Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1844-05-21

the British authorities will attempt 10
make rexis British colony or depen-
dency. ind il ificult TO credit the ex,
Istence OF such ln:atuaiion on the part Of
any European power. cannot bring my,
self 10 believe that any European govern.
ment which has not already made up its
mind TO provoke war with this country,
vii ever attempt TO colODize Texas e :Iher
in form or iU substance. If there be any
such power, the considerations which
| have adVerled, would soon lose most Of
their importance; for opportunities would
not then be slaw ia presenting themselves
for the conquest Of whatever territory
might, N that event, be deemed neces-
sary TO security in legitimate self de fence.
Commercial faVors Texas has, TO the
same extent as other independent powers,
the night 10 dispose of as she thinks
proper; subject only to the penalties
which are certain sooner or later,lo follow
in the wake OF national injustice. But
European colonization Of Texas is another
and very different matter-a matter in
respect TO the ultimate consequences
Of which no European nation can possibly
deceive ei ther herself or US. have no
access 10 the sources Of true information
10 respec 10 the degree Of credit which
my be due to thess rumors; but our
government ought, without doubt, 10 ex.
ercise a most jealous vigilance against
the extension of British influence, or
domin on Of any kind, or from any quarter
either in Texas, or in any Of the
portions Of the. continent Dor deriOg
on the Gulf of Mexico. II the time
ever comes when the question resolves
itself into wheIhe Texas shall become a
British dependency or colony, or cOnsli-
tMliOnal portion Of this Union, the great
principle Of seIf.defeuce, applicable as
we'll TO nations as to individuals, would,
without doubt, produce as great a unan.
unity amongst us in favor of the latter
alternative, as Can ever be expected on
any great question Of foreign or domestic
policy.
Having now replied. in the fullest and
frankest manner, 10 both the questions
which you prOIOunded to me, I might
here close this ieiter-but being since rally
anxious to put you, and others occupying
the same position, in possession Of my,
views and opinions upon the whole sub
iect, as far as they can with prOPriety be
now formed and expressed, will now go
few steps farther.
Occasions do sometimes present lhemi
selves, in the administration of public
affairs, when the decision Of great ques-
tiOns can be safely anticipated BY those
whose subsequent duty il may become 10
pass upon them; but TO justify such
course, these questions must be such as
are unavoidably dependent upon circum
stances and cons ideFations of fixed and
settled character. | have not beeh able
to regard this as being, in all its respects
a case of that description. 1t is a'matter
affecting our foreign relations, in respect
to which every enlightened nation makes
it rule to avoid, as far as practicable,
public aBnunciatioDs of its proceedings
aud intentions beyond what is deemed
necessary, either to justify its Pst course
or to make others sensible Gifts detsr
limitations to resist aggression, whether
present or prospective. AS the action Of
the executive upon all questions that af'
iect our relations with other countries
must be more or less Influenced by their
conduct towards US, il is, in general, de>
sirabla that his future course should not
be embarrassed by assurances given at
a period when no safe opinion could be
formed of what that conduct would be-
In respect even TO motives of dOmes,
tic charactsT.it could scarcely be deemed
consistent with that prudence aud calm
discretion which in public as we'll as pri
vate affairs, is Of such inestimable valu e,
TO bind ourselves in advance in respect to
the particular line Of conduct we'will here.
after adopt ina case of such magnitude
aslhs present. When The period for deGni'
tive seton shall have arrived the con.
sideratiOns now taken into view may
have lost the weight they at present
possess in the estimation Of the public
and others, not now regarded as OF any
value. may. in the meaniime' arse !"
affect materially, it not 10 change lne
whole aspect uf the subject. The pres"
ent condition of the relations between
Mexico and Texas may soon be SO tar
changed as TO weaken, and perhaps to OBJ
viate entirely, the objections against the |
Immediate annexation of the latter TO the
limited States, which have here set forth,
and to place the question on different
grounds. Should such state of things
arise, and befouAd in charge Of the res
snonsibls duties Of President, you may
be assured that would meet the ques'
ton, il then presented TO me, with a sin
cere desire 10 promote the resul; which
believe best calculated TO advance the
permanent welfare of the whole country.
In the discharge Of this, the common dn'
| a. ,,f of sll ous nuhIc runctionArias