Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-12-29

virtue Of which the interest due to the claimants
was made payable on the Both of April, lS43. and
she principal of the awards and the interest accru-
ing thereon, stipul' ted to be paid in FIVE years.
IN twenty equal instalments every three monihs-
The claimants received the interest due on the 3O,h
Of April, 1913, and the three instalmeuis. The a.
gents OF the United States having, under peculiar
circumstances given receipt for the iustalmen,s
due in April aud July, 1914, before they had been
actually paid by Mexico, the payment has been as
stunned bythe United States and discharged to the
claimants.
"A third convention was concluded at Mexico on
the 2Olh of November, lS43, by the Pleuipotenta-
res of the two Governments, by which provision
was made for ascer,aining and paying the claims on
which no final decision had been made. In Janua-
ry, 1914, this convention ratified by the Senate
OF the United States, with two amendments which
were referred to the Government of Mexico, but re-
speeding which answer has ever been made
On the l2th OF April, 1874, treaty was concluded
by the President with Texas, for the annexation of
that republic to the United States This treaty
though not ratified by the Senate, placed the two
countries In new position, and arrested for while
all negotiations 1t was only the LIST of March,
1913, that Congress passed joint resolution for The
annexation.
ltappears most clearly that the United States
are justly entitled to full Indemnity for the inir-
ries done to their citizens that before the anneXa
ton OF Texas, there was every prospect of securing
that indemnity and Nhat those injuries even ifhey
had been just cseq the war, were in no shape
whatever .bs cat his in which we are now in
Are the United Sfltes Justly entitled to indemni-
! ty for any other cause? This question cannot be
otherwise solved than by an inquiry into the facts,
and ascer,aining by whom, and how, the war was
provoked.
iii. ANNEXATION OF TEXAS.
AT the time when the annexation of Texas took
place, Texas had been recognised Us an independent
Power, both by the United States and bv several
OF the principal European Powers; but its indepen
dence had not been recognised by Mexico Nothing
can be more clear and uHdeniable than that when
ever two nations at war, if Il third power shall
enter into treaty of alliance, offensive and delen
sve, with either of the belligerents, and if such
treaty is not contingent, and is to take effect i'm
medateIy and pending the war, such a treaty is 4
declaration of war against the other party The
causes OF the between the two belliccrents do
not alter the fact. Surprising that the third party
the interfering Power, should have concluded th,
treaty OF alliance with that beligerant, who was
clearly engaged in most just war, the treaty would
not be the less declaration of war against the o.
ther belligerant.
If Great Britain and France were at war, and
the United States were TO enter into such treaty
with either, can there be the slightest doubt that
this would be actual war agans; the other party ::
that 1t would be considered as such, and that it
must have been intended for that purpose? If. at
this moment, either France or England were to
make such treaty with Mexico, thereby binding
themselves TO defend and protect it with all their
| forces against any other Power whatever would
not the United States insantaneously view such a
treaty as declaration of war, and act accordingly
| But the annexation OF Texas by the u. States
was even more than treaty ofoffensve and defen-
sive alliance. 1t embraced all the conditions and
all the duties growing out of the alliance and il
imposed them forever From the moment when
Texas had been annexed, the United States became
bound to project and defend her. so far as her lepi
innate boundaries EXTENDED, against any invasion or
attack on the part of Mexico; and they have uni
formly acted accordingly.
There is no impartial publcist who will not ac
knowledge the indubitabe truth Of these positions
appears 10 me impossible that they should DO Sc
rionsly denied by single person.
! 1t appears that Mexico was at that time disposed
/ TO acknowledge the independence of Texas but on
the express condition that it should not be annexed
to the United States; and it has been suggested
that this was done under the influence of some En-
ropean Powers. Whether this last assertion lie
| true or not is not known to me- But the condition
! was remarkable and offensive.
Under an apprehension that Texas might he
tempted to accept the terms proposed, the Cavern.
ment of the United States may have deer,ed i, ey-
pedient to defeat the plan, by offering that annexa
/ tlon which had been formerly declined, when the
/ Government OF Texas was anxious for it.
1t may be added that, whether independ emf ar an
nexed to the United States Texas must he n slave.
| holding State so long slavery shall con,ioue tc
exist IN North America. Its whole ponul,,ion
with hardly any exception consisted of citizens 81
the United States. Both for that re ason and on ac
count OF IFS geographical position was much more
natural that Texas should be n member of the +
nlted States than Of the Mexican Confederation =
viewed purely as question of expectancy. the an
neXation might be considered as beneficial 70 bot
parties. But eXpediency is not Justice. Mexicr
and Texas mad perfect right to adjust their differ
ences and make peace any terms thew mobt
deem proper The anxiety to prevent this resnI
Indicated previous disposition ultimately 10 occu
Ply Texas : and when the annexation was accom-.
pilshed; when it was seen that the United States
had appropriated to themselves all the ADVANTAGES
resulting from the American settlements in Teyas
and from their subsequent nsurrection. the nnr;,
Of the motives of our Government. become omen ~
suspicion W
Setting aside the justice of the proceeding, it is
true that 1t had been anticipated by those who tool,
an active part in the annexation, that the weakness
of Mexico would compel it to yield or at least in
duce her not to resort to an actual war This was
verified by the fact; and had Government remain
ed in the hands with whom the plan ORIGINATED
war might probably have been avoided. But, when
no longer in power, they could neither regulate the
impulse they bad given nor control the reckless