nations of the earth, there has been no motive

or wish for this concealment. It has been treated

from the beginning of the present period, as a

measure called for by the common good, extending

it is true the territorial limits of the United

States, but not in the spirit of unworthy ambition

or aggrandizement, or as a disturbing cause

in the general peace of the world, or even the

special interest of Mexico herself. On the

contrary the measure was adopted as one of

peace, necessarily growing out of the physical

features of the Territory of Texas and the character

of her population, and equally important as

one of security to Mexico by removing all

apprehension respecting the future agitation of the

question of boundary.

But it is not the intention of the

undersigned to state at large, on this occasion,

the views taken by his Government of the question

of annexation as one foreign to Texas and

the United States. He adverts to them only for

the purpose of introducing the observations

promised in his note of the 6th inst., and

which relate to the question as now confined

to these two countries.

If Mexico, under a mistaken