The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-01-24
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, lS43.

| DEAR SIR You ask if have expressed the opin
| ion that Texas would be annexed to the United
Statesi answer, yes and this opinion has not beer
| adopted without reflection without careful oh
servation of causes, which i believe are rapidly
bringing about this result. ! do not know how fan
these causes have made the same impression on 9th
ers but am persuaded that the time is not distant
when they will be felt in all their force. The ex
ctemenl which you apprehend may arise but 1t wall
be temporary, and in the end salutary. The excite
ment Of prendse or passion is to be deprecated I'M
der any 0,Ser1tnent, as il only confirms error and
Injustice But the excitement of the mind, the popu-
lar intelligence salways beneficial, and is lndsPen-
sable in free Govefsments. II leads to investigation
1t establishes truth, justice, and the public good IL
is the suret and safest OF guarding against the
articles of those who, afraid to trust uler leow-
with the privilege of thinking, have been always
willing and ready to think for them.
With ut having time Just now to consider tins sub
ect in the various interesting and comprehensive as
poets in which it may be viewed, do not hesitate to
say that it is capable, if approached IN proper sPi
rit of doing more to conciliate and consolidate The
conflicting interests and prejudces OF our Union Than
any question which has arisen since the foundation OF
our republic | proceed to notice, very briefly, some
Of the objections you anticipate.
am as on know, strict construcuonist oil the
powers of our Federal Government; and ! do not
admit the force of mere precedent TO establish a-
thory under written constitutions. The power con-
erred by the Constitution our foreign relations,
and the repeated acquisitions of territory under 1t,
seem to me to leave this question open as one OF eX
pediency As such, it cannot be considered South
ern local question 1T Affects ana interests every
portion of the Union.
| assume what no one will deny, that under the
jurisdiction Of the United States the large and un-
usually fertile territory of Texas will be rapidly pco-
Pied and that an immense accession viii be made to
our strength and productive energies. Inc settle
ment of Texas under these auspices, VIII open
market at home for the manufactures and agrcultu-
raj products of all the non-Slayeholdlng States;
market which, othe wise, can only avail them under
the restrictions and disadvantages of foreign compe'
ttion The means of supply for those States will be
increased in the same manner. Tins IS true net only
of the Eastern Atlantic States but OF the country ex-
tending oyerthe fertile vaes of the Ono the Mlsss-
sippi and the Missouri II will be more permanently
valuable to these than all the home markes which
legislation can force by the artificial means of inn
poverishng one interest for the purpose OF giving
bountes to another On the rue principles OF social
and commercial intercourse, IT Will be reciprocal and
mutually advantageous. The only interest IN the
Union which as such merely, could find a reason for
opposing the measure is the interest OF the cotton
and sugar planters of the Southern and southwestern
States Tic anne ,at on of Texas would foster a
competition for which they could find no immediate
equivalent except in the vast acquisition oil nationa
wealth, prosperity and harmony which would result.
people will shake themselves clear of party tram
But YOU anticipate object ms with regard to the
subject of slavery THIS is indeed, subject Of ex-
IRENE delicacy but il is on which the annexation
of Texas will have the most salutary influence
Some have thought that the proposition would en-
danger our Union | am Of different opinion
believe it will strengthen the Union. believe it will
bring about better understanding of our relative
rights and obligations Slavery is one of those sub
jecs which the people Of the slave-hodng States are