The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-05-03
ON II. LEWIS-IN FAVOR OF IMMEDIATE
ANNEXATION.

THE AMERICAN SIDE OF THE QUESTION NOT YET
Observation-Disclosures AND TEXAS STRONGER
THAN BOTH CLAY AND VAN BUREN, UNITED.
We find in the Matagorda papers the follow
ing excellent letter from the Hon. Dixon Fl.
Lewis, to a gentleman of that place:
WASHINGTON Cry Feb. H. 1874.
MY DEAR Sir Il am indebted to you for two let
ters since the meeting of Congrsss-the last contain
ing copy of the expression of the individual opinion
fthe members of the Texan Congress, in favor Of
annexation. have so far not written to you be-
cause there has been here as yet no deHouement Of
the question-we, who have felt anxiously on the
subject, having been hoping movement from your
Congress, which would present a practical ISSUE
from which the mere politicians could not escape or
some action on the part Of the Executive who all
know, has his heart deeply in the result. The strong
interest both Of Clay and Van Buren, as their close
friends supPose-is not to NEEDLE with question the
strength of which has never been testedlest its ex
plosive power might blow them both sky high. Bet
scr faends OF Texas than either of them easily
be found tnnd hence they have common interest In
staving off the ISSUE though if it is forced on them
have no doubt either of them could be driven into
support Of the measure In this state of game we
have felt the difficulty of moving on the abstract
question in the absence of any tangible issue present
ed either by the official action Of the Texan Congress
or through the diplomatic intercourse of the two Co.
vernments. Such move might be stifed by the cry
OF being got up for party purposes sinister to the ad
vancement of both Clay ard Van Buren,. Still the
public mind is gradually bringing up the question in
spite of poticians-and without some reasonable
ground to hope for some definite movement such as
before indicated before Congress adjourns, the naked
issue OF annexation cannot longer be delayed If no
one more suitable, will move it mysef-for l shall
never cease to remember with pride, that | was the
first man who ever in Congress expressed himself 10
favor of Texan independence, and Waddy Thomp-
me he nd hot fret
who PASSED through the tellers, when the vote was
given for the recognition by our Government
Whenever the game fairly up and the chase opened
have no fears of the result of annexation. Popular
sympathy, whenever it is uncontaminated by abolition
or British influence, will sweep with whrlwnd's
rage the calculating politicians who dare oppose it
have no doubt it would prove stronger than Clay
and Van Buren, both united. To the North it is a
question of interest, to the West one Of feeling;
while to the down-trodden, tarfridden, and aboli.
ton be deved South, it is question of eristence.-
Let the issue of annexation be rendered doubt
full, and the instinct of selfpreservation would
vince them that their hopes OF safety were stronger
on the other side of The Sabine than of the Delaware
send you by todays mail pamphlet copy Of Walk
ers admirable essay in favor of annexation.
have to-day given to Lewis Coryell, of Pennsyl-
vania, warm hearted friend to Texas, letter Of
Introduction 10 you, which hope you will receive
tie will tell you exactly how matters stand here on
that question. Why do not the people of Texas meet
tOHcther ana aSltate Inc question OF American over
British annexation, and scourge their public func-
tionares into an acquiescence with their views? Ev.
cry thing of that kind would do good Excuse this
hasy letter, which you at liberty to use in any
manner which will promote the cause. go for an
nexation heart and soul, and as feel that am
not willing forcby TO be kept severed from you by
the influence of those whose sympathes are more in
favor of our slaves than the whites of the South or
Texas. Your friend,
DIXON f. LEWIS.
Hon I RUarrrv