at the time engaged in war, by that very act becomes herself a belligerent. But annexation was an alliance, in the strongest sense, both offensive and defensive. So sensible was the Administration of this fact, that, as we shall see here- after, a land and naval force was prepared to defend Texas against the meditated assault of Mexico. If after the commencement of hostilities between Mexico and the United States, England or France had accepted a cession of California from Mexico, the acceptance itself would have been tantamount to a declaration of war against this country. Had a fleet and army been sent from Europe to protect Mexico from our invasion, would the fact that Mexico was an independent nation have satisfied us that we had no cause for complaint at such an interference ? By the laws of nations, annexation was an act of war against Mexico.
Eight years before this event, the Rev. Dr. Channing, of Boston, in a publication against the scheme which he well knew was entertained by the Administration—of adding Texas to the Union—uttered the following fearful prediction, which has now for the most part become his- tory :—" By this act (annexation) our country will enter on a career of encroachment and crime, and will merit the pun- ishment and woe of acfOTavated wroni^-doinor. The seizure of Texas will not stand alone. It will be linked, by an iron necessity, to long-continued deeds of rapine and BLOOD. Ages may not see the catastrophy of the tragedy the first scene of which we are so ready to enact. Texas is a country conquered by our citizens, and the annexation of it to our Union will be but the beginning of conquests, which, unless arrested and beaten back by Providence, wiU stop only at the Isthmus of Darien. Henceforth we must cease to cry—Peace, peace. Our Eagle will whet, not gorge, his appetite on his first \dctim, and will snuflf a more tempting quarry, more alluring blood, in every new region which opens southivard.'* CHAPTER XVII.