Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-12-06

the establishment of a permanent boundary
Upon the ratification of the treaty, the Ex-
%ecutive was prepared to treat with her on the
most liberal basis. Hence the boundaries
of Texas we're left underlined by the treaty.
The Executive proposed TO settle these upon
terms that all the world should have pro-
nounced Just aud reasonable. No negotla-
ton upon that point could have been under
taken between the United States and Mexi-
co, in advance Of the ratification Of the treaty.
We should have had no right-no power
no authority, to have conducted such a ne
gotiation and to have undertaken it, would
have been an assumption equally revolving to
the pride of Mexico and Texas, and subject
ing us to the charge of arrogance; while to
have proposed in advance of annexation, to
satisfy Mexico for any contingent interest
she might have in Texas, would have been
to have treated Texas not as an Independent
power, but as a mere dependency of Mexico.
This assumption could not have been acted
on by the Executive, without setting at def
ance your own solemn declaration, that that
Republic was an independent State. Mex
leo had, it is true, threatened war against
the United States, in the event the treaty of
annexation was ratified. The Executive
could not permit itself to be influenced by
this threat. 1t represented in this, the spirit
of our People, who are ready to sacrifice
much for peace, but nothing to intimidation.
A war, under any circumstances. is greatly
to be deplored, and the United States is the
last nation to desire it but If, as the condi-
ton Of peace, it be required Of us to forego
the unquestionable right Of treating with an
Independent power, of our own Continent,
upon matters highly interesting to both, and
that upon a naked and unsusiained preten-
sion Of claim by a third power, to control
the free-will Of the power with whom we
treat-devoted as we may be to peace, and
anxious to cultivate friendly relations with
the whole world. the Executive does not
hesitate to say that, the People ofthe United
States would be ready to brave all conse-
q%uences, sooner than submit to such condi-
ton. But no apprehension of war was en-
tertained by the Executive and | must ex-
press frankly the opinion that, had the trea-
ty been ratified by the Senate, il would have
been followed by a prompt settlement, to the
entire satisfaction Of Mexico, Of every mat
ter in difference between the two countries.
Seeing, then, that new preparations for hos
tile invasion OF Texas were about to be a.
dopted by Mexico, and that these were bro't
about because Texas has adopted the sug-
g~estions of the Executive upon the subject
of annexation, it could not passively have
folded its arms and permitted a war, threat
ened TO be accompanied by every act that
could mark a barbarous age, TO be waged
against her, because she had done so.
Other considerations of a controlling
character influenced the course of the Exec
utive. The Treaty which had thus been
negotiated, had failed to receive the ratifi-
cation of the Senate. One of the chief OBJ
lections which were urged against it, was
found 10 consist in the fact that the question
of annexation had not been submitted 10 the
ordeal of public opinion in the United States.
However untenable such an objection
was esteemed to be, in view of the unques-
uonable power of the Executive to negoli-
ate the treaty, and the great and lasting in
%terests involved in the question, | felt it to
be my duty to submit the whole subject 10
Congress, as the best expounders of public
sentiment. No definite action having been
taken on the subject by Congress, the
question referred itself directly to the deci-
sion of the States and the People. The
great popular election which has just termin-
ated, afforded the best opportunity of ascer-
tanning the will of the States and People up
on it. Pending that issue, it became the
imperitive duty of the Executive to inform
Mexico that the question of annexation was
still before The American People, and that
until their decision was pronounced, any Sc
rious invasion of Texas would be regarded
as an attempt TO ~forestall their judgment,
and could not be looked upon with indiffer-
ence. | am most happy to inform you that
no such invasion has taken place, and | trust
that, whatever your action may be upon it,
Mexico will see the importance of deciding
the matter by a resort to peaceful expedieuts
IN preference to those Of arms.-The deci-
sion of the People and the States, on this
great and interesting subject, has been de-
cisively manifested. The question of an
nexation has been presented markedly to their
consideration BY the treaty itself, all COL
lateral and incidental issues, which were
calculated to divide and distract the public
councils, were carefully avoided. These
were left to the wisdom of the future to de-
termine 1t presented, | repeat, the isolat-
ed question OF annexation and in that form
II has been submitted to the ordeal of public
sentiment. A controlling majority of the
People, and a large majority of the States.
have declared in favor of immediate annex
alton. Instructions have thus come I'D to
both branches of Congress, from their res
pectiye constituents, in terms The most en-
II is the will of both the People
and the States, that Texas shall be annexed
10 the Union promptly and Immediately. 1t
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