ng as slavery shall
continue to exist in North America. Its whole population, with hardly
any exception, consisted of citizens of the United States. Both for that
reason, and on account of its geographical position, it was much more
natural, that Texas should be a member of the United States, than of the
Mexican Confederation. Viewed purely as a question of expediency, the
annexation might be considered as beneficial to both parties. But
expediency is not justice. Mexico and Texas had a perfect right to
adjust their differences and make peace, on any terms they might deem
proper. The anxiety to prevent this result indicated a previous
disposition ultimately to occupy Texas: and when the annexation was
accomplished; when it was seen, that the United States had appropriated
to themselves all the advantages resulting from the American settlements
in Texas, and from their subsequent insurrection; the purity of the
motives of our Government became open to suspicion.

Setting aside the justice of the proceeding, it is true that it had been
anticipated, by those who took an active part in the annexation, that
the weakness of Mexico would compel it to yield, or at least induce her
not to resort to actual war. This was verified by the fact: and had
Government remained in the hands with whom the plan originated, war
might probably have been avoided. But when no longer in power, they
could neither regulate the impulse they had given, nor control the
reckless spirits they had evoked.

Mexico, sensible of her weakness, declined war, and only resorted to a
suspension of diplomatic intercourse; but a profound sense of the injury
inflicted by the United States has ever since rankled in their minds. It
will be found, through all their diplomatic correspondence, through all
their manifestoes, that the Mexicans, even to this day, perpetually
recur to this never-forgotten offensive measure. And, on the other hand,
the subsequent administration of our Government seems to have altogether
forgotten this primary act of injustice, and, in their negotiations, to
have acted as if this was only an accomplished fact, and had been a
matter of course.

IV.--NEGOTIATIONS AND WAR.

In September, 1845, the President of the United States directed their
consul at Mexico to ascertain from the Mexican Government, whether it
would receive an _Envoy_ from the United States, intrusted with full
power to adjust all the questions in dispute between t