The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-29
mr.. CLAWS LETTER
on TIE
TEXAS QUESTION
To Tux EDITORS or THE NATIONAL IsrELIIarscEE

EXAS ESTiON.
To TuK EprroRs OF THE NATIONAL IsrELIIarscEK
RALEIoH, April IL, 1874.
| GENrrKMEN:-Subsequen to my departure from
Ashland in December last, received various COM
! municatons from popular assembnges and private
individuals requesting an expression o! my opinion
upon the question of the Annexation OF Texas TO
the United States have forborne 10 reply 10 them
because IL was not very convenient, during the
progress ef my journey, 10 do so, and tor other
SONS did not think It proper, unnecessarily, TO
| introduce at present new element among the
other exciting subjects which agiiate and engross
the public mind. The rejection of the overture II
| Texas, some years ago, TO become annexed to the
United States, had met with general acquiescence
| Nothing had since occurred materially 10 vary the
| question. ] had seen no evidence OF de ire 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
sourn in New Orleans, had, indeed been greatly
surprised, by information which received from
Texas that, IN the Of last fall, voluntary
overture had proceeded from the Executive of the
United States TO the Authorities of Texas to con-
clude treaty of Annexation; and that in order 10
I overcome the repugnance felt by any of them TO
n negotiation upon the subject, strong, and,
believed erroneous repre- sentatIons had been made
10 them of state of opinion In the Senate Of the
United States favorable 10 the ratification of such
treaty. According 10 these representations il had
| been aasertaned that number of Senators, vary
| ing from thrty-f five To foriytwo, were ready 10
sanction snch treaty ] was aware, too, that
holders of Texas lands and Texas scrip, and specu.
lstors IN them, We're actively engaged IN promoting
the object ct annexation sui, did not believe
| that any Executive OF the United States would
venture upon go grave and momentous proceed.
ing, not only without any general manifestation Of
public opinion IN favor OF II, but In direct opposition
TO strong and decided expressions If public disal-
probation But it appears that was mistaken To
! the establishment of the whole nation, we now
Informed that treaty OF annexation has been nc
tuay concluded and is to be submitted to the Sc
4 nut ixrtt
silence, therefore, no longer remain, and feel II
to be my duty to preseD, exposition of my views
and opinions upon the question, for what they may
be WORTH to the public consideration / adopt this
| method as being more convenient than several re-
plies to the respective communications which
have received.
! regret that | have not the advantage Of view
of the treaty ITSELF us to enable TO adapt an
expression Of my opinion to the actual conditions
| and stlpulaions which 1t contains. Not possessing
that opportunity, am constrained to treat the ques-
ton according TO whal presume to be the terms of
| the treaty. II, 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 anne xation were presented, II would appear
in quite different light from that in which, APP
| prehend il is now to be regarde'
| The United States acquired a title To Texas OK.
tending, as believe to the Rio del Norte, by the
treaty Louisiana. They coded and relinquished
that uie to Spain by the treaty ct 1919, by which
!
our western boundary. This treaty was ne go,iaied
under the Administration OF Mr.. Monroe, and with
the concurrence Of his Cabinet, Of which Messrs
| Crawford, Calhoun, and Writ, being a majority,
| all Southern gentlemen, composed part. When
the treaty was laid before the House Of Representa-
| tives, being member Of that body, expressed
the opinion which then entertained and till hold
that Texas was sacrificed to the acquisition of Flo
rlda. We wanted Florida; but thought il must
from It's position, inevitably fall into possession;
that the point of few years, sooner or later.
| OF no sort Of consequence, and that IN giving five
millions of dollars and Texas for II, we gave more
than just equivalent. But five mad. great sacd-
flee in the surrender OF Texas, we ought TO take
care not to make too great sacrifice in the attempt
70 re-acqulre 1t.
My opinions Of the inexpediency of the treaty OF
1919 did not prevail The country and Congress
were satisfied with IT,, and appropriations were
made carry 1t into effect, the line of the Sabine
was recognized by us as our boundary, in negotia
tons both with Spain and Mexico, after Mexico
became independent, and measures have been in
actual progress TO mark the line, from the Sabine
10 Red River and thence to the Pacific ocean -
We have thus fairly alienated tile to Texas 10y
solemn national compacts. 10 The iulhlment Of which
we stand bound by good faith and national honor
1t s, therefore, perfectly idle and ridiculous, If not
dishonorabc, to talk OF resuuing our title To Texas
rs if we h ID never parted with it, We can no more
do that than SPAN can resume Florida, France
Louisiana, or Great Britain the thirteen colonies,
now composing part Of the United States.
| During tne administration OF Mr.. Adams, Mr.
Poinsett Minister of the United States at Mexico,
was instructed by me, with the Presidents authorl
", to propose a re-purchase Of Texas but he for
bore even 10 make overture for that purpose
Upon his return to the United States, he informed
me, at New Orleans that his reason for no, making
was that he knew the purchase was wholly i'm.
practicable. and that he persuaded that, if he
made the overture, il would have no other effect
than 10 aggravatc rritatons already existing upon
matters OF difference between the two countries.
The events which have since tran5pred in Texas
are well known. She revo,ed against the Govern
ment of Mexico flew 10 arms, and finally fought
and won the memorable battle Of San Jacno an
initiating Mexican army and max ing captive 81
the Mexican President. The signal success Of tha,
Revolution greatly aided, il not wholly ACHE "
ed, by citizens Of the United States who had mi
grated to Texas. These succors, if they could no
always be prevented by the Government OF the Uni
ted States, furnished in manner aud TO at
extent which brought upon some national re
preach in the eyes OF an impartial world. And, ii
my opinion, they impose on us the obligation o
scrupul0usly avoiding the imputaton Of having in
siiga,ed and aided the Revolution with the nlli
mate view OF terr,tori II ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
After the battle of 3 IN Jacnto the Unitei States recog
nsoi the Independence OF Texas In confo nifty with tn,
principle and practice which have always prevailed in
their councils OF recognising the Government de aeto
did not AFFECT impair the rights OF Mexico chang
relations which existed between her and Texas She
tho contrary has preserved al her rights and has
,nued TO and lar as know yet ASSERTS her right
10 reduce Texas obedience az port Of the Republic oil
Mexico According to late Intelligence, is probable
that she has agreed upon temporary suspension OF
Utilities but that has been dune. presume 1t il with the
purpose upon the termination Of the armisice of renew
ing the war and enforcing her rights as shs considers
them.
| This narrative shows the present actual condition II
Texas far as have information about IL If II BE-
Mexico has not abandoned but perseveres in the
scron of her rights by actual force of which #
suspended intended to he renewed Under these cir.
cumsanccs II the Guv of the United States
TO acquire Texas wouid acquire along with IL all tn.
membranes which Texas under, and among them the
actu al or SUSPENDED between Mcxco and exas OF
that consequent there cannot BIZ doubt Annexation
and war with Mexico Identical Now, for one Ger.
tsiny am no, willing INVOLVE this country in foreign
war erthe objec, OF acquiring Texas know there IRE
those who regard snch with Indifference and 40
trfng Affair." account OF the Weakness Of Mexico
Bu, do not look upon thus lightly regard all wars ~
great calaies 10 be avoided II possible and honorabl,
peace the wisesi aud ruest policy country What
the Y States mos, noed are union, peace and patience
Nor do think the weakness OF pow CT should form
sve an any case, for inducing to en- gag. In or 10
| depreciate the exis Of Honor and good faith and