Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1844-04-27
RALEIGH, APRIL IL, 1874.

Souoh OaiuCi tudh to-uuy.
To THE EDITORS OF THE NATIONAL IsTELLIGEScER.
RALEIGH, APRM IL, 1874.
GENTLEMEN: Subsequent 10 my departure from
Ashland, in December last, received various COM
munications from popular assemblages and private
individuals, requesting expression of my opinion
upon the question of the Annexation of Texas to
the United States. l have forborne TO reply TO
them, because il was not very convenient, during
the progress of my journey, to do so, and for other
reasons / did not think it proper, unnecessarily,
TO introduce at present new clement among the
other exciting subjects which agitate and engross
the public mind. The rejection of the overture Of
Texas, some years ago, TO become annexed to the
United States, had met with general acquiescence.
Nothing had since occurred materially to vary the
question. had seen no evidence Of desire being
entertained, the part Of any considerable portion
Of the American people, that Texas should become
an integral part Of the United States. During my
sojourn in New Orleans, had, indeed, been greatly
surprised, by information which ! received from
Texas, that, in the course of last fall, voluntary
overture had proceeded from the Executive OF the
United States to the Authorities Of Texas to con-
cude treaty of Annexation; and that, in order to
overcome the repugnance felt by any Of them to
a negotiation upon the subject, strong and, as /
believed, erroneous representations had been made
TO them of state of opinion in the Senate Of
the United States favorable to the ratification of
such treaty. According TO these representations,
it had been ascertaned that "a number of Sena-
tors, varying from thirty-five to forty-two, were
ready to sanction such treaty. / was aware, too,
that holders Of Texas lands and Texas scrip, and
spectators in them, were actively engaged in pro-
noting the object Of annexation. STILL did not
believe that any Executive of the United States
would venture upon so grave and momentous pro-
ceeding, not only without any general manifesto
ton Of public opinion in favor Of it, but in direct
opposition to strong and decided expressions of
public disapprobation. But it appears that was
mistaken. To the establishment OF the whole ma
ton, we are now Informed that treaty Of annex
alton has been actually concluded and is to be sub
mitted to the Senate for its consideration. The
motives for my silence, therefore, no longer remain,
and feel it to be my duty to present an exposition
Of my views and opinions upon the question, for
what they may be worth, to the public considera-
ton. | adopt this method as being more conve-
nien than several replies to the respective conmu-
nications which have received.
regret that have not the advantage of view
OF the treaty itself, so as to enable to adapt
expression of my opinion to the actual conditions
and stipulations which it contains. Not possessing
that opportunity am constrained to treat the ques-
ton according to what presume TO be the terms OF
the treaty. If without the loss of national charac-
ter, without the hazard of foreign war, with the
general concurrence Of the nation, without any
danger to the integrity of the Union, and without
giving an unreasonable price for Texas, the ques
ton Of annexation were presented, it would appear
in quite different light from that in which, l APP
prehend, it is now to be regarded.
The United States acquired title to Texas, ex-
tendingsss / believe, to the Rio del Norte, by the
treaty of Louisiana. They coded and relinquished
that title Spain by the treaty of 1919, by which
the Sabine substituted for the Rio del Nore as
our western boundary. This treaty was negotiated
under the Administration of Mr.. Monroe, and with
the concurrence Of his Cabinet, of which Messrs.
Crawford, Calhoun, and Writ, being majority,
all Southern gentlemen, composed part. When
the treaty was laid before the House of Representa-
tives, being a member of that body, expressed
the opinion which then entertained and still hold,
that Teyas was sacrificed to the acquisition Of Flo
rida. We wanted Florida but / thought il must,
from its position, inevitably fall into possession
that the point Of few years, sooner or later, was
Of no sort Of consequence, and that in giving five
millions Of dollars and Texas for it, we gave mare
than just equivalent. But, il we made great sacri
fee in the surrender Of Texas, we ought 10 take
care not to make too great sacrifice in the attempt
to re-acquire it.
MY opinions Of the inexpedency Of the treaty Of
1919 did not prevail. The country and Congress
were satisfied with il, appropriations were made to
carry il into effect the line of the Sabine
cognised by us as our boundary, in negotiations
both with Spain and Mexico, after Mexico be-
came independent, and measures have been in &C.
tual progress to mark the line, from the Sabine
10 Red river, and thence 10 the Pacific ocean.
We have thus fairly alienated our title to Texas, by
solemn national compacts, 10 the fulflment Of
which we stand bound by good faith and national
honor 1t is, therefore, perfectly idle and ridcu-
lous f not dishonorable to talk Of resuming title
to Texas, as If we had never parted with il. We
can no more do that than Spain resume Florida,
France Louisiana, Great Britain the thirteen colo
MES, now composing part Of the United States.
During the administration Of Mr.. Adams, Mr..
Poinsett Minister Of the United States at Mexico,
was instructed by me, with the Presidents author-
", to propose re-purchase Of Texas but he for
bore even to. make overture for that purpose.
Upon his return TO the United States, he informed
me. al New Orleans, that his reason for not making
il was, that he knew the purchase wholly i'm
practicable, and that he persuaded that, if he
made the overture, il would have other effect
than to aggravate irrtaons, already existing upon
matters Of difference between the two countries.
The events which have since transpired in Texas
are well known. She revolted against the Govern
ment Of Mexico, flew to arms, and finally fought
and won the memorable battle Of San Jacinto, an
Initiating Mexican army and making captive Of
the Mexican President The signal success of that
Revolution was greatly aided, If not wholly achev-
ed, by citizens OF the United States who had mi