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60 THE WAR ]
new expedition which was preparing, the independence
of Texas ought to be considered as in a state of
suspense. But why should the undersigned weary
any longer the Honorable Secretary by making him
an exposition of the contents of that official paper
with which he must be so familiar, and which besides
he has at hand in the archives of his office ? It will
suffice to remind him. that the President, General
Jackson, was of opinion at that date, that prudence
dictated to the United States to await the resultreserving
the attitude kept till then-if not till
Mexico or one of the great foreign powers should
acknowledge the new government, at least till the
process of time, or the course of events may have
proved beyond a doubt. that the inhabitants of that
country are able to maintain their sovereignty, and
aupport'the government established by themselves.
Now, what posterior events have occurred so
powerful as to have obliged the government of the
United States to give up the line of circumspect and
'just conduct, which it had prescribed to itself? The
Mexican government is not aware of them. What
guarantees are now offered by the Texans, which
may be conformable to the message before cited, and
so evident as to have given reason for their acknowledgment
against the considerations due to a friendly
mnd neighboring republic, and the compromises which
bind the United States to her? None, certainly.
The Mexican Government deems that of the United
States too just to suppose that ignoble views and
purposes of aggrandizement can have induced it to
take the premature step alluded to: but as it is an
unquestionable fact that this step has been taken,
since it has been announced in an official Journal of
the United States-the Bee of New Orleans -the
undersigned has received an express order from H.
E. the President, ad interim, of the Mexican republic,
to protest, as he does in effect protest in the most
solemn manner before all civilized nations, against
the acknowledgment of the independence of the pretended
republic of Texas, made by the United
States of America, declaring that this acknowledgment
cannot in any way whatever, neither now, nor
at any future time, weaken, diminish, or invalidate,
in the least degree the rights of the Mexican republic
to the territory of Texas, as well as those which
it unquestionably has to employ all the means that
are, or may be, in her power to recover it.
The undersigned begs the Hon. Secretary of Foreign
Relations, of the United States, to be pleased
to communicate the contents of this note and protest
to H. E. the President of the United States; and he
avails himself of this opportunity to tender him his
respect and distinguished consideration.
JOSE MARIA ORTIZ MONIASTERIO."
The Mexicans having arranged their political
matters, and elected a new, President, were
preparing to proceed against the insurgents in
Texas again. The Government fitted out a
fleet, to blockade the Texas ports. and it is generally knnwn what
course has since been pursued by the U. S.
naval forces in ibe Gull of Mexico.
1" MESSAGE
Of the President to the Senate upon Mexican
Affairs.
At the beginning of this session, Congress was informed
that our claims upon Mexico had not been
adjusted, but that notu ithstanding the irritating effect
upon her councils ot the movement in Texas, I
hoped by great forbearance to avoid the necessity of
again bringing the subject of them to your notice.
That hope has been disappointed. Having in vain
urged upon that Government the justice of those
clains, and my indispensable obligation that there
should be ' no further delay in the acknowledgment,
if not in the redress, of the injuries complaired of,'
my duty requires that the whole subject should be
presented, and now is for the action of Congress,
whose exclusive right it is to decide on the further
measures of redress to be employed. The length of
time since some of the injuries have been comniitted,
the repeated and unavailing applications for redress,
the wanton character of some of the outrages upon
the property and persons of our citizens, upon the
flag of the United States, independent of recent insults
to this Government and people by the late
Extraordinary Minister, would justify, in the eyes
of all nations, immediate war. That remedy, however,
should not be used byjust and generous nations
confiding in their strength for injuries committed, if it
can be honorably avoided; and it has occurred to me,
that considering the present embarrassed condition of
that countiy, we should act both with wisdom and
moderation, by giving to Mexico one more opportunity
to atone for the past, before we take redress into
our own hands. To avoid all misconception on the
part of Mexico, as well as to protect our national
character from reproach, this opportunity should be
given with the avowed design and full preparation to
make immediate satisfaction, if it should not be obtained
on a repetition of the demand for it. To this
end, I recommend that an act be passed, authorizing
reprisals, and the use of the naval tfore of the United
States by the Executive against Mexico, to enforce
them, in the event of a refusal by the Mexican Government,
to come to an amicable adjustment of the
matters in controversy between us, uplon another
demand thereof made from on board one of our vessels
of war on the coast of Mexico. The Documents
herewith transmitted, with others sent to the House
of Representatives heretofore, will enable Congress
to judge of the propriety of the course pursued, and
to decide upon the necessity of that now recommended.
If
these views should fail to meet the concurrence
of Congress, and that body be able to find in the con.
dition of the affairs between the two countries, as
disclosed by the accompanying documents, with those
referred to, any well grounded reasons to hope that
an adjustment of the controversy between them, can
be effected without a resort to the measures I have
felt it my duty to recommend, they may be assured
of my co-operation in any other course that shall be
deemed honorable and proper.
ANDREW JACKSON.
Waslhington, Feb. 6, 1837."
Although tle Legislative branch of the government
withheld its sanction of this Executive
proposition to grant reprisals, still a squadron
was immediately ordert d to the Mexican coast
and the capture of sundry vessels-among