Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-08-25

the North and South, II IS highly important
that the people should be well informed as
TO the nature and circumstances of that
province, and of the political considerations
which will form the ground Of argument
for, or against her admission.
With this view request you to publish
the following extract from the account OF Mr.
George Thompson's speech before the
Emancipation Society" of Glasgow, Scot
land, in March LASTLY so doing,
You will oblige
A SUBSCRIBER.
The first question on the subject to which
he was about 10 direct the attention OF the
meeting, related to the geographical position
Of Texas. This was point, he said, on
which probably his present hearers were
not particularly informed: he would. there
fore, take up few minutes IN speaking Of
it. MI L. then stated the extent Of the prov
ince of Texas. and its different boundaries
He spoke of its climate as the most salubr
Gus; its soil the most fertile throug bout the
Nouh American continent. IL formed, he
suid an integral portion OF the Mexican EN-.
pire and together with that empire, had,
previous to 1922. belonged to Spain. In
1919, a negotiation took place between the
British government, and that Of the United
States relative to Florida. The Americans
wished TO purchase that country from Spain,
because, so long as il remained under diff
lerent power, it afforded an asylum for the
runaway slaves of Georgia; and Also be-
cause, as a political portion, it gave them
possession Of the caribbean Sea and the
Gulf Of Mexico. Britain objected to the
pure base. on the last mentioned ground, but
ultimately il was made: and the Americans
solemnly pledged themselves that the Sa-
bine river should be the boundary line be-
tween them and Mexico. and that beyond
that line they should never stretch their ter
ri,y. Before 1890, Texas, (Which is the
territory Immediately west Of the Sabne)
was an almost unbroken wilderness. In
tina, year. however. keensighled politicians
among the Americans began TO consider ii
SORT Of Nabolhs vineyard. One Of these,
named Austin. made journey into Texas,
and witnessed the fertility Of the land. He
went to Mexico--tha, country being still de.
pending on Spain--and obtained a consider
able extent OF territory on one Of the central
rivers OF Texas. He acquired this territory
on the condition that he would settle on it
three hundred orderly and respectable fam
lilies, who were of course TO swear allegi-
ance to the government OF Spain. Moses
| Austin went home, and died. His son, Ste
phen, who has since made his name well
known 10 connection with the struggle GO
ing on in Texas, Immediately began 10 beat
up Tor emigranis; but. before he succeeded
in inducing the requisite number 10 accom-
pany him. that revolution took place which
destroyed the authority Of Spain, and form
ed Mexico into federal republic, consisting
Of twenty-five states. Austin went 10 Texas
with his three hundred followers. who thus
became Mexican citizens. The Mexican
government treated them with the utmost IA
vor privileges were conferred on them
scarcely ever before enjoyed in any portion
Of the globe. And here he must observe,
that Mexico did that which the United States
Of North America had never done. The
Americans had, with great malice and in
genuily, endeavored to produce an impress
sion on the minds Of Europeans, that the
Mexicans were barbarous people; but
what was the fact2 The first Congress Of
the Mexican Republic declared that every
human being who touched the soil OF Mex
leo should be free, tremendous cheering,
. The Spaniards had been shareholders i
the Spaniards had taught the Mexicans "a
r be shareholders; but, more civilized or less
, civilized, unlike the descendants of the pill
grim fathers who peopled the United States
unlike the boasting tribes OF slave-hold
, ing republicans Of North America-the mo
ment the Mexicans secured to themselves
a free Institutions, that moment they declared
their soil sacred TO freedom, CONTINUED
: cheerng) This gave great offence 10 An
gIo-Saxon settlers in Texas. Austin anc
his followers had taken slaves with them
:, they were anxious TO retain them; but, il
, 1924, when the act passed. they were no
strong enough to resist the Mexican govern
!. ment. They had therefore recourse TO /
trick in order 10 evade what they could moi
with any prospect Of success, directly op
!. pose They took their slaves to New Or
leans they there made them free, binding
them al the same Time under an indentur'
10 serve those who had formerly been tbei
s masters, for the short period OF ninety-nin'
|, years. (Ironical cheers, and laughtcr) III
a would now come 10 the immediate grount
!. OF quarrel According to the Constitution
e of the Federal Republic Of America, Texas
e was Joined with another provnce-Coahu
}. liza, in one state. But the inhabitants o
0 Coahulia had dark skin. and the fair skin
r ned Anglo.Saxon settlers in Texas, knew
b colored people only as property. and the,
g went to work TO separate themselves iron
e Coahula They drew up constitution TO