Valentine Robbins Manuscript,
Collection
Identifier: MSS- 631 -SC
Scope and Content
This collection consists of one seven page manuscript, "Mexico: From the Manuscript of Casual Addresses and Sketches, New York and Philadelphia," written in 1847 by Valentine Robbins. The manuscript relates to the conquest of northern Mexico by United States troops and the subsequent annexation of Texas. Robbins relates how the United States was forced to pursue its course because of the immigration of its citizens into Mexican territory, Tejas. The text states that "a portion of the territory of Mexico from Atlantic to Pacific... should be claimed and willingly ceded to the United States as a just line of boundary which can not but be of immense advantage to the inhabitancy of Mexico when the wounds of contention are healed and peaceful relations again restored--and when by the assistance of the U.S. they are enabled to reorganize a peaceful government within themselves."
Robbins goes on to postulate that self defense, the first law of nature, is necessary because the world is not yet Christianized. Self defense is necessary to protect the Republican ideals of life, liberty, and property. The time will come when there are no more wars. This, he says, will come about because of enlightened opinion and Christianity, the defusion of general knowledge, and education to the masses. The world must obey the law, "thou shalt do no murder," and when it does, wars will cease.
The immigration of U.S. citizens into the "scarcely inhabited" territory of Mexico was entirely beyond the control of the government according to Robbins. These U.S. citizens would not submit to the monarchical rulers of Mexico and earnestly solicited and obtained annexation to the United States.
Humanity and religion are against warfare. Destiny has befallen the people of Mexico and what has happened will be good for Mexico if the people can overcome "their excited feelings of warfare and accept the olive branch of peace." So says Valentine Robbins.
Robbins goes on to postulate that self defense, the first law of nature, is necessary because the world is not yet Christianized. Self defense is necessary to protect the Republican ideals of life, liberty, and property. The time will come when there are no more wars. This, he says, will come about because of enlightened opinion and Christianity, the defusion of general knowledge, and education to the masses. The world must obey the law, "thou shalt do no murder," and when it does, wars will cease.
The immigration of U.S. citizens into the "scarcely inhabited" territory of Mexico was entirely beyond the control of the government according to Robbins. These U.S. citizens would not submit to the monarchical rulers of Mexico and earnestly solicited and obtained annexation to the United States.
Humanity and religion are against warfare. Destiny has befallen the people of Mexico and what has happened will be good for Mexico if the people can overcome "their excited feelings of warfare and accept the olive branch of peace." So says Valentine Robbins.
Dates
- 1847
Language of Materials
English.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Extent
1 Folder
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Valentine Robbins Manuscript, 1847
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Processed by D. Trujillo
- Date
- ©2000
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 631 SC::Valentine Robbins Manuscript)//EN" "nmu1mss631sc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451