The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-07-11

Secret Session. The Treaty. for The Re-anneratton o.
Tsras- (the injunction Of secrecy remoued)
The following resolutions, submitted by Mr.. Ben
ton, on the 18th May, being under consideration,
viz
Z" Resoiued, That the ratification of the treaty for
the anne xaton of Texas the United States would
be an adoption OF the Texan war with Mexico by
the United States, and would devove its conduct
and conclusion upon the said United States.
% Resolved That the treaty making power does not
extend to the power of making war; and that The
President ard Senate have no right to make war, Ell
Their by declaration or adoption.
"Rssoiped, That the country dismembered from
the United States by the treaty of 1919 with SPAN,
comprehending Texas and large territory between
the Red river and the Arkansas, and being geograph
icay appurtenant the United States and essential
to their political, commercial, and social system,
ought to be reunited to the American Union, as soon
as II be done with the consent of majority oil
the people Of the United States and of Texas, and
when Texas shall either consent to the same, or
acknowledge the independence Of Texas or cease
to prosecute the war against her the armstice nav
ing expirtd) scale commensurate to the conquest
of the country"
Mr.. BREESE addressed the Senate as follows:
Mr.. President AS | do not propose discussing
the treaty when it shall come before us for our final
action, am quite willing to present my views oil IL
upon the resolutions Of the Senator from Missouri
Mr. Benton) on which the debate has thus far pro-
crossed. 1t is not, sir, with the vain hope of chang
ing opinions already made up to reject the treaty,
that throw myself upon the indulgence Of the Sc
nate | do not speak to the Senate. but on ques-
ton Of this importance and interest, TO the country
As | unfortunately differ with some of my best
friends this measure, IN Its whole length and
b eadth it becomes the necessary for me to
present fairly the grounds which rest, and, as
luy as | may be able the views entertain OF its
national bearing and importance. Humble and pre-
tensionless am, Mr.. President, still have a de-
sire, in common with distinguished Senators, to
place myself right before the country all ques-
tons, and especially upon this, which has excited,
and will continue to excite, much Of the public at
tention.
cannot follow political friend in their opposition
10 measures | may believe constitutional and re-
CURED by the best interests OF the country. One
Of the canons of my political faith is, measures,
not men ~ and IN all such cases. am at once remit
ted to the high tribunal OF duty and patriotism and
must obey implicitly their dictates. | have most
anxiously and deliberately consde ed this subject,
and find path more pleasant to pursue than that OF
duty none more inviting; none by which can more
easily relieve myself from the weighty responsibility
am under to the State which represent here, and
which so well deserves from me the most faithful
performance of all my obligations to it, Duty and
patriotism alike, then, prompt TO the course |
pursue and upon the judgment of my country,
shall repose with no misgivings-wth no fears that
have acted counter to the public will, in hostility
10 the common veal.
! However may decide this most momentous
gu, ston-momentous in every aspect in which il
can be viewed-the sovereign pee, lie will review thai
judgment, and approve condemn the actors in IT.
as the facts may warrant, am fully convinced sir
is td f and n its oa a.ree,rj Of
solemn treaty stipuations ceded TO a foreion now
Ier-peopled by our own kindred-al Ike in institutions,
manners, customs, language, laws, and religion,
10 Iftilt =
reposed with us upon the bosom of common mo-
ther,-will be hailed with joy by large maiotity OF
the people Of the Union, and by none with more
heartfelt graduation than the free spirits of the pra
re state from whose every hilltop, glen, and val
ley, VIII ascend the shouts Of observation-disclosures IN
our wandering and wayward sister, now once more
and reyer TO be united with us in the closest bonds
Of union, harmony and love
hope, Mr.. President, shall not be deemed the
apologls or defender of the Executiye-whose great
measure he would fain make the country believe
this is-ior the part taking in promoting ~ con.
summation ! have nothing TO say for hum and
shaIi neither defend nor justify him. if ne shall be
thought to need either defence or justification
snail make but lew, II any, comments on the mass
OF correspondence emanaiing from his secretaries
an ms DINER fuBctIonaries. Nor shall | meddl.
with the motives that may have prompted the exc
cutlon oil me treaty at tins parcu ar inctire in the
political Affairs of the country With these shall
have nothing to do. As ! would not that others
1 he
right to Judge them Though the propostion for
annexation may appear 10 others TO come in ga oues
tonable shape" shall not regard so much the form
as the substance of the deed and TO those =, no c,
with me upon the question: and to the whole ooun-
Try would say, II political capital is sought to be
made by The Executive out of it, for his own adj
vancement that the only credit he can of rybt claim
IS IN granting The power TO the Secretary of State to
perform the clerical part Of the negotiation the n
nexauon itself being brought about, as sincerely
believe oy The sage and patriot retired from the
hustle and strife Of politics to the peaceful shade. ~
the Hermitage, with whom it has been darling oh
Ject nurtured with parental ondness for MANY wears
and II accomplished, will be the Growing Glory Of
his long, well spent, and eventfu life and. ere his
eyes close in DEATH they may yet repose with delight
upon 'ne lone star, then no longer lonely and
glimmerlng IN feeble splendor, but radiant by The
glores OF ITS association, brilliant and as true as
the brightness of her sisters
shall not, Mr. Pr, sident in the argument | shau
esent to the Senate, go over the whole field IN
whleh those who have preceded me (Mr Walker
ana MI mcDunle have labored so ably and so sue
cessiulIy, leaving me but few scattered heads ,o
gamer That would be time misspent NV task is
the more humble of Sc king out and catherine
the Few untouched heads the most sk,lfuI ahorers
WIN leave standing in the best r,aped field, and add
them to the common store that is INV humble ofic.
and, in view Of that, my Offering will he Lnn,h,s
ana II not valuable, will be at least sincere
In the view have taken Of the subject Mr. Pre-
s'den' II seems necessary TO consider some topics
Whicn nave MOI been presented in the order and in |
the connexion IN which shall endeavor 10 nrcsen,
them, or but slightly alluded to by senators who have
spoken to the question and the first is
IS TEXAS 4 SOVEREIGN AND iNprprSo,Nr Ma
TOM
Deciding this question in the affirmative would
eem to me to dispose Of many Of the matters in CON
roversy here, which will allude 10 in their prone r
order.
Now, SIR, as to the question, is Texas a sovereign
md independent natloni
If was asked Of us, Of these United States, If we
are sovereign ana independent, would answer il
~ saying the British crown, TO whom the ooun,ry