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

surb nm acquisition. That territory con-
tanned upward of l2O,0O0,OOO of acres OF
tho finest land it was watered by several
nnvigable rivers, having their embouchures
i'm the Gulf of Mexico; and on its coast
were to be found many harbors, superior TO
all others in the adjoining territories, aud
the possession of which would give them
a complete command of that gulf When
Mexico became an independent state, her
government agreed to abolish slavery in its
domnions. lie could answer for the fact,
that, during his residence in that country,
the treaty was most rigidly enlorced aud
at present, he would take upon himself to
say that there were not more than twenty
slaves in it. Ever since the erection Of
Mexico into an independent republic, the
United Stutos had cast most covetous eyes
upon the province Of Texas. He had OBJ
served curious proof of it during his resi-
dence in Mexico, when, through their
agent, MIR Poinsett, they took measures for
the purpose Of obtaining such purity III
the Mexican Congress us would consent TO
let them have the Texas fora certain num-
Der of dollars. This cndeavor falling, the
United States had had recourse to other
means; they encouraged all the refuse of
their population to overflow the boundary
line between the United States and the
Texas, aud TO take possession OF the lands
of the latter. This was done the lands of
Texas were occupied by subjects citizens
of the United States, a Texan land scrip
was created, and the stock became the sub
lect of speculation in the markets of New
York and New Orleans. No Texan had
any interest in it. The territory wns in the
hands of ten, fifteen. or eighteen thousand
advcnturers-men recognizing 10 laws,
and seeking for nothing but the means of
turning their land to the utmost account.
When he was in Mexico, there had been
in communication with MIR POinsett, upon
the subject of the occupation Of Texas, an
American, who was now The president of
the Texan Republican man of talent, GER
tainly, but utterly devoid OF principle.
As further proof Of the connection of
the United States, he would state that Mr.
FORSYTH, member of the cabinet, was re-
ported to have been II very large owner of
Texan land. Thus it anpeared that Texas,
being undeniably country belonging to
Mexico by solemn treaty, and being unin-
habtcd, the Americans had created pop
ulation in it, and iffatigated that population
| to declare itself independent; and the COM
mittee on foreign relations in the Senate
ushured in by MIR Clay, gravely discussing
the absolute necessity of recognizing the
independence of Texas--a State which
they had created from the oflscourings Of
the population of their own Western States,
and which they had encouraged in every
way, by furnishing supplies Of men, arms
and munitions of war, to sever itself from
Mexico. There were two considerations
xul, nh IN nh, in IL
sing this question. The first was the ques-
ton of general policy--whell,cf it was adj
visable TO allow the United States TO pursue
system of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT without any
endeavor on our part TO check them, and
10 allow the extension of their territory to
the Rio Bravo and the Gulf of Mexico, in
such manner as to obtain for them the ab-
solute command of that Cult; for certainly
the acquisition of Texas would give them
that command, and would enable them
with half dozen privateers to shut us out
entirely from our present trade with Next
CO, leaving us no route whatsoever by
which TO maintain commercial intercourse
with that country save that leading round
Cape Horn to its western coast.
Upon the importance OF that trade, not
only in reference to lis present actual
amount, but IN reference also to tic large
probable increase which it would undergo,
it was unnecessary for him TO dwell; it
was growing more extensive every day
nor could le see any definite limit 10 its
increase in future years. Our connection
with Mexico was rendered, too, more init
mate by this circumstance, that we posses
sed large capital invested in mining adj
ventures IN that country. Ii was impOssi-
bic, then, 10 contemplate, without anxiety,
events having tendency, apparently, 10
sever from the Mexican State u most valu-
able portion of its territory, and to place
our trade with that state ut the mercy of Il
commercial rival. The noble lord must be
aware that in 1925 there had been IL some
what similar project on the part of the
United States, 20 obtain possession of the
island Of Cuba. There were at that time
in Cubu three parties, severally wishing for
n connection with England, France and
America; the mutual jealousy of the three
countries, however, prevented any one of
them from taking possession Of the island,
and they came to n solemn ireaty-notes
having been actually interclanged by their
respective governments = that neither Eng
land, France, nor America should inter
fere with it, but that it should be left in
the possession of Spain. The other con-
sideration Of which he had spoken, ms one
which ought TO have weight in the discuss
ion of the question, was the consideration
of moral feeling which must influence ev-
cry gentleman acquainted with the cond-
ton Of society in the Western States of the
union, and every gentleman aware of the
incalculahle misery which the system of
slavery, there prevailing, inflicted upon SO
many millions of human beings.
The question TO be decided under this
view of the subject was whether for the
purpose of maintaining that demoralizng
system they would allow the annexation cf