The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-09-16

ASHLAND 9Th July, ls44.
Gentlemen IL have received your favor inform
ing me that my views as disclosed in my letter from
Raeigh the question Of tho Annexation Of Texas,
arc msconceived, f not msrepesened, in your quar-
| ter; aud that it is supposed that | have changed my
! opinion from what II was in 1919. | Gndenyored to
express miselr in that letter explicitly | could,
and do not think that It can be fairly misnter-
| preted.
In 1910, when addressed the House of represen-
| tuycs the Executive had negotiated the treaty with
Spain by which Texas cedrd to that power, but
Congress had not then given any sanction 10 the
sion, | believe now and thought then, that the
Treaty making power is not competent, without the
Of Congress, 10 ccde away amy territory
belonging to tho United States. But Congress by
repeated acts, subsequently manifested its approbn-
ton Of the Treaty, and these acts rendered valid
and obligatory upon the United Sttcs,ns If Congress
had given It's assent, prior to the conclusion Of the
treaty. AT that period Of 1872 1cxas as claimed
by was uupeopod. no hostile ncursions had
been made into it by citizens Of the United States.
In 1925 and 1927 there but few inhabitants of
Texas, consisting Of coloniss, planted there under the
authority Of Mexico.
At neither of the three periods above mentioned
had any State section, in this Union, manifested
any opposition TO Texas composing part Of it, II
has been said that Mr. Adnms's administration offered
to negotiate with Mexico for Texas notwilhstnnd-
ing the eyistnncn Of war between Spain and Mexico
and that could not therefore have believed that the
acquisition oCrcXas, at amy time, would have involv
argued that the ratification of the late treaty could not
have compromised our peace
Mr. Adams thought it desirable to obtain Texas.-
Two foreign powers claimed IT, Mexico was in pos
session, and Spain was doing nothing to assert and
enforce hGr claim Her repres cnlaye had even gone
FAR stipulate, IN u convention to ncknowle edge
the Independence Of Mexico although that convention
was not ratified by Spain
Mr Adams had right to authorize tho negotiation
Of treaty for the acquisition Of Texas with both or
oil Oc M 81 main lint
he should begin with thnt power which had the pos
session Of Texas. Spain had inerposed obstacle.
She had mnde no declaration that she would regard
the acquisition of Texas actor war. In point
Of fact, overture was formally made 10 Mexico TO
purchase Texas, no negotiation opened no treaty
concluded II a negotiation had commenced,
il treaty Ind been signed and Spain had protested,
tho prudent and cautious policy which characterized
Mr. Adams's administrations would undoubtedly have
prompted him To qniet Spain, and accommodate the
matter previous to the annexation Of Texas to the
United states, and without punging them in
with Spain. How totally different all the circum
stances under which, with Mr. Adams's authority, |
authorized the overture to Mexico, from those which
attended the recent treaty Of Mr. Tyler
So far from Mexico being silent, she repeatedly and
soemtIy declared that sha would consider annexation
as war with her. Texas was no longer an uninhab-
tied country, II had been wrested from the domin-
ion of Mexico by citizens many of whom went armed
from the United States. The war between Mexico
and Texas had not been terminated by any treaty Of
peace. MIR yer not only dd not consult Mexico,
but he announced that hor TO the annexation
altogether unnecessary. As he proceeded to
conclude treaty, embracing large extent of Terri
tory, and a numerous population, not conprehended
in the Texas which the u. States ceded to Spain in
ISt9T--
10 ihe mean time, too, n owerrul opposition had
arisehsiR the United Statos against the annexation of
Texas to them. Several States had declared through
their legislatures against 1t, and others il not whole
sectons-Of tho Union, were believed to be adverse
to it. This was the opposition to the measure, to
which, in my Raleigh letter, alluded when | spoke
Of considerable and respectable portion Of the con
tedeJNcy did not refer to persons but 10 States or
sections,
Under snch circumstances could not but regard
the Annexation Of Texas, at this time, cOmpromit-
ting tho honor Of my country, involving it in a
in which the sympathies Of all chrstendom would be
against and endangerng the integrity Of tho Union.
Thought Then ami siU 6eljece, that National disIon-
or foreign 1cqr, and distraction and dirSion at
home were too great sacrifices TO make for the dcQut
SHioa Of YerdS.
But, gentlemen, You arc DESTROYS of knowing by
what policy would be guided, in the event of my
election Chief Magistrate Of the United States, in
reference to the question of the annexation Of Texas
do not think it right TO announce in advance what
will be the Of future administration in respect
to n question with foreign power have, howev-
err no hesitation in saying that far from having any
personal objection to the annexation Of Texas,
should be glad to see -tcithout dishonor, iciihom
iU0r, WITH THE COMMON CosENT OF THE
do not think the subject of slavery ought to affect
the question one way or the other. Whether Texas
be independent incorporated in the United States,
do not believe will proong shorten the duration
Of that institution 1t is destined to become extinct, at
some distant day, in my opinion, by the operation of
the inevitable laws of population 1t would be
wise to refuse permanent acquisition, which will
exist long the globe remains, account of
a temporary institution
In the contingency ofmy election, to which you
have adverted if the affair of acquiring Texas should
become n sub Jet Of considerations should be gov
erncd by the state Of fact and the state Of public
opinion at the time might be called upon TO act
.4bore all, should be goUe,ne3 By the paramount
duty Of preserving The Union eniireand in harmony,
regarding il as do the great guaranty Of erery po-
MicGl and public BLESSING, under Providence, a0hch
dfree people zee are permitted 10 enjoy,
am, gentlemen, respectfully, your ob't serv't.
II. CLAY.
Messrs. Thomas NJ. Peters and John NJ. Jackson.
THE RAILROAD AccIDENT.--Tho following
statemont il from the Rcndinu Democrntc Press.