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peat, bv eight--now nine years OF ffuItiess
and ruiuous contest. IL the meantime,
Texas has been growing IN population and
resources. Emigration has flowed INTO her
territory, from all parts OF the world, IN
current which continues 10 increase IN
strength Mexico requires permanent
boundary between that young republic ana
herself Texas, at no distant day, II she
continues separate and detached from The
United States, will inevitably seek to con-
soIidate her strength by adding to her do
main the contiguous province OF Mexico


The spirit OF revolt fom the control cf
the Central Government has, heretofore
manifested itself in some ofthose provinces
and II is fair to inter that they would be IN
clined to take the first favorable opportunl-
10 10 proclaim their Independence, and 10
| firm close alliance with Texas The war
/ would thus be endless, or. If cessatlons OF
| hostilities should occur. they would only,
endure for a season. The interests of Mex
| ieo therefore, could in nothing be better
/ consulted than in peace with her neigh
bors which would resnlt in the establish
ment of a permanent boundary. Upon the
ratification of the treaty, the Executive was
orepared 10 treat with her on the most lIbe>
raj basis.-fIence the boundaries of Texas
we're left undefined by the treaty.


The Executive proposed to settle these
unon terms that all the world should have
pronounced Just and reasonable. No nego-
ttiation upon that point could have been IN
! dertaken between the United States and
Mexico. in advance of the ratification OF the
treaty. We should have had no right-no
authority, to have conducted such a negoli


alton: and to have undertaken IT, would


have been an assumption equally revolving
TO the pride of Mexico and Texas and sub
iectino US to the charge of arrogance: while
to have proposed in advance of annexation,
TO satisfy Mexico for any contingent inter'
est she might have in Texas, would have
been to have treated Texas. not as an lnde-
pendent power, bat as mere dependency
| of Mexico


This assumption could not have been act>
ed on bu the Executive, without setting al
defiance vonr ovn solemn declaration that
that Rppbbic was an independent State


Mexico had. it is true, threatened war a


eanst the Udiled States. In the event the


Treaty of Ann xation was ratih d. The


Executive could no; permit itself 10 be infu-
enced by this treaty. Il represented in this
the spirit of our People, who are ready to
sacrifice mach Tor peace, but nothing 10 ln>
limitation. A war under any circumstan.
tes. is greatly to be deplored, and the Unit.
cd States is the last nation 10 desire II; but n,
I as the condition oil peace,lt be required OF Us
to foregothe unques,lonabe right OF treat
ing with an independent power, of our own
Continent, upon matters highly interesting
TO both, and that upon naked and unSus'
tainsd pretenton of claim by a thiId power,
to coatrol the free-wIl of the power with
whom re treat-devoted as we may be to
peace, and anxious to cultivate friendly re
/ ia.ions with the whole world, the Executive
does not hesitate TO say that, the people OF
the United States would be ready TO brave
all cons quences sooner than submit TO such
condition.


But 40 apprehension of war was enter
lained BY the Executive; and | must express
frankly the opinion that, had the Treaty
| been ratified by the Senate, it would have
! been followed By prompt settlement, to he
entire satisfaction of Mexico. of every MAJ
ter n difference between the two countries
! Seeing then that new preparations for hos
! tile invasion Of Texas were about TO be a
| dopted by M5xco, and that these were
/ brought about because Texas has adopted
the Suggestions 10 the Executive upon the
subject Of Annexation, it could not pasSively
have folded its arms and permitted war.
threatened to be accompanied by every act
that could mark a barba5ous age, to be
waged against her. because she had done so


Other considerations of controlling
character influenced the course Of the Ex
ecut:ve. The treaty which had been me-
gotated. had failed TO receive the ratification
OF the Senate. One of the chief objections
which were urged against it, was fonnd to
consist in the fact that the question ofannex>
alton had not been sub nilted tc the ordeal
OF publId opinion IN the United States
However untenable such objection was
esteemed TO be, In view of the unquestionable
power of the Executive to negotiate the
treaty, and he great and lasting interests in
volved IN the question, | felt it to be my
duty to submit the whole subject TO Cons
gress as the best expounders of popular ser.
ument. No definite action having been "a
ken on the subject by Congress, the ques>
ton referred itself directly To the decision
ofthe States and the People


The great popular election which has Just
terminated afforded the best opportunity of
ascertaining the will OF the States and Peo, /
pie upon IT, Pending that ISSUE it become /
the imperative duty of Executive to inform
Mexico that the question of annexation was
still before the American People, and that
until their opinion was pronounced, any
serious invasion of Texas would be regard +
ed as an attempt 10 forestalltheir judgment
aud could not be looked upon with indiffer,
ence. | am mos: happy 10 inform your