her right to do this is unquestionable.  In doing so she gives no cause of umbrage to any other power; her people desire it, and there is no slavish transfer of her sovereignty and independence.  She has for eight years maintained her independence against all efforts to subdue her.  She has been recognized as independent by many of the most prominent of the family of nations, and that recognition, so far as they are concerned, places her in a position, without giving any just cause of umbrage to them, to surrender her sovereignty at her own will and pleasure.  The United States, actuated evermore by a spirit of justice, has desired by the stipulations of the treaty to render justice to all.  They have made provision for the payment of the public debt of Texas.  We look to her ample and fertile domain as the certain means of accomplishing this; but this is a matter between the United States and Texas, and with which other Governments have nothing to do.  Our right to receive the rich grant tendered by Texas is perfect, and this Government should not, having due respect either to its own honor or its own interests, permit its course of policy to be interrupted by the interference of other powers, even if such interference were threatened.  The question is one purely American.  In the acquisition, while we abstain most carefully from all that could interrupt the public peace, we claim the right to exercise a due regard to our own.  This Government can not consistently with its honor permit any such interference.  With equal, if not greater, propriety might the United States demand of other governments to surrender their numerous and valuable acquisitions made in past time at numberless places on the surface of the globe, whereby they have added to their power and enlarged their resources.

To Mexico the Executive is disposed to pursue a course conciliatory in its character and at the same time to render her the most ample justice by conventions and stipulations not inconsistent with the rights and dignity of the Government.  It is actuated by no spirit of unjust aggrandizement, but looks only to its own security.  It has made known to Mexico at several periods its extreme anxiety to witness the termination of hostilities between that country and Texas.  Its wishes, however, have been entirely disregarded.  It has ever been ready to urge an adjustment of the dispute upon terms mutually advantageous to both.  It will be ready at all times to hear and discuss any claims Mexico may think she has on the justice of the United States and to adjust any that may be deemed to be so on the most liberal terms.  There is no desire on the part of the Executive to wound her pride or affect injuriously her interest, but at the same time it can not compromit by any delay in its action the essential interests of the United States.  Mexico has no right to ask or expect this of us; we deal rightfully with Texas as an independent power.  The war which has been waged for eight