It has been said, that the annexation of Texas by us was virtual war, that is, equivalent to an express declaration. If so, it was in consequence of the declaration of Mexico, that she would so consider it, but not as in its very nature precluding negotiation. On the contrary, the administration has been blamed for not negotiating, and that too, _whether Mexico would or not_. No—the act of war, was in closing the door to peaceful settlement, by means of plenipotentiaries, authorized to adjust not a single isolated question, _but all matters in dispute_. A minister, clothed with full powers, was sent by us to Mexico after the hasty and inconsiderate step taken by her, a piece of condescension, which can only be ascribed to an extreme desire on our part to preserve peace. Our plenipotentiary was not received, and for what reason? Was it because he was not accredited, or not clothed with sufficient power to adjust _all_ existing differences, the only grounds which could be fairly assigned? No—the objection was, that these powers were _too full_, instead of being confined to one topic, the annexation of Texas. He was told, that a commissioner with powers to settle that single question, would be received, but without power to discuss any other, and consequently, without power to discuss even that, which was necessarily complicated with others. The representative, of course, could not divest himself of his powers—he went not only to do justice to Mexico, but demand justice of her. But, this is but a very imperfect view of the case. The willingness to receive _a commissioner_, went on the assumption, that we were in the wrong in the question of annexation, notwithstanding the ground taken by Mr. Webster, as Secretary of State, in his letter to Bocanega. Let us look at the letter of Pena y Pena, of the 15th October, 1845: “In answer, I have to say to you, that although the Mexican nation is _deeply injured_ by the United States, through the acts _committed by them in the department of Texas_, which belongs to this nation, my government is disposed to receive the commissioner _to settle the present dispute_, in a peaceful, reasonable, and honorable manner, thus giving a new proof, that even in the midst of its injuries, and of its firm decision to _exact adequate reparation_ for them, it does not _repel_ with _contumely_, the measure of reason and peace to which it is uninvited by its adversary.”