with a total disregard of the rights of a neighboring Power, and of those considerations which are, perhaps, due to it from the amicable conduct hitherto observed by it towards the United States. And what is the apparent motive for this precipitate adoption of a measure so serious, so infinitely important? The undersigned can discover no other than an account, entirely destitute of authenticity, of a victory on the part of the Texans, which is now considered decisive. The undersigned has reasons for believing it to have been expressly forged in Texas, perhaps for some determined object, or at least to have been exaggerated with the same intention, to the very confines of the ridiculous. The undersigned, however, goes father, and supposing it even for a moment to be true to the full extent in which it is stated in some of the New Orleans newspapers, that General Santa Ana, from excess of ardor, or from one of those caprices of fortune, should have advanced farther than he ought, and should have been defeated and made prisoner, have General Houston's six hundred men nothing more to do? What has become of the other columns of the Mexican army commanded by Generals Sesma, Urrea, Filisola, &c? It is said that they will also surrender without firing a gun; but is it yet known that they have surrendered? And even if they should so far lose their senses as to yield to enemies who cannot attack them, can a nation of seven millions of inhabitants not find men to oppose General Houston's six hundred men? The undersigned is not ignorant that the friends of Texas have spread the rumor, upon which depends all the hopes of the credulous, that General Santa Ana is ready to make every sacrifice to recover his liberty. The undersigned, however, places too much confidence in the genius and patriotism of General Santa Ana to enter into the discussion of anything so totally absurd. Moreover, if it be believed that the Captain General exercises an influence so irresistible over the destinies of his country, what need is there of so prematurely recognising that which is so soon to take place? The undersigned appreciates too highly the institutions of the American people, and has loo much respect for i:he independence inherent in every representative power, t? pretend to make any remark or complaint respecting what has taken place in the Senate; neither will he attempt to indicate any line of conduct to the Executive of sovereign and independent States. All that he proposes is to call the attention of the President to a
366
Powered by FlippingBook