I ' I i
180
WRITINGS OF SAM: HOUSTON, 1842
: • ! I ' l I I
t ! :l I I I, . ',, ' ,.,I
i
rules, in their application to the pending difficulties between this Republic and Mexico, your attention is respectfully invited. Whenever a people, separate and sovereign in their political character, are admitted into the great community of nations, they incur responsibilities and contract obligations which are reciprocal in their character, and naturally binding upon all the members of this community, the extent and force of which depend upon that code of ethics which prescribes the reciprocal duties and obligations of each sovereign member. Hence arises the right to control the mode of warfare pursued by one nation toward another, and the corresponding duty of providing against the perpetration of acts at variance with the laws of humanity, and the settled usages of civilized nations. In view of the character of hostilities, at present waged by Mexico against Texas, and of those principles which have been, in the opinion of this government, so frequently and so flagrantly violated by our enemy, the hope is confidently indulged by the President, that the direct interference of nations mutually friendly will be extended to arrest a species of warfare, unbe- coming the age in which we live, and disgraceful to any people professing to be civilized. The course of conduct uniformly observed by the government and people of Texas towards our enemy, stands in palpable con- trast with their manifold enormities and wanton aggression, and will, it is confidently expected, furnish abundant ground for the exercise of the right of interference now invoked. It has been nearly seven years since the Declaration and the establishment of the Independence of this Republic. During the whole of this time, Mexico, although uniformly asserting the ability and determination to re-subjugate the country, h~s never made a formidable effort to do so. Her principal war has con- sisted of silly taunts and idle threats, of braggadocio bulletins and gasconading proclamations. All her boasted threats of in- vasion have resulted in nothing more than fitting out and sending into the most exposed portions of our territory, petty marauding parties for the purpose of pillage and harrassing the weak and isolated settlements on our western border. Since March last, no less than three incursions of that character have been made, none of which have continued longer than eight days. The first party was composed of artillery, infantry, ranch- eros, and Indian warriors, in all about 700. Their attack was made upon the defenceless town of San Antonio. The second,
't ' ii I! I : I I , I
l . i '
I
'i
I. I I,
•
Powered by FlippingBook