PAPEns OF MrnAllEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR 113 power and right of interference in suppressing it. But, supposing the independence of Texas to be established; and that it united itself to the United States, let the house consider what considerable commercial advantages the latter would gain over this country. By that junction, the United States would be brought within six weeks sail of China.- Neither ought the importance of the possessions of the mining districts by America to be lost sight of by this country. Those mines were of immense value-one alone having produced 30,000,000 dollars. Unless l\lexico was assisted as she ought to be this country, she would be so weakened as soon to become an easv victim to the United States of America. The motion with which he intended . [mutilated] was, for an address to the Crown to take such measures as were proper for the fulfilment of the existing treaty, by which this country was bound to co-operate with Mexico.- He was of opinion that England ought not only to remonstrate with America, but to have a naval force on the coast to support l\lexico against American aggressions. The Hon. member concluded by moving "That an humble address be presented to the Crown, praying that his Majesty will be graciously pleased to direct that such measures be taken as to his :Majesty may seem proper, to secure the fulfilment of the existing treaty between this country and l\Iexico_. and to prevent the establishment of slavery and traffic in slaves; in the province of Texas, in the :Mexican territory." l\Ir. I-I. 0. Ward seconded the amendment, which involved a sub- ject upon which he had been long and was deeply interested. The importance of the province of Texas was but little known in this house or by the country. The province itself consisted of a large tract of the finest land, it had numerous good and only two bad ports, and the possession of it would give to the parties obtaining it the full command of the whole gulf of Mexico. The :Mexican government on its first intercourse with this country, an intercourse of increased and still increasing commercial importance to this country, had stipulated for the abolition in its territory of the slave trade, and he (Mr. Ward) could state that this stipulation had been most rigidly enforced and observed, and he did not believe that there were now in the :Mexican states, except Texas, 20 slaves. To Texas the United States had long turned covetous eyes, and to obtain possession of that province had been the first object of its policy. During his residence in Mexico, America contrived to have a proposal made to the l\Iexican govern- ment, offering 10,000,000 dollars for certain privileges in Texas, and that proposition having been refused, America. then proceeded to en- courage the settlement of Texas of the refuge of her own southern states, who took pos~ession of the land without title, or pretension to any title, and thus drew into a population exclusively slaYe and Amer- ican. A declaration of independence next followed: The declaration issued from men recognizing no law, and signed by only one .i\frxiean, the President of the Province, a man of talent, it was true, but he had <1ealt most largely in Texas lands, and sought his own a<h-antage. He was supposed to have formed connexion with some influent.in! men of the American cabinet, and amongst them with )Ir. Forsyth. \\"hat then had foHowed? America having created a population in 'l'exai- in the way he had stated and having gi,·en to it <n-ery possible assisbmce, a committee of foreign relations in the Senate, enme in with a rrport
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