ur monar rchisi in principle. lie hsd but recen
es. be ore b,ca tucccssful in military Tevnluti'
ga by which he had obtained power. he was
bly, sworn enemy of the United States, with VIII
his he had involved his country IN the exis''
ted war. Santa Anna had been expelled iron po
zee, er by the army. was known to be in open h
era thly to Parpdes. and publicly pledged sgsf
go fore,pN ic,eryepiion and The reeturatIOn loi
s,e. narcby in Mexico. In view OF these facts .
e'y circumstances i, was. that, when ordors WI
~" issued 10 the commander of our naval forces
,S, the Gull, on the 18th of May last, only two d.
- after the existence af the war had been rec'
en-, missed nv Congress, to place the coast of Mex
NO. under blockade. he ives directed not 10 ohsi
mi. the passage of Santa Anna 10 Mexico, should
aid sttenp, tn return g9 .t l.gH
re. A rsw,lu,on took place 10 Mexico IN the G
'ter ly par, of August following, by which the "
the ct Of Par,sies MAS oyershTown, and ae has 81
b. IN b,nisiivd ftur, the coantry, end 70 nos
cen exile. Sh,rtly afterwards Santa Anna vetu
''eS cd. Il reo,sins TO be- seen whether his rei'
SEQ SEQ may no, yet prove 10 be favptabhe 10 pae
s o"' adjustment, Of the existing difBeulties. i be
III lnsnife.tly his interest not 10 pevseseFe IN
"a prosecuticn oi war commenced by Pavedes
;,.s accomplish = purpose sc sb<urd 90 the rec
w. oue., of Texas to the Sabine. Had Psre
emf. remsinsti in power. Il 10 morally eestsin I
in any pacific adjustment would have bseu 10
s'ns lees Has At"N'N asi '''N' e
vith Upon the commencement Of hosiil'iies
'nee Mexico against the United States. the inc
and nant spirit of the nation was st once srou'
isrn Congress promptly responded TO the expe'
IN tjops of the country, ahd, by the ses Of the
70 OF Nav last, recognized the fact that WI =,
ting ed, by the act Of Mexico. hetweenf U. 8,