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RACES upon the persons and property of our cti-
zens, upon the officers and flag of the u. States,
independent of recent insults to this government
and people, by the late extraordinary Mexican
minister, would justify, in the eyes of nations, i'm
mediate war" AT the next session of Congress-
Mr. Van Bnren called its attention to the state of
our affairs with Mexico, and recommended letters
OF marque and reprisal in case the necessary and
proper satisfaction was not made. This was some
years before the annexation of Texas to the United
States.


In 1912, the Hon. Waddy Thompson, our min
ister TO Mexico, in an able and eloquent letter ad-
dressed to the diplomatic corps at Mexico, in
which he complained in the strongest terms of the
injuries the United States had suffered at the hands
of Mexico, said: Not only have we never done
an act of an unfriendly character towards Mexico
but l confidently assert that, from the very mo-
ment of the existence of the Republic. have
allowed no opportunity to pass of doing Mexico
every kindness. l will not now enumeIate the
acts of that character both to the government of
Mexico and the citizens, public and private. If
this government chooses to forget them, will not
recall them. While such has been our course to
Mexico it is with pain am forced to say that the
open violations of the rights of American citizens
by the authority of Mexico have been greater for
the last fifteen years than those of the rest Of
Christendom united. Yet we have left the re-





wrongs to friendly negotiation, without intimat-
ing disposition to resort 10 force"


Mr.. Speaker, it cannot be disguised that our
recent difficulties with Mexico have ensued from
the annexation Of Texas TO the U. States, which
so deeply exasperated the feelings of the Mexican
people. No one can, who gives an impartial con-
sderation to the subject, doubt that Texas, as a
free and independent republic, had perfect and
indispuable right to merge her sovereignty into
our Federal Union without violating the settled
and established usages of nations, of giving just
cause of offence to Mexico.


Sir, Mexico was once a province of old Spain !;
she revoltcd from the mother country, and by a
successful revolution threw off the Spanish yoke,
and declared her independence. In a General
Congress in 1924 she established a republican
Constitution upon the mould of our own. Texas
constituted State ofthe new Republic; she COM
prsed that vast extent of country between the Rio
del Norte and the western boundary of the United
States, and was formerly part of the State of
Louisiana, having been purchased from France
by Mr.. Jefferson, and afterwards ceded to Spain
by the Florida treaty. Possessing delightful
climate and fertile soil, attracted the atten-
ton of our people, and drew large population
from the American States on the gulf and the
great west. The federal constitution guaranteed
TO Texas republican form of government and
the central government offered the most liberal
inducements TO settlers from all parts of the world
and especially from the United States.


The policy of relinquishing our claim to
country of such great extent and fertility so favor
ably located for settlement, was justly questioned
by many enlightened and patriotic citizens at the
time of the ratification of the Florida treaty.
Henry Clay when Secretary of State, discovered
Of what vast importancethe acquisition of Texas
would be to the United States and especially TO
the great western valley He made great efforts
to purchase it from Mexico, but failed General
Jackson also made during his administration,
similar efforts to acquire sthe territory, but was
alike unsuccessful. After few years of expert
ment in Mexico, ii was discovered that her people
were incapable of self government; the country
became the theatre Of civil strife and intestine
fcuds; one revolution succeeded another in such
rapid succession that the constitution of 1924 was
soon abrogated. Santa Anna was soon declared
Supreme Dictator of the Republic, and. the pow
ers Of the government, both civil and military.
were concentrated and consolidated in the person
of this military usurper. The people of Texas
revolted upon the overthrow of the federal cons,i
tutiop and resolved no longer 10 wear the yoke of
Mexican bondage They met in convention and
declared their independence, formed a constitution
and government, and declared the Rio Grande
from its mouth TO its source her southern bound
ary, and the Sabine and the United States bound
ary on the east 10 be hers. .......


1t was then that Santa Anna, the blood Thirsty
tyTanL OF hcXlCO, IcSOIVeu upOu lHc
of Texas. He marched with a large mercenary
army to the frontiers of Texas, for the purpose Of
putting to the sword small but gallant band of
patriots who were rallying around the standard of
liberty At Goliad, Conception, and the Alamo,
the Texans were overpowercd by superior num-
bers, and were put TO the most horriI and igno-
minious deaths. The annals of savage barbarity
will hardly furnish parallel for such scenes of
cold booded butchery and slaughter. But sir,
Providence smiled upon the good cause of Texas;
and on the plains Of San Jacinto her liberty
seaIcd-a glorious and victorious battle was fought
between Gen. Houston's army and Santa Annals
on the 2lst of April, 1886, when Santa Anna was
ca ptured and the Mexican army annihilated
Then it was that Santa Anna became beggar
for his life. at the feet of Gen. Houston; and, TO
save his own life and TINT of the remnant OF his
army, he signed treaty acknowledging the IN
dependence of Texas and recognizing the Rio
Grande or the Rio del Norte the boundary.
Texas from that day free and independent
republic; her independence was recognized by
the United States, by France, Eng gland, and E4ol-
land, For eight years Mexico made no effort to
reconquer the country. It is true she made many
and pompous paper manfstoes, containing serious
threats of an invasion, but hostile Mexican foot
dared TO tread upon the soil of Texas.


The resources Of Texas had, however, been
much exhausted and her treasury embarrassed,
by causes arising out of the war. Her people
felt the peculiarly of their position, and wanted
the aid and support of some great power. They
had all their attachments for their native land
their feelings and sympathes were with the Uni
H;,h IlU