Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1836-09-28

II. H.
tice, brought forward his motion for inquiry into
tho affairs of Texas and Mexico. He said it was
not war for Independence but for slavery, and
asked eff the United States were suffered to wrest
Texas from Mexico, Cuba would come next"
The debate however, is Of so much importance
that we extract the whole of it, from which it will
be seen that the British Cabinet did not deem it
necessary 10 interfere, and the motion was with
drawn.
HOUSE OF COMMONs-August 6.
TEXAS.
Mr.. p Hoyt rose to bring forward the motion of
which he has given notice. 1t was on a subject of
the utmost Importance TO the cause of humanity,
of immense importance to colonial possessions
and to our merchants who had embarked 20, 000-
900 dollars in Mexico. II the United States
were suffered to wrest Texas from Mexico, would
not Cuba and Mexican possessions fall prey to
the United States The war now going on in
Texas was war not for independence but for
slavery and he would contend that should the
revolt in Texas be successful, that province would
still be bound by the 'lsaty, Mexico entered into
with this country when Texas formed part of the
Mexican dominions, to prevent the carrying on
Of the slave trade within its territory the num-
Der of States in the Union had originally been -
they were now increased to 26, and if Texas were
| added TO the Union there could be no doubt tho
basis of the connection would be to establish
slavery and the slave trade permanently in that
province He begged to ask the Noble Lord op-
posite, Lord Palmerston, if within the last ten
days he had not received an application from the
Mexican Government for the good Offices of his
country to demonstrate with the United States
against the gross violation of treaties and the ag-
gressions of their Southern states. The honor.
able member read extracts from speeches of Mr..
Huskisson and Mr.. John q. Adams, to show the
Importance to America in u commercial point of
view, of annexing Texas to its territory.
IL is now for this house to consider whether,
after tho enormous sums expended in abolishing
and putting down slavery, it would render tho
whole of that expenditure useless, and to allow
slavery to take deep root in situations with respect
to which this country had both the power and right
of interference in suppressing it. But, suppos-
ing the independence OF Texas TO be established,
and that il united itself TO the United States let
the house consider what considerable commercial
advantages the latt,r woIld gain over this coun-
try. BY that junction. the United States would
be brought within six weeks sail of China
Neither ought the Importance of the possessions
of the mining districts by America to DO lost sight
of by this country. Those mines We're of i'm.
mense value-one alone having produced 30, 900,
600 dollars. Unless Mexico was assisted as she
ought to be by this country, she would be so weak
enei as soon to become an easy victim TO the am
bition of the United States of America The
motion with which he intended TO conclude was,
for address TO the Crown to tlke such mea-
sures as were proper for the fufllmsnt of the
existing treaty, by which this country was bound
to cooperate with Mexico. He was of opinion
that England ought not only to demonstrate with
America, but to have naval force on the coast 10
support Mexico against American aggrsssions.
The Hon. Member concluded by moving, "That
an humble address be presented TO the Crown,
praying that his Majesty will be graciously pleas
ed to direct that such be taken as to his
Majesty may seem proper, to secure the fulfilment
OF the existing treaty between this country and
Mexico and to prevent the establishment of slave.
ny and traffic in slaves, in tho province of Texas,
in the Mexican territory"
Mr.. II. G. Ward seconded tho amendment,
which involved subject upon which he had been
long and deeply interested. The Importance of
the province of Texas was but little known in
this house or by the country. The province itself
consisted OF large tract Of tho finest land it had
numerous good and only two bad ports, and the
possession Of il would give to the parties obtaining
it the full command of the whole gulf of Mexico. |
The Mexican Government on its first intercourse
with this country, an intercourse of increased |
and still increasing commercial importance to this
had stipulated for the abolition in its
territory of the slave trade, and he (Mr. Ward |
could state that this stipulation had been most
rgidy enforced and observed, and he did not be- |
Isl,
except Texas, 30 slaves. TO Texas the United |
States had long turned covetous eyes, and to OBJ |
tam possession of that province had been the first
object of its policy. During his residence in |
Mexico America contrived to have a proposal |
made to the Mexican Government, Offering ten |
millions of dollars for certain privileges in Texas,
and that proposition having boen refused, America
then proceeded to encourage the settlement of
Texas of the refuse Of her own southern states,
who took possession of the land without title, or
pretension to any title, and then drew il popu-
ation exclusively slave or American. A declara-
lion of independence next followed. That de.
claraton issued from men recognizing no law, and |
signed by only one Mexican, the President of the
Provinces, man of talent, it was true, but who
had dealt largely in Texas lands, and sought his
own advantage He was supposed to have form
I'd connection with some influential men of the
American Cabinet, and amongst them with Mr..
Forsyth. What then had followed? America
having created population in Texas in the way
ne had stated, md having given to il every pos
'ible assistance, committee Of foreign relations
n the Senate, came in with report signed by Mr..
Clay, for whom he entertained a high respect dis
,ussing the necessity of recognizing the declara
ION correspondence of Texas The tendency of
ne whole report was to show the propriety, at a
uture time, to annex Texas to the United States
The question, therefore, for the house TO cons Ter
vas--flrst, the general policy of allowing state,
without remonstrance TO extend ITSELF and thus
tut an end to the trade between this country and
Noxico--the connection between which could be
completely cut off by few American privateers
nconsed in the Texian ports. The principle had
oen disclaimed in 1885, when it was proposed to
mex part of Cuba to the United States, and that
Instance ought TO guide this country in not al.
owing this contemplated extension of the Amsri-
an territory. Thenext consideration was, whoth-
r tho country would now allow a renewal and
n increase of the slave trader Such would be
he result of this policy on. tho part of America,
nd from a pamphlet he La fbspivsd this day it I
pPsared that the nom e]avery sttes Of America 8
ad themselves been reused to a sene of their
wn danger If that policy wers succ sssfal IL .
'as well there hadlong bcen struggle j
etween the slave statos and nor. slave states in
Congress- and parties were equally balanced hut 4