Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-01-22
From the Washington Union
Santa Annals Wings tn Con-
g7ess-WarS of l776 and 1872

From the Washington Union.
Santa Annals Declaration Wings TN Con-
g7ess-Wars of l776 and 1912.
The late news from Mexico shows that the
Mexican Congress, in fit of ultra patriotic
fervor, have taken the ground assumed by
Santa Anna in his letter to Gen. Taylor, viz:
that no negotiations for peace shall be held
until the UNITED States shall withdraw their
armies from hsr soil, and their fleets from her
coasts.
This proposition, which in every feature is
monstrous, ridiculous, and absurd, and is one
which has no parallel in the history of nations,
situated as the two governments now are, yet
finds advocates upon the aOor of an American
Congress.
did not myself hear the declaration made,
but in an editorial of the 9Th instant, perceive
that YOU heard it. How utterly at variance
with the practice of this nation, in the war Of
the revolution, as we'll as in the second war
for independence, let our history testify
In the war of the revolution, our forefathers
treated with Great Britain while she was in
possession of several of the most important
positions in this country; including ~ York,
Charleston, Savannah, and all Of IRE western
country. That, negotiation terminated with
the treaty of 1888. Possession OF a large part
of the west was retained by Great Britain 70,
many years after the treaty.
But the gentlemen who hold this sentiment
may say, that our relations at that time with
Great Britain were peculiar. Granted But
it was not peculiar in 1812-'15. The two ma.
| tons were then at war as the United States and
Mexico now are. The British army were in
the peaceable possession of part Of the State
of Massachusetts, while the negotiations for
peace were progressing By referring to the
7th volume of Niles Register, page SO, twill
| be found that Sir John c. Sherbrooke. COM
handing the land forces, and Rear Admiral
Griffith of the navy, by two proclamations, an.
nounced in modern phrase the annexation"
of the territory lying between the Penobscot
river and Passamaquoddy bay and like Gen,
Kearny and Commodores Sloat and Stockton,
they announced to the inhabitants who should
remain quietly at home, that they would be
protected, and should remain under their then
code of laws "until further orders" Was
there any outburst of patriotic feeling in Mas.
sachusetts, or among the federalists OF any
other State on that occasion Did federal
representatives in the national councils move
the adoption of resolution requiring the Brit.
ish army to leave our soil, and her navy 10
quit our coast' So far from that, they not
only knew that the enemy were in possession
of about forty towns of Massachusetts. con"
tanning many thousand inhabitants, but that
the most formidable armament ever sent by
England against us, was on its way to attack
New Orleans, at the same time that the har.
bors along our whole Atlantic coast were seal
ed up by her biockading squadrons During
this state Of things, Mr. Jno. @. Adams, rep
resenting New England at Client, was Quietly
| Co..
to all concerned. The commissioners from
this country at Client, while engaged in the
negotiation, knew of the sailing Of the expee9dt.
ton under Sir Edward Packenham, for NeT
Orleans and notwithstanding that knowledge.
the negotiation proceeded, and the treaty was
actually signed the day after the glorious bat
tie of the 2sd December, the first in the mem
orable struggle for the possession OF New "
ISL commander
There is scandalous report connectedwnI
this transaction, stating that one of the Brush
!, commissioners was so confident OF the success
J OF the expedition, that he offered to bet NJ
. Clay large sum of money that New Orleans
was then in the hands of the British amy,
, tods not then, and neuer Uoad be- :,
! But Massachusetts, did not complain OF INC
treaty of peace between Great Britain and u'
United States, even although part OF herls'if
rltory was permitted to remain in the ha1as -
that power, after all other portions OF the ~
, States which had been occupied by her tEoIRs
were restored The islands in Passamaquoau'
r bay were retained for years after the terHllD''
| ton of the war. -.
, These facts will enable the public to plts
, proper estimate on the course of those VIZ
, go in favor of the pretensions of our ene"'
against their own country. NJ
January IL, 1847.