The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-20 00:00:00

THE TEXAS.

The Washington Globe contains a letter from Mr.
Van Buren, on the subject of the proposed annexation
of Texas to the Union. The following is the con-
cluding portion of his letter :
" Having now replied, in the fullest and frankest
manner, to both the questions which you have pro-
pounded to me, I might here close this letter, but
being sincerely anxious to put you, and others occu-
pying the same position, in possession of my views
and opinions upon the whole subject, as far as they
can with propriety be now formed and expressed, I
will go a few steps.further.
" Occasions do sometimes present themselves, in
the administration of public affairs, when the de-
cision of great questions can be safely anticipated by
those whose subsequent duty it may become to decide
upon them ; but to justify such a course, those ques-
tions must be such as are unavoidably dependent
upon circumstances and considerations of a fixed and
settled character. I have not been able to regard
this as being, in all respects, a case of that descrip-
tion. It is a matter affecting our foreign relations,
in respect to which every enlightened nation makes
it a rule to avoid, as far as practicable, public
annunciations of its proceedings and intentions,
beyond what is deemed necessary either to justify
its past course, or to make others sensible of its
determination to resist aggression, whether present or
prospective. As the action of the Executive upon all
questions that affect our relations with other countries
must be more or less influenced by their conduct to-
wards us, it is, in general, desirable that our future
course should not be embarrassed by assurances given
at a period, when no safe opinion could be formed of
what their conduct would be. In respect even to
motives of a domestic character, it could scarcely
be deemed consistent with that prudence and
calm discretion which, in public as well as
private affairs, is of such inestimable value, to
bind ourselves in advance in respect to the parti-
cular line of conduct we will hereafter adopt in a case
of such magnitude as the present. When the period
for definitive action shall have arrived, the considera-

tions now taken into view may have lost the weigh
they at present possess in the estimation of the public ;
and others, not now regarded as of any value, may,
in the meantime, arise to affect materially, if not to
change, the whole aspect of the subject. The pre-
sent condition of the relations between Mexico and
Texas may soon be so far changed as to weaken, and
perhaps to obviate entirely, the objections against the
immediate annexation of the latter to the United
States, which I have here set forth, and to place the ques-
tion on different grounds. Should such a state of
things arise, and I be found in charge of the respon-
sible duties of President, you may be assured that I
would meet the question, if then presented to me,
with a sincere desire to promote the result which I
believed best calculated to advance the permanent
welfare of the whole country. In the discharge of
this, the common duty of all our public function-
aries, I would not allow myself to be influenced
by local and sectional feeling. I am not, I need
hardly say to you, an untried man in respect to my
disposition or ability to disregard any feeling of that
character in the discharge of official duties. You, as
well as all others, have therefore at least some
grounds on which to form an opinion as to the pro-
bable fidelity with which those assurances would be
observed.
" I shall add a few ,words to another aspect of the
question, and then dismiss the subject. Mexico may
carry her persistence in refusing to acknowledge the
independence of Texas, and in destructive but fruit-
less efforts to re-conquer that State, so far as to pro-
duce, in connexion with other circumstances, a de-
cided conviction of the part of a majority of the people
of the United States, that the permanent welfare,
if not absolute safety of all, makes it necessary that
the proposed annexation should be effected, be the con-
sequences what they may. The question may be
asked, what, under such circumstances, would be the
use you would make of the executive power, ifintrusted
to your hands ? Would it be wielded to defeat, or to
carry into effect the ascertained wishes of our people ?
My reply to such a proposition is, that I can con-
ceive of no public questions, in respect to which it is
more eminently proper that the opinions and wishes
of the people of the different States should be con-
sulted, and being ascertained, treated with greater
respect, than those which relate either to the ad-
mission of a new member into the confederacy, or
the acquisition of additional territory with the view
to such a result; and that if any application for
annexation under such circumstances were made
to me, I would feel it my duty to submit the
same to Congress for a public expression of their opi-
nion, as well upon the propriety of annexation as in
regard to terms upon which it should take place. If
after the subject had been brought before the
country, and fully discussed, as it now will be, the
Senate and the House of Representatives, a large por-
tion of the former and the whole of the latter having
been chosen by the people, after the question of an-
nexation had been brought before the country for its
mature consideration, should express an opinion in
favour of annexation, I would hold it to be my
further duty to employ the executive power to
carry into full and fair effect the wishes of a majo-
rity of the people of the existing States thus constitu-
tionally and solemnly expressed.
"There may, notwithstanding, be those, on both
sides of this great question, who are unwilling to con-
fer their suffrages on one who is not prepared to give
them specific pledges in regard to the course he
would, if elected, pursue in respect to the various
aspects in which this matter may hereafter be pre-
sented. To all such I have only to say—and Ido so
with the greatest sincerity—that I have not
toexercise. the slightest disposition to question their right
conduct, and will the
lastof its
its ercise. If there be any one be
whocan be more safely entrusted with
regulate
complainla
believe
e their
their interest in this or any other of the great questions
of
publicpolicy which are likely to arise in the ad-
ministration of the government, of which assurances
as to his future course are more satisfactory to them,
they will, without doubt, be well warranted in giving
him the preference ; and they may be assured that
no one will more cheerfully acquiesce in a decision,
made from such motives, than myself. I have ex-
pressed a willingness to discharge, to the best of
my abilities, the responsible duties of the high office
in question, should the democracy of the United States
be able and willing to re-elect me to the same. But
I can take no steps to obtain it by which my ability
to discharge its duties impartially and usefully to
every portion of our common country would be im-
paired ; nor can I, in any extremity, be induced to
cast a shade over the motives of my ',past life, by
changes or concealments of opinions maturely formed
upon a great national question, for the unworthy pur-
pose of increasing my chances for political promotion.
" I am, Sir, very respectfully, your friend and obe-
dient servant, "M. VAN BUREN.
" Hon. W. 11. liammet."

THE UNITED STATES and TEXAS.
The following Treaty for the annexation of Texas
was concluded between the United States of America
and the Republic of Texas, at Washington, on the 12th
of April, 1844
Art. 1. The Republic of Texas, acting in conformity
with the wishes of the people and every department of
its Government, cedes to the United States all its
territories, to bo held by them in full property
and sovereignty, and to be annexed to the
said United States as one of their territories, subject
to the same constitutional provisions with their other
territories. This cession includes all public lots and
squares, vacant lands, mines, minerals, salt lakes and
springs, public edifices, fortifications, barracks, ports and
harbours, navy and navy yards, docks, magazines, arms,
armaments and accoutrements, archives and public docu-
ments, public funds, debts, taxes, and dues unpaid at the
time of the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty.
" 2. The citizens of Texas shall be incorporated into
the union of the United States, maintained and protected
in the free enjoyment of their liberty and property, and
admitted, as soon as consistent with the principles of the
federal constitution, to the enjoyment of all rights, privi-
leges, and immunities of citizens of the United States.
" 3. All titles and claims to real estate, which are
valid under the laws of Texas, shall be held to be so by
the United States ; and measures shall be adopted for
the speedy adjudication of all unsettled claims to land,
and patents shall be granted to those found to be valid.
" 4. The public lands hereby ceded shall be subject
to the laws regulating the public lands in the other
territories of the United States, as far as they may be
applicable ; subject, however, to such alterations
and changes as Congress may, from time to time,
think proper to make. It is understood between the
parties, that if, in consequence of the mode in which
lands have been surveyed in Texas, or from previous
grants or.locations, the sixteenth section cannot be ap-
plied for the purpose of education, Congress shall make
equal provision by grant of land elsewhere. And it is
also further understood, that hereafter the books, papers,
and documents of the General Land-office of Texas shall
be deposited and kept at such place in Texas as the
Congress of the United States shall direct.
" 5. The United States assume and agree to pay the
public debt and liabilities of Texas, however created,
for which the faith or credit of her Government may be
bound at the time of the exchange of the ratifications of
this treaty ; which debt and liabilities are estimated not
to exceed, in the whole, 10,000,000 dolls., to be ascer-
tained and paid in the manner hereinafter stated.
" The payment of the sum of 350,000 dolls. shall be
made at the Treasury of the United States, within
ninety days after the exchange of the ratifications of
this treaty, as follows :-250,000 dolls. to Frederick
Dawson, of Baltimore, or his executors, on the delivery
of that amount of 10 per cent. bonds of Texas ; and
100,000 dollars, if so much be required, in the redemp-
tion of the Exchequer bills which may be in circulation
at the time of the exchange of the ratifications of this
treaty. For the payment of the remainder of the debts
and liabilities of Texas, which, together with the amount
already specified, shall not exceed 10,000,000 dolls., the
public lands herein ceded, and the nett revenue from the
same, are hereby pledged.
" 6. In order to ascertain the full amount of the debts
and liabilities herein assumed, and the legality and vali-
dity thereof, four Commissioners shall be appointed by
the President Qf the United States, by an with the

advice and consent of the Senate, who shall meet at
Washington, Texas, within the period of six months
after the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty,
and may continue in session not exceeding twelve
months, unless the Congress of the United States
should prolong the time. They shall take an oath
for the faithful discharge of their duties, and that they
are not directly or indirectly interested in the said
claims at the time, and will not be during their conti-
nuance in office; and the said oath shall be recorded with
their proceedings. In case of the death, sickness, or re-
signation of any of the Commissioners, his or their place
or places may be supplied by the appointment as afore-
said, or by the President of the United States during the
recess of the Senate. They, or a majority of them,
shall be authorised, under such regulations as the Con-
gress of the United States shall prescribe, to hear,
examine, and decide on all questions touching the le-
gality and validity of said claims, and shall, when a claim
is allowed, issue a certificate to the claimant, stating the
amount, distinguishing principal from interest. The cer-
tificates so issued shall be numbered, and entry. made
of the number, the name of the person to whom issued,
and the amount, in a book to be kept for that pur-
pose. They shall transmit the records of their pro-
ceedings and the book in which the certificates are
entered, with the vouchers and documents produced
before them, relative to the claims allowed or rejected
to the Treasury Department of the United States, to be
deposited therein ; and the Secretary of the Treasury
shall, as soon as practicable after the receipt of the
same, ascertain the aggregate amount of the debts and
liabilities allowed ; and if the same, when added to
the amount to be paid to Frederick Dawson and the
sum which may be paid in the redemption of the
Exchequer bills, shall not exceed the estimated sum
of 10,000,000:dolls., he shall, on the presentation of a cer-
tificate of the Commissioners, issue, at the option of the
holder, a new certificate for the amount, distinguish-
ing principal from interest, and payable to him or order,
out of the nett proceeds of the public lands
hereby ceded, or stock of the United States, for the
amount allowed, including principal and interest, and
bearing an interest of 3 per cent. per annum from
the date thereof ; which stock, in addition to being
made payable out of the nett proceeds of the public lands
hereby ceded, shall also be receivable in payment of the
same. In case the amount of the debts and liabilities
allowed, with the sums aforesaid to be paid to Frederick
Dawson, and which may be paid in the redemption of
the Exchequer bills, shall exceed the said sum of
10,000,000 dollars, the said secretary, before issuing a
new certificate, or stock, as the case may be, shall make
in each case such proportionable and rateable reduction
on its amount as to reduce the aggregate to the said
sum of 10,000,000 dollars, and he shall have power to
make all needful rules and regulations necessary to carry
into effect the powers hereby vested in him.
" 7. Until further provision shall be made, the laws of
Texas, as now existing, shall remaia in force, and all
executive and judicial officers of Texas, except the Pre-
sident, Vice-President, and heads of departments, shall
retain their offices with all power and authority apper-
taining thereto, and the courts of justice shall remain in
all respects as now established and organised.
" 8. Immediately after the exchange of the ratifica-
tions of this treaty, the President of the United States,
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall
appoint a Commissioner, who shall proceed to Texas
and receive the transfer of the territory thereof, and all
the archives and public property, and other things
herein conveyed, in the name of the United States. He
shall exercise all executive authority in said territory
necessary to the proper execution of the laws, until
otherwise provided.
"9. The present treaty shall be ratified by the con-
tracting parties, and the ratification exchanged at the
city of Washington in six months from the date hereof,
or sooner, if possible.
"In witness whereof, we the undersigned, plenipoten-
tiaries of the United States of America and of the Re-
public of Texas, have signed, by virtue of our powers,
the present treaty of annexation, and have hereunto
affixed our seals respectively.
"Done at Washington the 12th day of April, 1844.
" J. C. CALHOUN.
" ISAAC VAN ZANDT.
" J. PINCKNEY lIENDERSON."

GEORGE 111. AND HIS FAMILY.
WINDSOR, JULY 15, 1781, SUNDAY.—At St. George's
Chapel, prayers at eight ; present, the King, Queen,
Princesses Elizabeth and Sophia,—about a hundred
hearers, we joined the train to Queen's house, or rather
to the gates. The King was dressed in blue fly, cuffs
small, open, and turned up with red velvet, cape of same,
buttons white, breeches and waistcoat of white cotton,
an ordinary white wig with a tail ribbon, a round
black chip hat, small, used in riding. He is tall,
square over the shoulders, large ugly mouth,
talks a great deal, and shows his teeth too much ;
his countenance heavy and lifeless, with white eye-
brows. Queen of the middle size and bulk, height
five feet and a half,—though far removed from
beautiful, she has an open, placid aspect, mouth large,
foot splay;---at prayers their voices often heard, and
they appeared devout. They take no state upon them;
walk freely about the town, with only a Lord in Wait-
ing. At seven, every evening after tea, the King,
Queen, Prince of Wales, Princess Royal, Princesses
Sophia and Elizabeth, walk fir an hour on terrace half
a mile long, amidst two or three thousand people of
all ranks. The Prince of Wales appears a likely,
agreeable person, far more graceful than his father,
who is ungainly. The Prince affects much the
" Jemmy" dress and air: age vit ill doubtless soften down
the juvenile :taste and affectation. The Queen's dress,
a riding habit, same colour and facings as the
King's—a small bonnet with a blue feather. Con-
ducted to picture gallery and state rooms ; in ono stands
the Queen's bed, of a cream colour, worked in flowers
with silk floss, beautifully shaded, about seven feet long
and six feet wide ; posts fluted, and gilt tester, having
in the centre an oval compartment, thought to be the
richest in England, except Lady Clifford's at Wybrook,
which was wrought and presented to her by the late
Duchess of Norfolk ; twelve chairs and a screen, wrought
by her present Majesty's own diligent hand. In the
evening, on the terrace, the King was in full dress—
blue uniform, sword, and cockade ; the Prince of Wales
was the same. The Queen in a faint greenish silk full
dress, except her head, on which she had a bonnet, with
a feather of the same colour as her dress.—Santuel Cur-
u•en'c Journals and Letters.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
(SATURDAY.)
BOW-STREET.

Henry Griss, a sergeant of the F division, appeared
before Mr. Twyford, by the directions of the Police
Commissioners, to answer a complaint preferred against
him by Thomas Dell, a cabman, for using abusive lan-
guage to him.
Mr. Lewis appeared on behalf of the complainant,
and demanded to see the written order that had been
sent from Scotland-yard on Wednesday last, when the
case was partly heard, and adjourned to give the Magis-
trate time, as he then said, to look over the depositions
before he would come to a decision.
Inspector Logan replied that the document alluded to
was in the possession of Sandrock, the superintendent.
Mr. TWYFORD ordered him to be sent for, as he had
not seen him for many days.—(A laugh.)
Sandrock having shortly after made his appearance,
handed in a paper to the Court.
Mr. Lewis said it was the duty of the superin-
tendent to put the complaint against the defendant in a
proper form on a police-sheet, which having been done,
by order of the Court,
The complainant stated that on the 24th ultimo, being
with his cab in York-street, Covent-garden, about half-
past ten o'clock at night, the defendant came to him
and told him if he took any more jobs from Smith's
public-house (the White Hart) he would mix a pill up
for him if he could ; to which he replied, he would take
any jobs that came to him, that he did not wish to abuse
him or to receive any abuse, upon which he called him
a d—d vagabond and a thief, and that he was robbing
the rank in the Strand. On the 25th, being at the head
of his horse in Wellington-street, about a quarter before
five o'clock in the morning, the defendant came up and
said he would take the number of his badge, and after
much abusive language he concluded by saying, " If I
can't do it for you, the waterman can." Witness touched
him on the arm and told him he had never given him any.
offence ; to which he said, " Go away, you d—d vaga-
bond, go away." The next day he caused the letter pro-
duced to be written to the Police Commissioners, com-
plaining of the circumstance.
Frederick Collins, an accountant, was present on the
25th with another man, and heard the language made
use of by the defendant.
William Charlock, a hairdresser, corroborated the ac-
count given by the last witness.
Sandrock said the complainant was perfectly sober
when he came off duty.

In answer to the Charge, Sandrock proved that the
defendant was in the force since April, 1831, and he
never knew him to be guilty of using abusive language.
Mr. Lewis—Have you not had complaints five or six
times made against him for such conduct ? Sandrock—
None in writing, to my recollection.
Mr. Lewis—None for dragging a cabman from his
box and using violence? Sandrock—Don't recollect.
Sandrock said he wished to correct an error that he
had fallen into at the former examination, for, after he
had looked into the books produced, he discovered the
defendant had been fined 20s. in 1838, for using abusive
language to a female, and being suspended, he was
shortly afterwards reinstated in consequence of a recom-
mendation from the magistrate.
The defendant had preferred two complaints against
Dell for obstruction, both of which were dismissed.
The Court was occupied some hours in hearing the
discussions of the solicitors, after which,
Mr. TWYFORD said he was inclined to believe the
evidence of the complainant, and, therefore, he would
convict the defendant for using the language imputed to
him, and order him to pay a fine of 20s.
The fine was immediately paid, and the parties left
the Court.