Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-04-21

a privilege which had been soemnly guaranteed
10 ihem by The Constitution Of 1924, admission
in the Mexican Union as a separate Stale. a
Convention was held, and Stale Constitution
formed in conformity with the provisions OF the
fundamental compact of 1924 IL was presented
to The general Congress with petition 10 be adj
mitted into The Union; The application was reject
ed, and the delegate imprisoned. Soon ailerShe
Constitutional Congress of Mexico was dissolved
by military force; The same arbitrary power con.
vened new Congress, by which the Federal
Constitution was abrogaled, and a consolidated
or Central Government established in It's stead :
Texas, az She had an unqueslionable right 40 DO,
refused 70 acknowledge The authority Of Co.
vernment which had been imposed upon the other
States by a successful military usurpation.
The compact which had bound her 10 the Mex
lean Republic was dissolved, and an abouive et-
fort having been made 10 reduce her 10 subjec-
lion She on the Sd March, 1886, declared herself
an independent Republic, and nobly sustained
that declaration on The battle field OF San Jacinto
by the complete defeat and destruction of Du-
merous and well appointed army, commanded by
the President Of the Mexican Republic in per-
son. She then demanded the recognition of her
independence, and asked to be annexed 10 the u.
States. The language of President Jackson in
communication by him, addressed 10 Congress
on ME subject, affords striking illustration Of
| the good faith and iorbearance towards Mexico,
which has ever characterised The conduct OF The
United States He advised that no change should
be made in The attitude OF the United States, il not
until Mexico herself OF one OF the great foreign
powers, should recognize Ire independence OF The
new Government, al least until The lapse OF time
or course OF events should have proved beyond
cavl or dispute, the ability OF The people OF Tex
as 10 maintain their sovereignty or to uphold The
Government constituted by them.
These The Of TEXAS
pending for several years, but were moi entertain
/ cd by the Government Of the United States, until
the period had arrived, when in the language OF
| President Jackson above quoted, The lapse OF lime
and course Of events had proved, beyond cavil or
! dispute, the ability of her people 10 maintain her
separate sovereignty.
| Her independence must be considered as set
lied FACT which cannot be called in question.
| Nearly four years since, Mr. Webster, then
Secretary OF Stale, 10 despatch 10 the Minister
Of The u. States al Mexico said-"From the time
of the battle oil San Jacnto, in April, 1886, 10 the
present moment, Texas has exhibited the same
external signs of national independence as Mexi-
CO herself, and with quite a, much stability OF
| government practically free and independent,
acknowledged as political sovereignty BY the
principal power Of The world no hostile foot find
ing rest within her territory for six or seven years,
aud Mexico herself relTainins, for all that period,
/ from any further attempt 10 re-eslablish her own
authority over this territory" Three additional
| years Of inaction on the part Of Mexico elapsed,
before The final action of The United Slates, upon
the question OF annexation, with the same Sc
nate, whose prudence, circumspeclion aid wis
\ dom, Y. L. SO Justly euogises; and il any addi-
1 tional sanction could have been requisite 10
measure so evidently just and proper il has been
afforded by Mexico herself, who, through her
Minister oil Foreign Affairs, MIR. Cucvas, auiho-
rizcd by the National Congress, on the i9;h Of
May last, declared: "Thc Supreme Government
received The four articles above mentioned as the
performances Of formal and defnilive treaty,
and further, that il is disposed 10 commence The
negotiation as Texas may desire, and 10 receive
the Commissioners which she may name for The
purpose"
The first condition was, "MeIico consent. TO
acknowledge The independence OF Texas" True
il is, that BY the second condition, Texas engaged
that she would stipulale in The Treaty not TO an
mex herself, or become subject 10 any country
whatever. When il is recoliected that this pre-
limnary arrangement was made through The in
ierventiou of the Ministers of Great Britain and
France, consequent upon The passage OF The ACT
Of annexation, il cannot be denied that il was in
tended 10 apply solely 10 The United States, and
that while Mexico acknowledged her inability 10
contest the independence al Texas and was pre-
pared TO abandon all her pretensions 10 that terri.
Tory, she was induced 20 make this lardy and re-
luc'anl recognition, not by any abatement OF her
hostile sentiments towards her, called rebel
lious subjects but in The hope OF gratifying ner
unlriendly feelings against the United States.
The undersigned cannot but express his TN
fcigned surprise that in The face Of this incon,rO-
veIlible evidence, that Mexico has abandoned all
intention, or even hope, Of ever re-eslablishins
her authority over any portion Of Texas, \. L.
should have asserted that "Texas had been an in
egral part of Mexico, not only during the long
period of the Spanish dominion, but since lis
emancipation, without any interruption whatever
| during 50 long space OF time )" and again, that
ihe United States Territory, regardless OF The
incontrovcIiible rights Of The most unquestion-
| able property, and OF the most constant posses
sion" How weak must be that cause which can
only be sustained by assertions SO circumsian-
| ,ial, with facts that notorious to all the world
and how unlounded are all these vehement deca-
ralions against The usurpations and thirst for ag-
grardisement Of The United States
The independence Of Texas, then, being fact
conceded by Mexico herself, she had no right to
prescribe restrictions, as 10 the form OF Govern
| ment Texas might choose 10 assume, nor can she
Justly complain that Texas, with wise apprc-
citation Of her true Interests, has thought pfoperio
merge her sovereignty in That oil The Uniied
/ States.
The Mexican Government, cannot shift The re-
spoasibii,y OF war upon The United states, by as
Stunning that they are the asgressors plain, IN
| answerable TACT, responds 10 all the sublleles
and soph;stries, By which it is attempted to OBJ
scure the real question. That fact is he pre-
sence in Mexico Of a minister ofthe United States
clothed with full power 10 settle all the questions
| in dispute between the two nations; and among
them that of Texas. Their complaints are m-
| tual the consideration oil them cannot he separa-
ted, and they must he settled BY he same negol-
| alton or by the arbilrament which Mexico her,
self has elected.
With what reason does Mexico attribute 10 The
United States The desire OF finding a pretext
TO commence hoslilities? The appearance Of
few ships OF war on the American coasts,
and the advance Of a small military force 10 The
frontier OF Texas, arc cited as evidence thai the
declarations Of a desire 10 preserve peace are in
sincere Surely il cannot be necessary 10 remind
Y t., that the nenaces OF war have all proceed.
ed from Mexico and it would seem ha, The ele-
walton 10 power OF lis actual Government was TOO
recenlo have afforded + time TO lorge,ihe oslen-
sible reasons for which that which preceded il was
overhTown. The crime which was imputed 10 the
then President, crime so odous as 10 Justify his
forcible expulsion from The Presidency 10 which
ne mad been but few months previous elected
with unparalleled unanimiiy, and in accordance
with all the forms CT The Constitution was that OF
nUi having pIuScCuicu tue WdT against texas, or,
in other words, against the United States; crime
of which the enormiy was aggravated in a ten.
iold degree, b. his having accepted the proposal
Of the United States 10 negotiate.
To suppose that the present Government has
not always intended, ard does moi sill intend, Vi
gorously 10 prosecute an offensive war against
the United States, would be to insnuae The De.
grading charge of making declarations which i,
did not design TO fulfil, with The unworthy motive
OF supplaDIing rival.
With these avowed intentions on the pa of
Mexico and SO far as words can constitute war,
that state actually existing, with what fairness
can she complain of precautions having been Ia
ken by the United States 10 guard against The al
lacks with which they have been menaced, so far
al least as their very moderate peace establish
nent would permit them 10 do So
Are they patiently and neeky 10 abide the
time when Mexico shall be prepared 10 strike
with due effect The threatened blow2