State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-09-19

iuagine that circumstance to be any proof
that he did not feel fully the importance of
the subject to which that address related,
or that His Majesty's government were not
as much animated as lie was by desire 10
put all end TO those events TO which mainly
it referred. lie thought, however, that he
should satisfy the house that in some re-
spccts the address would be unnecessary,
and in others il would be premature. The
observations made by the honorable gentle
nun, and by his honorable friend behind
him Mr. Ward) divided themselves, strict
~ speaking, into two different branches
the one of them relating TO the political
part of the question, and tie other relating
to TINT part of it which regarded the trade
in slaves. With reference to the political
part of the question, undoubtedly the posi-
billy of the annexation of the province of
Texas TO the United States wus n subject
which ought seriously to engage the atten-
ton of the house and of the country. But
he cid not think that tho events which had
yet occurred afforded them any ground for
thinking TINT there was at present any
such probability of that kind MS TO call upon
the house to address the crown with refer
ence to it. The state of Texas at present,
was this: A revolt had taken place in that
province and Mexican army had been dis
sputchcd thilher for the purpose of putting
it down.
The first operations of that army were
greatly successful, hut part of it having
incautiously advanced considerably before
the remainder, had been surprised by the
Texian force, and routed, with great
slaughter, the president, who happened TO
he with that portion of the Mexican 8rmy,
being taken prisoner. But it would he pre-
mature to infer from that simple event,
what might be the ultimate issue Of the
civil war in that province. 1t was possible,
undoubtedly, that the resistance of tho peo-
pie of Texas might prevail against the au-
ihorities of Mexico: but on the other hand,
the numerical strength lay with the army
OF Mexico. The government of Mexico
was preparing, according TO our latest advi-
ccs, to make fresh efforts to reinforce their
army, and he thought we were not in a
position TO infer from any thing which had
happened what might possibly be the result
of the contest. But with respect to the
conduct of the United States, although he
was aware of the fact stated by the lIonora-
bic gentleman, and by his honorable friend,
that individuals in those states of the union
given great assistance to the revolted poru-
lalion, yet if we looked to what had been
the conduct of the responsible government
of the United States, we should find in the
message sent to Congress, Il most unequiy-
ocal declaration, that the government of the
United States would take no part in that
civil war: nay, farther, we should find that
orders had been issued by that government
81.
vent individual subjects from mixing i'll that
dispute.
He Lord Polmcrsion) had too high an
opinion of The honor and good faith Of the
government of the United States not to be-
lieve that they would act up to their decla-
ration; and he thought, therefore, that fresh
circumstances ought to arise before it
would I've fitting OH the part of the house to
send up to the crown an address bearing on
the political branch Of the question. With
respect now to that part which related to
the trade in slaves, the honorable member
had remarked that in the correspondence
laid before the house, MS having taken place
between the government at home, and our
agents abroad, with regard to the progress
and diminution of that trade, there appear
ed nothing bearing upon the trade supposed
to exist in Texas. That was perfectly true;
and the explanation was that we had 10
agent in the province Of Texas. 1t was
but lately indeed that he had received from
our Minister at Mexico, representations
bearing upon tho illicit trade which was
supposed to be carried on in that province.
Undoubtedly il would be very great evil,
and much to lie deplorcd, if the cause of
the civil war in Texas, be it what it might,
were 10 lead TO u renewal or extension OF
tho slave trade, and that was II subject well
deserving of the attention of Me house. II
the house were of opinion that his majesty 3
government were Indifferent in the matter,
and were not disposed of their own accord
to bestow on il their most vigilant attention,
and TO do all in the power of the crown TO
prevent such an evil, he should agree that
it would be fitting on the part of the house
TO admOnish the government, and remind
them of the course which it beloved them
10 pursue i'll the manner proposed by the
hon. gentleman. But lie assured the house
that the government required 10 stimulus
to urge them TO perform their duty Oh that
point; and lie trusted that what they had
done, and what they were in the progress
of accomplishing, might be accepted by
the house as fresh proof that they were
MS anxious and active as the house could
wish them TO he in endeavoring 10 put
down the trade in every part Of the world,
and prevent it from springing up i'll quarters
where il did not now exist.
If they considered what effect the pro-
gress of events in Texas might have on that
matter, he did not think there was amy
danger, any considerable danger, that such
an evil would he the result of the civil war;
because it was evident that either Tcxus
would be reconquered by Mexico, and the
authority of Mexico re established therein;
or else the province would assert its indie
pendcnce and become separate state; or,
thirdly, indeed, ii might unite itself with