The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-10-12
General HINT 10 Mr.. Forsyth.
TEXAN LEGATION.

Washington, AhSha 70, 1891
G,acrai HINT 10 w. Forsya.
TEXAN LEGATION.
Washington city, !Scptrrater IL, 1887.
SIR The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and
minister pcnipocnliaTy of the republic OF Texas,
has the honor to acknowledge the receipt OF the noe
Of the honorable Mr.. Forsyth Secretary of State Of
HE United States Of HE 25th Of August, in reply 10
the proposition which he had the honor to submit on
the lih of the month"; TO nego.iaie treaty for
the annexation of Texas the United States
The undersigned was aware that, in recognising
the Independence of Texas the question of right
was not taken into consideration BY the Government
Of the United States. II was with proper under
standing of the settled policy of this Government in
similar cases. that the claim OF Texas to the justice
of a recognition was placed by his colleague and him
self upon her actual existence as an independent
Power and the impossibiity of a reconquest al the
hands of Maxico. Although by the issue Of that
negotiation, the question OF fact was satisfactorily
determined il was deemed inappropriate, after the
misrepresentation Of the late envoy extraordinary
and minister plcnipotentary of Mexico, to preface
the proposition for the annexation of Texas TO the
United Safes with plain statement of the causes
which led to- and the events which grew out of her
separation from Mexico, conclusively showing
that they can never b. reunited; and for an addi-
tional reason, which he will presently show, the
undersigned adhcres 10 the opinion that the simple
narrative Of facts which the honorable Secretary of
Safe declines examining into, cannot b, regarded
as irrelevant in proposition for the annexation of
Texas 10 the United States
The venerable ex-Prcsidcnt General Jackson was
so strongly impressed with bilicf, at one time
during his administration, that the negotiation then
pending for the acquisition OF Texas would be
brought to speedy and favorable issue, that he ten
dcred the office Of Governor of the Territory OF
Texas 10 the late Governor H. G. Burton, of North
Carolina 10 be entered upon rs soon as the treaty Of
cession should b. completed See publication on
the subject of Governor Burton's appointment. The
same principles, itappears to the undersigned were
involved in the negotiation for the acquisition OF
Texas from Mexico previously TO the recognition of
the independence OF the latter BY Spain, which are
now presented by the question Of the annexation Of
Texas 10 the United States previously to the recoS
milton of her independence BIZ Mexico; and had his
exccllency the President of the United States en-
teriained any inclination to negotiate treaty for
the annexation Of Texas, hope which had been
fondly cherished. he had expressed de:ermina-
tion to carry out the measures and conform to the
general policy of his venerable predecessor il does
appear 10 the undersigned, but with distinguished
Difference to the honorable Mr. Forsyth's opinions
to the contrary, that neither sense Of duty the
settled policy of the Government, during the admin
stration of the venerable ex-PrcSident would have
prevented an examination into the historical facts
accompanying the proposition. That brief compen-
dium, which Is believed TO be correct, will show
that there is as lille prospect of the recovery of
Texas by Mexico at this time as there was Of the
reconquest OF Mexico by Spain, at the time that
General Jackson believed that the charge d'ahaires
(Mr. Builer) OF this Government had succeeded in
negotiating the acquisition Of Texas Ii the act Of
the annexation OF Texas would involve the United
States in war with Mexico at this time, the under
signed is nj loss to perceive why similar result
was not anticipated with Spain in event Of cession
OF Texas b. Mexico Texas asked nothing more
OF The United States, in proposing to negotiate for
her annexation than the United States had previous
" desired of MexSco when General Jackson was at
the head of this Governments for Mexico was then
as much at war with Spain as Texas now is with
MeXico and il is believed that as friendly treaty and
commercial h,tWepn he
United States al that time as are maintained between
the United States and Mexico.
In addition TO the fact that this Government when
administered by the sage Of the Hermitage, proposed
the acquisition Of icxas BY purchase from Mexico, many
wears before the recognition Of her independence by
Spain the undersigned most respectfully invites the
tenon of the honorable the Secretary Of State 10 the
report Of the House Of Representatives OF the State Of
Mississippi, contained IN newspaper which he here
with presents. Tho report which is said to have been
adopted unanimously alludes in strong terms to the
subject Of the right Of this Government to admit Texas
into its contedcracy; and the undersigned refers to it
thus particularly, that he may be sustained by high
thon:y. when he assures the Secretary Of State of the
United States that IN submitting the proposition Of
ncxation, was far from his intention ask the Co
yernmen Of the United States to acccdc 10 measure
which Mr.. Forsythwas instructed TO believed
70 involve UNJUST principles The undersigned assures
the Secretary Of State Of the United States that no
could not knowingly 10 be tho medium Of pre-
disregard OF just principles.
The honorable Mr.. Forsyth will pardon the under
signed for expressing the opinion which appears him
undcnIahe--thata sovereign Power has perfect
right TO dispose Of the whole Of itself, and second
Power TO acquire tia, part only and that tho acluisi-
uon OF the whole territory Of sovereign Power could
not more be objected to on the ground Of constitutional
right than the acquisition of part OF that territory only.
The material difference andGd TO by Mr.. Forsyth. be-
tween the annexation Of independent Texas by her
voluntary act, and the scqnison OF the colonial pro-
ynces of Louisiana aud Florida BY the Of their re.
spcctlye governments, is acknowledged But the df-
ference Is conceived 10 be altogether in favor Of the
former, for the reason that tie annexation Of Texas
would bc act OF free will and choice tho part of
the Government and people, who own and actually
cny the very territory proposed to be transferred while
the latter would to have been the rcsn, OF arb
rary right the pat Of the metropolitan Governments
10 dispose of the territorial possessions cedcd by them
without regard the wishes OF the inhabitants residing
thereon
After the assurance OF the honorable Mr.. FORSYTH
that OF duty and for consistency left
his Government alternative in leading the way in
recognising the independence OF Texas tho undersigned
roncsscs surprise tho intimation OF Mr. For
syh that the circumstance OF her having been first re-
,ognscd by tho United States, should in any manner
influence the foreign intercourse Of Texas However
much the Government Of Texas may be Disposed
courage the most friendly relations with the Govern
ncnt of the United States. the undersigned assures
he honorable Secretary OF State that the Govern
nent OF Texas does not consider that any parti-
,nar foreign policy was implied made binding
ipon her by the Circumstance Of her indcpend-