REVIEW

OF

THE MEXICAN WAR,

CHAPTER I.

け

INTRODUCTION. Annexation of Texas. The occasion of the War. In fluences which led to annexation. Geographical Unity. Political sympathy. Desire of the South to increase her weight in the Union. Fear of British encroachment. Supposed military advantages of Texas. The resolution of Congress.

THE war with Mexico has become matter of history. The excitement inseparable from contention, which few minds are able to resist, has passed away; and calm reflection comes, as is too usual in human affairs, after the action which it should have preceded.

We intend in the following pages to present a review of this war, in which it shall be our aim to state historical facts with accuracy, and to examine them by the principles of christianity and an enlightened statesmanship. We shall take a full survey of the causes which led to

this contest, and point out the means which should have been adopted by our government to prevent it. We shall examine its objects, as well as its benefits and evils, both immediate and remote, and shall endeavor to explain the human agencies which may be employed to hasten the time when nations shall learn war no more. And may the minds of our countrymen be so seriously led to the consideration of this event, that its history shall be an instruction and a warning to us and to our children forever.

The annexation of Texas to the United States must be regarded as the primary occasion of the war, since had that measure not been adopted the circumstances out of which the war arose could never have existed. Viewing it in this light, we shall, before proceeding to those events which were the more immediate causes of the contest, devote a few pages to its examination.

The influences which led to annexation were numerous and varied. The impression had become general among our citizens that the United States, by the treaty of 1819, surrendered to Spain a part of the western valley of the Mississippi, and a strong desire existed to recover it. This desire arose in part from the

fact that the country was contiguous to our own, and was separated from us by no natural boundary, as well as from its commercial advantages, the mildness of its climate, and the fertility of its soil. It originated partly, also, in an ambition for the undivided ownership of that vast region whose waters uniting in the Mississippi declare its geographical unity. The inhabitants of Texas were mostly emigrants from the United States.

There appeared, also, other considerations, some of a general, others of a sectional nature, by which the country was then strongly agitated, and the effect of which, undoubtedly, was to hasten annexation. The southern states generally advocated the immediate adoption of the measure for two reasons. The slaveholding and planting interest was in the minority in congress. The admission of two new northern states was anticipated, and the acquisition of Texas would tend to equalize northern and southern representation, especially in the senate. They insisted, moreover, and at the time it was generally believed, that it was the design of England to procure the abolition of slavery in Texas, and that object effected, to undermine the institution in this country. It

was declared, that with them the question of annexation was one of self-preservation. The ultimate design of Great Britain many apprehended to be no less than to establish her own authority in Texas, or at least to form an alliance offensive and defensive with that state; and it was urged, that were the union again refused, a wide door would be opened for her success; that not only might we loose Texas forever, but California and the future commerce of the Pacific, which that power was thought to aim at, might fall into her possession.

It was still further contended that the immediate possession of Texas was necessary to our future national safety; that it would constitute a bulwark against foreign invasion; and that if refused now, when offered to our acceptance, it might be desired by us in vain in an hour of emergency.

The effect of these arguments on the popular mind was doubtless heightened by the very uncertainty in which they were wrapped, and the apparent urgency perhaps caused many objections to the measure to be lightly considered which under ordinary circumstances might for the time have caused its rejection.

In February, 1845, congress by joint resolution consented "that the territory properly included within and rightfully belonging to the republic of Texas be erected into a state" on certain conditions, one of which was, that it should be "subject to the adjustment by this government of all questions of boundary that may arise with other governments." The terms of annexation having been accepted by Texas, congress in December following declared, "that the state of Texas shall be one, and is hereby declared to be one of the United States of America."