as a sovereign power by several of the principal civilized states.  Mexico, nevertheless, perseveres in her plans of reconquest, and refuses to recognize her independence.  The predatory incursions to which I have alluded have been attended in one instance with the breaking up of the courts of justice, by the seizing upon the persons of the judges, jury, and officers of the court and dragging them along with unarmed, and therefore noncombatant, citizens into a cruel and oppressive bondage, thus leaving crime to go unpunished and immorality to pass unreproved.  A border warfare is evermore to be deprecated, and over such a war as has existed for so many years between these two States humanity has had great cause to lament.  Nor is such a condition of things to be deplored only because of the individual suffering attendant upon it.  The effects are far more extensive.  The Creator of the Universe has given man the earth for his resting place and its fruits for his subsistence.  Whatever, therefore, shall make the first or any part of it a scene of desolation affects injuriously his heritage and may be regarded as a general calamity.  Wars may sometimes be necessary, but all nations have a common interest in bringing them speedily to a close.  The United States have an immediate interest in seeing an end put to the state of hostilities existing between Mexico and Texas.  They are our neighbors, of the same continent, with whom we are not only desirous of cultivating the relations of amity, but of the most extended commercial intercourse, and to practice all the rites of a neighborhood hospitality.  Our own interests are involved in the matter, since, however neutral may be our course of policy, we can not hope to escape the effects of a spirit of jealousy on the part of both of the powers.  Nor can this Government be indifferent to the fact that a warfare such as is waged between those two nations is calculated to weaken both powers and finally to render them—­and especially the weaker of the two—­the subjects of interference on the part of stronger and more powerful nations, who, intent only on advancing their own peculiar views, may sooner or later attempt to bring about a compliance with terms as the condition of their interposition alike derogatory to the nation granting them and detrimental to the interests of the United States.  We could not be expected quietly to permit any such interference to our disadvantage.  Considering that Texas is separated from the United States by a mere geographical line; that her territory, in the opinion of many, down to a late period formed a portion of the territory of the United States; that it is homogeneous in its population and pursuits with the adjoining States, makes contributions to the commerce of the world in the same articles with them, and that most of her inhabitants have been citizens of the United States, speak the same language, and live under similar political institutions with ourselves, this Government is bound