It seems then that Mexico does not _repel with contumely_, the commissioners sent to make _ample reparation_ for the wrong done her in the department of Texas! The wrong done, _is to be taken for granted_, not to be discussed; the _measure of reparation_ only, is to be debated. It is impossible to conceive of any thing more humiliating and insulting, whether it proceed from design or stupidity. A high minded nation could not brook such arrogance for a moment, and this from a power which admitted herself to be our debtor to the amount of millions which she is unable to pay! It would have been much more in place, for our minister to say, that the payment of that debt ought to precede any demand for _reparation_, on account of the alleged injury from annexation of Texas. I verily believe, that Mexico is the only power in the world to whom we should permit such language. At her instance, we had previously withdrawn our squadron from her coast; and now, forsooth, she condescends to permit us to ask her forgiveness, and make ample reparation for what she pleases to consider the injuries done her in her department of Texas.[9] Footnote 9: The battles afterwards fought, appear to have enlarged the vision of our enemy. No objections in the subsequent attempts at negotiation with Mr. Trist, were alleged against his too ample powers. She was willing to yield California for a consideration, and Texas, with the boundary of the Nuesees, then mentioned for the first time; and provided, slavery was not introduced in the ceded territories, and provided, also, that _religious toleration_ were secured! No one, after this, will deny, that the war has been productive of something to compensate for its horrors. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ LETTER 12. _Struggle between Santa Anna and General Taylor.—The turning point of the War._ MARCH, 1847.