The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-19
DEBATE IN THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TEXAS.


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WEDNESDAY, December b.
Mr.. ADAMS having moved the reference Of the
memorials, presented by himself and his colleagues
from Massachusetts on the subject Of the annexation
Of Texas to the Union, TO select committee, with
instructions TO report thereon; and Mr. HOWARD
OF Maryland, having moved their reference 10 the
Committee on Foreign Aflrs-
Mr.. ADAMS said, that when he presented the
motion now under consideration, he had stated that
twas with the assent and appreciation Of all his col
leagues of the Massachusetts delegation in that
House. They had all presented similar memorials,
numerously signed, containing the same remon-
STRANGE against the annexation Of Texas TO this
Union, to those which he also had presented. Like
himself they too had viewed this question as Of
the deepest consequence to their constituents and to
the whole country; and as question which involves
even the integrity of the Union by which this Confe-
deracy is bound together; question, in short OF the
most deep, abiding, and vital interest 10 the whole
American nation. For, said MIR. A. in the face Of
this House and in the face of Heaven | avow il as
my solemn belief that the annexation Of indepen-
dent foreign Power TO this Government would ipe
Jacto be dissolution of this Union. And is this
subject for the peculiar investigation of your Com
miuee on Foreign Affairsl Mr.. A. thought il to be
no part Of the duty Of that committee TO consider the
subect-matter of these memorials; to investigate
that which struck blow al the very vals of the
Government The question involved was, whether
foreign nation, acknowledged as such, in most
unprecedented and extraordinary manner, by this
Government nation damned to everlasting fame
BY the reinstuton Of that deested system, slavery,
after it had once been abolished within its borders
should be admitted into Union with nation of free
men For sir, said Mr.. A. that name, thank God
is still ours1 And is such question as this he far
Their asked, to he referred TO the Committee on Fo-
MIR "A. went on TO remark that the exact grounds
upon which the memorialists base their prayer
not yet officially known 10 the House He had said
that he had presented one hundred and ninety peli-
hv tyupp ~ IbpII-
sand pc sons, and that his colleagues had presented
collectively, still larger number; and he might
have referred TO the fact that many Other members
from other States, had also presented similar memo
rials, on the same subject His colleagues he said
did not think it fitting to move the reference 10
lect committee OF any others than those petitions
not done SO. But the grounds upon which the prayer
of all of them was based were the same. Different
reasons and arguments may be adduced in support
Of them; but they all had object and not one of
them contained aught which had the least possible
connection with the foreign affairs of the country.
The People of the Commonwealth of Massachu-
sets who have addressed these memorials to this
House, CONTINUED Mr.. Al have been deeply alarm
ed by the prospect before them relation TO this sub
ject. They have observed, with alarm not nnmin-
gled with terror, the recent conduct Of the Govern
ment towards Mexico. They have been deeply af-
fected with what they have conceived to be the ex-
ceedngly equiyocal course Of the Government dur
ing the last and, far has gone Of the present
Administration, upon the affairs Of Texas One
strong reason Of this remonsirance, on the part Of
his constituents, from the fact that the nation
sought to be annexed to our own had its origin
in violence and fraud; an impression by no means
weakened by the impulses given by the late and pre-
sent Administrators 10 push on this senseless and
wicked war with Mexico. They have seen the ter
Titory of that Republic invaded By the of the Eek
ecutive of this Government without any action of
Congress; and they have seen conspirators against
that Republic coming here, and contriving and con
verting theirplans Corporations with members ofour
own Government! And, amidst all these denonstra-
STATIONS OF the true state of the case they have heard
the bold and unbuSbng pfetence, that the people Of
Texas were struggling for freedom, and that the
wrongs inflicted upon them BY Mexico had driven
them into insurrection and forced them TO fight for
liberty
The CHAIR remarked that pending the question
of mere reference twas not in order TO discuss the
subject of the annexation Of Texas.
Mr. ADAMS resumed and remarked that one Of
the grounds of objection set forth in many of the
memorials submitted to this House is the statement
that this nation Of Texas originated in fraud and vi
oence; and the gentleman from Maryland demands
that this subject be referred to the Committee Fo-
reign Afairsa Why, sir, demanded Mr.. ApAMs)
what would be the reply Of that committee 10 such an
objection on the part of the memoriasts, if such
reference were made Would il not be, that with
such an objection they had nothing whatever TO do
That, whether knavcs, or robbers or thieves-wih
the character Of that people they had no concern
whatever in the inquiries il was their peculiar pro-
vince TO make But il did appear, he must say, TO
him, that when, If admitted, the new State would
country, the expedency Of such admission should be
carefully and anxiousy inquired into and an oppor
tunity be afforded those who make such allegations
10 prove them trte .H-
There had been recent evidence CONTINUED Mr.
Al afforded the country TO the real origin of the
instruction in Texas. A citizen of Virginia. CDR
Mayor who foryears has been appointed 10 offices of
trust and profit under the last Administration has
Just issued a pamphlet in this city, which can be
found on sale at any bookstore, in which the author
gives copy OF letter written by himself in Deem
Der, $780, to the President Of the United States in
which he declared that in February, $780, the per-
son now called President Houston did, in this city,
disclose 10 himself the author of the letter, all his
designs TO this then State Of the Republic Of Mex
ico-Texas. And whoever will read that pamphlet
will find that what that letter then contained as the
disclosure OF scheme 10 be executed is now matter
Of history. 1t was written, be ii remarked, in De-
cember, 1880, and discloSes the particulars of
versation which detailed the plan of the conspiracy,
since consummated, against the Republic Of Mexico
TO rob that Government of the province Of Texas
After this disclosure (sad Mr. ADAMs,) let gentle
men arise here, and talk to us, sir, about Texans
fighting for liberty about Texans driven to insur-
recon by the wrongs inflicted on them BY the Re-
public.
Mr.. A. then inquired what were, in reality, the
preences upon which the disagreement of Texas
from the Mexican Government was justified. He
said that early as 1924 the Legislature of the Re-
public of Mexico, TO its eternal honor passed act
for the emancipation Of slaves and the abolition of
slavery; and the only real ground of rebellion
against the Government of that Republic the part
of Texas was that very decree the only object of
the Instruction the revival of the deteScd system of
slavery and she had adopted Constitution denying
ever to her Legislature even the power ofever eman-
cpating her slaves,