contain obligations that would operate against her interest, and no prohibitory stipulations, except in relation Lo the slave trade, and that is already provided against by the 9th section of the "general provisions" of the constitution, which declares the importation of Africans or ncgroes, except from the United States of America, to be forever prohibited, and Lo be piracy. The second view as lo her undertakings since she has separated from Mexico, is confined at present exclusively lo liabilities to her citizens, and Government loans made upon the pledge of public faith and the public domain; all of which will no doubt be compiled with if she succeeds in her independence. And the third position is nol applicable to her, because, even admilling it lo be one which could be insisted on by the law of nations, it is explained away by the reasons that prevail in relation lo the fourth inquiry. · Under this aspect, and seeing that the consti Lu lion of the 17th March, 1836, has been finally adopted by the voters al the elections, on the first Monday of this month, and that the present administration is continued, under the provisions of that instru- ment, until the second Monday in December, il may be said that Texas now has in successful operation a civil government capable of performing the duties and fulfilling the obligations of an independent power. The reasons I should urge against the present declaration of this opinion, are these: First-The Mexicans, it is said, are preparing lo invade Texas during the winter, and already there are 4,000 al .Mala· moras. Secondly-The increase of emigrants from the United Stales is continugent, and may be prevented by various causes, some of which have already operated. Thirdly-The ordinance of the 16th March diminishes the quantity of bounty lands to soldiers who shall enter between that time and the 1st of July, and leaves the q uantity for those after that period undefined, and to be determined by Congress. This has lessened the zeal of many already in the service, and has taken away a strong motive for the services of others. Fourthly-Enlistmen Ls are expiring every week, and there may not be one thousand in the main army in one month.
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