p n gsio eVt POLK. !
," TWAc Stnalt etnl Ho ttf tit Jtnlalivt
, ?f l) UvitedJSuiU. ,.' t v I j
! 0 In reeumiog jronr Inbwre in tfiieervVee of the
'lajr-ple, It -li a eut j.'Ct T ttHlgraTiilatioti.thlt
'" ber liae been no crM in our past history,
- iilien ill ll' element Of 'national prosperity
liti Wt v fully developed. , Since your Itet
"fe-Mktn nd afflicting dispensation ha visited out
country general good tieajth ho 'prevailed f
bundripi hi crownerf the toil of ihe hurbaod.
' men ; end labor 1n ill Hj branches i receiving
- ri ample reward, while education, science and
the art are rapidly enlarging Ihe mean of to
nal happiness. The prqgreps of onr country in
her career of greatness, not only Irnhe vsst e x
'entioh of oor territorisi limits and the rapid in
route of our populttiou, tut in resource and
wealth, and in the happy conditiouof our people,
1 ia without example in the hUttoiy qf nations, j
rt 'As the wisdom, strength, stld beneficence of
oar fro institutions are an folded, every day
adda freed motive to contentment, a tid froth in
centiveato pstriotiem. :
pur devout and aincere acknowledgments are
due to the gracious Giver of sll good, for. the
' ..nmberlcee blessings which our beloved country
' enjy.S . V. v-r. U - ' .: I -rt e !
' It is s source fhigb satisfaction to koow that
.the rrlationaof the United States with all other
nations, with a ingl9 exception, are of the moat
amicable character. Bncereiy aftsched to the
: vol icy of peace, early adopted and steSdify pur
uod'by thia government, I have anxiously deei
rd to cultivate and cherish friendship and com
merce with every Foreign power. The p rit
and habits of the American people are lvorable
to the maintenance of euch international harmo
ny. . . - . -tv
In tdhering to thia wise policy, a prelimnary
and paramouut duty obviously consists in the
protection of our national interest from enroaeh
.uicnl or sacrifice, and our national bonor from
.reproach. These moat be . maintained v any
hixard. They admit of no compromise or ne
(lee?, end must bo scrupulously and constantly
guarded. Io their vigilant vindication, Collision
sod conflict with foreign Powers may sometimes
become unavoidable. Such has been our ecru
jmlous adherence to the dictatee of Justice in
i'l our foreign intercourse, that, though ateadily
snd rapidly advancing In prosperity and power,
we have iriven no just csuso of coeip'sint to any
naiion, and have enjoyed the blessings ot peace
fr more than thirty yeara. From a policy so
hicrcd to humanity, and to salutary in its effects
upon onr political system we should never be in
duced voluntarily to depart.
The existing war with Mexico was neither
oVsired nor provoked by the United Sis let. On
the contrary, all honor bin means were resorted
U to avert it. After yeara of endurance of eg
Vravaied and unredressed wrongs on our part,
.Mexico, in violation of solemn treaty atipul.
Mons, and of every principle of justice recogni
sed by civilitnd nations, commenced hostilities;
nod thus, by her own act, forced the war upon
n. Long before the advance of our army to th
ft bank of the Rio Grande, we bad ample
cause of war against Mexico; and had theUni
1 ltd States resorted to this extremity, we might
.have aopraled to the whole civilized world lor
the justice or our cause. , .. ,
I deem it to be my duty to present to you, on
the nresent occasion. condensed review of the
- injuries we had sustained, of the causes -which
lea to me war, ana 01 s progress since 11s com
mencement. This it rendered the more neces
'sary because of the misapprehensions which
have to tome extent prevailed ae io ita origin
and true character. . Toe war Ms been represen
. ted as unjust and unnecessary, and as an teres
ion on our part upon a weak and injured enemy
Such erroneous views, though entertained by but
few, have been widely and extensively clients
id. not only at home, but have . been spread
throughout Mexico and the whole world. A more
r rTcctual means could not have been deviaed to
encourage the enemy and protract the war ' than
to advocate and adhere to tbeir cause, and thus
give them 'aid and comfort'
'' It ia a source of National pride and exultation
that toe great body of our people have thrown
no auch obstacles in the way of the government
m prosecuting the war successfully, but have
Unwn themselves to oe eminently preinoticeno
1 to viiidicate tbeir countrv e bonor and lit'
intiii at, soy sacrifice. Tho alscrity sod
rmmntneM with which onr volunteer forces
ushed ta tho on their country's call, prove
not only their piriousm, w omu ueep convic
tinn tHl nttr fnse if ittPt," ' - -t" '
- Tbo wrongs wi;seh we btvo eofferei from
Mealen almnat ever t-!e ho became tit in
dependent Power, and Ih patient endurance
with wbich wo have borne them, lf without
narallel in the htaforv of modern ctvil'teo na
tiona. ' There is reason to believe that if tbeao
wronis bad been resented end restated in the
fast instance, tbe present war might have been
'avoided. " One outrage, however, permitted to
peas with Impunity, almost necessarily encou
eared the perpetration of another, ontil at laat
Mexico seemed to attribute to weakness and io
ileciaioD on our part a forbearance wbicb waa
the offspring of magnanimity, end tf a sincere
ilesire to preserve mtnttj relatione wito sis
ter republic . ' ; ,v- i:.,- ,
' Scarcely bad Mexico seSievcd her indepon
dence, whieh the United States were the first
among the nations to acknowledge, when ahe
commenced the syetem of insult and spolianon.
which ahe has ever since pursued. Our citizens
ens atrod in lawful commerce were imprisoned,
tbeir veesels seized, and onr flag losulted in her
ports. If money was wanted, the lawless set
sure and confiscation of onr merchant veseela
and their cargoes wss s ready resource t and M
to accomplish their purposes ft became oecessa.
ry to imprison the owners, eaptalns am ere we,
it wss done. Rulers superseded rolere in Meas
ico in rapid aocceasioo, but' still there was no
thsnga in the syaten. of dvr"tlstion, n. Tbe
government of the United States made r-pce.
ted reclamations on behalf ut ita cititens. but
ihese were answered by tbe perpelratioat.rbew
outrsges. ' Proroisea of redress snsde by Jalrxico
it ike iaot solemn orm,s wersj poetnnned or
evaded, fhe filea an(teeord of ihj JVpert.
menl of State cnnls in conclusive proofr of nnme
roue law leas sets pe'rprrflfM'iipnn ibe proper,
y and persona of our eUiteoe bs-Mexieo, and of
wanton ioaulia to our nntioual flag. The inter
position of oor government to obtain redress
waa again aod again ' ia voted, onder circum
stances which nooatioa-oeghlto dieregard. : 1
It wss hoped that these outrages wee Id cease
snd 'hat Mexico would.hl .reatraii.ed by tbe
hwe wbicb regulate the conduct of civilised na
tiona in tbeir intercourse with" each other after
the treaty of amity, eonfmeree and navigation
tj the 6th of April, 1831, wasoonaloded between
Ihe two republics j but Jhis bope soon proved
a be vain. Tbe coarse of seisure and oonfteea
tioa of iho preaerly of our ehlxena tbe viola
lion of tbair persons sad tho Intel's to oor flag
poraoed by Mexico previous lo that time) were
areelyrurpepIsd for sree 1 brief period, at
though the treaty so clearly defines the rights
and duties of the respective partfea that'll is
impoasible t inisunderetsnd or. mistske thetn.J
In 1-m thnn 7 yesrsstter too conclusion 01 Jiiat
trestv our grii vtncee liad -becomo.eo intnlera
bletbat.in the opinion of President lackeon,
they should no longrr be endflred.' -
In his message to Congress in February,
1587, he presented them to the consideration ol
that tody, and declared that "the length of time
since t-oaie of the injuries have been committed,
tbe repeated and onvattkig applications torrrd
rest, the wanton character of some of the put
rages npoh the property and persons of ourtiti
tons, upon the ifficers and .flag tbo : United
Stales', irn?i-pehdent of recent inFitlis to thia go
vr-rottieat aod per-pfe by the kte 1 xtraordinary
MexicMii minister, would jositly in the eyes ui
III nations immediate war." Ins rpirit of kind
ness a-ndi lorbearanee, boe ver, he leconioieiiil
ed rr pria! as a milder ( means of redrew.
He Jcciuicd that war sliould nt be used a.i
a remedy Mby just and piif-rous nations cor tid
ing in their elrenglli for Jnjurira committed, H
it can beiionfrsbly svuided," and, added, "it 4s
octurred to me li st, ciir.r iilering. the precent
eniburrstsr'J condition of ilmtcountry, we should
act with boiii wisdom and modirtiticin, by giving
to Mexico one moret-pportuniiy to stone tr.r the
pait, before we take redress into onr own hantl
To tfoiil fl ni if concept ion on the pnrl of Mex
ico, as well as to protect our own nstionsl ehi.r
scter from reproach, thia opportunity ttiotild be
giveo with the s vowed design snd full prepa.
ration li take immcdialc ratiatactii n. it' it should
not be obtained on a, repetition of . the deu-snd
for It; - " ' ' j
"To this end I recommend thnt an art be
psnd autliurising re pi is le, a ml the nee til the
naval force of thr (JiuM) Sitet, ly ih Execn
live, agatt.at Mexico, to enforce them, in t lit
event of a efual by the Mexican t'vernin pt,
to come to n amicshle iljtment of the inst
tera 111 controversy between us, ooon another
demand thereof, made frc.tn on board ne of vur
vessels of war on, the coast .f" Mtnico.1' , ,
'JCcmmitteesof xiil! Iloise of Congress, lo
which this message of this President wss re
fcrrcd.Tully sustoinrd hie views of the charrc-
terofthe wrongs which we had suffered Iron
Mex co, and rcrommended that tnoihfr demand
for redress should be made be fur e authorizing
warorreprifai.
the Committee on tureign Relations of the
Senate, in their report, ray ; "After such a de
mand, should prompt jintice be refused by the
Mexican government, we may Bipeal to oil nn.
lions rot only for the equity end numeration v. iih
which we shall Imve acie.i toward a Fitter re
public, but for tiie mcrsity which will the nc m-pt-l
us to seek redress lor our wrong, eitl.er bv
actual war or by reprisal. The uhjct will
then be presented bclore Congres, at H10 com
menceoieiil of the next tesilu, in a cl-ar snd
distinct form ; atid the comm ttee cannot dnubt
but that such meaurea will b limn- diaieiy a
dopted aa may be necesrary to vindicate the ho
rror of the country, and insure ample re pa rat ion
lo our injured citizens." ... . , ... ..
Hie committee on Foreign Afinira of the
House of Representatives iimcle a kimilar re-
Cornmenualion. In their report, they nay tint
tiiey nniy concur witn the t'resirtent that am
pie cause exiata fur taking red res into our hands,
and believe that we should bejiui fifd in then-
pinion or other nations lor taking such a A-p.
But they are willing to try the xperiment n
another demand, made in the nxat si.lernn form.
upon the justice of ibe Mex can fnv rnnifni.be-
lore any turtner prccccuings are ailopted.", , . ,
o difference of opinion ur'n ti e inl ine! i
believed to have existed in CongrcFS st that
time.1 The Executive and Legit'atfve depart
ments concurred; snd yet such las been our
forbearance, snd desire to preserve peace with
Mexico, that the wrongs of which we then ci in-
plained, and which gave riae to theo rolemn
prriceedingv, not only remain nnredrested to
thia day, but additional causes of complaint, o'
an aggravated character, have ever amce been
accumulating. ...
br.ortly alter these proeeedings, a special
messengi-r wsi clespatciied to Ki-xico, to make
a Cnal demsnd-for redresst and on the taent
etb of July. 1837. that deniat l ws made. The
reolv of the Mexican miverument bars date on
-rr-j ------- m
the5J9ih of the tame ronnth, and contain assu
rance of the unxioua wih" of the M xican go
vernment rnot to delay ihe moment of that fi
nal and equiiabla aetuatmrnl which is to termi
nste the existing difficulties between the two
governments ;H that "nothing shou'd be left un
done vhicb may contribute t the most rpcedv
and equitable determination of the subject
which have so seriously engaged the attention
of the' Amerxan government that tho "Mexi
can government would aropt,athecnly guide
lor its eooooct, the plainest pr netples or public
rigbt, the sacred oiligaiMn iinnoeed by interns
lions 1 law, and the rrligioue fiiih of treaties;
Snd tbst "whatever reason snd justice may die
ats respecting esch cars w ill be done."
'"The sssorsnce was further pWen. that the
dcCtkion of the Mexican government upon etch
csuse of complentt, rff which Tr!res hss been
deuandeu, should bo commuiursled to the go
veramentof the United State by the Mi x can
minieier at Washington.
1 These solemn osursnce. In answer to our
demsnd lor redress, were oisrrgarded. By ma
king them, however, Mexico obtained further
delay. President Van Huron, in liia annual
mesrage 19 Congreisof the filih of December,
1837, aisles, ihst althouph the larger number"
of our demands for redress, and "many of them
aggravated rases of personal wrong, have been
pnw for years before Jit Mexjean pevetnrnent,
and some of the cause of nat onal complair.i,
ana those) ot tho most fli na ve character, ad
mitted or immediate, simple, and satisfsptory
replies. it js only within a few dsy past thai
any specific c nimunirntion in smer lo our
last demand, made five months sgn. f t been re
ceived from the Mex'fan Millller,', and I lis I
"Ar not one of our f uhlie complaint has Mils
faction been given or flered ; that l ot one of
Ihe rasea of personal wrong hss been fivnrably
considered, and that but four cms of hoth de
scriptions, out of sll tl oes f. finally prrtented,
Bd earnestly preved, have as yet been decided
upon by the Mexican government''
President Ven.Enrrn believing il.at it would
be vain to maktany further attempt to obtain
red rest by the ordinary means within Ibe power
of Ihe Executive, communicated ibis opinion te
Congress, in Ibe metier referred lo, in which
he aaid, "On a careful aad deliberate examination
t tbe contents." (of the correspondence with tbe
Mexican government,) "net considering tbe spi
rit manifested by 'be Mexican government, it
has Her am my painful duly toretara tha subject
aa tt new stead, to Congress, to whom tt be.
longs, te decide the time, the mode, and tbe
mesMre of r4re. jr,j tbe TJaited States at
that time adopted compulsory measures, and ta-
... wmAAmm Ua .1.-1 . . . .
" - --- iaeir own hands, all onr dinenl.
iss with Mexico WMld
jyvtexUting wef have boaZ
v V,","JtT woderstU M Mr wrt ely
led the sfstt te explicate tktM diaacaltiea, ssi
render an amicabl aettlcmsnt of tbam tbe mare
embarrassing. That loch measures of redress
under similar proveAtlona, committed by any of
tbe pewerfM nation of Europe, Would have bean
promptly resorted 16 by tbe United. 8ttes, can
not be doobted Tbe national honor, and the
presemtiOA of the ewjkuwl ebtracer through
oat the world, as well aa oor own aelf.rspet.
and the protection due to eurown eitisrns, would
have rendered Inch a retott iadis penaaUet ' The
history of no tivititad liatiou In modern times
hss presented within so brief a period so many
wanton attacks upon tbe honor of its flag, sod
upon ihe property and persons of its eitiiens,. as
had at that time been borne by tbe Cnlted States
from ibe Mexican authorities and people. - But
Mexlvu was a sister republic on lbs North Areer- ,
Iran tontinrtit, occupying 'a territory contiguous
to our own, and waa in a feeble and distracted
condition? ami these considerations, it is presu
med, induced Congreit to rbrbeaMMi longer.
, , Instead of taking redress into our own hands, a
r ew negntiation waa entered upon, with fair pro
mises on the part ot Mexico, but with the real
purpose, as tha event has proved, of indefinitely
postponing ibe' reparation 'which we demanJJ,
and wbicb waa to justly due. Ihia negotiation,
after rrore than a year's delay, resulted -in the
convention of the nib of April, 1639, for tha
adjustment of claims of ritiseut of the United
States of Nerth America upon Ike government of
the Mexican republic." The joint board of Com
mistioitrts created by thia convention to examine
and decide upon Ihcae claims was not erganited
until the month of August, 1840, and under the
termt of tbe convention (le y were to terminate
their duties within 18 months from that time.
0 Four of Ik eighteen months wrre consumed in
preliminary diicussiona on frivolous and dilatory
points isiardby the Mexican commissioners; and
it wss pot until the month of Dfcembcr, 1640,
that they commenced the examination of ths
claims of our citizens upon' Mexico. Fourteen
months only remained to examine and decide up
on these numerous and complicated cases. In
the month of February, the term of the
commission expired, leaving many claims undia-poa-d
of for want of time. The claims which
were allowed by the board, and by tbe umpire
authorised by the convention io decide In ease of
disagreement between tbe Mexican snd American
commissioners, emeented to 52 500,1?9 SO- , 1
There were pemlirg before the umpire when
tbe commission expired additional claims which
bad been examined snd awarded by the American
commissioners, and had not been allowed br the
Mrxican commWsioneie, amounting to $928 827
E8 cents, upon uhich he did not decide, alleging
that his am bor it y had ceased with ihe termins
tion of the joint commUsion. P.csidet these
claims, there were others of American citirens
smeuntirg to $3.33C,SSG OSett , which lad been
submitted to the board, and upon which they bad
not time to decide before their final adjournment.
The sum ot S2 056 139 C8 cents, which had
been aar 'ed to the chvrr-ants, was a liquidated
and ascertained db due by Mexico, about which
there could be r.o dispute, and which she was
bound to pey according to tbe terms of the con
vention. . Soon after the final awards for this a
mount had been made, the Mexican government
asked for a postponement of the lime of making
payment, alining that it would be inconvenient
to make the payment at the time stipulated. In
the spirit of forbearing kindness towatds a sister
republic, which Mexico had so long sbused, the
united States promptly complied with her re
quest. 1 . i . ,. 4
A second Convention ' rrnrriinol v ronrln.
ded between the two governments on the thir
tieth or January, 1043, which upon its fat de
clares, "that tbit new arrangement is entered in
to for the accommodation of Mexico " By Ihe
termt of thia enr.vention all the Interest due on
tbe awards which had been made in lavor of tbe
claimants under the convention of tbe 1 1th of A-
pril. If. 19. was to be paid te them en the 30th ol
April, 1843, and '"the principal ef the aaid a
wsrds. and tire interest accruing thereon," was
stipulated to "be paid ill" five year, ia equal in.
siahoenta every tbree months n- .
' Notwithstanding thia new convention waa en
tered into st the rrqueM of Mexico, and for the
purpose of relieving her from embarrassment,
the claimants hsve only received the interest due
on tbe 30th of April. 1843 snd three of Ihe twen
ty instalments Although the payment of the
sum thus liquidated, and confessedly due by Mex
ico to onr ritixens ss indemnity for arknowled.
ged acts of outrage and wrong, was secured by
treaty, th obligations ofwbieh sreever held sa
cred, by all just nations, yet Mexico has violated
this solemn engagement by failing and refusing
to make the payment
Tbe two instalments due in April and July
1844, under the peculiar circumstance connected
with them, have been assumed by the United
Hates and dischsrged to the cta'n ants, but they
ars still due by Mexico. Put Ibis is not sll of
which we hsve just csuse of complaint. To pro
vide a remedy for the claimants whose esses were
not dicided by the joint remmission under the
convention of April 1 1th. 1639. It was exnresslv
stipulated by Ihe Ctb article f tbe convention of
Ibe 30tb January. 1844. tret -a new convention
should be entered into for tbe settlement of sll
ibe clsims of the government snd citizens ef the
United States srsinet the republic of Mex'eo
which were not finally decided by Ihe late com
mission, which mit in the city of VVashiretoii.
and of all rlaima of ihe g overnmenl snd citizens
Of Mexico svsirjst the Unitrd Stales " '
. In conformity with Ibis stipulation, a third
convention was concluded snd signed at tbe city
pf Mexico, on the 20th ef November,' 1643. by
plenipotentiaries of the two governments, by
which provision was made for ascertaining and
paying these claims, in January. 1844. thia con
vention was ratifml by the Senate ol the United
States with two amendments, which were mani
festly rentonable in their character. Upon a re
ference lo the amendments proposed to the eo
ernmenl of Mexico, ihe aame evasions, difficul
ties and delays were interposed wbicb bav so
long marked the policy of that government to
wards thw United Stares. It has not even yet de.
cided whether it would or would not accede to
them.-although the subject bas been repeatedly
prrpirt, nnnn us rnnsiiioreiion. ,
M-xiro hss thus vinlarcd a record time1 the j
fuilh of treaties, by failing or refusing to carrv
into effect th Clh article of tbe convention of
January, .1843. , ?. , . .
Such is the history of the w rones which we
have suffered snd pulienlly endured from Mexico
through a long series of yesrs. Po far from af
fording reasonable salisraetion for Ihe injuries
snd insults we bsd borne, s crest arersvation of
them ronaiats in th fart ihst, while the United
Slates, anxiotia to preserve a rood understanding
with Mexico, hsve been coestsntly, but vianly,
employed in seeking redress fur past wrongs,
new entrsges were constantly occurring which
have continued to increase our ranse of com
plaint and to swell Ihe smounl of our demands. -
While the eitisens of Ibe United Stalea were
conducting a lawful commerce witb Mexico on
der the t uaranty of a treaty of "amity, com
merce and navigation," many of them have suf
fered all Ike injwrlee wbicb weold have resulted
from open war, . This treaty, instead of affording
protection to our ritixens, bas been tbe means of
inviting tbe as Into tbs ports of Mexico tbst they
might be, as they have been in numerous Instan
ce, plundered of their property aad deprived of
tbeir personal liberty if they dared insist on their
rights. Had tbe onlawfel ecitaree of American
property, and tbe violation of personal liberty of
or citizens, to say eetbing of tbe insults to our
flag which have occurred ia the ports of Mstieo,
taken ,plae on ta bigk sets, thsy would ttem-
selves long since have constituted a state of ac-1
iusi war oeiween ins iwo countries.
In so long suffering Mexico to violate her' Most
solemn treaty ebligat loss, to plunder eur citi
zens of tbsir property, and imprison tbeir per
sons without sffordlug them any redress; we have
failed to perform One of tbe first and highest du
ties which every government owes to Its citizens;
and Ihe consequence has bssn that many of them
have been reduced from a stats of affiaenc to
bsnkruptcy." Tbs proud name of American citi
ceo, wbicb ought to protect sll who bear it from
Insult snd iojury throughout the world, has affor
ded no such protection to our citizens in Mexico.
We had ample cause of war against Mexico long
before tht breaking out Of hostilities. Jiut even
then we forbore IO- lake redress into our ow n
hands, until Mexico herself breams the sggres
sor by invading our soil In hostile array snd shed
ding the blood of our citizens.-
Such ar th grave causes of complaint on th
pari of ths United States against Mexico causes
wbicb existed long before tbe annexation of Te
xas to the American- Union; and yet, animated
by tbe love of peace, and a magnanimous modera
tion, we did not adopt those measures of redress
.whieh; tinder th circumstances, are the justified
resort of Jh injured nation. , , .- 1 :pj
Th annexation of Texas to the United States
constituted no just cento of offence to Mexico
Tbe pretext tt.ot it did so Is wbollv inconsistent
and irreconcilable with well authenticated facts
connected with tbe revolution by which Texas
beram independent of Mexico.
1 bat this may be the more manifest, it mty m
proper to advert to the causes and to the history
r . L . . '
or me principle rvrnis or ruai revolution.
Texas conitiiutcd a portion of the ancient rro
Vince of Louisiana, reded to the United Statea by
Krance in the year 1803 in me ytar 1913. tbe
United. Statea, by tha Florida treaty, ceded to
Spain all that part of Louisiana within her pre
aent limits of Texas; and Mexico, by the revolu
tion wbich aeperated ber from Spain, and render
ed ber an independent nation, succeeded to the
lights of the mother country over this territory.
In the year 1624, Mexico eatrtblished a federal
constitution, under which the Mexican republic
was composed of a number of sovereign States,
confederated together in a federal Union similar
to our own. Each of these Slates bud its own
rxeective. leg'tlnture, ar.d judiciary, and for ail.
except federal pnrposea,- was cs independent of
th genera! government and that of the othet
States, as ia Pennsylvania snd Virginia under our
constitution. Texas snd Coabulia united, and
formed one of these Nexiccn States
The tf.ste constitution which tl.ey adopted.
1 1 1.1. j 1- .t ' . r
end which wss aoprocod by the Mexican eon-
fei'ptey,sfr.ertd tlnt tl.ey wr re "free end in
dependent ot I l,p nth' r Mexican United Sralos,
and of . very other power t d dominion whatsc
. ver rar.d proclaim, d ti e prest principln of
hnman l.he,ir. that -ihe sovereign v x
Sitie rrid.,oriPii.ally and essentially In ihe
peneml mass of the individual who compose
it To "'0 government unuer this cnnstilu
(ion. ss well st to thxt urrier the federal consti
tutor, the prijile of Texas owed alpiiince.
Elnil'rnts from fi reii n ce.untriee, including
Ihe United States, were invitrd by the colon i
zitiin laws of the State and of the - federal go
vernment to spill'' in Texas. Advantsgenu
term were offered to induce ,tli-in . to . leave
thrir own country tr. b come Mrxlcan c li
x-'ne. ' T hin invitai ion wa aeceptcd by many
of our rit'x n, in 'he full faith that' in their
new hi me they would iw. rovernod by laws
aetrd fcy tt rrsen'ttivre cl'Ctrd by tt'eineelv.
and that tl.eir liver, libeity and prr-perty would
he protected by cons' 11 ill roual iiaran'ees s'mi-
larto these which exieled !n the republic they
had loll, . Under a rovernmpnt itiu organised
they continued until the year 1835, when a mi-
Mary revolution hrokpciit in the city of Mexico,
which entirely subverted the federsl snd Stat
constitution, and plsced a military dictator at
the head of the government. f-
By a sweeping decree if n Congreassuheeirvi
ent to the, will ot the dictator, the several State
cnnftittitions were aiioliehed, and Iho-Slates
ttiemsM'yr s eonverti d into mere departments ol
the Crntia! Government.' The people of Tex
as were unwilling to submit to this usurpation.
Reisitnee 10 such tyranny became hieh doty.
Ti xs was full absolved trom ell a I log i no
in the Central Government ol Mexico from the
moment that government had abolished her
Siste cnns'ituiion, and in it p'ar. substituted
an atbitrary and despotic Centml Government.
Such wrtethe principal causes of the Texan
revolution.. 'J he people of Texas Si once de-
lei mined upon residence, end w t0 arinn. In
Ihe rniiUt ot these important and exciting vents,
I owner, thry did not omit to place their liber
ties upon a secure and p rinaneut f.iundatinn.
They elected mtn.bcr to a Convention, who,
in tho month ol March, 1?S6. issued a formal
dedsraiinn trial their "political conitec'.ioii w.tli
tiie MexiCsu nst icn wae fori vfr.pnded, and that
tt ep. (.pleol Tt xss do now r niituie s Tre,
S vt tvign, and Indeperdent Republic,' and bio
fully jl.veatrd w ith nil the right and allribniea
wb ch properly U lonjf to independent nalima."
Thty also sdopud tor their guvernmt'bt a lib
rat republican cniietiiutiin. , ,v . . , , .
Aut ui ilie exir.e 1 111,0 Santa Anna, then the
dictalnrcf Mrx'co. inUded T xa with a on
u rnris arn.y ter the purpose of SiiMuliij her
peouM, ami euturcing olifiliimci- to hiaarbiirarv
sr-d despi lic guvrrniiM 11I OulliuSlsl of April,
lt?36, hi' iih I by tlm Texan c.tizen soldiers,
end on that day wa achieved by them tho inc.
morable v rioryof Sm Jacinto, by which they
conquer d thi'ir independence. - Uiusidcring
the niiii U re ti fagid on iha respective side,
himory iU.e not record a mure brilliant achieve,
mrrir. Sjnla Am a liitii. I was among . the
captives. ' , '
In theinonili of May, 1F3C, Santa Anna ac
kwowedg,d,by a Iteaiy wiiii the TVxt n an
Uiof itiee, in the moKt enleum term, ":lie full, en
lue.ariil p-ifrct indexQ(lcr,ce ol the - republic
ot T a.M " It in true he was then prisoner
waii hut it is t qually true that he had Tailed to
reconquer Texas, tint had ipel with signal de.
fist; that his authority had not twn revoked,
nd that ty virtue ot this treaty he obtained hie
jn rr-onal release. By it Inutilities were sucpen
did, and Ihe army which had invsded Texas
under hie coin m snd returned in pursuance of
this arrtngeim ol, unrnoleetrd. to Mexico. .
From 1 he day Ihst Ihe battlu ol . San Jacinto
ws fought until ibe present hour, Mexico has
never possessed Ihe power to reconquer Texas.
In Ihe language of the Secretary of State of the
Unitrd Statea, in a despatch to our minister in
Mexico, under dale rf the 6th of July, 184
"Mexico may btvs choaen to consider, and may
till choose to confides Texts ss having, beep
stall limea sines 1835. snd ss still toniiruing,
a rebellious province, but tho world hss been
obliged totskea very different view of tbe mst
lor. 1 From ike time of Ibe settle of San Jaein
to, in April. IMf), to tbe present moment, Tex
as hss exhibited Ihe ssme external signs of na
tional independence as Mexico herself, end with
qotto ss much etsbility of government.
HPrseticslly free and independent, acknowled
ged aa e political sovereignty by the eeinoipsl
Powers of Ihe world, hottils foot finding rest
within her territory for six or seven years, snd
Mexico herself refraining for ell that period
frem further at'empt to re-establish ber own
nsBKBaCESl. le.i.J
Sdfborlty Over thai' lerrftory, it cannot but le
surprising io nnu.mr. a Uucsnegra" (the See-
reiarg 01 roreign Affairs or Mexico) "complsi
ning tbst for that whole period citizena of tho
United mates, or it government, have been fa
voring the rebels or Texas, and aupplying them
with vessels, ammunition and money, aa if the
war fur tbe reduction of the province of Texas
had been constsntly prosecuted by Mexico, and
her success prevented by these influences from
abroad." -' -
In the same despatch the Secretary of State
affirms that "aince 1837 the United Siatesbtve
regsrded Trxatattn independent eovereignty,
at much at Mexico I and that trade and com
merce with cilizns of government st war
with Mexico cannot, on that account, be regar
ded as an intercourse by which assistance and
succor sre given to Mexxan rebels, The whole
currenlofMr.de Bucaneirra' remark runs in
the same direction aa if the Independence of
1 exas nau nui seen acunow icuged.
' Ithnabeen acknowledged it was acknnv
ledged in 1837 again! the remonstrance ami
protest of Mexico f and most ot the acta of any
importance, of which Mr. de Bocanera com
plains, flu heceari!y from that ncognitiun.
Ilerpeaksof Texas a still being aa 'integra
part ot the. territory of the Mexicnn republic,'
but lie cannot but undcrataud that the United
Slates do not so regard it. The rest comolaint
of Mexico, therefore, is, In substance, neither
morn nor less than a complaint against the re
cognition of Trxan independence.
, "It may be thought rather late to repeat that
complaint, eni not quite just to confine it to the
Unitrd States, to the ixemption ol England,
Pre net, and Belgium, unless the United Sialea,
having been the first to acknowledge the inde
pendence of Mexico herself, aro lo bo blamed
'braelting an example fr the recognition of
that ol Tex.is." And he added, that "the con
etituticn, public tresties, and the laws nbligethe
President lo regard Texas as ao independont
State, and its territory ss no part of tho territo
ry ol Mexico" , .
T.-ais had been en imiep'-nd' nt i.tatf, with
an organized government, defy in? the p-rwer
of Mexico to everthrow or reconquer her for
more then 10 years before Mxrco commenced
the present war srjainet the Uni'ed States.'Tex-
at I-as given t jch evidence to the world of her
ability to maintsin her separate existence an
! "P'" nai.oo,,..i Bne nac neen lonrm-iy
1 reeonn zed a such, not on'v bv thi Lolled
. ; t J .1 t. l j a . .
State, bu'. by severul of tho principnl powers
of Europe. These power hid entered into
' m " n"7; c?'nnlFrcP' ""'Paunn
I J'"1 "T" They had received and accredited
! her niiiitftrrs and other d.ptomatx agent at
I 'heir respect ve courts, and they hoj com-n.r.
rionrd ministers ard diplomatic agents on their
ptrt to the government or I txnn. -
If Mexro, notwithstanding sll this, and her
utter inabli'y to subdue or reconqnr Texa.
still nluhhornly rcfuaed lo recognize" her pa an
independent nation, she waa none the? !.: so
on that account. Mexico herselt had been re.
cotnized a an independent nation by the Uni
ted Slates, snd by other wwei, many yeara
beforo Spain, of which, before her revolution,
she had been a colony, would cree to repoj-
nice her aa tuch ; and yet Mexico was at that f
lime, in the estimation of the civilized world
snd In fncf. none the lem an independent pow
er became Spain still claimed her at a unluny.
' ' (Concluded nrxt treek.)
Letter from Houlerejr.
t There is a rumor of a painful nature hare,
vis i that a Catholic priest has been arrested by
the orders of Gen. Taylor lor attempting to ex
cite the Catholic portion ot our army lo mutiny
and deeertion. . Who the priest can be I do not
know. The President sppointed Fnthers Riy
snd McElroy both Catholic Priests, to he chap
Islns. Father McKlrny I saw and converged
wilh in the Cathedral at Matamoras, and Father
Ray, I saw riding out day before yesterJay here.
I know of no othvr Catholic priest who can
preach in Knglish. Thst there is truth in the
report I am well satisfied, although the niitter
is shrouded in mystery. 1 had the p! ensure of
making Father Ray's acquaintance lat summer
met him frequently at Camargo, and formed a
mot favorable opinion of him. In all the aer
mona I hsve hetrj him deliver, he had urged
upon his tnditors the fact thtt they were Ame
rican soldiers ; that our srmy was not there In
war against the religion of the Mexicans, and
that now an American soldier's duty wss faith
fully to obey the orders of hi officers, &.e , snd
much mora u( a like import. But who can be
the priest igainat whom this charge it made ?
Why to miich mystery 1 Ni metier who it
may be, there is but one punishment for such
sn ofluncr, snd if iciff it inflicted.
I am iiilorin-d thit the 'Vrcat unknown
Priest" ha urged desertion on about a tore of
our men, and that one of the number told Col.
Garland of it, who instantly tmk ineasurea for
the arrest . the culprit.
' It u also said that ho waa immediately taken
before Gen. Taylor, who at first intended to in
fl.ct summery puiii.hmeul, but Concluded to Ity
the whole matter before a Board of officer. It
is further aid that Gen. Twiggs is now inves
tigating the metier. Yours most truly,
'rv "!; " K. F. R
Tunis Moaizanv. On Wednesday the 11th
Nov. tho Tenoeteeo Cavalry, numbering (XK)
men snd horses, under the command of Colonel
Thomas, marched through Die elreel of our
city, from their encampment on the river, lo a
new encampment four or five mile south of tbis
place, on the Sin. Fernando road. ;a
, Tbia Regiment waa considered the flower of
Tennessee, when first eerobld at Memphie
Tonneesee, snd wss mentioned in tbe prints ss
being one of tbe finest corpa ever assembled in
that Situ. 1 It left Memphis 00 Ihe 3?tb of
August last, marched by Little Rook, Fulton,
Waahlngtoft (Toxaa.) ta Grange, Victotie,
8en Patrick. Corpus Cbristi. to Matsmersa, se
rif lag on tbe books of ibe Rio Grande oa the
7th November, Sfter e march ef near 1400 miles
in Ihe midst of tbe , hottest summer, for four
months. ., ,, . , . ., , ,., ,r
Thsy ere line looking set of young men,
end beer'e fg, the gift ol tbe young Jedies of
Tennessee, whose motto is guarantee for their
good conduct. vi , . r
'';."' "None Vet Ibe brave
. psrve tbe fair."'
'A, j - wt f-es)
1 V
!?. T
TIIE AMERICAN.
Saturday, JJtcrmbtr, At, 1848,,',
I B. iAL.nBU, . at hU ttetl M.
late and Coal Olftet, corner f fid and Chrmmt
Strrtt thliadtlphl, it aulMmrltrd te erf
fgeiif( oral rttipl for all mmtitt dm tM
oltlc for iuberlpHon or advertising, "
. Alio, at hU paUtiS. 100 ,XUiau Mrttt,
AW Yor. .,..
' Jiff 8. B. Corner of Baltimore and Calvert
(., Baltimore. ',' ' '..
, E7 PtEiiDKXi'a MassAOB.Tht document it
of great length, and it principally taken up in
the diacuision of the war with Mexico. The Pre
aideiit meets the opponenta of the war and bit
measures, with strong and powerful arguments,
showing that every thing was done to avoid it
that was consistent wilh our bonor. We are
not able to lay before our readers but a part of
the meisaga thit week. The remainder will be
given in our next. The President asks fora loan
of 19 millions, required for the service until tht
30th of June, IS 18, ab nit one half te be used du
ring th year 1917. The President recommends
that the tariff of 1846 should remain ss it is, with
the exception of war duties to be laid on sundry
free articles, lie alto recommends tbe modifies
t'.on of tht Sub-Treasury law.
Cy Si'sttav kso F.ais Rail Road We un
derstand that it is proposed to hold a convention
of the friends of this great improvement, at Phi
ladelphia, about the Isst of this or beginning ol
next month. We heartily appro of the propo.
sition, and hope those interested will act upon l
with spirit. The advantages this route possasei
for securing the trade of the West, both at Pitts
burg and F.rie, ought to be fairly snd fully pre
sentcd to the citirens of our metropolis, before
they blindly and foolishly embark in the ma
project of making a rail road over the worst par
of Ihe Alleghenies, which csn never accomplu
the object proposed. The ereat length ofth
Pietidi.'nts message prevents onr tlii ecting atten
tion to this subject as fully ss we intended, but
we hope our friends at Erie and along tbe route
if they approve of the proposed convention, wil'
name the day fur its assembling, and take the ini
tiatory step. '
SAr.TtLno baa been taken, without nr.pc
sition, by our forces. The next confl-ct will moi
probably be at Sail Luis Potest.
Casal CoKSitec a Alio Tol.r.s The Fittabur
Advertiser has published tables of the artich
sent from and received in that city by the cana
The toll upon them exhibit an apparent de
crease ofover 810,000, compared with last year
ThW is only appareot. Owing to a change in (bi
drawback system the sum col'er-ted actually neti
the State some f 30,000 mort than in 1815.
Tax Smitiisomas Institute The Regents s
the Smithsonian Institute have voted the sum 0
$20,000 for the nucleus of tbe Library. A resc
1'ltion was passed fixing the salary of the terrett
ry at $3,200 per annum, witb an addition of $10
for house rent should it be necessary, until a pel
manrnt residence be provided in tbe buildings I
be erected. .
s. .
Iron !! Tckkksscb The first iron manufa
Hired in Tennessee, has been made at the Tek
nessee Valley Works, about fifty miles from tl
mouth of the Cumberland. Tbe articles ha
been pronounced by competent judges, to bs of
very superior quality. These works have be.
built upon ao enlarged scale, combining all tl
advantages tuch ettabliahmentt ctn possess.
Thz AaazsTto Maxicas Psim Wepubli
this week, the rumor that a Mexican priest w
seised and imprisoned by Gen. Taylor, for enl
cing our troop to desert. W since learn th
the General , sent him under an escort to Mst
moras, but that ha escaped on the' route. V
hear an ill character of him, for 'ti said h w
a renegade from Texas, where be had been
robber and a murderer.
VoLi'MTszas The NewOrleana Times sa
we have again tbe gay tight of recruiting parti
with fife and drum, parading our ttreett. Th
are the "Avengera." "Tigers," "Tampico Rt
gers," Worth Guards," "Easl Guarda," Ci
taint Toaii, FatsUsn, Pt ecrti. all bidli
for bra v fellows to enroll under tbeir tevei
ttandardt. The entitling wat not very bri
yesterday, but as the steam it continued, f'
will augment. We ahall have tooa plenty
picked men to choose from, to exhibit in Met
th chivalry of th gallant sugar Stat. So, th.
wbo with to participate in a stirring and fi
, campaign, bad better be brisk. '
LAts tan luttSisnai raoai Cat.troaai .
Letters from the Pacifie lo' the 87th of Aug
have been received by tbe New Tork Hers
They confirm th accounts of Com. Stock
having possession of the principal towns in Ci
fornia, oa the pacifie. In one month he rou
and dispersed all ths armed Mexicans, double
numbers of bis men, ended the wsr in that qi
tcr, regelated Ike civil government, and frar
the future laws of California. Hs was, St !
accounts, preparing for ses, t ptotc pur e
merce In tbs Pecilic. Tb U ' i
traets front tbe Mexican HP Tbs "1im
ssys ! MTba lost of th California is consul
Isd although Jt afterwards threaten to !W
from ev Cettre eeBtttes, tbey were lost
Msxico when bo wrot bis despatch oa tke
September. He sdmlts tbst "s chain bf ev
nrvenle; (hiWrsm rwtreiaif fon'jf '
rk 'ariV, admiu that '.'it' bas falla,";
Hdeoleeoe'ite loss," aod its only hops is,4
tlfs Trsy tttprti Ut end scf l' l
1 p .