Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-12-18
NEW SERIES,..-No. 2J
nile of human ljberty that "the sovereignty of the

It, 10 the government under this constitution,
as well as that under the federal constitution, the
people of Texas owed allegiance
Emigrants from foreign countries, including
the United States. were invited by the coloniza-
ton laws of the State and the federal govern
ment, to settle in Texas. Advantageous terms
were offered to induce them to leave their own
country and become Mexican citizens. This
invitation was accepted by many of our citizens.
in the full faith that in their new home they
would be governed by laws enacted by repre-
scntatives elected BY themselves, and that their
lives, liberty and property would be protected
by constitutional guarantees, similar to those
watch existed in the republic which they had
lett. Under government thus organized they
continued until the year 1895, when military
revolution broke out in the city Of Mexico, which
entirely subverted the federal and State consti-
tutions and placed a military dictator at tho
head of the government.
BY sweeping decree Of Congress subser-
Went to the will OF the dictator, the several
State constitutions abolished, and the
States Themselves converted into mere depart
ments of the Central Government. The people
Of Texas were unwilling to submit to this usur-
patton. Resistance TO such tyranny became
high duty. Tcxns was fully absolvcd from all
allegiance 10 the Central Government of Mexico,
from the moment that Government had abolished
her State constitution, and in its pace substitu-
ted an arbitrary and dcspotic Central Govern.
ment.
| Such were the principal causes Of the Texan
revolution. The people of Texas at once deter
mined upon resistance. and flow to arms. In
tn, midst of these important and exciting events
however, they did not omit to place their bcr-
ties upon secure AND permanent foundation.-
They elected members to a convention, who, in
the month Of March, 1896. issued formal dec
!ara'ion that there political cJnnexion with tho
Mexican nation had forever ended, and that tho
people of Texas do now constitute FREE SOW.
EREIGs. and INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC, and are
fully invested with all the rights and attributes
which properly belong To independent nations"
, They also adopted for their government liberal
republican constitution About the same tmo,
| Santa Anna. then the dictator OF Mexico, inva-
ded Texas with a numerous army. for the pur-
| pose of subluiny her people, and enforcing obc-
dence to his arbitrary and despotc government.
On the twenty-irst of April, 1896, he met
by the Texan citizen soldiers, and on that day
was achieved bv them the memorable victory of
San Jacinto, by which they conquered their in-
!, dependence. Considering the numbers engaged
on the respective sides. history does not record
. n more brilliant achievement. Santa Anna
himself was among the captives.
In the month of May, 1886. Santa Anna ac-
inowledged by treaty with the Texan author;.
ties. in the most solemn form, ''the full, entire,
and perfect independence oftne republic of Tex
as" 1t is true he was then prisoner of war,
but it is equally true that ne had failed to recon-
quer Texas. and had met with signal defeat
that his authority bad not been revoked, and that
by virtue of this treaty, he obtained his person.
al release. BY it hostlhties were suspended, and
the army which had invaded Texas under his
, command returned in pursuance OF this arrange
ment unmolested to Mexico.
From the day that the battle of San Jacno
, was fought, until the present hour. Mexico has
, never possessed the power to reconquer Texas.
In the language of the Secretary o. Safe Of tho
United States in a Dispatch to our Minister in
Mexico, under date Of the eighth of July, 1912.
Mexico NAV have chosen to consider, and may
still choose to consider Texas having beon
= tall times since 1885, and as still continuing a
f rebeous province !; but the world has been
4 obliged to take very different view of the
, matter. From the time Of the battle Of San ia
cinto, in April 1896. to the present moment,
, Texas has exhibited the same external signs of
national independence Mexico herself, and
4 with quite as much stability of government
n Practically free and independent acknowledge
# ed as political sovereignty by the principal
n powers ofthe world, no hostile foot finding rest
:. within her territory for SIX OF seven years. and
Mexico herself retaining for all that period from
i any further attempt to re-establish her own au-
n thorty over that territory. it cannot but be sur.
l., prislng to find Mr. de B1canegra," (the Sccreta-
r r. of Foreign Affairs of Mexico) 'compla ming
@ that for that whole period citizens of the United
@ States, or its government. have been favorns
II the rebels of Texas, AMI supplying them with
i vessels. ammunition, and money, as if the war
:. for the reduction of the province Of Texas had
!, been constantly prosecuted b. Mexico, and hor
~ success prevented BY these influences from
IL abroad" In the same despatch the Secretary Of
nj State aiiirms that since 1887. the United
* States have regarded Texas as an independes:
N sovereignty as much "a Mexico; and that trade
nj and commerce with citiz'ni Of government
~ at war with Mexico canno'. on that account. bo
~ regarded an intercourse By which assistarc CT
o. and succor are given to MEXICAN rebels. The
n whole current OF Mr. de Bocaneyra's remarks run
re- in the same direction, rs il the independence o
an Texas had not been Acknowledged. 1t has been
IS. acknowledge d--it WAS acknowledged in 1887
,y against the remonstranca and protest Of Mexico
~ and most OF the acts. OF any Importance, o
which Mr. de Bocanegra COMPLAINS. flow nrccs
he sarialy from that recognition. tie speak, OF
is Texas As still being an INTEGRAL part OF the tor
of ritory the Mexican r public : but he canno
4. but understand that the United States do not 81
H. regard it,
of The real complaint Of Mexico, therefore ia, il
RI substance, neither more nor less than com
plant against the recognition Of Texan indepen
es dcnce. II may b. thought rather late to repea
o. that complaint, and not quite Just TO contine i
+ to the United States, to the exemption of Eng
is lind, France, aud Belgium unless the Unite,
as States, having been the first to acknowledge tn
ay independence of Mexico herselfi,re to be blame
,r for setting an example tor the recognition of tina
,a OF Texas and he added that the constitu
ton, public treaties, and the laws, obligc tn
mi President 10 regard Texas as an indepe nden
ed State, and It's territory part OF the erritor
he OF Mexico Texas had been an independent
to state, with an organized Government, dciyins
,s- the power of Mexico To overthrow or reconquc
20 her, for more than ten years before Mexico com
m mHnced the present war against the Unite,
TO States. Texas had given such evidence to tn
RI world OF her ability to maintain her separat
a existence as an independent nation, that she ha
a been formally recognised as such. not only b
er the United States but BY several of the principa
raj Powers of Europe These powers had entere
ties into treaties OF amity, commerce and navigation
r.. with her. They had received and accredited he
ie- ministers and other diplomatic agents at thci
OF respective courts, and they had commissions
in ministers and diplomatic agents on their part
III the government of Texas. If Mexico, notwitt
an standing all this, and her utter INABILITY 10 sinh
,ey due or reconquer Texas siill stubbornv refuse
XII to recognize her as an independent nation. sh
rec was none the less so on that account Meyic
ted herself had been recognized as an independey
ion nation by the United States. and hy other Pv
,cl- ers, many years before SPAN II which, hefr-