Texas National Register. (Washington, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 2, Ed. 1, Saturday, December 14, 1844 Page: 2 of 8
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TEXAS NATIONAL REGISTER.
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SATURDAY DECEMBER 14 1344.
05s We arc requested to slate that Divine
Service will be regularly performed every
Sabbath morning at o'clock in the Hull
of the House of Representatives.
(f We lender owr acknowledgments to
he La Grange Intelligence and ihe Matagorda
Despatch for llreir courtesy in giving place to
out prospectus. We hold ourselves in readi-
ness to reciprocate by any similar service.
THE ISA UG U RATION.
On Monday last in pursuance of the re-
quirements of the Crtiis-tilution the ceremony
of the installation of the President and Vice
President elected on the 4th of September
hist took p'acc before both "Houses of Con-
gress and a larue eoncotuse of citizens from
various parts of the Republic.
About the hour of eleven the two distin-
guished personages clwiseu by the suffrages
of a free and intelligent people to conduct the
affairs of the nation for the next three years
called by invitation- at the Executive oflice
and proceeded tlrcnce in company with Pre-
sident Houston his cabinet officers atid a
joint committee from both Houses tothe place
appointed for their inauguration in. front of
the Hall of Representatives. Upon their ar-
rival they were presented by the Hon. Tod
Rohinson on the part of the committee to
the President of the Senate a-ml Speaker of the
House who invited them to seats upon their
left upon an elevated platform. The Charge
d' Affaires of the U. S. and the U. S. Consul
at Galveston were also invited to seats upon
the right..
At the honr of twelve and after an appro-
priate prayer by the Chaplain of the House
President Houston rose and delivered his fare-
well address. When he bad concluded Pre-
sident Joucs-rose -and li-okling the bible aloft
in his right handrrepcnted in a loud voice the
following oath prescribed by the constitution:
;iF Anson Jones President of the Republic of
Texas do solemnly and sincerely swear that
I will'faithfully execute the duties of my office
and. to tire best of :y abilities preset ve protect-and
defend tile Constitution of the Re-
public" which he also subscribed. He then
delivered his inaugural address. Vice Pre.
sident Anderson then followed and after re
peating and subscribing the oath delivered'
his inaugural address-
The remarks of Gen. Houston and Col.
Anderson were extemporaneous. We how-
ever had the services of a good stenographer
by whose aid we arc enabled in this unperr
to lay both before our readers.
The day was closed by- a magnificent bail
in the evening the-usual accompaniment of
such occasions in which the high official
and the private citizen the soldier and the ci-
vilian the old aud the young the gifted and
the- gay alike participated. Never have we
seen any public event celebrated with more
harmony and good feeling the best guaranty
of our continued prosperity and-happiness as
a people.
GEN. HOUSTON'S RETIREMENT.
TIjJ-s illustrious soldier patriot aud states-
man leaves-town to-day for his home on the
Trinity. He retires from the Chief'Magrstra-
cy of the nation for the secoud time bearing
with him the good wishes and grateful feelings
of a generous people whom he has so long
and so faithfully served-. In his retirement
the whole country will'couliuHe to love honor
audrespect him as-it Iris sustained hito amid
the cares and agitation of office..
The resolutions of the Senate which we
publish to-day introduced into that body by
Senator Kaufman are perhaps the 1 est expo-
nent of "the good feeling entertained by the
present Congress towards the distinguished
Ex-President. The- value of this tribute to
Sis-worth and" services is greatly enjiaticed
bviHe fact that it' is the language of hi3 con-
stitutional advisers iu the very last hours of his
administration .when-n consideration- con-
nected with the possession -of ' power; or- the
hope of reward could swerve the judgement
or impel the hearth
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t
&
TEXAS N ACT LONM? REGISTER
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The inaugural address of President Jones i
will be found in another column. As a litera-
ry production we believe it will bear n favora-
ble comparison with the various chaste and
even elegant emanations from the pen of His
Excellency while Secretary of State. As a
state paper designed to convey to the public
some knowledge of the course he will pursue
it certainly posset-ses in an eminent decree
the desirable qualifyof perspicuity and clear-
ness. The several points iu the policy indi-
cated we believe will meet with the sanction
of the people ; aud when reduced to practice
promote the well being aud glory of the Re-
public. The allusions of His Excellency to Ids pre-
decessors aud to his opponent in the canvass
are well placed aud promise as far as may de
pend upon his disposition andJeffoctyAbe
maintenance of good will nnJrcoucoflinffT
tweeu the several branches of the Government.
The address of Col. Anderson is full of
correct sentiment and fine feeling ; and can-
not fail to elicit the warm approval of every
genuine patriot.
We lay before our readers to-day the ad-
dress of Gen. Pared es to the Mexican people
on raising the standard of revolt against Santa
Anna ; also the addresses of Canalizo Presi-
dent ad interim to the Mexican army and na-
tion the translations of which have been
kindly furnished us by R. M Potter Esq and
Chief Justice Hemphill from the Diario del
Gohieruo.
These are interesting documents not only
from their tone but from ihe influence which
the revolt ihey announce may exert on our
own affairs. Should the recognition of our
independence by Mexico be delayed every
fresh convulsion in that country renders us
more secure against Santa Anna's favorite
system of molestation..
We will not undertake to predict t'je result
of this insurrection ; but from the general dis-
content with the present government and the
hatred of the mass towards Santa Anna as
well as from the energy of the new leader we
opine that this rising has some prospect of
success.
Gen. Parcdes is the same who commanded
the last revolt against Bustamenle. On its
success Savta Anna was called to the head of
the triumphant party as being more compe-
tent than any of its leaders to govern it and
restore the country to order; and from this
call resulted his present dictatorial position.
Paredesis a. man of distinguished bravery but
of not more than ordinary talent. He has
we think considerable influence with the ar-
my and his character which has heretofore
been consistent is probably iu good estimation
among the -people. It is therefore to be pre-
sumed that his success greatly depends on the
talent and fidelity of the merely political-leaders
who take part rn the enterprise.
As important results may come out of this
revolutionary effort we shall endeavor next
week to give the comments of the Mexican
Government journal upon ihe exiting condi-
tion of things in that quarter. Our enemy
certainly was never iu a more helpless and
distracted condition. While intestine com-
motion of the gravest character prevails ; the
United States are thundering into the ears-of
the dictator's Government a catalogue of
salutary but exceedingly unwelcome truths.
As soon as our limit's will permit we shall
publish the correspondence between the
American Minister Gov. Shannon and the
Mexican Secretary of State.
NEW TOWN ON THE MEDINA.
We are glad to observe that one at least
of the grants made to various empresarios
has produced fruits -and- is likelv to add to the
population and' develope the resources of the
west. We allude to the flourishing settlement
of Castroville commenced as isstatcd in the
certified plan deposited in the office of the
Secretary of State on the 3d of September
and"1 now numbering a population of above
one hundred'. and fifty souls occupy iing forty
'houses.
if
It. is gratifying-to know that while emi
grants; are-pouring from the United States
into aurf eastern-bojder8r. a daily increasing
s
population of steady industrious Germans
is raising in the west lhat best bulwark
against the red-mau -actual and permanent
occupation of the soil; aud we doubt not that
in the event of that very improbable contin-
gency a hostile incursion on the part of the
Mexicans these newly adopted children of
our common country will not fail to pfove
their rcadiinss to unite iu her defence.
We are aware of the almost ru.surmnnufrt-
hle difficulties with which Mr. Castro has had
to contend; and we heartily congratulate him
not only on his success but as being the first
to plant a colony in the beautiful and fertile
regions of the west.
(t?Gen. J. Pinekney Hendersou la(e spe-
cial Minister to the United States arrived in
town on Tuesday last.
- ADDRESS
OF GEITi "DON MARIANO PA REDES
TO THE MEXICAN NATION.
'Moreover as the responsibility of power is
one of the lirst requirements among civilicd
nations it shall he designated to what authori-
ty the. resoui!'ihty of the Provisional Execu-
tive shall be due and the time when ir shall
take effect. " Preamble to the Bases of Tacu-
haija. "The Provisional Executive shall respond
for its acts to the first Cun.-litiiiioii.il Cou-
jircs. Art. (5 of the aforesaid liases agreed
to on the -JO A kept 1841.
"The acts of the Government of Gen. Bus-
lamente and those of that which succeeded
to it pro femporc from and after the fir.-t of
August of he. present year wh itever be the
nature of said acts are to hi: submitted for
approval to the first Constitutional Coiire--s
and in like ma: iter th. acts of the Provisional
Government which is established according to
ihe Bases adopted by the army of op. rations
con-maided by Geo. Santa Anna." Art. 2nd
oftit Convention of La Estanzucla.
"The faculties granted by the 7th article of
the bases of lacubyato the Provisional Ex-
ecutive bring unlimited and without any other
duly save that of working out the welfare of
the Nation the responsibility of its acts due to
the first Constitutional Congress is then-fore
only the rcspousuhiliiy of opinion." Decree
of ilfs 3d of Oct. 1843-.
Mcxicans:
The lamentable state to which the Nation
had sunk iu 1841' demanded a leform that
should he efficacious radical and complete.
The patriotism of the well informed though
not ignorant of the serious nature of existing
evils viewed with dread the remedy of levolu
lion but as those evils increased lhat fearful
cure became inevitable. Convinced of this 1
rushed iuto-the arena and the.decisive opening
see".e which occurred in this city was the re-
sult of my resolution. The people upheld
the struggle; and sixty days after it commen-
ced it was closed by the convention of La
Estduzuela.
To the feeble government which had fallen
another of strength aud efficiency ought to
succeed. This was the demand made by the
circumstances of the moment; and the Bases
ofTacubayn for the time satisfied it. This
kind of Government was doubtless unsafe but
its provisional character the independence re
served to the judiciary and the accountability
of the Provisional Executive to the first Con-
stitutional Cungres-- seemed a sufficient guar-
antee that power would not be abused by the
man with whom it was deposited. The re-
peated protestations of disinterestedness which
Gen. Santa Anna circuhued from Perote to
every part of the Republic convinced the Jun-
ta and- ihe- leaders of the troops assembled
that he woold-fulfil hisduties and his promises.
No one could believe that ihe new Dictator
would violate the compact he had celebrated
with the nation aud for whose sanctity he had
pledged his word of honor aud thafof his offi-
cers and his companions in arms. After-
wards toojon being fully invested with the pow-
er he pppealed"to the Supreme Being that he
would faitfully and punctually comply with
his covouaiit. Such is the compendium of
the events of Sept. aud Oct. IS41 to which I
have referred by way of inquiring how ho has
followed up his solemn obligations.-
The Provisional Government bein-r estah-
lished the nation remained passive till ihe elec-
tion of Representatives By giving his acqui-
esence to this act he ratified the act of Tiiou-
baya. On adopting the plan agreed on by the nation
he accepted all its conditions the principal of
which was-the responsibility of the Provision-
al Executive for all its acts to the first Con-
stitutional Coogress..
If thinking men tolerated such' a govern-
ment it was because it was expected to be but
of transient existence and in the hope soon to
bring about a state of affairs that would free
lemfroia continual commotions. - There was
December 14
moreover need of a concentration of authori-
ty of efficiency and promptness in measures
and vigor to carry them out. This was need-
ed from the " urgent necessity that existed to
discipline the army to introduce order into
the offices of government to regulate the'
public finances to recover the territory of Tex-
as aud to reform the populace demoralized
by frequent revolutions." To accomplish
these ohji-cts discretionary power was conceded
to Geo. S iota Anna Let us see how he has
fulfilled these five principal duties which he
himself solemnly assumed.
Discipline oj the Army.
The present e audition of our armed forces
is so deplorable that one might suppose their
degradation had hern made an object of stu-
dy. All the. branches of military administra-
tion are confounded aud embroiled; and a
multitude of contradictory orders have con-
verted the whole system into nu inextricable
chaos. Instead of correcting the abuses which
had been introduced into the economy and
discipline of the army it seems as if the ob
ject of the government has-been to demoral
ize wuh the view of making it more readily
fall in with their c.fic.. qflie corps of
which itfis composed are bnt skeletons al-
though hordes of recruits have been torn from
agricultural pursuits to reii.force it. The
amount of pay allotted to officers bears no
proportion to the number of soldiers they com-
mand; and the appropriations that are 'made
are dispensed without regularity not with-
standing the enormous burthens th.it have
been imposed upon the nation. Militarv rank
ha been prodigally bestowed without 'discri-
mination or justice and a multitude of men-
without merit or even decency of deportuieutr
have been decorated with devices of tank
which heretofore have been considered the
symbol. of honor. Th privilege of pay with-
out .service aud the tight to pen.-ion have
been granted in contravention of express laws
aud to ihe detriment of those really worthy of
them while the widows of meritorious officer
remain iu a state of abject misery. From thi
frightful state of things the amounts called
for by the Military Department have become
too enormous for the nation to hear.
Regulation of the Public Offices.
This branch of the administration is not
only neglected but shamefully perverted; a-
ihe Provisional Government by altering the
system of it has paralyzed its operation.
Since the plan of Tacuhaya the duties
throughout have been directed without method
or concert. The officers have been changed
not to suit the requirements of the times but
according to ihe caprices of those in power;
and Gen. Santa Anna by availing himself of
a large number of cunning aud subservient
men to provide places for his worthless prote-
ges has produced a frightful chaos iu the. ad-
ministration and an unendurable burthen in
public expenditures.
Regulation of Public Finances.
In consequence of the long aud continuous'
commotions this important aud vital branch
of all good social organization demanded a
prompt and radical renovation. The main"
attention of the Provisional Governmeui'ought
therefore to have been directed to the reform
of vices which had been introduced alike into
the collection-and distribution of revenue.
General Santa Anna has had (he use of
authority in its plenitude; no one has opposed
his dispositions; all his decrees have been
obeyed; in none of his Departments has he
met with the least resistance; and after all this
to what condition has he brought the public
finances?'
It is this: The nation' mav be likened to a
dead body abandoned' to the voracity of vul-
tures The Treasury of this opulent Mexico-is
surrounded by inexorable creditors its-
satiable leeches naked soldiers and star-
ving officers.- What then has become of ihe
public means and in what manner has Gen.
Santa Anna made away with more than sixty
millions of dollars which he has had the dis-
posal' of between the 10th of October 1S41
and the present date?"
It i not easy to-answer these two simple
questions nor is it difficult to point attention
to the suddenly bloated fortunes of diver
speculators who under the shadow of his
discretional po-ver have become vampyres ot
the people's blood. The pillage of public
means.is practised among us wilh ihe utmost
nndacity. The colleclorships of the maritime
Custom Houses and contracts of all kinds
have offered an abundant mine to this new
tribe of thieves who in hordes have preyed
on every quarter of the Republic. From thi
comes the swindling which- we now see grown
habi ual from this the scandalous luxury'
which aggravates the misery of the masses.
Recovery of the Territory of Texas.
If the felony of t!ie colonists of Texas-outraged
the generosity of the Mexicans the-
shameful reverse of San Jactnto raised the-in-. -dignatron
of the public..
Since that time the wounded sensibilityof
the nation has been disposed at every sacrifice
to retrieve its tarnishedi'honor and this ni-
j
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Texas National Register. (Washington, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 2, Ed. 1, Saturday, December 14, 1844, newspaper, December 14, 1844; Washington, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80096/m1/2/?q=Lamar+University: accessed June 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.