The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-07-05
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
SPEECH OF MR.. WOODBURY.,
OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
IN Senate, June A, 1874 In secret session on the
treaty for the annexation Of Texas to the United
States.
CONCLUDED
The reasons acting on the executives of both coun-
tIies-the proper organs 10 commence such
sures--bave been sufficient and urgent and requir-
ing, in their view, Immediate annexation. II is
well known also that many of the objections hther-
to prevailing as to the stability and rpeness of Texan
independence and as TO the probability of recon
quest by Mexico, have been much weakened, if not
entirely removed. Public opinion, too, has had
more time 10 be developed, and has been fully dis
closed In favor OF annexation now, by public meet
iDgs and resolutions, by memorials and cor
respondence, infinitely more decisive and long than
when it negotiate for in 1925 1929, or when
it offered in 1887. rejection now is likely
ALSO 10 be construed If casting dlshonor on Texas,
after inviting her action and concurrence in the ces
sion and proceedings 30 far.
We have been trying to accomplish the reannexa-
ton for more than twenty years and now, when
peaceably within our grasp, can 1t be wisdom to let
it escape, for reasons OF form ceremony, party
fit be mere question of time, as some urge, then
why not time by the foreloc. Why, in the
language Of the late national convention, not do it
6 practicable % Delays, also, are danger
GUS lest offence he taken On the other side, and the
proposition be never resumed. So delay here may
lead to al iances and guarantees else where, though
not probably to reunion IN government with monaI
chy. Remuneration may be thus defeated long, If
not forever, well dangerous foreign influence
planted borders, whch will not only peril our
dome site institutions and property, as the Texan con-
stitulion is open to change all subjects, but rob
of the control of the Gulf of Mexico, and grde US
around from New Brunswick to the Sabine in q
more ion and deadly grippe than that contemplated by
Fra nee before cur revolution.
l say nothing here on the disclaimers of England
WI he haa
avowed them as to the whole word-has encouraged
them in Brazil and Texas, if not on the La Platte
has sheltered our slave criminals in her provinces
and islands; but do say that our country, aud our
whole country, cannot see with indifference the wall
she is closing up around us. Cuba at her mercy on
the South whenever approaches, the Gibraltar
of the Gulf Of Mexico-the Bahamas on the East,
brstling with cannon-Haifax Quebec and Nal
den with munitions and soldiery, on the Northeast
and North-the Rocky mountains the West bar
ricaded, and the mouth of the Columbia fortified by
her Hudsons Bay com any and last, but not least,
Texas on the southwest, forced almost instantly by
us into her influences and protection, if not close al
lance. Even in this debate, some senator's (Mr.
Choate have considered the reconquest Of Texas by
her old oppressors probable, unless annexation to
us speedily takes place. and yet refuse that annexa-
ton, and compacently foetell that there is another
mode escaping subugation by accepting British aid
and presume, OF course, with it British abolition
conditions, well as British control Beside these
indications Of the evils likely 10 result from delay
and beside the readiness Of Mexico to continue her
persevcrng efforts to thwart in the object of an
nexatIoD, by any cooperation with England we
have already had oretaste since 1887 of The graft
hcaton felt the British public at our shortsigh-
edness in not uniting earlier with Texas and the
sanguine hoi es of their future influence there which
have thus been exc ited
The Edinburgh Review Of 1s4l says:
The United States, in refusing to admit Texas
INTO their confederation, have rejected, an offer,
which in all probability will again be made to
them; and Texas becoming, as years pass by, more
and more attached to its institutions, its own
distinct policy, and its own national policy, and its
own national character, will speedily regard the
United States with of those feelings of Jealousy
which nations always learn 10 entertain towards their
nearest and most powerful neghbors. The CONNER
cial interests of Texas, and the antipathy to the
northern portion Of the United States, which she in
herits from her kindred of the southern States will
always tend to unite her with Great Britain"
After detailing the advantages of close al
lance between Texas and Great Britain, the Review
adds
'The bonds of ancient kindred may thus be knit
with fresh strength and The independence of Texas
create only wider diffusion of the British race and
British sympathes.'
After going over the inducements existing both in
Texas and in the United States to the conclusion ola
treaty, and remarkiDg that the signature of ii "need
not surprise any one,' the London Herald thus pee
ulaes
"Such treaty would (unless the consent of San
ia Anna thereto have been previously obtained-a
most unlikely event lead TO rupture; if not to hos
tilities, between the United States and Mexico and
even If IT did not produce immediate war, would
most certainly foster the mission to overrun Mexico
which even now has possession. Of large proportion
of the Anglo Americans. In a quarrel arising from
such cause, England and France would have
right to interfere, if only because annexation affected
th r acquired interests in Texas; it is the policy of
both countries TO support Mexico as a counterpolse
to the Uslted States and gland has an especial
ground for the preservation ofTexan independence
in its influence on Canada"
Suppose that Mr.. Jefferson had listened to delay
in the purchase Of Louisiana for only single month
the war being renewed between England and
France, won have made 1t prey 10 British supe-
riority at sea and all the evils now deprecated ss
to the security Of the commerce and cities of the
Mississippi and the domestic tranquility of the
South would have been earlier felt and earlier agitat-
ed the whole Union.-(See Marbois' History of Lou
siana.)
What is the bearing of the new correspondence on
this subject? 1t is most significant. II discloses
the fact bat Texas deems and formidable inva-
sion from Mexico, when she hears of this treaty to
be so probable not to be will ing to enter upon
making 1t without assurances Of aid from us, f the
exigency occurs while the negotiations are pending
So much is certain, that if eject the treaty or
delay il, and the invasion comes Texas must be sat
sfed that no just aid cons,ilutionaly be granted
by u.s. What, then, must be her next resource p
Will il be to take the field and wade through carnage
expense AMI conaagration, to repel 1t VIGOROUSLY
alone, she doubtless may, according 10 the expe.
rienced judgment of the senator from Missouri
Certainly, rather than submit to Mexican reconquest
and Mexican claims but certainly not if she can avert
both he nd he hoip bu
rsngement with England France, after making the
first offer to us, and experiencing humating re usal
In a single month, after such refusal or dely il will
be wise and natural for her TO guard against new
contingencies though not to become an integral part
Of the British or French monarchies, and abandon
her republican institutions and independence but to
receive the guaranty Of one ofthem against Mexican
oppression. OF course, IT would be on such terms