** Nothing is either more true or more extensively known, than that Texas was wrested from Mexico, and her in- dependence established through the instrumentality of citizens of the Unitad States." * To a second remonstrance from the Mexican Minister against the aid so openly and scandalously afforded by American citizens to the Texans, Mr. Forsyth returned, 29th January, 1836, the following most extraordinaiy reply : " No sooner was it apparent that the dispute between Texas and the doininant partij m the other Mexi- can States would be carried to extremities, and indications observed of a design in some of the citizens of the United States to take a part in the struggle, all the measures in his 2)ower were adopted by the President to prevent any interference that could by possibility involve the United States in the dispute, or give just occasion for suspicions of an unfriendly design on the part of the Government to intermeddle in the domestic quarrel of a neighboring . State."
Six days before these solemn and official assurances were given, a course of measures had been commenced * Printed Letter to Mr. Hammet, 20th April, 1844.
by the President which exhibits the veiy peculiar view he was pleased to take of neutral obligations.
On the 23rd Januar}^ General Gaines was directed to take a position near the western frontier of the State of Louisiana, to prevent the contending parties from entering into the United States' territory ! He was reminded that, by treaty with Mexico, each power is required to prevent by force " all hostilities and incursions on the part of Indian nations within their respective boundaries."