measures would ensue that appeal; for I was sensible the "exasperation" was too high for the voice of reason, or the appeals of patriotism lo allay. But I was resolved that those who had assumed the responsibility of infracting the treaty, should be without the excuse of ignorance in doing so. I accordingly drew up the following address, which was conveyed to the head quarters of the army, by Col. J. A. Wharton, whose conducl throughout the late excitement, had been marked by a bold, manly and enlightened and independence....
David G. Burnet [September 27, 1836]
[4253)
[GOROSTIZA to FORSYTH]
Legation Extraordinary of Mexico, Washington, September 27, 1836. Sir: I have again read the statement of our conference of the 23d instant, which you, Mr. Secretary of State, have drawn up for the Presidenl, and have found it substantially correct. I Lhink, however, it will be necessary, in order to avoid any misunderstanding hereafter, it have it explained that I agreed with you at the time on the prinicple that neither the Mexican Government nor any of its officers, by it order, could ever employ the uncivilized (savages) Indians in the conlest in Texas, without jeopardizing, to a certain extent, the security of the frontier of the United States, and the lives·and properly of its inhabitants; that hence, if at any time such a thing were done, (which appeared to me impossible,) and the Indians, at the,instigalion of the Mexican Government or agents, came to invade or commit hostilities against the territory of Lhe United States, in such supposed case, I agreed with you, that Mexico would have failed in the duty imposed on her by the 33d article of the existing treaty, and would have, moreover, violated the most obvious principles of the law of nations; hence, also, I considered that, in such a case, and in such a case only, would the United States be justified, after haveing repulsed the Indians, in occupying temporarily with their troops a position in Mexican lerritory, as a means of security from a similar immediate aggression, until Mexico should have satisfied them respecting what had occurred, and have given them sufficient
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