The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-12-06
PROBABILITIES.


Even without taking into consideration the
strong evidences which have appeared Of the
views of the Governments of Great Britain and
Texas in their secret negotia,ions-the secrecy
of which is of course, intended TO occlude evil
dence as much as possble-there is every rea-
son to believe ii in the highest degree probable,
that an arrangement may take place between
Great Britain, Mexico and Texas, greatly ad-
vantageous TO all those States, and greatly pre-
judicial TO US, yet without directly infringing
our rights nation. The probabilities alone
are sufficient almost to produce conviction.
The Government and People of Mexico, if
possessing an ordinary share Of political fore
sight and prudence, cannot but desire that an
independent State should be nterposed between
us and them, which should serve as barrier
against the ambitious and encroaching DISPOSE
ton which their public men and political jour
mails have for many years pas. imputed to
our Government If they were convinced,
therefore, that Texas could become such a State
If they were sure that the feelings ofthe People
of Texas could become alienated from this coun-
try and spirit of hostility engendered-
might readily be induced TO recognize its indie
pendence And what would be more certain 10
create permanently hostile feeling, than the
acquescence of Texas in the declared views
and wishes of Great Britain?
On the other hand, the inducements held out
to the People of Texas to recoa ce them to such
political connection with Great Britain as
would render their country virtually colony of
thatpower, are numerous, obvious and weighty ;
and though large majority of the People, as
their papers assure US, are still in favor of an
nexation, it is not likely that such disposition
will hold out long against the jealous and perse
vering efforts, made by their own public men
in whom they most confide, TO excite feeling
against US and in favor of Great Britain. We
published few days ago, one of several eabo-
rate and shrewdly written articles which we
found in the administration prints of Texas,
having that object in view, and appealing forci-
bly, TO the interests as well as the pride of the
People. If any doubt existed whether those ar
ticles expressed the sentiments OF the existin Q
administration Of Texas, the address of Presi-
dent Houston, recently delivered in the CITY
bearing his name, and received by the last arri-
val from Galveston, must entirely dissipate IT,
The language is nearly verbatim the same, and
is such as would become British emissary in
Texas, rather than one born and reared in our
country, and at one time in its national councils
We will quote extract from il again, for the
information of our readers, and request their at.
tention to the cautiously worded assertion of Gen
Houston, that British proposals for abolition, are
"wbolly unknown TO the archives of The Govern
ment," as if such propositions could not be
made and discussed verbally, as well as in
writing:
Ny Countrymen: One question in relation TO
England. What has England done land there is no
secret IN connection with her. say it before God
but that Texas wants peace To be attained by the in
PREVENTION OF The three great Powers England has as
sured US that we have her most friendly disposition
and aid. Toere is no condition mentioned. Aboli.
too, or anything Of the kind, is wholly unknown to
the archives of the Government. They have a riQh
TO advise, if they choose, and we TO reject There il
nothing compulsory on their part. England is in ne
wise making claims or asserting anything right
which incompatible with the interests Of this coup
try. But as to the United States. And here 1 am .
loss what To say. Suppose that England had land
ed goods upon the territory and forcbly retaken
from the officers of the IL under legal seizure wba
would not have been the clamori Or suppose Eng
llsh officers had by superior force cap ured com
mand, acting under authority of the Government, o
our citizens, and deprived them of their arms, leav
ing them subject and exposed, in de enceIess sua
fiop, to be slain, without power means to defeD.
tbemselvcsi This would be very wrong in the Fog
lish. hope the Government of the United State
will make honorable reparaon for tho wrong. don,
by it, ofcers. 1t would be with their az
nanimity OF character Our troops have been dis
armed one hundred mies within our territory An,
this was done by regular officer in the United State
service. Yet they denource bandits and pirat $
The United States will send conveys, if necessary
saws their General, 10 the Rio Grande What shout
we say il England were to do thisi What would Eng
land say if the United States were to do so in Cana
ds-or the United States if England we're TO do it j
New York; They would say il was act OF DARN
hostility spd disregard Of privilege" t
In fact, the great men Of Texas-and eve
Texas has its great men-have naturally n
reason to desire the anDexation of their countr,
90 the United States. Men actuated by apassiol
such as ambition. which swallows up all 9th
ers, would not only "rstber reign in Hell thar
serve in Heaven" but 6nd it much easier to dc