Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-01-12
VIli.-TERNIS OF PEACE.

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VIC sp','' ol mii@ ~
A - the terms which
ReNican Government
Jude, or nearly ,arce hundred and f;i,y miles in
breadth, aud extending from New Mexico 10 the
fachc- Although the greater part Of this is quite
worthless, yet the portion Of California living be-
tween the Sierra Nevcda and the Pacific. aud ia
ScudIag the port of San Francisco, iscertsny worth
much more than The amount of indemni,ies lastly
due to our citizens. II is only in order to satisfy
those claims that accession of territory may he
come necessary.
1t Is not believed that the Executive will favor
the wild suggestions OF a Subjugation or annexation
of the whole of Mexico or of any of its interior nr
Vinces And, II understand the terms offered by
MI Irlst, there was no intention to include within
the ceSSlons required the province of New Mexico.
but the demand of both Old and New California
or OF seacoast of more than thirteen hundred miles
IN length latitude 23o TO 42o) is exravagant and
unnecessary. The peninsular is altoretier worth
less, and there is nothing worth con,endinp for
south Oh hsn Diego. or about latitude 800
in sayiag that, II conquest the object of the
war, and if the pretended claim of Texas TO the
Rio del Nor,e shall be abandoned, there cannot be
any nsuperab)e obstacles 10 the restoration of peace
1t Is by no means intended TO assert that The terms
heretofore proposed by either party are at this time
proper. Aud apprehend that the different views
OF the subject entertained by those who sincerely
desire speedy and just peace may create some DIFF
1iculty. There are some Important considerations
which may become The subject of subsequent ar
engagements. For the present nothing more is strict
ly required than TO adopt the principle OF status ante
1eHun, OF, la other words, 10 evacuate the Mexican
territory, and 10 provide for the payuent OF the in
IDENTITIES due to citizens The scrnples of those
VINO object 10 any cession whatever of territory ey
'cept on terms unacceptable 10 the Southern States
might be removed by provision that would only
pledge territory sufficient for the purpose, and
leave 1t IN the possession Of the United States
until The ndemnlties had been fully paid.
Were to listen exclusively to my own feeIinns
and opinions, would say that, if the propositions
which have attempted to establish are correct-if
am not mistaken In my sincere conviction that
the war was unprovoked by the Mexcans. and has
'oeeR enc OF lniquItous aggression on our part-it
necessarily follows that, according to the dictate of
justice, the United States are bound 10 inden,nifv
dhem Tor having invaded their territory bombarded
their towns, and inflicted all the miserics of war ON
"a people who Were fighting in defence of their own
ihomes If all this be true, the United States would
give but an inadequate compensation for the injuries
they have inflicted by assuming the payment of the
-lndemnltles justly due TO their own citizens
Even fla fair purchase ofterritory should be CON
venient to both parties, it would be far preferable
to postpone 1t for the present, among other reasons
IN order mat It should not have the appearance Of
being imposed on Mexico. There are also some
important considerations TO which it NAV not be i'm
proper to call at this time the public attention
Our population may at this time be assumed as
amounting to twenty millions Although the ratio
OF natural increase has already been eSsened from
thify three TO about thirty per cent. in ten years
the deficiency has been, and will probably continue
Tor while 10 be, compensated by the prodjGious
Increase OF immigration from foreign countries An
increase OF thirty per cent. would add to our popu-
laton SIX millions within ten and nearly fourteen
millions In twenty years. At the rate of only
twenty-five per cent, it will add five millions i'm
ten and more than eleven millions in twenty wears
That the fertile uncultvated land within the limits
of the States admitted or immediately admissible
In the Union could sustain three times that number
is indubltable. But the indomitable energy the To-
connective propenses and all the habits of the set
tiers OF new countries such that not even the u
nied efforts Of both Governments can or will pre-
vent their occupying within twenty, if not within
ten years, every district far as the Pacific and
whether within the limits Of the United States or
OF Mexico, which shall not have previously been
actually and bona tidc occupied and settled bv o.
theirs. 1t may be said that this is ustifable by
natural law; that, for the same reason which SETS
aside the right of discovery, if not followed by ac-
tual occupation within a reasonable time the rights
OF Spain and Mexico have been forfeited by their
neglect or inability, during period of three hun
dred years, to coonize country which, during the
whole OF that period, they held undisputed by any
other foreign nation. AM it may, perhaps DO OBJ
served that, had the Government of the u. States
waited for the operation of natural and irresistible
causes, these alone would have given them with
out war, more than they want at this moment.
However plausible all this may appear. it is ne
vertheless certain, that it will be an acquisition of
territory for the benefit of the people of the United
States and in violation Of solemn treaties Not on
ly collisions must be avoided, and the renewal ofan
other Illicit annexation be prevented, hut the two
countries mus cooy consider their relative position
and whatever portion of territory not actually set
tied by the AleXicans, and of no real utility TO
them, they may be disposed to cedc, must be ac-
quired by treaty freely assenled to- and FOR rea-
sonablc compensation. Bat this is not the time for
the discussion of proper final arrangement. We
angry feelings shall have subsided. At present.
fhe only object is peace, immediate peace a lust
peace, and acquisition Of territory. but that
which may be absolutely necessary for e1cctnp the
great object in view The most simple terms.
those which will only provide for the adjustment
Of the Texas boundary and for the payment of the
indemnites due to our citizens, and, in every re-
spect restore things they stood before the begin
ming of hostilitles, appear 70 the most eligible
For thai purpose may be permitted 70 wish that
the discussion Of the terms should not be cnbar-
Tassed by the introduction OF any other matter
There are other considerations. highly important
and not foreign to the great question Of an extern
sion OF territory, but which may, without any in
convenience or commitment, be postponed and
should not be permitted to impede the immediate
termination of this lamentable war.
have gone further than intended. IT is said