Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/333

 results as far as may be compatible with the relations subsisting between Great Britain and Mexico, in complete accordance with the assurances wbich have been given. Nor has the Executive any distrust that all the professions on the part of Her Britannic Majesty will not be efficiently fulfilled.

In the month of June last, a dispatch from the Chargé d'Affaires of Great Britain near this Government announced the willingness of Mexico to proclaim an armistice, and suspend all hostile action in case the same policy should be adopted by ihis Government. Under these circumstances, the Executive did not hesitate to meet the proposition and embrace the policy indicated. He accordingly issued his proclamation declaring the establishment of the armistice; and commissioners were subsequently appointed, and dispatched to the point designated for the purpose of arranging with the Mexican commissioners the terms of the armistice preliminary to further negotiations for peace at the capital. Since their departure the Executive has received no important intelligence from them, but confidently expects, during the present session of the honorable Congress, to be able to lay before them some account of the progress of the mission. He is satisfied that nothing will be wanting on the part of the gentlemen chosen for that service to forward an object for which their patriotism and qualifications seemed to point them out. The Executive has no disinclination to an honorable peace; and he hopes that Mexico, like Texas, will be disposed to put an end to a protracted war, the further continuance of which can only prove detrimental to both. As far as a frank, sincere, and upright policy will go in the attainment of an honorable and permanent peace, it shall not be wanting on the part of the Executive, whatever might be the advantages anticipated from a continuance of the contest with the increased population and resources of this country. That Mexico will evince the same disposition, and avert the evils of war by a mild and pacific policy is, I am quite sure, desired by the mutual friends of the two countries. If peace can once be established, the commercial intercourse of the people of both could not fail to create that state of feeling which would soon obliterate the recollection of past conflicts, and cement the two nations together by all the ties of the most agreeable understanding.

A further prosecution of the war could have no other effect than to insure the destruction of human life, the consumption of resources of both parties, and the demoralization of their national character. The wisdom and policy of the statesmen of the present day are repugnant to war and bloodshed. In this respect the social and political feelings of civilized nations seem to have undergone a revolution. Governments that heretofore sought to increase by every means the number of their triumphs, and embodied their national glory in the number of their victories, are now yielding to the policy and dictates of peace; by which intelligence is advanced, national wealth increased, and the moral tone of society improved.

Immediately upon the receipt of authentic intelligence of the capture of our men at Meir, the Government adopted such measures as it was hoped would preserve their lives and restore them to liberty. Letters weie addressed to the friendly powers upon this subject, soliciting their prompt and efficient interposition. But, although remonstrances were made by the British and American ministers at Mexico, and although the greatest expedition was used, their interposition did not prevail until some of our brave men had been consigned to destruction. The fact that individuals associated with Gen. Somervell's