conduct, of strictly ahstaining from all interference in the domesli<.: concerns of other states, have nut slopped lo inc1uirc whether the new government has Leen rightfully adopte<l or not. IL has heen sufficient for them that it is in facl the government of the country, in practical operation. There is, however, a marked difference in the instances of an old nation which has altered the form of its .government, and a newly-organized Power which has just sprung into existence. ln the former case, (such, for example, as was that of France,) the nation had existed for ,1gcs as a separate and indepcndc11t community. (t is matter of history; and the recogni- tion of its new Governments was not necessary to denote the existence of the nation; but, with respect lo new Powers, the recognition of their Governments comprehends, first, an acknow- ledgmcnl of their ahility lo exist as independent Stales, and, secondly, the capacity of their particular Governments to perform the duties and f ul fiJ the obligations towards foreign Powers incident to their new condition. Hence, more caution and deliberation are necessary in co11sidcring and determining the question of the acknowledgment of a new Power than that of the new Government of an old Power. The Government of the United Slates has taken no part in the contest which has unhappily existed between Texas and Mexico. It has avowed its intention, and taken measures to maintain a strict neutrality towards the bclligerants. If individual citizens of the United States, impelled by sympathy for those who were believed to he struggling for Jibc:rly and independence against oppression and tyranny, have engaged in the contest, it has been without the authority of their Government. On the contrary, the laws which have been hitherto found necessary or expedient to prevent citizens of the United States from laking part in foreign wars have been directed lo be enrorcccl. Sentiments of sympathy and devotion lo civil liberty, which have always .mimatcd the Pcopl<1 of the United Stales, have prompted the adoption of the resolutions and other manifestations of popular feeling which hav<1 l.11:cn n:ft:rrcd lo the committee, recommending an ack11owle<lgmenl of the indcpcnclcncc of Texas. The com mil kc share fully in all these S<'ntimenls; liul a wise and prudent Government should not ad solely 011 the impulse of feeling, however natural and laudal.ilc it may be. It ought lo avoid all precipitation, und not adopt so grave a measure as that of recognising tlui ind,~p,;ndcrl<.:c of a new Power until it lrns satisfactory information, and has fully ddihcratcd.
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