Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-05-11
WHOLE NO. 36l.

present moment, it is impossible to overlook
the delicate question, which has arisen, from
events which have happened in the lste Mexi-
can Province of Texas. The Independence
of that Province has now been recognized by
the Government Of the United States. The
Congress gave the President the means, to
be used when he saw III. Of opening a diplo-
matte intercourse with its Government, and
the late President Immediately made use Of
those means.
! ! saw no objection, under the circumstun-
ces, to voting an appropriation to be used
when the president shonld think the proper
time had come; and he deemed. certainly We
ry promptly, that the time had already arriv-
ed. Certainly, gentlemcn,th history OF Tex
us is not little wonderful. A very few peo-
pie, in a very short time, have established .
government for themselves, against the su
thority of the parent state; and which govern
ment, it is generally supposed, there 10 little
probability at the present moment, Of the pa
rent state being able to overturn.
This government is. in form, a copy OF osr
own. II is an American Constitution, sub
stantially after the great American model
We all, therefore, must wish it success; and
there is no one who will more heartily rejoice
thun shall, to see an independent communi-
~, intelligent, Industrious, and friendly to Us,
springing up, and rising into happiness, dis
tinction and power, upon our own principles
Of liberty and government.
But it cannot be disguised, gcntleme n. that
a desire, or an intention, is already manifest
ed to annex Texas to the United States. On
subject of such mighty magnitude as this,
and at moment when the public attention 10
drawn to il, should feel myself wanting in
candor, il did not express my opinion; since
all must suppose, that on such question, il
is impossible that should be without some
opinion.
| say then, gentlemen, n, in oil frankness, that
see objections, ! think insurmountable OBJ
jections, to the anne xution Of Texas to tho
United States. When the constitution was
formed, it is not probable that either its franz
ers or the people, ever looked TO the admls.
sion Of any states into the union, except scch
as then already existed, and such ns should
be formed, out Of territories then already be-
longing to the United States. Fifteen years
after tie adoption Of the constitution, howev-
er, the case Of Louisiana arose. Louisiana
was obtained by treaty with France; who had
recently obtained it from Spain; but the OBJ
ject Of this acquisition, certainly was not mere
extension Of territory. Other great political
/ while she possessed Louisiana, had held the
mouths Of the greet rivers which rise in tho
western states, ,aDd flow into the Gulf OF Mex
leo. She bad disputed our use Of these rivers
already, and with powerful nation in pos
session of these outlets to the sen, it 10 obvi-
GUS that the commerce Of all the west was in
danger of perpetual vexation. Tho command
Of these rivers 10 the sea, was, therefore, the
great object aimed at in the acquisition Of
Louisiana. But that acquisition necessarily
brought territory along with it, and three
states now exists, formed out OF that ancient
province.
A similar policy, and a similar necessity,
though perhaps not entirely as urgent, led TO
the acquisition OF Florida.
Now no such necessity, no such policy, re-
quires the annexation ofTexas. The access
sion Of Texas to our territory il not necessa-
ry to the full and complete enjoyment OF all
which we already possess. Her case there
fore stands entirely different from that Of
Louisiana and Florida. There being then
no necessity for extending the limits Of the
union, in that direction, we ought, thiRk,for
numerous and powerful reasons, to be content
with our present boundaries.
\ Gentlemen, we all see, that by whomsoev-
er possessed, Texas is likely to be slave-
holding country; and frankly avow my en-
tire unwillngness to do any thing which shall
extend the slavery ofthe African race ON this
continent, or add other slave-holding states
to the union. When ! say that regard slave
~ in itself ms great moral social, and politi-
cal evil, ! only use language which has been
adopted by distinguished men, themselves
citizens Of slave. holding states. I shall do
nothing, therefore, to favor or encourage its
farther extension. We have slavery already
among US. The constitution found II aWong
us; it recognized, and gave it solemn guaran-
ties. To the full extent Of these guarantees
we are all bound in honor in justice, and by
the constitution. All the stipulations contain
cd in the constitution, in favor Of the slave
holding states which are already in the union.
ought to be fulfilled, and so far as depends
on me shall be fulfilled,in the fulness Of their
spirit. and to the exactness Of their letter.
Slavery, as il exists in the states, is beyond
the reach Of Congress. II IS concern OF
the states themselves; they have never sub
mitted it to Congress, and Congress has no
rightful power over it. ] shall concur, there
fore, in no act, no measure, no menace no in
dication of purpose, which shall interfere, or
threaten to interfere, with the exclusive an-
thority ofthe several states over the subject
Of slavery, as its exists within their respective
limits. All this appears to me to be matter
Of plain and imperative duty.
But when we come to speak Of admitting
new states, the subject assumes al entirely
different aspect Our rights and our dut'es
are then both different.
The free states, and all the states. are then
at liberty to accept or reject. When II u
proposed TO bring new members INTO tn's Po-
Ii,icsl partnership, the old members have
RIGHT TO saw on what terms such new pertners
are to conc in, and what they are to bring a.
long with them. In my opinion, the people