The Texas Democrat (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 52, Ed. 1, Wednesday, December 30, 1846 Page: 3 of 4
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StavdHHEESiSiSSlSIiSSHwco herself,
ty & fbrnJHaBsSBBVKment, had
scknbwiedgedthHiHHfce of Texas
as a nation. It is trnBnin the .act of
recognition she prescribed a condition
"which she had no power W authority to
impose that Texas should not annex
Herself to any other Power; but this could
riot detract, in any degree, from ihe re-
cognition which Mexico then made of her
actual independence Upon this plain
statement of facts, it is absurd for ,Me.ico
to aHage:.as n pretext for commencing no.s
. .i rt o.., pnosiinnpH in thnf nlanp in Ancriist lfilfi. solution for arine:xiiicr fip.r m tn rim furl
n-rrr nt annpvn nn mint: u.niaics. uiu- ....,. ... ...... r... ... ....... -... , - ., . ...w w...M
iriiu&'i mhii i , ,- -. ,. . i . .. o. .- ...;.. i i . 1
ana we army remamea m mar position oiiues, upuu cbhuh preliminary concuuons,fl
nosed bv our Congress, were represenla- na ne army remamea m mar position oi.uea, upuu cbh.ih pieuimuury
lives wsidina west of ihe Nueces, who until the eleventh of March, 1816, when to which her assent was requi
mok patten The act of annexation itself, itmoved, andon the iweuly-eighlh of that so emuities which characienzed
if iik jirfii in wi wi mnnlh rpaohprt thp past hank nf thf Rin ra 1011S and conduct of the onivfir
Thisrwas the I ch, by me act o. .Gmnd fo iMalanioros Th-S ,e of TexaSj on lhe de
onr Congress of the29ihDec. IS4-5, waa movenenl WIIS niade j pursuance of or- questions presented by ihe
anmitien as on or me-aum-s oi ui u- ders (rom ,he War Department, lssneci on are known to the world. The Congress,
inn. That the Congress ..fine U. lates the ,3thof january. 1816. Before, these the Executive, and the people of Tesusi
undersinnd ihe Si.mim f Texas. which l hey orfers Were issued, the despatch ol onr mi- in a convention elected tor that purpose,
admitted into the Union to extend beyond ,,stt'r to Mexico, transmitting the decision accepted, with great unanimity, the pro
the-cNupresi apparent fr ,ne f''(' ,naf the of Council of Government of Mexico, posed terms of annexation ; and thus coiw
?t
a l
' r. .1 . r ..Imi.inn tlioir nnospil :i ..I . U.- ,J. ..,.-.. t.1. sWst.... ....... I .nr.;rK.... I., .,-.-.. .r.- t -!. rp.z-ltir.il lliiirvn :i viK-t fprri-
lilities nra!nst the U. States,' tnat lexas is i "t-r ineaci i "" ;". , -i Himi mc ucutii ui um um.-.ui iraiuiu m oiwuug v .. a w. w. ... .... .-...
still a parTofher territory. - " Maw " to establish a collection district ml the city of Mexico the former bearing date tory which had been ceded, to Spain by the
T Bnt there .ire those who, conceding all thn Slate of Texa." 'by which they cre-j 0n the 17th, and 'the Litter on the eigli Florida treaty, more than a quarter of a
this to be trite, nssnrr.e 1he ground that
"the true western boundary of Texas is the
Nueces, instead of the Rio Grands; and
that, therefore in marching our army to
the east bank of the latter river, we passed
afpfl a nnri nfnVliverv at Corpus Chiisti, teonth of December, 1845, copies of both century before
ituatpil WP5I of the Nieces, and being of which accompanied my message to Con-1 Alter ihe juim resolutioii for the annexation
the same point at which the I exas ens-
tom hon?p. under the laws of thai repub
lic had bpen lorated and directed that a
- t&eezan line, and invaded the territory J Pnrvpvor to rnllect ihe revenue should be
rm Mexico. A simnle statement oi iacis, L.nn'ta,i n,r ili nnrt hv the President
- . , , - , . . i " ' ' - I-
Known to exisr, win conciUMveiy rP,llie j lV anfi with the advice and consent oi
:- sucli an assumption. Texnst as ceded to e QPna,p ;urvpvor was accoulinglv
- -'- ,the U. States by France in 1SU3, has been j nnfp'jnafpH"anfi'rnnfirinl hv the Se.n.t.-,
A!in,.j .- M. frtii4iitrv titact tr flio '
uiwnyb UliiUilcu l cjuruuius; ww WJM.I U U ,-r
Kio Grande, or Rio Bravo. This fact is """;; -"
t .- . , .. .i :.: r . Hiif'P ni m finir-.
esiaoiisuea nv iii aiuiiuinies i mu uuoi ,
nice in ine jirrim in-
AH thesp acts of ihe
:)
nrpss nf lhp eleventh ot M.-iu hisf-vvprp nf Tt-x.is In die United tst.ile.- h.id been p.issed
received at 'he Department of State. These "your Congress-, the Mexie.ni Minister ui
communications rendered it highly proba- a-ninion addressed a note to ihe Secretary
ble if not absolutely certain, th.it our mi- r State, hearing date mi the bixth id M.irch,
nisier would not be received by ihe govern- 1845, protesting nguiiibt it a mi act f ag
mentol' Gen. Herrera. Jt was also well i'"' " 'uj"ft winch cm, d he
known that hut little hope, could be enter- ,""' c.rde.l ,.. the annals ol mmleui hiaui
taii.ed of a diff .en. result lioni Gen. Pa- r-v 5 ''.'"'' l,,i'1 l "--I" ''' n,ny ""J.
redes it. case of the revolutionary move- 'n,,,, hlo-Mexin,, d a cn,Ks,d,rahle ,3r on d
. , y . , , lertenitorv: and protesting .uusl tlie re-
metit which he -was prosecuting should , - ,-' - ' , ... ,., ,,
iiicui. iii. & miIuuom id .iiinXciiiiii, tis, heiii" an act "wliere-
prove succeiui, a wao .n,y ,j,..,uie. )y )e ,vlIlce ,,,- .Pl.xa Mll itral portion
tile two Questions rd hmindarv tuiu liiUeillliny
-should be treated of together, as naturally and
imperatively, blended, and they ought to have
seen that this course was best calcul ted to
enable the United Stales to extend to thein
ihe mo-i liberal justice. Ou the thirtieth of
December, 184o, 'Generul Herrera r-signed,
the presidency, and yielded -up the govern-
ment to General Paredes without a struggle.
Thus a revolution was accomplished solely by
the army commanded by Parede, and the
isupreme power in Mexico passed into ihe
lliands uf n military usurper, who was kuown
.o in nomine to uie united states.
Although the prospect of a pacific adjust
ment with the new government was uupro-
fliiisinv, troin the known hostility of its head
to the United States, vet. determined that no
thing should be left undone on our part to res-
tore friendly relations hftween the two coun-
tries, our minister was instructed to present
his eredeutial? to the new uuvernmeut, and ask
to be accredited by it in the diplomatic cha
rameut stttesmeif ,at a period when the i tr '" "' ' : ,. .. " r i ne paruans oi r.ireue.-, u& urn nnuiMei, (Jt. Mexican 'enitoiv, i aned and adfuii
question wa&-as well if not better under-, Viewed :np omer . ... .. . - , tle despatch relerred to, states, hreat lied lt., - lhe Aim-ncm Union;" and he un-
Stoodthan ills at present. During Mr. ,no armv nhpa.i nanK oi me i. iour.ui- the fiercest ,s,jijty 1g..iiibt the United i10CimI th.it, a a coi.Mquence, his minion
!Jeffersou7s administration, Messrs. Monroe i "p- MUvrqiv niiy. voi-. irt- Smtes, denounced the proposed liegotiution i ihe Uiuied Slater had terminated, and de-
and Pfnkney, who had-been sent on a aci "ectaivisning reri.uu ,.. .wu., as lreaSollj j,na opemy caiieu upon me mnded ms passports, which were grained.
special mission to Madrid, charged, among 'extenrKng'wPst of ihe Nneces. rhecoun- troops and the people to put down the go- h was upon the absurd pretext, made by
vernmeiit ol Herrera by lorce. 1 lie re Mexico, (ln-rselt mdehied iur tier mdepeud-
conquest of Texas, and war with the TJ.- enci to .. successful revolution that the Re-
ofToxas, and i represented in the House States, were openly threatened. These public of Texas still continued to he, iiotwith-
nf Representatives. The Senators from were the. circumstances existing, when it standing all that had passed, a province of
thai Shaie were c.boep by a Legislature was deemed proper to order the'army mix Mexico, ihat this step was taken by the Mex-
in vhic-h the rnuntrv west of that liver der the command of General Taylor to ad- ican Minister.
" " ' , i-.ii .L.- nfli,i,flmflci0r,,frni,iiMrnnVvsl,n,t Every honorable effort has been used by me
n m HM -j - fT7 ni ii i rnVH viiiilc iw iiju r ooi iiiiiin-'i.. a -- hjj
Vf5 H-MirfSMllfr"ffl. Ill Mrv ui .
fcts, ii i dimVult to conceive upon what occupy a position ou or near ihe Rio Gran
other things, with the adjustment of boun- jtrv wect of that river now constnute a
"'-Sarv between the two countries, to a note port nf n e nf ihe Congressional districts
dressed to the Spanish Minister of Fo-
reign Affairs, uud r date of the 28th of
Jamiary, 1S05. assert that the boundaries
of Louisiana, as ceded to the U- States by
pTce, "are the river Perdido oiuheeast,
andlthe riverBravo on the- west ;"' and
they add, that :'the facts and principles
which justify this conclusion are so satis- J
ground it ran be maintained that in -oe-
rnnvin? the rnuntrv west of the Nuecrs
factory to our government as to convince i wijh nnj. armv jlh a vexv ?olely to its
ittliattneu. States nave noi a Deuerriu.u.?prnrj!v apf fl 0.nCP WP invaded the
toUie island of iNew ur.eans uuuer , ,e prrinr nf M Vn -p,,,, if WOIlIl,
cession reierrea io. man inev nave m mc
have
u.. .:n i:a;..i. , ;..oM(r ihn Rv-
wiole district of territory which is above , ,, ihai ihn
Ca-ifM , " I ecuMve. whose dutv ll 1s! to see mat me
-described" , , , - . . .. . , -,- ,,, r.,..
TiiL '.. . .u ,.1..c.; nf tUa T?lr,rlr, iaw ne ?flur!tHV exefuieo. n, in .- -
-iStf ' UIC V.WUV,Hlotwu IFI HIV- L iv.-i.vj. I
treatvJV Februnrv, 1819, bV which this of all ibece prnre-d.n2?hoih oMhe (,..,,-
termoryW ceded io Spainthe U. Slates firp-nf Texas and of the U. Nates, In-
asserted aiid maintained their territorial "ad ascmed the responsibility of yield
6e- ...... ...- ... r .!. M.....Q
nghtsttothisevtent. In ihe moniliot June, , mg up me lerruorv wi m mr aurv.rf
1818 during MrMon roe's administration, j to Mexim. or of refusing to protect and
information having been received, that a ' defend this terrborv and its inhabitants,
'number of foreign adveutmers had lauded
at Galveston, with the avnwed purpoj-e of
forming a settlement in that vicinity a
special messenger was despatched by the
governm nt of the U. States, with mstriic
tions from the Secretary of State, to warn
them to desist, should ihey be found there
"or at any other place north, "ol the Rio
Bravo, and within the territory c lainad by
the U. S." He was instructed, should
-they be found in the country noith ol t-hnt
. fiver, to make known to ibem "the sur-
prise, with which the President has seen
-the possession thus taken, without autho
rity ot uie u. it "-"-- -.- ---!'
their territ (d li-nits, and upon which un
lawfur settlement can be made without
their attention." He was instructed to
call upon them in "avow under what-
national authority they profess to a-1, and.
to give them due warning, "that the phu e
isswithin the 0. States, who vi!l suffer no
permanent settlement - to he made there
tinder any authority than their own.' As
late ns the 8th of July, 1812, Jhe Secretary
of State of the United States, in a note
addressed to our minister in Mexico, iiiain-
a stains that, by the Florida tre.-fty of 1819
the territory asijir west as the Rio Grande
was confirmed to Spain. In that note he
states that "by the treatv of the 2d of
February. 1819, between the IT. States and
Spain, the Sabine was adopted as the line
of boundary between the two Powers.
Dp to that period, no considerable coioni
2ation hadUieen effected in Texas; but the
territory hehveen the Sabine and the R4n
Grande, betg confirmed to Spain by the
treaty applications were made to that
Po.wer foigrniils of laud, and such gr.auts
orermissjons of settlement, were in fact
mhcle'byAhepxinishnnthoritres in favor
of citizens ofUhe U. States proposing to
emigrate to Texas in numerous families,
before the declaration of independence by
. Mexico. .
The Texas .which, was ceded .to Spain
. by the Florida treaty of 1819, embraced all
the country now claimed by the State of
lexa1 between tne. jNueces and the Rio
Grande. The republic of Texas always
clafmed this river as her western boundary,
and in her treaty with -Qiinta Anna in May,
-1836, she recognized itt as such. By'flie
constitution which Texasadopted in March,
1836, senatorial ifn.d represit;itt.ve districts
including Corpus fhrisii, as well as the
remainder of Tcxhs against the threaten-
ed Mexican invasion.
"But Mexico beisHf has npver placed
ihe war whieb she has waged upon the
ground that nur armv occupied ihe inier-
mediate lerriioiy between the Nueces
and ihe Rin Grande. Her refuted pre-
tension ihai Texas was not 'in fact an in-
dependent Stale, but a rebellious prov-
ince, was obstinately persevered in, and
her avowed purpose in com neneing a
war with the U. States was to reconquer
nL-..rj nW'n..,ri.-;.ir i.i-.il .01 ro(f)nrilV
to avoid the war which followed, hut Mill all
j proved in vam. All our attempts lo preserve
peace have been met by his-tilt and resistance
on the part of Mexico. My efforts lo this
end commenced in the note of the Secieiary
of State, on ihe tenth of tinrch, 1845, iu an-
swer to that of i lie Mexican Minister. Whilst
declining to re-open ihe discussion which iatl
I alreadv been ex Miisted. and uroviiifr airain
Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs to our jwht wns known io the whole world, that
minister, bearing date ou the twelfth Maich, i Texas had long since achieved her independ-
L845. Paredes had then revolutionised the ' P,l(.Pj ilt. Secretary of State expressed the re-
government, and his Minister, after refer-I irrpt of ibis govrnmeiit ihai -Mexico should
ring to the resolution for ihe annexation of have taken offence ai the. resolution of annex-
Texas, which had been adopted by our j aiion passed by Congress, and gave ashurance
de.
The apprehensions of a contemplated
Mexican invasion have since been fully
justified by the event. The determination
of Mexico to rush into hostilities with the
United States was afterwards manifested
from the whole tenor of the note of the
Congress in March, 1845, proceeds to de
declare that '-afact such as this, or, to
speak with greater exactness, so notable
an act of usurpation, created an imperious
necessity that Mexico, for her own honor,
should lepel it with proper firmness and
dignity. The Supreme Government had,-before-hand,
declared that it would look
upon such an act as a casus belli ; and, as
a consequence of this'declaratiun, negotia-
tion was, hy its v?ry nature, at an end, anu
war was the only resource of the Mexican
government."
that our ,lmst strenuous tiorls sliall ne de
voted to the amicable adjustment of every
caiip of complaint between the two govern-
ment1: and to die cultivation of the kindest
and most friendly relations between ihe sister
Republic5."
That have acted in the spirit of this asu-
ranep, will apoear from the events which have
. inee occurred. Notwitb-tnnding Mexico had
abruptly terminated all diplomatic intercourse
with -the United Stit, and oujrbt,, therefore,
to havp been the firt to ak for it resumption,
vet wnivinjr nil ceremony, I embraced the ear
liest f.ivorable nnnorlniiitv "lo ascertain trom
It apnea rs. al-o. that on thefonrjhaf fWlffifirernmcm xvmiluVthlMyL
revolution, hy which, he had obtamcd.pfvwer.
tie wus me sworn enemy ot tlie. Uiuteti SMhtegi
with which be had mvolved'lhis country lif ...
thejexistiug. war. Santa Anna hadbeeeirex- im-
pelled from power by the nr my, i Was Jt !o a"
to be in open hostility to Paredes,. ad ubJe-
ly pledged, against foreign luierveatioa luad
die restoration of raoiiarchy.m "blt;xicoS Ib
view ofthese JuctjMind circumttancte,ji4 Wt
that when orders were issued tojhfccomraiid
er of our uaval forces in the Gulf on i4k!5t.5i
day of May laBt.only two days afUr thirWisi?
.... . ..TrfKn ..... w tmnl knull n . .. . . .. mm a A !. "..
eiice ot i"c tii unu uccii cui'iaujr uuu
gress; to place the coast pfAiextcalTdef
blockade, he was directed not tooUgiru6t this
passage of Santa Auou to Mexico should b
attempt to return. ,,.
A revolution took place invJBezicoia-tIis
early part n'f August iollowing, by whidthe
power id Paredes n us overthrown, and Be has
since been banished from the country, and is
now in exile. Shortly afterwards Banta n-
na returned. It remains to be seen whether1
racter in which he had been commissioned. j his return may not yet prove to be favornblar
These instructions he executed by Ins note of to a pacific adjustment uf the, existing dilScuf-
the l&t of March, 1846, addressed to the Mex- J ties, it being mandestly his interest ami tcf
ican Minister of Forciii Affairs, hut bis re
quest was insultingly refused by that miniMer
in his answer of the twelfth of the same month.
No nhermilive remained lor our minister, but
to demand his passports and return to the U.
Suites.
Thus was the extraordinary spectacle pre-
sented to the civihzi-d world, of u jovernnient,
in violation nf its own express agreement, ha-
ving iwice rejected a minister of peace, in-
vested with full powers io adjust all the exist-
ing differences between ihe two countries, in
a manner just and honorable to both. 1 am
not aware that modern history presents u pa
persevere in ihe prutecutiun of a war, comr-
menced by Paredes, tu accomplish a gurpofe
so Hbeurd as the rtconquest of Texas. liKtuff
Sabine. Had Pdredes remained in powert it
is a. orally certain thai any pacific adjustment
would have been bopeiess,
Upon ihe commencement of hostilities by
Mexico against the" United StMeu, the indig-
uuut spirit of the nation was at once aroused
Congress promptly responded to the expecjg
Hon ot the couutry, and by ihe acr-Trrthe loth
of May hist recognized the fact that war exist-
ed by the act of Mexico, between the United
Slates and ihut Republic and granted lbs
rallel case, in which, in time of peace, one na- nieuns necessary ibr its vigorous prosecution;
tion has refused even to hear propositions from Beiug involved m a war thus commenced bf
another for .terminating existing difficultieb be- Mexico, and for the justice of which on, our
tween them. " part, we may confidently appeal to the whole
Scarcely a hope of adjusting our difficul-' world, I resolve 1 to prosecutait with the ut-
ties, even at a remote day, or of preserving, most vigor. Accordingly, ihe ports of Mexica
peace with Mexico, could he cherished while on ihe Gulf uud on ihe Pacific have been1
Paredes remained at the head of die govern- ph'ced under blockade, and her terriiory intfa-
ment. He had acquired the supreme powsr ded at several important points. The reports
by a military revolution, and upon ihe most fr the Departments of War and the Navy
so'emn nled'e to wae war against the United wdl inform jou more in detail of the measures
States and re-conquer Texas, which he , adopted in the emergency in which our cnu'n
over the whole terriioty not to ihe Nu
eces only, but to the Sabine. . In view ,
of ihe n'rriflHimfrl mnnnr-PQ nf Mevii-n In 1 mp R wbtVIl War permits."
ihieff.-cl, I -deemed it m? duty, as a Prerfp.Q h.nd hnen pledged to the army and
measiue of precaution and defence, to ' nnieo. jviexiro niiring me uiiii... y .cv..
April hllnwitur. ?pn. Paredes, through his
fini;rpr nf War. iued orders to the "Mex
ican General in command on the Texan
frorit'er. m "attack" our army '-by every
To this Gen.
rd
a position on
lotion wbie'i bad brought him into power.
ar nlie t-mv rt .., -
'""' niuiv I" 1" Liiiv .1 ww-i...ii !! -,,,. 10. . .. ,0.e ,-, D.,!,,
out frontier as a rnili.arv post, from uhii-h ,," ",B T . u 1 nn
... ' . , . nddreqcpd a etfnr f the commander on
our troops con h best resist and repel 4. . . . ' ' . , ' , , . , i,;, .,.
, . ,,' , - i i i th:it fron'ier. in which he stated to him "at
anv atiempted. invasion which Mexico ., .j . T ., f ti,o i,o-.ri
.- . , ' i the prpsetit date T suppose yon at ttie lieao
might make. of, tb t valliant nrtnv. eit'-er fighting al
Our army bad occupied a position at rendv or ornpar'ng for the operations nf a
Corp s Christi, wei of the iNurce. a?j ranipaigm.' and snnpnjing you already on
early as August, 1S45 without complainil the theatre n" operations, and with all the
iinm any quuilet. Had the Nueces been forces nccpmbled. it i: indi petisihle that
regartled as the irue western boundary bnt'lifipQ be commenced, yourself taking
of Texas, that boundary had been pass , the inifiativ against the enemy."
ed by om army many months bef-re "ii The movement of our nrmv to the Rio
rdvanced to the eastern bank of the Grande wn made bv the commanding ge
R'o Grande. In my annual me.-age of neral. under positive orders to ahtain from
December last I infiirmcd-Ctuigtess, that all nogre-s-tve acts towards Mexico, or
upon the inviiaiion of boih ihe Coueress Mexican citizens, and to regard therein-
elaimed as a revolted province of Mexico.
He had denounced ns guilty or treason, all
those who considered Texas as no longer cou-
Plitutinjr a part of the. territory of Mexico, and
who were friendly to-the cause of peace. The
duration of the war which he waged against
ihe United States was indefinite, because ihe
end which lie proposed, of the le conquest f.f
Texas, was hopeless. Besides, ihere was
good reason to believe, from his conduct, that
it was his intention lo convert the Republic of
Mexico into a monarchy, and to call a foreign
European prince to the-throne. Preparatory
to this end, lie had, during his short rule, de-
stroyed thj liberty of the press, tolerating that
portion of it only which openly advocated the
establishment of a monarchy. The hetter to
senure the success of his ultimate designs, he
had, bv an arbitrary derree, convoked a con-
gress, not to be elected by the free voice of the
ni'nnle. bur to he chosen in a miner to make
Uiemsiihsf.rvient to his wilj, and to give him
literal inn s.
rproivp nn nnvoy fmm the United States, iu- absolute control nverthnr
try waa placed, and of the gratifying results
which have been accomplished.
The vari'ius columns ot the array have per-
formed their duty under great disadvantages
with the most distinguished skill and courage.
The victories of Palo Alto andResaca defat
Palma, and of Monterey, won against greatly
superior numbers and against most decided
advantages in other respects on the pa-fi of the
enemy, were brilliant in their execution, and
entitle our brave officers and soldiers to the
grateful thanks of iheir country. The nation-
deplores the fuss of the brave officers and rii'en
who have gallantly fallen while vJBdicatingf-
their country's rights and honor.
It is a subject of pri.ie and satisfaction that
out volunteer citizen soldiers who so prompt-T
ly resoonded to their croriitrys calljwiiji atf-
triisipd with full power to ndjust all the ques-
tions in disputp lpiv pii the two iroveriimenls."
In September. IP45. I bpliewd the propitious
mnuiPtir for surli nn overture had arrived.
Teysis, liv tlip piithucinstir. and almost unani
mous will nf her people, had pronounced in
Under all these circumstances ii was b
lieved that any revolution in Mexico founded
upon opposition to the ambitious, projects of
P;iredes, would tend to promote the cause of
peaep, ns wpII ns prevent any attempted En
rnpp.in interference in tht affiirs of the North
tions between the two countries as peaces
fill, unlps.9 Vexico should declarp war,
and eommit acts of hostility indicative of
a s'ate of war: and those order, he faith-
fully executed. Whil-t renpving his po-
sinon on me east p.-inicot tne mo irnnne.
j within the limit of Texas, then recently
(an mi nen a; one ot pie ."Mates, or our union,
and Convention of Texa, I had deemed
it proper to order a strong squadron on
rhe roasts of M xiro, rtii.l to concentrate
an efficient military force nu the western
fouiieroP Texas, io protect am! ib fend
tne innaotiauisagaiu. it e menacrii in-
vasinn of Mexico. In that me.-sage 1
;..n..r,..i n ... .1 u .i... ""
ii.wii.uiti v.'lilii fP lllcll lilt- llJIIIIII'lli f ,i ,. I r- .1 TM
,M . ... &. . ... ii , ,t - ,'l'thp commaiidipp- general of thp Mexican
i-iiiiiii iiiiir.-'ii"ii mijii-o ay Uie UUItrii
States were accepted by Texas, ihe lat
ter became so far apart of our own coun-j
try as to make H our duty In afford such
forces, who in nnrsuance of the oiders of
i hi, government, had collected a large army
on ihe opposite shore: of thp. Rio Grande,
crossed the river, invaded our territory,
fnvnr of annexation. Mexiro, hi rsplf, had I American enn'ineiit both objects of deep in
terest to the Umled Suite'-. Any such foreign
interference, if attempted, mu-i have been re-
sisted bv the United Slates. My views upon
that subject were fully communicated to Con-
gress, in rnv last annual messnge. In any
pvent, it was rertein that no change weatever
in the jrnvernmetit 'if Mexico which would de-
prive Paredesof pnwpr, could he for the worse,
solar as the United tates were concenud,
whilst it was highly probable that any change
must be for the better.
This was the state of affairs existing when
Coimre-fc, nn the I9.h of May last, recogniz
ed the existence of l lip war which had been
commenced by 'the Government of Paredps ;
and it I ecaiue an object of much importance,
with a view to a speedy settlement of our dif-
ficulties, and ihe restniation of an honorable
peace, that Paredes should not retain power
in Mexico. -
Before that t:me there werp symptoms of a
revolution in Mexico favored, as it was un
derstood to be, by the more liberal party, dud
epecially by those who were opposed to fo-
reign interference, and to the monarchial form
of Government. Santa Anna was then in
exile in Havana, having been expelled from
power and banished trom his country hv a
wrrepd lo acknowledge the independence of
Ti-xt. subject to n condition, it i true, which
h had nn right to impose and no power to
eiifnrcp. The last lingering hnpe of Mi X'Co,
ifslio dpi cnu'd have retained anv. that Texas
would ever again bpcome one of her provinces,
must have been abandoned.
The Consul of the United States at the city
of Mexico was, therefore, instructed by the
ecret-irv of State on the fifteenth of Septem-
ber, IS45. to make ihe inquiry ofthe Mixican
Govemjneni. The inquiry w:is made, ;niil on
lie flfteenib nf October. IS46, tbf Minister ot
F reign AlTors of thp Mexican Government,
in n note nddrpscpil to our Consul, gave a fa-
vorable response, r questing, at the s:inie time,
bnt nurmival forces might tie withdrawn from
Vera 'rnx while negotiations should he pend-
ing'. Upon the receipt of'tbis note, our naval
f tccs were promptly withdrawn from Vera
Cpiz. A minister wis immediately appointed,
ind depmterl for Mexico. Every thing bore
a promising ncperl for a speedy and peaceful
iidjusiiniMit of nil our difficulties. At the dale
of mv annual messnge to Cnng.-e-s, m Ce-
cRtiiher lit, no doubt .was entertained but thai
he would be received bv the M xictm Govern
n.eiit. and ihe hope was cherished that all
were organized extending west ofthe Nil'
igress of Texas, nnt
he 19th"of
fices.
The Con
1lJ!fScember,.lS'iG, passed "an act to de
iine the bnundaries of the. Republic '
Texas," in wbich-ihey declaretPihe Hio
.Grauil'e from its mouth. lo itssourcevto bi
their boundary, and by thcsaul actjhe
extended their -'civil and polii'u-al juris
dicfion" over ihe couniry upjo that boun-'
clary. During a period of mure than
nine years, which intervened betweeVi
iheadopiioh of her const it tition and hei
annexation as.one of ihe Stall s of ttui
Union, Texas asserted atd exercised
mauy&?cjs d sovereignty, and jurisdic-1
lion Qer the terriiory and inhabitant-.
west of Jhe Nuw-es. . She oigauized and
defined ihe limits of -counties evtHiwIif..,
pro.rciopaiKKie.rme; aim mat tor ih.ij nnd commenced hostilities by attacking
purpose our squadron bad been ordered nnr forces.
in ihe Gulf, anil our sir my to "lake a to- j M ' .."... . - t
siiol,..wee....he-N,ces and the Del ' J 'ms'.'rtfr a ' the injnr.es which we
None," or Rio Grande, and-",,, reprl hd rnreivHd mid-borne Irom Mexico, wid
...... :..;. , r .t 'n - '- inter she had lnnltuigly reiecled a minis'
a.y ,nva,, ,he xi..n lerninry ,rv sent to her on a udssion of peace, and
which might be attempted by the Mexi-- wloin she hnd soIemnIy nffreed 'tn recelvei
cm torce, . . sj)e consummated her long course of out-
. It was deemed proper to issue this order, rage against our country by commencing
because, soon after, the President of Tex- an offensive war. and shedding the blood
as, in April, 1845. had issued his procla- of oui citizens on our own soil."
mation convening the Congress of that. Tre UnjtP(, States nevfer nl,empIpd to
Republic, for the purpose of submitting to ,irqiIjre TexAs by conquest. On the con-
that body the terms ol annexation prop, std tniry at.tlJ earlv'period alter the people of
by the Umied States, the gove.nmei.t of Texas had achieved their independence,
-" '"' -... ti.ir.uMM iuv..u..,ji imtv-sought to be annexed to the United
ne lexan terriiory. . j iiese threats be- States. At a general election in Set
)tem-
came more imposing as n necame .more Ujer. !S'd6, they decided with a great una
apparent, n. the progress of the qnesnuii, nimity in h.v r of "annexation" and in
that the people of 1 exas would decide in November following, the Tonoess of the
1avorofacteptii.a,etermsofi.iiiiexation;LiReniiblicauthori7.Pd ti. s.r,nm.M..i nf n
- - "- - - ....v, IIIMM.IUIIJjUl HT fc-
;ina nnaiiy, iney naa assumed sucli a tor- n,imsler to hear ibeir wnnMI i ii.ie rv
!...wi..t,l i...... .. ;......j i..u .i. I . v.,..v.i i. .... D
m.uouio uxMinir., .. u.ui.ucu iuin me iveriimeut. This crovernment. however.
?oougress and tonvention oi j exas to re- having remained neutral between Texas
que, . run a military mrce suoiiio nebe.u f.,nd Mexico during the war between them,
hv thp ITiiltort SijiIpc infn tipr t&rritnrtr Inr j.j :j ... . . . .
,: "" ". r '""""' .' "" cmisjuermg it one to tlie nonor o onr
lo'ibe Rio'Gratuie." She established I die pnrposeof protecting and defending her country, and our fair fame amon the na-
- -5.- I Z .: I ..i I. .1 I .- nrrMltict it... ll,ro..lmiarl ....twill It firi-v.il-l 1 . . 'p . . . . .
courtsol justice and extended her judi-1 nf i"4 uireiiienea invasion, it would tions of the eatlh. that we should not at J-'cr nf the revolution hy Pared,-, violated it
cialsysienovertheterritory. iShf estab-' ""'' ' ,rr ' viohiwoii oi goou until tow- uiis early
Iisffed a enstom house, and collected du- al,sJ"e Pe0Ple oi ' e.xas -Hv.e reiused
in it. tshe establiheid a laud otnee, and
iies, and also post offices and post roads l? !,a?m lUe'Md wh,ctl tbeydesued against
. . J . i . .. . . . ' tho tl.r-. . ...... a j :.... . ...i.;,.u ,i.-
i "' uiciicu 01 vaoii'ii, ii wiui-ii tocv
issued numfroiranis'i'or fatm. within 2"? ?'en exPf-d by.lhe,.r lree d'e:,,,,n.a-
its limits. A Setmtorand Representative 1" " " " "" seives to our union, in
ZZp.Ar:;i. r . i . .1 r - -compliance with, the overture made to
r. ,i VD..i i: v- i i -ii' ",e,n-"y th'- joint resolution of our Con
ouanefrepuhlicTUnd served as such be- o-re
fore.theact of annexation look place1 .Accordingly. n portion of the army wn
Iti mth.the Congress anGfiifvpniion of ordered into Te.v.- mmns niiristi wi.
cause of m'suiidersiandiiiir between ihe two I revolution which occurred in December, 1S44,
hut it was known that h had till a conside-
rable party in his favor in Mexico. It was.
also, equally well known that no vigilance
which could be exerted by our squsdron
wot.ld, in all probability, have prevented him
from ffecting a landing somewhere on the
extensive Gulf const nf Mexico, if he desired
to return to his country. He had openly
professed an ei:tire chanre nf policy ; had
expressed his retjret that he had subverted ihe
federal constitution of IS24, and avnwed that
he was now in favor of its restoration. He
had publicly declared his hostility, in the
strongest terms, to ihe establishment of a
monarchy, and to European liiterfeience in
die affairs of his co'uritry. Information to
this effect had been received fro hi sources
believed to be reliable, at the date, of recogui- i
linn ofthe existence of the war by Congresi.
and was afterwards fully confirmed by the
receipt ofthe despatch of our consul in the
city of Mexico, with "the accompanying docu-
ment, which are herewith transmitted. Be
fides, ii was reasonable to suppose thai he
must see the ruinous consequences to Mexico,
of a wni -with the United Slates, and that it
would he his interest to favor peace.
It was under these circumstances, nnd upon
these consideration'- that it wns deemed expe
dient not lo obstruct his return to Mexico,
should he attempt to do .so. Our object was.
countries would he speedily removed. In th
confident br.pp ilml such would he the reidt
of hi mission, I informed Congress that I
forbore, at the time, to '"recommend Mich ul-
terior measures of redress for the wrongs and
injuries wp had so long borne, as it would
Jiave been proper to make had no snub nego-
tiations been instituted. To my surprise and
r.-grw, the Mexican Government, though so-
lemnly pledged to dn o, upon the arrival of
our ininist'r nt Mexico, refused to receive and
accredit him. When he reached Vera Cruz,
ou the t'lirtieth November, lt45, be found that
the aspect of affair had undergone nu unhap-
py change. 'J he government of (Jen. Herre-
ra, who was at thai time President of ihe Re-
public, was tottering to its fall. Gen. Paredes
(a military leader) had maiufesti d hi iuten
lion to mer'hrow ihe government of Herrera,
hy a military revolution ; and one uf ihe prin-
cipal means which he employed to effect his.
purpose, and .render the unvernment of Her-
rera odious io the people and army of Mexico,
was by loudly condemning its determination
to receive a minister nf peace from the United
Stales, to dismeiuber the territory of Mexico,
hv ceding away the department of Texas.
The government of Herrera is believed to have
been well deposed lo a pacific adjust riient of
existing difficulties, but probably afraid of its
own security, and in order to ward off the dan
period consent to annexation, nor .-ohuuii agreement, and refused to receive or
until It ihonld be manifest to the whole ,,n,r''"11 """ mini-ier; and this, although in-
'orld that the re conquest of Texas was j f',r,,','d that he had been invested with full
impossible, refused to accede, to the over ' Pmver-' adjust n questions of dispute be-
tures made by Texas. On the twelfth of , '"'e" die two governments. Amongst the
April, 1S14, and after more than seven ' ,r .",us Pre for thin refusal, the pnnci
experience of the discipline of tuca wfefo nTf
a few weeks have-home their part in l&eliarrd-
fought battle of Monterey ,with" a constancy
and courage equal to that of veterantroops",
nnd worthy ofthe highoHmft'ion. 'The-
nrivufi iAc irr 1 nrrir9Titv , Tiwnr?p-n i . Tv'n riCrsffSxr . -"-.
rii-a.j -;; iiiiii uico nnmnng vtlvMJf 3
country, and through a wilderness haye been:
borne without a murmur. Ety rapid move-
ments the province of New-Mexico, with Santa
Fe its capital. Juts heen captureof without
hlondsfied. The navy has co-operated with,
thearmv, and rendered important services; if"
not so brilliant, it is hecause the enemjF had
no force to meet them on their own element,-
and because of the defences which nature has-
interposed in the difficulties of the navigation
on the Mexican coast.
Our squ'idrnn in the Pacific, with tne co'-opJ-eration
of a gallant officer of thcarmy, and a
small force hastily collected fnadfstantcnm-
trv, have acquired bloodless possession of the
Cali'ornrns, and the American flag bus been"
raised at every important pntnun tnat province."'
T congratulate you on the success which Has
thus attended our military and rTavql opera-
tions. In less than seven mouths after Mexi-
co commenced hostilities at a time sefected hy.
herself, we have taken possession of many of
her principal ports, driven bark and pursued"
hpr invading army, and acquired military pos-
session ofthe Mexican provinces of New Mex"-
ico, New Leon, Co-diuila, Tamanlipas and
the California?, a territory larger in the extent
than that embraced in the original thirteen'
States of the Union, inhabited by a considera-
ble population, nnd much of it more ihun a
thousand miles from the points at which we
had to collect our forces "nd commence our
movements. Bv the blockade, the import and"
export trade nf ihe enemy has been cutoff.
Well may the American people be proud of
the erergy and gallantry of our regular and-
volunteer officers nnd soldiers. The events,
of these few months afford a gratifying: proof
that our country can, under any emergency,"
confidently rely for the maintenance ohefc,-
nonor, and me aeience or tier rigtusoTn an
effective force, ready at all tiinesfolunta'rily
to relinquish t he-epm forts of hnt for the pe-
rils and privations orTl"iecaaip. And though
such a force may be for the-ume expens'tve, it
is m the end economical, lithe ability to com-
mand it removes the necessity, .ol employing
a large standing; nrmj' in time of peace, and"
proves that our people love their institutions
and are evpr ready to defend and protect thera.
Whilst ihe war was in n course of vigorous
and supppssftd prosecution, being sli'I anxious
tnirrest its evils, and considering that after
the brilliant victories of our arms on the Pth
and 9th of May last, the national honor could
not he cntnpromttted hy it, nnnthcr overture
was made to Mexico, by my direction, on the
27th of July last, to terminate hostilities by a4
ppuce jiiit nnd honorable to both countries.
On the 3st of August following, the Mex-
ican Government declined to accept thi
friendly overture, but referred it to the decision"
of a Mexican Congress, to be nssemhled In
the early part ofthe present month. I com-
municate to you herewith a copy of the fetter
of the Secretary of State, nroposinir to re
open negotiation?, nfTjhe answer ofthe Mexf-
years had ejapsed since Texas had estab
lished her independence, a treaty was con-
cluded for ihe annexation nf that Republic
pal one was, that our minister had not gone
iipun a i-peciai mission, confined to the ques-
tion of Texas alone, leaving all the outrages
........ ..p a i -.. .
to the. United Stats, whirl, wns tpWiwI ""' - ami our cit.zenM.nreuresM-u.
rdprpd int Tw..., r.r,.,o iN.ri.i; .....c ! i... .i . o-. . . ,-, n .. r-J ,- "p Mexican Government well knew that
T, wi . - .-.-. . ...... i i..no, vyiimiio viiiioii, iv cio v iiiu oeiiaie eiiiaiiv on trip nrsr nt .
exas vvlHch .gave, iheir assen.t to the ihe position selectedhv finn- Tavlor. HemiJnh Tx n"L Z YL, ;": . ' . bo,h 0,,r '""' "'" ""I "'" pmiection
" I -'ili"-" w Vv"6,"oa t'ootu u juim iu- ,jue to ourcuizvns imperatively required tba
the restoration of peace : and with that view,
no reason-was perceived why we. should not can Govern menr, and of the reply thereto of
take part with Paredes, and aid bun by means tne secretary oi mate.
of our blockade in preventing the return of
his rival to Mexico. On tbe contrary, it was
believed that the intestine divisions which or-
dinary sagncity could not but anticipate as the
fruit of Santa Anna's return to Mexico, and
his content with Paredes, might strongly tend
to produce, a disposition with both parijes to
restore and preserve pence with the United
States. Paredes tvns a soldier by profession
The war will continue to be prosecuted witfr
vigor, as the best means of securing' peace.
ft is hoped that the decision of tlifr Mexican
Congress, to which our last cverture lias been
referred, may. remit in a sippedy and honora-
ble peace. With our experience, however, of
the unreasonable course of the Mexfcan au-
thorities, it is the part of wisdom riot to relax
in the energy of onr military operations, until'
SJ
and a monarchic in principle. He had hut the result is made known. In this vie- it w
recently before been successful in a militnry I deemed important to hold militajy I'otwsm.
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Ford, John S. The Texas Democrat (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 52, Ed. 1, Wednesday, December 30, 1846, newspaper, December 30, 1846; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48348/m1/3/?q=%22~1~1~1%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.