Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1837-01-14
TEXAS MESSAGE.

Duiing the last session, information was gwen
to Congress BY the Executive, that measures had
been taken to ascertain "the political, military and
civil condition OF Texas" | now submit, for your
consideration, extracts from the report Of the agent
who had been appointed to collect it, relative to
the condition of that country.
No steps have been taken by the Executive to-
wards the acknOW ledgment OF the independence
OF Texas; and the whole subject would have been
lett without further remark, ON the information
now given TO congress, were it not that the two
Houses, at their last session, acting separately,
passed resolutions 'lhat the independence of Tex.
as ought 10 be acknowledged by The United States,
whenever satisfactory information should be re-
ceyed that it had IN successful operation civil
government, capable OF performing the duties, and
fulfilling the obligations OF an independent Power"
This mark OF interest in the independence Of
Texas, and indication of the views of Congress,
make 1t proper that should, somewhat in detail,
present the considerations that have governed the
Executive in continuing to occupy the ground
| previously taken In the contest between Mexico
| and Texas.
The acknowledgment of new State as indie.
pendent, and entitled to place in the family of
nations, Is al all times an act of great decacy and
| responsibility; but more especially so when such
State has torclbly separated itself from another,
OF which 1t had formed an integral part, and which
| still claims dominion over it. A prt mature re-.
cognton, under these circumstances, if not look.
ca upon as JusthahIe cause OF war, is always La
| bic to be regarded as a proof of an unfriendlv
spnt to one OF the contending parties. All ques-
tons relative to the government of foreign M.
tons, whether Of the old or new world. have
been treated by the United States as questions of
tact only. and or predecessors have cautiously
abstalned from deciding upon them until the clear.
est evidence was in their Possession, TO enable
them, not only to decide correctly, but to shield
their DECISIONS from every unworthy imputaton.
In all the contests that have arisen out of the re-
Volulions OF France, out OF the disputes relating
TO lhe crowns OF Portugal and Spain, out of the
revolutionary movements in those KINGDOMS. ont
OF the separation OF The American possessions of
both from the European governments md ON, or
the numerous and constantly occurring struggles
'o' dou'n'on III Spanish America, so wisely con.
slstent with our just principles has been the &C.
Uoh OF our government, that We have. under the
most critical circumstances, avoided ,ll cansu,o
Z anu encountered no other evil than that produced
oy transient estrangemeni Of good will in those
against whom we have have been by force of
e'ld nee compelled to decide. ,...
II mas mus been made known to the world ,ha,
Inc uniform policy and practice of the U. States
10 AVOID all interference in disputes which mere
| y relate to the internal government of other M.
'lohs' and eventually to recognize the AUTHORITY
Of the prevailing party, without reference II onr
particular interests and views, ~. ~. -
so firmly id,"e esaGGshsd and well Garsood n e.
vor of this policy. that no serious disagreement
has ever arisen among ourselves in relation to It,
although brought under review in variety of
forms, and at periods when the minds of the peo-
pie were greatly excited by the agitation Of to-
| PICS purely domestic IN their character Nor has
any deliberate inquiry ever been instituted in Con-
gress, or IN any Of our Legislative bodies, as to
whom belonged the power of originally recogniz-
a new State-a power, the exercise Of which is
| equivalent, under some circumstances, TO deca-
ton OF war--a power nowhere expressly dele
gated, and only granted in the Constitution, as it
is necessarily involved in some of the great pow
ers gwen to Congress; IN that given to the Pres-
dent and Senate to form treaties with Foreign
Powers, and to appoint ambassadors and other
public minister's and in that conferred upon the
President to receive ministers from foreign ma
tons.
In ttepreamble to the resolution of the House
of Representatives, it Is distinctly minated that
the expedlency of recognizing the Independence
of Texas should be left TO the decision Of Con
gress. In this view, on the ground Of expedi-
ency, ! am disposed to concur; and do not there
fore, consider it necessary to express any opinion
as TO the strict constitutional right Of the Execu
tive, either apart from or in conjunction with the
} Senate over the subject. 1T is TO be presumed
! that on no future occasion will dispute arise as
4 none has heretofore occurred, between the Exc.
cutive and the Legislature in the exercise of III,
power of recognition. 1t will always be cen.
sidered consistent with the spirit Of the Consttu
ton, and most safe, that il should be exercised
when probably leading to war, with previous
understanding with thai body by whom war car
: alone be declared and by whom all the provision,
for sustaining its penls must be furnished. 1t
: submission to Congress, which represents in on,
It of its branches the States Of the Union, and il
e the other the Pennle nc 'he United States, vher,
= there nav
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