Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-06-20
From the National Intclligcnccr Of June -.
TEXAS AGAIN

transmitted 20 the House OF Representatives ali |
the documents concerning Texas which have been
excessively communicated to the Senate and
made public aud IN addition certain other papers
(anonymous letters anu extracts OF letters, &c }
which the Senate, considering, thou h communi-
Gated by the Executive, to be of a character un-
worthy OF serious consideration, neither printed
nor made public.
Accompanying these documents was Message
from the President. (which will be found below.
remarkable and eNcep,ionable enough in itself,
preierriRg the interests OF Texas over all things
but recommending nothing specific.
The Message and documents were referred to
the Committee on Foreign Relations. We shall
see what that committee will do with this appeal
OF the President against tie Senate.
WASHINGTON, June 10, 1914.
10 the House Of Representatives. of the United States
The Treaty negotiated by the Executive with
'he hepuoic OF Texas, without departure from
any form OF proceeding customarily observed in
the negotiation Of treaties, for the annexation of
that Republic to the United States, having been
rejected by the Senate, and the subject HAVING ex-
cited on the part OF the People no ordinary de-
gree of interest, feel it to be my duty to com
muhicate, Tor your consideration, the rejected
Treaty, together with all the correspondence and
documents which have heretofore been submitted
to the Senate In its Executive sessions The ma
pers communicated embrace not only the series
already made public by orders of the Senate, but
others from which the veil OF secrecy has hot
been removed by that body, but which deem to
DO essentiai 10 Just appreciation of the entire
question. While the Treaty was pending before
the Senate, did not consider it compatible with
tho just rights of ;hat body, or consistent with
the respect entertained for it, TO bring this impo-
tant subject before you. The power of Congress
Is, however, fully competent, in some other form
of proceeding, TO accomplish every thing that
formal ratification OF the Treaty could have ac-
complshed; and therefore feel that should but
amperiecily discharge my duty to yourselves or
the country, il failed to lay before you every
thing in tho possession of the Executive which
would enable you TO act with full LIGHT on the
subject, if you should deem il proper to take any
action upon IL.
regard The question involved in these proceed
lngs as enc OF vast magnitude, and as addressing
iseii 10 interests OF an elevated and enduring
character. Republic coterminous i'm territory
WIN our oWn-ol immense resources, which re-
Quire only to be brought under the influence of
our confederate and free system in order to be
fully oped-promsing at no distant day,
through the fertility of the soil, nearly, if not en-
tire'y, TO duplicate The exports of the country
thereby making an addition to the carrying trade
to an amount almost incalculable, and giving n
new Impulse OF immense importance TO the com
merclal, manufacturing, agricultural, and shin
ping interests of the Union, and at the same time
aiiofding protection to an exposed frontier, and
placing the whole country in condition of Sc
curity and repose-a territory settled mostly bv
emigrants from the United States who will brny
oack with them III the act of reclprocation an I'M
conquerable love OF freedom, and an ardent at
tachment TO our free institutions s:lch question
couiu not IAN TO interest most deeply i'm its sue
cess those who under the Constitution have he
come responsible for the faithful administration
OF public affairs. have regarded it as not a lit
tle fortunate that the question involved was no
way sectional or local, but addressed itself TO the
interests OF every part of the county, and made
aus appeal to the glory of the American name
luis due 10 the occasion TO say that have care
1uIiy reconsidered the objections which have been
urged TO Immediate action upon the subject with
out In any degree having been struck with their
force. III has been objected that the measure Of
annexation should be preceded by the consent of
mexico. 10 preserve the most friendly relations
with Mexico; to concede to her not GrudUinUIv
but freely all her rights; to negotiate fairly and
frankly with her as 10 the question of boundary
10 render her, In word, the fullest and most am
pie recompense for any loss she might convince
us she had sustained. fully accords with the feel
ines and views the Executive has always enter
tanned. But negotiations in advance of annexa-
ZION would prove not only abortive, but might be
regarded as offensive to Mexico, and insultnp to
Texas. Mexico would no;, am persuaded. give
ear ior moment TO an attempt at negotiation in
advance, except Tor the whole territory of Texas
w lille all the world besides regards Texas as an
independent Power, Mexico chooses to look upon
her as revolted Province. Nor could we neoo-
tate with Mexico for Texas without admitting
mat our recognition of her independence was
fraudulent, delusive, or void 1T is only after ac-
curing Texas that the question of boundary can
arise between the United States and Mexico a
question Purposely left open for negiation with
Mexico, as aiiordIng the best opportunity for The
most friendly and pacific arrangements. The
Executive has dealt with Texas as Power indie
pendent OF all others, both dc fatto and de jure.
She was an Independent State Of the confedera-
ton of Mexican Republics. When, by violent
revolution, Mexico declared the Confederation at
an end, Texas owed her no longer allegiance, but
claimed, and has maintained the right for eight
years TO separate and distinct position. During
that period no army has invaded her with a view
to her reconquest, and if she has not vet estab-
llshed her right to be treated nation indepen-
dent DE FAcTo and DE JURE. it would be difficult,
10 say at what period she will attain TO that con-
dition.
Nor can we, by any fair or any legitimate nfe-
renee, be accused of violating any treaty sipula-
lions with Mexico. The treaties with Mexico
give no guaranty OF any sort, and are co-6xisteni
with similar treaty with Texas. So have we
treaties with most of the nations of the earth
which are equally as much violated by the annex
alton of Texas 10 the United States as would be
our treaty with Mexico. The treaty is merely
commercial, and intended as the instrument for
more accurately defining The rights and securing
the interests of the citizens Of each country
What bad faith can be implied or charged upon
the Government Of the United States for success
fully negotiating with an independent Power up
on any subject not violating the stpuations of
such treaty, confess my inability to discern
The objections which have been taken TO The
enlargement of our territory were urged with
much zeal against the acquisition Of louisiana
and yet The iutility OF such has long since been
fully demonstrated. Since that period a new
Power has been introduced into the affairs of the
world, which has, for all practical purposes,