hin a short time, effect a landing and carry the war to
any quarter they pleased.

Must the war be still prosecuted for an object of no intrinsic value, to
which the United States have no legitimate right, which justice requires
them to yield, and which even expediency does not require?

VI.--RECAPITULATION.

It is an indisputable fact, that the annexation of Texas, then at war
with Mexico, was tantamount to a declaration of war, and that the
comparative weakness of Mexico alone prevented its Government from
considering it as such.

Under these circumstances, it was evidently the duty of the United
States to use every means to soothe and conciliate the Mexicans, and to
wait with patience for an unconditional recognition of the independence
of Texas, till the feelings excited by our aggression had subsided.

It has been shown that after Mexico had resorted, as a substitute for
war, to the harmless suspension of the ordinary diplomatic intercourse,
the attempt to make it retract that measure, before any negotiations for
the restoration of harmony between the two countries should be entered
into, was neither countenanced by the acknowledged law of nations, nor
necessary for any useful purpose, nor consistent with a proper and just
sense of the relative position in which the aggressive measure of the
United States had placed the two countries. But that the refusal of
Mexico to submit to that additional contumely, should have been
considered as an insult to the United States, betrays the pride of
power, rather than a just sense of what is due to the true dignity and
honor of this nation.

It has been demonstrated, that the republic of Texas had not a shadow of
right to the territory adjacent to the left bank of the lower portion of
the Rio Norte; that though she claimed, she never had actually exercised
jurisdiction over any portion of it; that the Mexicans were the sole
inhabitants; and in actual possession of that district; that therefore
its forcible occupation by the army of the United States was, according
to the acknowledged law of nations, as well as in fact, an act of open
hostility and war: that the resistance of the Mexicans to that invasion
was legitimate; and that therefore the war was unprovoked by them, and
commenced by the United States.

If any doubt should remain of the correctness of these statements, let
them be tested by the divine and undeniable precept, "Do unto others as
you would be do