Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-05-19

several other members of Congress, in the same
u,eoa'e, expressed similar views and desires, and
uley are still more frequently expressed in con-
=, The Hon. Thomas w. Gilmer a Member of
congress from Virginia, and formerly Governor
OF that State, numbered as one of utbe Cuardn
and OF course understood to be in the councils of
the cabinet, in letter bearing date the 10th day
OF January last, originally designed az a private
ahd confidential letter to friend, gives il as his
deliberate opinion, after much examination and
renection, that TEXAS WILL BE ANNEXED TO The
UNION and he enters into a specous argument
and presents variety of reasons in lavor of tue
measure. lie says, among other things
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, l643.
DEAR SIR-You ask ii have expressed the
opinion that Texas would be admitted to the Uni.
ted States? answer yes and this opinion has
not been adopted without reflection, or without
careful observation OF causes, which believe, are
rapidly bringing about this result. do not know
how far these causes have made the same impress
sion on others, but am persuaded that the time
IS rot distant when they will be felt in all their
force. The excitement which you apprehend may
arse; 1t will he but temporary, but in the end
sdiutdry."
He lodges the constitutional objections, MS fol-
lows;
81 am as you know, a strict cons,ructionist Of
the powers of our Federal Government; and
do not admit the force of mere precedent to es-
The power conferred by the Constitution over our
foreign relations and The repeated acquisitions of
territory under II, seem TO leave this question
open as one of expediency.
"But you anticipate objections, with regard 10
the subject of slavery. This is indeed subject
OF extreme decy, but II is one on which the anner-
alton of Ieras oiH haze the most saiutary influence
Some have thought that the proposition would en-.
danger our Union. | am of a different opinion.
believe 1t will bring about better understanding
Of our relative rights and obligations"
In concusion he says:
Having acquired Louisiana and Florida. we
have an interest and frontier on the Cult OF
Mexico, and along our interior 10 the Pacific,
which will not permit us to close our eyes fold
our arms with Indifference to the events which a
few years may disclose in that quarter. We have
already had one question Of boundary with Texas;
other questions must soon arise, under our reye-
nue. laws, and IN other points of necessary inter-
course, which it will be difficult 10 adjust. The
institutions of Texas, and her relations 10Th other
Governments, are yet in that condition Dhich iEciines
her people (who ara our countrymen) to uniie their
destinies iDifh ours THIS MUST BE DONE SOON,
OR NOT AT ALL There are numerous tribes of
Indians along both frontiers which can easily be-
come the cause or the instrument Of border wars.
Our own population is pressing onward to the
Pacific. No power can restrain it. The pioneer
from our Atlantic seaboard will soon knde his
fires and erect his cabin beyond the Rocky Noun
tains and on the gulf Of California. Ii Mahom-
med comes not 10 the mountain, the mountain
will come to Mahomned. Every year adds new
difficulties TO our progress, natural and in
evitable the current of the NJ Mississippi. These
difficulties will soon, like mountains inlerposed,'
Make enemies of nations,
Which now, like kindred Drops
.HPht mingle into one.'