Proceedings of the Senate and Documents Relative to Texas, from which the Injunction of Secrecy Has Been Removed Page: 101 of 119
View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
t01 [ 341 3I
the exposition made by Mr, Adams t.nd othet members of Con,gress oQn. te
3sd-of March last, to the articles in public newspapers, and particularly t
those which appeared in that which, he styles the journal of the Gover
ment: ? He declares that these proofs are aftogether sufficient for hira,
and tihat he has no need to refer to other circumstances which, in hi
opuiion, authorize the same conclusion.
This conclusion is fortified, in the dpinion of the Mexican minister by,
the presumption, which he thinks the circumstances of the case justify,
that the articles of which he complains as obnoxious, and wlhich appea.nd
in the "journal qf the Government," were published with the knowledI
of the undersigned. The Mexican minister may not be aware that in;th
United -States there is no journal of the Government. If he had knhowa
this, he would not probably have thought it necessary to allude to the prtesumed
agency or connivance of' the American Secretary of State in tho
publications.
The undersigned adverts to this part of the Mexican minister's letter
only to show that he has not misuuderstood the Mexican minister in tlhi
particular. He does not complain that the Government of Mexico suspects
that this Government entertains a design to annex Texas to the
Union; but' he thinks that it was due to this Government that inqgciry
should -be made through the proper channels, and in a friendly and ,spectful
spirit, whether this Government really entertained such designs
or not.. Without such previous inquiry, the denunciation of war, as the
consequence of an attempt to carry them into execution, could not but !b
regarded as an unnecessary threat. .These designs were characterized by
the Mexican minister in terms of obloquy as strong as the language of his
country afforded. In the opinion of his Government at least, they ware
highly discreditable to the United States; and yet, professing to be satisfied
with the proofs already before him, and without asking for any explanation,
the Mexican minister, upon a mere suspicion, threatened war,
in the name of his country, as the only adequate mode of resenting so
great an outrage upon her rights. This is atn unnsual course of proceeding,
and one to which the just self-respect of this Government can by 'n
means submit. Whether the suspicions of Mexico were well founded or
not, it was due to this Government that she should not take it for granted!
that the United States meditated an encroachment upon her rights, real or
supposed, great enough to justify so extreme a measure of retaliation as a
declaration of war.
The undersigned:regrets that he is equally unable to perceive, from the
Mexican minister's explanations, that he has been misunderstood in the
second particular specified by him. In his letter of the 3d November, he expresses
the hope, which animates him, "that the circumstances which have
occasioned it (the letter) would disappear, and that the Government of the
honorable Secretary of State would employ, at the proper times, all the,
means in its power to frustrate the project of the annexation-thus saving
its own good name, and displaying prominently the principles-which ought
to characterize a (Government free, enlightened, and just, in its political
transactions." Quoting these words, he now intorms the undersigned that
"n othing more is here manifested than a desire, a hope, (or expectation;"?
.and he further says that, in expressing this hope, he has done no more
than "second the desires of the American people, who wish their country
to be conducted in the path of honor, justice, and reason." Does not the
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Related Items
Other items on this site that are directly related to the current book.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
United States. Congress. Senate. Proceedings of the Senate and Documents Relative to Texas, from which the Injunction of Secrecy Has Been Removed, book, 1844; [Washington]. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2363/m1/101/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .