their own undoing. What could be accomplished by the most successful general, or the most accomplished orator in this enlightened land? The very fact of our boundaries being so widely extended is a shield against all such dangers. One portion of the confederacy may be agitated, and aroused to such a pitch of frenzy as almost to result in revolution, as was the case with the small State of Rhode Island, while other and more distant parts of the Union maintain a coolness calculated to produce the best results.

In the very extension of our boundaries is the surest protection against convulsions within, and hostile legions from without. This country, for years to come, will be the great point of attraction to foreigners. Each year witnesses the arrival of thousands. If, as some' suppose, danger may be apprehended from this vast influx of foreigners, how much the danger is lessened by mingling them with our own citizens, and diffusing them over our widely extended domain.

There is something so just and equitable in the constitution and laws of the United States, that no one can have cause for dissatisfaction. The foreigner who voluntarily comes to our shores, and the Mexican, who, without his consent, is "annexed" to this country, at once feel the influences which surround them so unusual, and the privileges conferred so grateful to their feelings, that they are at once and for ever bound to their new home by the strongest ties of gratitude and love. And that man who was born an American, would be doubly

dyed a traitor, who could raise his voice in other than words of affection for his native land.

Let the boundaries of the Union, then, be extended; let contiguous territory be incorporated with our own; let all the keys to our rivers and harbors be secured; let the model republic increase in greatness until its political, moral, and physical power, shall be felt and acknowledged throughout the civilized world.

CHAPTER VI.

American Consul at Mexico directed to open negotiations.-The Mexicans agree to receive a commissioner.-Mr. Slidell appointed Minister Plenipotentiary. The Mexicans refuse to receive him in that character. Causes of rupture which had long existed.—The Mexicans raise troops. -Herrera forced to resign in favor of General Paredes.-Orders issued to the Mexican commanders upon the frontiers to attack the Americans.Course pursued by the opposition members of Congress.-Assault upon the foreign policy of Mr. Polk.

THE annexation of Texas having been solemnly agreed upon by treaty, the indignation of the Mexican authorities was completely aroused. On the 12th of July, 1845, orders were issued from the office of war and marine, for the troops to be in readiness to march towards any point which required protection, against what was regarded as unjust aggressions.* There could be no pretence for taking this step, as General Taylor had not at that time taken up his position at Corpus Christi. Although Mexico had abruptly terminated all diplomatic intercourse between the two countries, and had hurled defiance at the American Executive, Mr. Polk was unwilling to take up the glove thus rudely cast at his feet. In September, 1845, the consul of the United States at the city of Mexico,

*See orders of Garcia Conde, Office of War and Marine, Mexico, July 12th, 1845.”

was instructed by the Secretary of State to propose a resumption of diplomatic intercourse. This was done by Mr. Black on the 13th of October, 1845, in a letter to Mr. Peña Y Peña.* This note was responded to on the 15th of October, 1845, by the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs, who agreed to receive a commissioner from the United States, who might come with full power "to settle the present dispute in a peaceful, reasonable and honorable manner." Upon the condition, however, that the whole naval force then lying in sight of the port of Vera Cruz should be recalled. Upon the reception of that note at Washington, our naval force was promptly withdrawn. Mr. Slidell was immediately appointed Minister to Mexico, with full power to adjust all the questions in dispute. On the 8th of December, 1845, he addressed a note to Mr. Peña Y Peña, advising him of his arrival and the object of his mission. The Mexican authorities refused to receive him. The government of General Herrera, then President of Mexico, was upon the point of being overturned by General Paredes, and the basis of this revolution was the determination of Herrera to open negotiations. As a last des

* See note of Mr. Black, the American Consul, to Mr. Peña Y Peña, the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Letter of Mr. Peña Y Peña to Mr. Black, Oct. 15th, 1845.

"We now turn a glance to Mexico, where will be found established the government of General Paredes. As one of the motives by which the revolutionists supported their pronunciamento, was that the administration of Herrera did not desire to carry on this war, the new government was bound to do so at any cost."-Mexican History of the War with Mexico, p. 38.

perate expedient to maintain his position, Herrera determined to break off all negotiations with the United States, and the pretext for that course was the fact, that Mr. Slidell was commissioned with full power to adjust all questions in dispute between the two countries, instead of being appointed a special commissioner to settle the question of annexation alone, leaving all the outrages upon our flag and our people unadjusted.*

This will be the proper time to examine the grounds of complaint which the United States had against Mexico, for many years previous to the annexation of Texas.

The Mexicans had scarcely achieved their independence of Spain, when the United States welcomed them into the sisterhood of nations. The only return was a system of insult and aggression. Our seamen under the flag of the Union, engaged

* "Thus began anew the negotiations in December, 1845, and the minister, Mr. John Slidell, presented himself in Mexico. But immediately this difficulty arose, that his Government desired him to be received as a minister plenipotentiary, ordinary or general, and ours would only admit him as a commissioner ad hoc for the question of Texas. The settled opinion of the Government Council of the 16th of December of that year, made known with clearness the difference between the two characters. By admitting Mr. Slidell as a common envoy it resulted, that, at the time of arranging the questions of Texas, he might occupy himself with other subjects proper for a plenipotentiary who exercised his functions near a government with which there were only peaceful relations. By admitting Mr. Slidell as he wished, it resulted also, that, without Mexico receiving the satisfaction due her, diplomatic negotiations would become re-established between both powers; that the business of annexation would be complicated with the pecuniary reclamations; that Mexico would withdraw her hand from making war, and the United States would follow up all the consequent advantages to her commerce and interests.”—Ibid. p. 28.