was led to indulge in a vague belief that her manifestations of nationality would be taken for strength and patriotism, and thus enlist foreign intervention. At that time, the relations between the United States and Great Britain were unsettled. The Oregon question was the great source of excitement. Negotiation was of doubtful issue, and war was predicted. Foreign powers had acknowledged the independence of Texas, and her favor was courted both by England and France. If we had war with England, Mexico could follow with some degree of safety in her wake of destruction. Her weakness might be covered by England's strength, and English subjects had solid interests to urge them to such a union. France desired to help Mexico, that she might be able at some future day to help herself, and she opposed the dissolution of the sovereignty of Texas because it would add too much to the power of the United States. Thus were nations at work as elements in determining the affairs of Mexico, as involved with those of Texas. Mexico was one of five independent powers, and she was willing to be the fifth in order of influence, and be subject to the contingent relations of the other four; and to take her chance as to the result. She was made blind to her own resources by expectations as baseless as they proved to be fatal. But, before we compare the acts of the United States and Mexico, let us glance at the RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND TEXAS. That the government of the United States has been actuated by considerations of strict justice and liberality to Mexico, and of integrity to its own great interests, will appear from the simple facts embraced in official documents. We shall endeavor so to classify them as to give the reader a just and connected view of the evidence which they contain. The acts of governments, as well as those of individuals, are determined by motives. We can conceive of no other mode of action, however manifested or combined. In judging, therefore, either of collective or of individual action by a few leading facts, we must, in justice, remember the influences of the thousand little things which indeed make up the atmosphere of the motive world, and oftentimes characterize it, though they cannot be enumerated. We can hope to do but little in representing the motives of either government by selecting a few declarations, though we may aid the reader by our outlines in giving direction to further investigation. The United States and Texas must be regarded as two sovereign nations engaged in a negotiation mutually important, and really in no way threatening the peace or involving the interest of any other nation. The special interest of Mexico in Texas was forfeited nine years before, and that forfeiture was recognized, and the consequent independence acknowledged, by the leading powers of Europe. Notwithstanding this, Mexico assumed the hostile attitude in regard to both in the contingency that they agreed. The contingency of agreement took place, and we commence our documentary account of events which preceded it, and which are necessary to a proper understanding of what followed. It must be borne in mind that Mexico takes a forced position. Any other nation, according to the laws of nations, had the same right as Mexico to protest against annexation, and to threaten war. While the United States proposed to take nothing from Mexico that belonged to her, their government was bound to be faithful in all its engagements with Texas. In literally dissolving her nationality, Texas claimed from the United States that protection which was necessary in view of successful negotiation, provided she was invaded by Mexico. While she was preparing to assume a subordinate position, in a national point of view, as one of the States of this Union, she was discontinuing those means of defence which would be no longer required. In reply to her government on this point, the United States gave ASSURANCE OF PROTECTION TO TEXAS. Mr. Buchanan, Secretary of State, to Mr. Donelson, Chargé d'Affaires of the U. S., in Texas, May 23, 1845. “I am instructed by the president to inform you that, as soon as the existing government and the convention of Texas shall have accepted the terms proposed in the two first sections of the joint resolution for annexing Texas to the United States,' he will then conceive it to be both his right and duty to employ the army in defending that state against the attacks. of any foreign power. This shall be done promptly and efficiently, should any emergency render it necessary. In order to be prepared for such a contingency, a force of three thousand men shall immediately be placed upon the border, prepared to enter Texas and to act without a moment's delay. It would be the most crying injustice towards the people of Texas, for the United States to stand by and refuse to extend a helping hand to sustain them against an invasion brought upon them by their free determination to annex their own glorious Republic to the American Union, in compliance with a solemn resolution of Congress." In conformity with this obligation, orders were given to our army and navy. As these orders were among the first acts of the United States, in granting a military defence to Texas, we give them nearly entire. Mr. Marcy, Secretary of War, to General Z. Taylor, at Fort Jesup, La. "WAR DEPARTMENT, May 28, 1845. "I am directed by the president to cause the forces now under your command, and those which may be assigned to it, to be put into a position where they may most promptly and efficiently act in defence of Texas, in the event it shall become necessary or proper to employ them for that purpose. The information received by the executive of the United States warrants the belief that Texas will shortly accede to the terms of annexation. As soon as the Texan Congress shall have given its consent to annexation, and a convention shall assemble and accept the terms offered in the resolutions of Congress, Texas will then be regarded by the executive government so far a part of the United States as to be entitled from this government to defence and protection from foreign invasion and Indian incursions. The troops under your command will be placed and kept in readiness to perform this duty. "Should the territories of Texas be invaded by a foreign power, and you shall receive certain intelligence through her functionaries of that fact, after her convention shall have acceded to the terms of annexation contained in the resolutions of the Congress of the United States, you will at once employ, in the most effective manner your judgment may dictate, the forces under your command, for the defence of these territories, and to expel the invaders." THE RIO GRANDE DEL NORTE TO BE OCCUPIED BY OUR TROOPS. George Bancroft, acting Secretary of War, to General Taylor. "WAR DEPARTMENT, June 15, 1845. "On the 4th day of July next, or very soon thereafter, the convention of the people of Texas will probably accept the proposition of annexation, under the joint resolutions of the late Congress of the United States. That acceptance will constitute Texas an integral portion of our country. 66 'In anticipation of that event, you will forthwith make a forward movement of the troops under your command, and advance to the mouth of the Sabine, or to such other point on the Gulf of Mexico, or its navigable waters, as in your judg ment may be most convenient for embarkation at the proper time for the western frontier of Texas. "The point of your ultimate destination is the western frontier of Texas, where you will select and occupy, on or near the Rio Grande del Norte, such a site as will consist with the health of the troops, and will be best adapted to repel invasion, and to protect what, in the event of annexation, will be our western border. You will limit youself to the defence of the territory of Texas, unless Mexico should declare war against the United States. "Your movement to the Gulf of Mexico, and your preparations to embark for the western frontier of Texas, are to be made without any delay; but you will not effect a landing on that frontier until you have yourself ascertained the due acceptance of Texas of the proffered terms of annexation, or until you receive directions from Mr. Donelson." U. S. SQUADRON ORDERED TO COOPERATE IN THE DEFENCE OF TEXAS. 66 Mr. Donelson to Captain Stockton, U. S. Navy, Commander U. S. "LEGATION OF THE U. S., } Captain Waggaman arrived here last evening with despatches to the president of this Republic and myself, from General Taylor, who has been ordered, in case Texas is invaded by Mexico, to render the protection asked for by this government. Although these troops will be, as usual, under the command of the regular officers of the United States, they are yet not to act within the limits of Texas without consultation with this government. "It is highly important, therefore, that your squadron should, in like manner, so act as not to alter the general character of the defence which the United States will interpose for Texas. The whole measure of annexation being dependent upon the consent of this government, the employment of our forces within the limits of Texas must be, of course, subordinate to the necessity which will exist for it. "I have no idea that you would otherwise employ the squadron under your command; but, for greater caution, and to have certain evidence in our possession that the action of |