p A PERS OF .MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAl[AR 115 numerical strength lay with the army of the 1\'Iexican Government, who from the last accounts that were received, were preparing to make fresh efforts to reinforce their arms, and from what already happened the final result of the struggle could not be inferred. With respect to the con<luct of the United States of America in the mutter, although he was aware that individuals in those states had given great assistance to the revolting populahon of Texas, yet the conduct of the_ responsible Government of America was the reverse. If regard were had to the President's message to Congress, it would be found. to contain unequivocal declaration of that Government to take no part in the Mexican civil war, and that in accordance with that declaration orders had been issued to enforce the laws in the pre- vention of individuals mixing themselves up in the matter. He (Lord Palmer) had that opinion of the honor and good faith of the govern- ment of America as not to suppose that they would not act up to that declaration; and he thought fresh circumstances ought to arise before an address should be sent to the Crown on the political branch of the question. (Hear, hear.) · Now with regard to that part of the question which related to the trade in slaves the hon. gentleman opposite had remarked that no cor- respondence had been laid before the House with regard to the progress or dimunition of the slave trade supposed to exist in Texas, while other places were . . . r mutilated]. The fact was so; and the explination he had to offer was, that his :Majesty's Government had no agent in the province of Texas, and they had only lately received information from the British l\Iinister at :Mexico bearing on the illicit trade supposed to be carried on in Texas It would be a great evil, much to be deplored, if the course of the civil war were to lead to an extension or re-estab- lishment of slavery. That was a matter deserving the attention of the House; and if the House supposed that His "Majesty's Government . were either indifferent or unwilling to bestow the most vigilant care to prevent such an evil he should be willing to agree in thinking with the hon. member from Southampton it fitting to admonish the Govern- ment in the manner he proposed; but he (Lord Palmerston) assured the house, the Government required no such stimulus to perform their duty, and he thought that what they were now doing might be ac- cepted as a proof that they were anxious and active in endeavoring to put down the slave trade in every part of the world, and to prevent it springing up in quarters where it did not already exist; but he did not think there wn.s any considerable danger of such an evil being the result of the l\foxican civil war for it wns evident that either Texas must be conquered and yield to Mexican authority or by succeediu~ in its struggle would become nn independent state; or thirdly, ndd itself to the United States of America. Now, if the )[exican authority were re-established, no more encouragement to the slnYe trade would be given in Texas than ot.her Mexican states. Again, if the )fexican authority was thrown off, and the indcpendance of Texas <kclnred, it [would] then be open to this country to interfere nml put down nny trade in slaves that might be curried on. Ln!.tly, if 'P<'xns shoul<l in the progress of events, become II member of the Unitccl ~Hate~ of America, enough ~laves might be ::-ent there from other stntl's, there would be no real dnnger of the importation into 'l'('XHS of slaves from
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