the Government to prevent it.  Nor would the numerous and formidable bands of Indians—­the most warlike to be found in any land—­which occupy the extensive regions contiguous to the States of Arkansas and Missouri, and who are in possession of large tracts of country within the limits of Texas, be likely to remain passive.  The inclinations of those numerous tribes lead them invariably to war whenever pretexts exist.

Mexico had no just ground of displeasure against this Government or people for negotiating the treaty.  What interest of hers was affected by the treaty?  She was despoiled of nothing, since Texas was forever lost to her.  The independence of Texas was recognized by several of the leading powers of the earth.  She was free to treat, free to adopt her own line of policy, free to take the course which she believed was best calculated to secure her happiness.

Her Government and people decided on annexation to the United States, and the Executive saw in the acquisition of such a territory the means of advancing their permanent happiness and glory.  What principle of good faith, then, was violated?  What rule of political morals trampled under foot?  So far as Mexico herself was concerned, the measure should have been regarded by her as highly beneficial.  Her inability to reconquer Texas had been exhibited, I repeat, by eight (now nine) years of fruitless and ruinous contest.  In the meantime Texas has been growing in population and resources.  Emigration has flowed into her territory from all parts of the world in a current which continues to increase in strength.  Mexico requires a permanent boundary between that young Republic and herself.  Texas at no distant day, if she continues separate and detached from the United States, will inevitably seek to consolidate her strength by adding to her domain the contiguous Provinces of Mexico.  The spirit of revolt from the control of the central Government has heretofore manifested itself in some of those Provinces, and it is fair to infer that they would be inclined to take the first favorable opportunity to proclaim their independence and to form close alliances with Texas.  The war would thus be endless, or if cessations of hostilities should occur they would only endure for a season.  The interests of Mexico, therefore, could in nothing be better consulted than in a peace with her neighbors which would result in the establishment of a permanent boundary.  Upon the ratification of the treaty the Executive was prepared to treat with her on the most liberal basis.  Hence the boundaries of Texas were left undefined by the treaty.  The Executive proposed to settle these upon terms that all the world should have pronounced just and reasonable.  No negotiation upon that point could have been undertaken between the United States and Mexico in advance of the ratification of the treaty.  We should have had no right, no power, no authority, to have conducted such a negotiation,