Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-01-03
CONGREss.


Debate In the HOUSE On ~
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
,he Uoion. TO a Select Committee, with
Instructions 70 report thereon; and Mr..
Howard, Of Maryland, having moved
their reference 70 the Committee of For
eign AfIairs-- 49,
X M. Adams said, that when he present.
I'D the motion now under consideration, |
he had stated that il was with the assent |
and appreciation Of all his colleagues ofthe |
Massachusetts delegation in that House |
They had all presented similar memori-
ais, numerically signed. containing the
same remonstrance against the annexa-
ton ofTexas 70 this Union, to those which
he also had presented. Like himself,
they too had viewed this question as one
of the deepest consequence to their con-
stituents, and to the whole country and
as a question which involves even the in
tegrity. ofthe union by which this Con-
federacy is bound together; question, in
ssiort, Of the most deep, abiding, and vital
interest TO the whole American nation.
For, said Mr.. A, in the lace Of this House
and in the face Of Heaven, avow it as
my solemn belief that the annexation of
an independent ioreign Power to this Gov
eminent would, ips0 faet0, be a dissolu-
= ton Of this Union And is this subject
fort peculiar investigation of your CON-
miitee on foreign affairs2 Mr.. A. thought
II 70 be no part Of the duty Of that commit
tee 10 consider the subject-matter Of these
memorials; TO investigate that which
struck blow at the very vitals of the Gov
eminent. The question involved was
whether foreign nation, acknowledged
as such, in a most unprecedented and ex-
traordinary manner, by this Government
nation damned TO everlasting fame''
BY che ,eiDstitution ofthat detested system,
slavery after il had once been abolished
within is borders, should be admitted into
union with nation Of freemen7 For,
~. said Mr.. A., that name, thank God, is
sill oursl And is such a question as
Mic, be further asked, TO be referred to the
Cpmmittee. on Foreign Afairsq
mar. Advent bp 20 remark, that the ex.
aA er6Hfnds mon which the memorialists
base their prayer iars not yet officially
known TO hs.Hotbe. He had said thai
he had pReseatrd tne hundred and ninety
petitions, up9h BisSubject, signed by some
twenty Thousand persons, and that his col
leaguesrhadpke collectively, a still
larger nuhHbers and he might have referr-
ed to the, fact That many other members
from othets States, had also presented sim
liar mkmorials, on abe same subject. His
colleagues, he said, did not think il fitting
10 move the reference to a select commit
tee OF anv others thanthose petitions which
they and he had presented, therefore he
had not done so. But the grounds upon
which the prayer Of all Of them was has
ed were the same. Different reasons and
arguments may be adduced in support o
them, severally, by the different member.
offering them; but they all had one object
and not one ofthem contained Taught which
had the least possible connection with th,
foreign affairs of the country.
The people of the commonwealth o
Massachusetts, who have addressed thes
memorials to this House, Continued Mr
Az have been deeply alarmed, by the pros
ucct before them, In relation to this sui
feet. They have observed, with alarr
nUk uUmIuXtCu WIFI kCItOIs tuO tONOhb wi
duct Of the government toward MencC
They have been deeply affected with whs
they nave conceiyedto be the exceedingI
eouivocal course ofthe government, dur
ing the last, and. so far as il has gone, tn
present administration, upon the affairs {
Texas. Onestrong reason ofthis remor
STRANGE, on the part of his constituent
arose from the fact that the nation no.
sought TO be annexed to our own, had i
origin in violence and fraud; an impress
ion by no means weakened by the impu
ses given by the late and present admins
trations 10 push on this senseless and wicl
cd war with Mexico. They have see
the territory Of that republic invaded b
II the act Of the Executive Of this govern
ment, whhout any action Of Congress
aud they have seen conspirators again
that republic coming here, and contrivin
and concerning their plans Of operate
with members of our own governmen
And, amid all these demonstrations of Il
true state Of the case, they have heard Il
bold and unblushing pretence, that u
people Of Texas were struggling for fire.
dom, and that the wrongs inflicted upc
them by Mexico had driven them into i
surrec,ion. and forced them to fight e
liberty sat 10 aaa~i ....-
The CHAIR remarked. that pending Il
question Of mere reference, it was not
order 10 discuss the subject Of the annex
ton Of Texas. -#a1a' ana
Mr.. Adams resumed; and remarke
than one Of the grounds Of objection I
fotth in many Of the memorials submit
tothis house, Is the statement that this y
ton Of Texas originated in fraud and VI
lence--,nd the gentleman from Maryla