Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1844-03-28

/ citizens ol Worcester county, request
ing hts opinions on lac subject Of the
proposed aupexoiion ofTeSas to Tho
/ United states -
I WAsHEN GroX, Jan. %, 1914.
/. N--Cncvmstances have
not allowed me an opportunity, until
the present moment, oi answering your
letter oi the 18Th Of Drcembr.
4 IN that letter YOU expressed the be-
lief that IL proposition might probably
he presented To Congress at It's present
session tor the annexation oiIexas 10
the United States and you desire Ia
know my opinions on the eonstiiutionali-
~ ol such II measure, lis probable et-
feet on the character and future action.
of our government, is tendency 10 pro-
mote the causc of freedom, OF strength
cn the bonds of slavery, and, IN general,
the consequences which may Justly b"
expected TO result from tie annexation
To the United States of large slave
holdirg country, not only Ia bm-ricnn
libehy, american ministry, aud the
continuance % the Unibn nsrlf Dat also
to the great cause al human knowledge,
virtue and happiness ~ the Unilro
>D"t"s, in Texas, aud throughout ,.c
world ."
Al the time when your letter was re-
ceiycd, mdulped strong hope ,hn,
no such proposition would he made 10
Congress, or would pr'cced from any
other quarter deem II quite untorIn-
nate that topic, ~ certain 10 produce
great excitement, should be ndded 10
the other causes, operating al the pres
eni mnmeat, 20 create diversltles OF pO-
lillcnl opinion.
As an intention has recently been
manifested. however, of making the an
ucNH,ion Of Tcxas TO The United States
a subject of discussion in Congress,
lose NJ liuc in answering your letter.
and IN comply yinp with its request. The
answer IS quite at hand.
4. In the early part of The year 1887 It
was GENERALLY uHdrrslnod that propos'-
ton was aboui 10 he made 10 the yo''
crnmcnt of the United States for the
annexation of Texas TO the uaion -
+ Having occasion. in March Of that year
to address n political meeting in the
city OF New York, upon the interesting
topics ollhc day, couldnot, consistently
wih iny sense Of propriety aud duty.
abstain from II full expression OF NV
sentiments on that subject | take the
4 liberty 20 transcribe the remarks then
made by me-.
"Gculemru, proposing 10 express
opinions on The principal subjects oi IN
tercst at the present moment, II IA ini-
possible to oyeruok the delicate qucs-
ton which has arisen from events which
have happened in the late MeXcar
province Of Texas. The Independence
of that province has now been recog-
rized by the Government OF the United
States. The Congress gave ,he Presl-
.deut the means, 10 b. used when be
saw ft, of opening "A diplomatic utter
course with lis Government, and the
tate President Immediately made use OF
ih".- .!sans
Il saw M objection, under the cir
cumStances, TO voting an appropriation
to be used when the President should
think the proper time had come aud
he deemed, certainly very promptly,
tha, the time had already arrived Ger
iainly, gentlemen, the history Of Texas
i, not little wonderful A very trw
people, IN "A very short time, have es-
labIshed Government for ihemsclvCa
against the authority oitEe parrUt state;
aud hhlth Government, II Is generally
supposed there is ltlle probability, a,
The preecni moment, OF the parent state
being able TO ovcrturn.
." This Government rs, ~ form, n copy
,of oar own II j. an American con>Ii
tuition, subSinni ally after the great
American model. We ali, therefore.
must wish il success /; aud there IL 10
one who will more heartily rejoice than
| shall, To see an independent commuoI-
'iy, Intelligent, industrious, aud friendly
toward Us, sprinGing up, aud rising in
to happiness, distinction aud power,
Gpon our own principles OF liberty DAD
government
But it cannot be Disguised, gentle
'mcu. that desire, or an intention, Is
already manifested io annex 1exus tn
the United States On u, subject at
such mighty magnitude Ms thus, aud ~
moment when the public attention rs
drawn to II, ! should feel myself want
ing in caudor il ! did not express NV
npiuinn since all mast suppose, that
on such question it is impossible !
should he without some opinion.
Il say then, gentlemen, III all frank
ness, that J see objections, th,nk ,n-
-nrmourtable objections, 10 the anncNa.
tlnr ot Texas To the Uulted States
WHEN The constitution was formed, II .s
not probable that either it, lramors. or
the people, ever looked 10 the ad,ns.ion
.ol any states into the Union, except such
NJ then already existed, aud such ~.
should be- iormrd out oftcrriories item
already belonging To ihe United SIal.f.
Flllccn yeaIs aiier the adoption OF the
constitution, however, the cas-. oi
Louisiana arose. Louisiana was "h-
mined by tr-niy with France whohnd
recently obtained it from Spain bar
the object of this acquisition, certainly.
wns not mere extension of TERRITORY.
Other oreat pnluicbI interests wsre cou.