The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-10-12
To Gen. MRNrc,S Herr, Sc.

10 lien. MEMrchN HrNT, &c: .,'s ....s
Tho undersigned Secretary Of State Of the United
States has had the honor to the note OF his
cellcncy General Hunt, envoy extraordinary and minis
ter lcnipotcniaIy Of Frxas dated the 4th INST, Sopos
Ing negotiation for the purpose OF anncxing thai eoun-
try TO the United States, ss#
That communication has been laid before the Presi-
dent, who has considereI II with Just seisbly, In
giving 10 the undersigned instructions present.
ply, prompt and decisive Indication Of the II
has been deemed necessary 10 adopt the President in
duigcs the confident expectation that nnifiendy
spinf towards the Government the people Of Texas
will bc imputed 10 the United States
Neither the duties the settled policy Of the United
States permit them 10 enter examination Of the
accuracy OF the historical facts related BY Gen Hunt,
nor to allow them If admitted to bc correct TO
control the decision Of the question presented 10y him.
The United States foremost in acknowledging the
independence OF Mexico, and hars uniformly desired
and endeavored TO cultivate relations OF friendship with
that Power. Having always, since the formation Of
their Government been exempt from ciyil wars, they
have learnt the value Of internal qnie and have
qney bocn anxious yet passive spectators Of the ieuds
with which their ncighbor has been afflicted Although
IN the controversy between Texas and Mexico circum-
stances have existed and events have occurred pccn-
arly calculated to enlist the sympathies OF people,
the effort Of the Government has been to look upon
that dispute also, with the rigid mparliaty with
which it has regarded all other Mexican commo,ions
In determining with respect to the independence Of
other countries Che United States have taken the
consideration. They have deemed il dictate Of duty
and policy to decide upon the question of fact
merely This was the course pursued with respect TO
Mexico herself 1t adhered to when analogous
events rendered il proper to investigate the question Of
Texan independence That inquiry was made with
due crcuinspccton and tho result not arrived at
until its probable consequences had been accurately
weighed The possibility Of collision Of interests,
arising among other causes, from the alleged superior
aptitude Of the climate and soil Of Texas for the growth
Of Of the staples Of the United States, not
overlooked. A Of duty and reverence for
sistcncv, however II considered, left this Govern
mcnt alternative and It therefore led the way in
coynising Texas A hope certainly entertained
that this act and the motives that conduccd to it,
II no other considerations to have influence would
point ont to tho Government Of Texas the proprey
only oil chcrlshing intimate and amicahe relations with
this country but Of absainng from other connections
abroad which might be detrimental 10 the United States
Apart from this, however It presumed that Govern
nent would enter upon the Of the intentions
Intlnatcd by its envoy extraordinary with respect
connections with foreign powers, with full understand
ing OF the inst and liberal commercial stpulaons exist
ing between the United States and other nations. A
pervading principle of those compacs is impartial
ment Of the citizens, vessels aud productions Of the
parties IN their respective territories As il TO
he believed that the commercial allies Of the United
States would swcrve from their engagements, APP
prehenson felt that the interests OF this country
would suffer from the arrangements which Texas might
The question Of the annexation Of a foreign indie
pendent State to the United States has never before
been presented TO this Government Since the adop-
ton Of their constitution, two large additions have been
made to the domain originally claimed by the United
STATES. IN acquiring them this Government was not
actndtcd by thirst for sway broader space
Paramount interests Of many members Of the concd-
eracy, and the permanent well hcng Of ALL impcrativcly
urged upon this Government The necessity OF an extern
sion OF its Jurisdiction Louisiana and Florida As
peace, however, cherished policy, to be
departed from unless honor should be pcrllcd by adj
herring to IL we patiently endured FOR ,ne serious in-
conSeniences and prvaons, and sought transfer Of
those regions by negotiations and not by conquest
The issue Of those negotiations conditional
cess'on OF these countries to tic United States Tho
circumstance, however, Of their being colonial posses
sessions Of France and SPAIN and therefore dependent
on the metropolitan Governments renders those trans
actions materially dfcropt from that which would be
presented by the question Of the annexation Of Texas.
The latter is State with independent government.
acknowledged such by the United States and claim
ing territory beyond though bordering the region
coded by France in the treaty OF the 30h of April, /
lSO3 Whether the constitution Of the United States
contemplated the annexation Of such State, and il So
m what manner that object is TO be effected, qucs