The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-12-25
VOL. VINO. %.


that their "political connection with
the Mexican nation has forever en-
ded, and that the people Of Texas
do now constitute a FREE, soyFn-
ElGN and INDEpENpENr REPUBLIC,
and are fully invested with all the
rights and attributes which proper
ly belong to independent nations"
They also adopted for their govern
ment a liberal republican constitu-
ton. About the same time, Santa
Anna, then tie dictator Of Mexico,
invaded Texas with numerous ar
my, for the purpose Of subduing her
people, and enforcing obedience to
his arbitrary and despotic govern
mcnt. On the 2lst of april, 1896,
he was met by the Texan citizen
soldiers, and on that day was acliev-
ed by them the memorable victory
of San Jacinto, by which they con-
quered their independence. Consid-
ering the numbers Engaged in the
respective sides, history does not re-
cord more brilliant achievement.
Santa Anna himself was among the
captives.
In the month of May, 1886, Santa
Anna acknowledged, by treaty with
Texan authorities, in the most SOL
emn form, "the fu'l, entire, and per-
feet independence of the republic of
Texas" 1t is true lie was then
prisoner of war, but it is equally true
lllat lie failed to conquer Texas, and
had met with signal defeat; that his
authority had not been revoked, and
that by virtue Of thistreaty he OBJ
tanned his release. BY it, hostiitios
were suspended, and tie army which
had invaded Texas under lis COM
mand returned, in pursuance of this
arrangement, unmolested, to Mex
leo.
From the day that the battle of
San Jacinto was fought, until the
present hour, MeXico has never pos
sessed the power to :econquer Tex
as. In the language OF w. Secreta-
ry Of State Of the United States, in
a despatch to our minister in Next
co, under date of the Sth of July,
1912, "Mcxico msy have chosen to
consider, and may still choose TO
consider Texas as having been at all
times since 1885, and is still contin-
uing, a rebellious provice; but the
world has been obliged to take We.
ry different view Of the NATTER
From the time of the battle Of San
Jacinto, in April, 1886, to the pres.
ent moment, Texas has exhibited the
same external signs ational indie
pendence as Mexico herself, and
with quite as much stability of Gov
eminent.
Practically free and independent,
acknowledged as a political sove-
reignty by the principal powers of
Of the world, no hostile foot finding
rest within her territory for six or
seven years, and Mexico herself re-
framing, for all that period, from any
further attempt TO re. establish her
own authority over the territory, it
cannot but be surprising to find Mr..
de Bocanegra, tie Secretary of For
cign Affairs for Mexico, "complain-
ing that for that whole period citi-
zens of the United States, or its 60
vernment, have been favoring the
rebels of Texas, and supplying them
with vessels, ammunition, ard mo-
ney, as if the war for the reduction
Of the province CT Texas had been
constantly prosecuted by Mexico,
and her success prevented by these
influences from abroad" In the
same despatch from the Secretary of
State, he aiiirmS that since 1887
the United States have regarded
Texas as an Independent sovereign
ty, as much as Mexico; and that
trade and commercu with citizens of
a government at war with Mexico
cannot. on that account, be regard
ed as an intercourse by which as
siStance and succor are given to
Mexican rebels. The whole current
of Mr.. de Bocanegra's remarks runs
in the same direction as if the indie
pendcnce Of Texas had been ac--
knowledged. 1t has been acknowl-
edged-itwas acknowledged in 1887
against the remonstrance and pro-
test Of Mexico; and most of the acts
oEany Importance, Of which Mr.. de
Bocanegrd complains, flow necessa-
rily from that recognition. He speaks
of Texas as still being IAN integral
part OF the territory Of the Mexican
J republic" but he cannot but UNDER
stand that the United States do not
: so regard it. The real complaint OF
) Mexico, therefore, is, in substance,
, neither more nor less than a COM
, plant against the recognition Of
t Texan independence. 1t may be
thought rather late to repeat that
: complaint. and not quite just to con-
= fine it to the United States, to the
exemption Of England, France and
-