Virginia Free Press

FRANCE, MEXICO, AND TEXAS.

The blockade of the coast of Mexico by France, which continues with unabated determination and rigor, has been the subject of a good deal of discussion in the journals of the United States, the commerce of both countries being seriously vexed by it, but especially that of the United States. We have contented ourselves so far with publishing the discussions of others, and have been especially careful to give whatever has been adduced by the French Government, through its official press, in vindication of the blockade. But if we have not engaged in this discussion, it is not that we have been inattentive either to the novelty and importance of the questions of public law which it involves, or to the possible extent of its consequences. We entertained a confident hope moreover, that the two Governments between whom the dispute exists would have come to some terms of accommodation. That hope had, however, gradually faded away, until scarcely the shadow of it remained: and even that has vanished since the appearance of the apparently authorized exposition of the views of the French Government which we published a few days ago.—

The complete subjection of Mexico to the demands of France appears to be the lowest price at which the latter will withdraw its forces from the shores of the former.

In this state of affairs, our attention has been just attracted by a paragraph in Le Courier des Etats Unis (a paper devoted to the national interests of France) of Saturday last, which, whilst it seems to indicate far-reached designs on the part of the French Government apparently affords a key to the recent official annunciation of the withdrawal by the Government of Texas of its proposition of annexation to the United States. There is at least a remarkable coincidence of time and circumstance in the two indications. It is no part of our purpose to enter at this moment into a commentary upon the projects and designs hinted at in the paragraph to which we refer. We wish only to ask for it the earnest attention of our readers with which we now translate it as follows:—Nat. Int.

From the Courier des Etats Unis of Oct. 30.

"Decidedly, Texas no longer wishes to be incorporated with the United States who, on their side, have never seriously cared about it. This annexation may well for a time have entered into the views of certain Texian statesmen while the Mexican pretensions were yet alarming, but now the chance has turned—Mexico no longer to be feared. In the interior it is falling into dissolution before the intrigues of its rulers, the machinations of its clergy, and the brutality of its population. Over its exterior the thunder growls, and will before long burst forth. France desires and will have satisfaction from the assassins and robbers of her children. It will readily be conceived that, under such circumstances Texas has nothing more to fear for her independence, and thinks no more of the proposed incorporation. Who knows even whether her Government will not be called upon to co-operate in the just chastisement of Mexico by some useful diversion on the frontiers? The amicable reception which the French and English Ministries have given to the Texian agent; the treaties which they have made, and probably will make with him, open the widest possible field to conjecture and forethought with regard to the future destinies of Texas as an independent political State. Mexico alone plays a hazardous game. Texas profits by it."