The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-05-24
de,ires and thew are still more frequently

desires, and they are still more frequently
expressed in conversation.
The Hon. Thomas w. Gilmer, men,
her of Congress from Virginia, and former.
Ir Governor of Tint State, numbered as
one of "the Guard,' and of course UNDER
stood 10 be- in the councils of The Cabinet,
10 letter bearing date the 10Th day OF
January last. originally designed as a PR
vnte and confidential letter to trlend.glves
it as his deliberate opinion, after much ex-
animation and reflection. that Texas WILL
BE ANNEXED TO THE UNION. and he cmers
into a specious argument and presents a
variety of reasons in favor Of the measure
He sayI among oher IhiLgs:
WASHING TON, Jan. 10, 1913.
DEAR SIR You nsk if have express
ed the opinion that Texas would be annex>
ed to the United States? answer, yes !;
md This opinion has not been adopted wi;h.
out reflection, or without careful obserTa-
tinn Of causes, which, believe. are rapidly
bringing about this result. do not know
how far these causes have made the same
imprcssion on others. but | am persuaded
,hnt the time is not distant when they will
be felt in all their force. The excitement
which you apprchend may arise but ii will
be temporary, and in the end saluiary.
He lodges the constitutional objection,
as follows:
ST am. as you know, a strict consiruc.
toaist ofile powers Of our federal govern
ment: and do not admit The force Of mere
precedenr to establish authority under writ
len constitutions. The power conferred by
the Constitution over our foreign relations
and The repeated acquisitions of territory
under it, seem 10 me TO leave this question
oper. as one Of expediency.
But YOU anticipate objections with re-
gard 10 The subject of slavery. This is in.
deed subject of extreme delicacy. but it is
one on which the annexation of Texas vii
have the most salutarv influence. Some
have thought ihnt the proposition would en-
danger our Union. am ola different o.
pinion believe it will bring about be-,
ter understanding of our relative rights arc
obligations"
In conclsion, he SAYS:
"Iaving acquired Louisiana and Flori
da, we have an interest and a frontier o:
the Gulf of Mexico, and along our interior
to The Pacific, which will not permit US Il
close our ewes or fold our arms with indiff
erence TO the events which few years may
disclose in that quarter. We have already
said ore must soon arise, under our revenue
laws, am on other points of necessary in
tercourse, which it will DO difficult TO adjust
The institutions of Texas, and her relation.
with other Governments, are yet in tina
condition which irclines her people (whc
are our counirymen) 10 unite their des;inie:
with ours. TINS MUST BE SOON, OR NOT Al
ALL. There ere numerous tribes of Indians
along both frontiers, which can easily be.
come Inc cause or the instrument of border
wars. Our own population is pressing on.
ward 10 the Pacific. No power can restrain
IT, The pioneer from our atlantic sea- board
will soon kindle his fires and erect his cab.
in beyond the Rocky Mountains and on the
Gulf OF California. IfMahomed comes not
10 the m1un,ain. tho mountain will go &c
Mahommed Every year adds new diff
culies 20 our progress, as natural and as in.
evitable as the current of the Mississippi.
These difficulties will soon, like mountains
iAlerpose.'
"Make enemies Of nations,
(which now like kindred drops,
"Might mingle into One.''