The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-10

4sc -FOUR Tears may nave gwen ~ character dlnefen
rom that TO which twas entitled Examine The cIcum-
stances accompanying it. II was not an act OF Texas
Congress- had refused to sanction any enterprise OF the
kind. number OF individuals were anxious 10 open
lucrative trade as they believed 1t would be) with
Santa Fe. Such commerce has been carried on
for years by the citizens OF the United States from Nilsson
and the preparations connected with the fact that the
citizens took with them considerable amount OF mer
chandse show that their enterprise not OF con-
quest invasion You may allege that had connexon
with the government from the fact that the President
identified himself with il BY furnishing 10 those con-
nected with the project This may have induced you TO
characterize the expedition you have in your TRADE
against Texas Whatever part the President bore in this
transaction was contrary 10 law, and in violation OF his
duty large portion Of the people of Texas ap
priced OF the existence OF such an enterprise. You
doubtless would insist that i had means OF offence
against Mexico SO far their preparation could give
character 10 the undertaking by carrying with them ar;
llery and other munitions OF war; il be accounted
for most readily They had 10 pass through awlderness
SIX hundred miles from the frontier OF Texas before they
could reach Santa Fe. Ii reasonable TO suppose
that they would encounter many hostile tribes Of Indians,
and it proper and necessary that they should be in
situation TO repel any attacks made upon them and, as
their objects were pacific they were justified In resisting
aggression from any quarter The instructions given to
them by the President did not contemplate hostilites
but that the enterprise would terminate without blood
shed and violence. Scientific gentlemen from Europe
and the United States accompanied them, not for war
like purposes, but for the purpose OF adding rich
stores 10 the treasury OF science II had likewise
been communicated TO the people OF Texas that all the
inhabitants east OF the RE Grande were anxious TO
enjoy the benefits OF our institutions You cannot allege
that you not willing to admit the justice OF our
claims to the Rio Grande. or that you were not anxious
to facilitate the object Your communication TO
that subject is conclusive Texans were spprzed Of It
this country and on your way TO Washington city AT
the time that the expedition started no hostes We're
sioners from Gen. Arista at Austin at the time the
party started for Santa Fe They were kindly received
and made the most sincere professions of amty and
onciation with this government. They were treated
wi kindnpsQ and cOrrpsnOndlnP H.
pointed TO Gen. Arsta To them every facility was ex-
tended, and they were permitted TO return without mo-
lestaon This the attitude of the two countries at
that time. Will you aege that this not sanctioned
by your government, will you insist that it was trick
Of diplomacy For myself, would not have been de-
uded by any professions which might have been tender
ed to Texas by Mexico, when departure from the most
solemn pledges would result in injury to the former and
benefit to the latter That the ministers of Gen Arisa
no doubt, and that all the information that could be de-
rived in relation TO the trading company was faithfully
transmitted to the government OF Mexico Nor do
doubt but that the population Of the northern parts Of your
country, the intelligence was received, were
thrown into the utmost CONSERVATION, and nation num-
berng eight millions OF people, nhabting "vaeys, noun
ab" convused at the apprehended approach OF 300
Texan traders But what has been the sequel OF this
petition On their approach TO the settlements Of the
Rio Gande they obtained supplies from the inhabitants,
not hostile and maaudng party, but paid valuable
consideration for every supply which they obtained.
They were met by the Mexican authorities with over
security, provided they would give up their arms for the
purpose Of tranquillizng the Mexican population. De-
tached, as the company was, into parties remote from
each other and deuded by pledges, they acquesced in
the wishes of the authorities OF the country, thereby
eyncng them that they had disposition TO disturb
the tranquility of the Inhabitants and that their objects
were pacific But sooner were they in the power OF
the authorities than they were stripped OF their clothing,
deprived OF everything valuable treated in the most bar
barous manner and marched like convicts TO the capital
Of Mexico On their route every. act Of inhumanity,
cruelty and hatred was evnced. When their sick and
helpless condition required the assistance OF Christian
charity and humanity, il was denied them. They were
barbarousy shot, their bodies manged and their corpses
left unbunned The butchery of McAlliser, Gaphin,
Yates and Others appeals to Heaven and this nation for
rerbution upon the heads of their inhuman murderers
You may allege that you did authorize the pepetra
ton OF these ourages, committed upon men who had
violated no rule of law known to this civilized age This
will be no excuse for you Your sanction TO these acts
cupable their preparation was degrading 10 their
authors Their detention prisoners by you may crafty
the maligny of little minds but the just the chivalrc,
the brave and the generous OF all nations may pity but
must despse your conduct
Had il not been for the fahless professions rendered
to them, and their too credent belief they could have
maintained their position against all the forces OF north
Mexico, and, il necessary, could have made good
their their homes defyng the generous effort
Of the people OF New Mexico" Your conduct on this
pretty in very awkward contrast with the treatment ex-
tended you and your followers after the victory OF San
Jacinto being not as you suppose one OF the freaks OF
fortune" but OF the Accomplishments OF thatdesny
which will mark the course OF Texas until the dithcu
ties between the two countries shall be satisfactorily ad
iusted But You declare that you will not relax your
erons until you have subugaied Texas; that you "have
weighed its possible vaue and that you perfectly
aware OF the magnitude OF the task which you have
dertaken; iha, you twill not permit colossus within
the limits Of Mexieo' that title is that Of 'heit and
usurpaion and that he honor OF the Mexican nation"
demands OF you "the reclamation OF Texas that .'f
it unproductve desert, useless, sterile, yielding
nothing desirable and Astounding only in horns TO wound
the feet OF the traveller you would not permit TO exist
independent government, in derson OF your national
character, your heahs, and your individuality" Allow
me to assure you that our title TO Texas has high
sanction that OF purchase because have performed
conditionshat OF conquest, because have been
has been consecrated by the blood OF martyred
patriots II is ours by the claims Of patriotism, superior
intelligence. and unsubduable courage IL is not sterile
waste or desertit is the home OF freemenit is the
land OF promse--it is the garden of America.
Every citizen OF Texas was born freeman, and he
would die recreant TO the principles mbbed from his
ancestry he would not freely peril his life in defence Of
his home, bis liberty, and his country Although you
pleased to characterize occupation OF Texas and
defence OF mprescrptible rights the most
dalous robbery OF the present age not oneourlh Of
upon the rights OF the Crown OF Spain The magnitude
OF the theft may give dignity to the robbery In thai you
have the advantage. That you should thus have chaac
terzed a whole nation readily account for. Here
tofore you entertained the opinion that Mexico could
conquer Texas, and, ii IL possible for her
drive every Texan from the soil that Mexico could not
maintain her position the Sabine, and the retreat Of
her army would be the signal for the OF the Anglo
Saxon race, who would reoccupy their homes and pur
Mexico, in preservation OF the integrity of the territory
yrhi hen DoseeSsed. would advantage bV