Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-05-03

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l.ngusge with ourselves, cherish the same principles,
nclicsj and religious, and ale bound TO many OF our
ct zsns by ties Of friendship aad kEdied b!oed; ah'
more than a il is known tEas the people OF lha c"u
t,v have institute tie ssIbe 'oIin .! government " !.
49, ,un and have since tie close ui your last session.
Iv ,sol ved on the ucknoa I'D sneht bv US vi Their
nee ~ seek admssion into the Y hon es one
of the Federal 5 TINS last CIRCUMSTANCE IS mat
ler NJ oeicacy, and forces upon Us consdeta
,;,s IF n. graves; character. The tls oil Texas 10
he territory che claims, 10 identified with her ndepen-
| Ino. she asks us To acknowledge that tte to The
| ,o,,a,rv with an ayowed design 10 treat Immediately
r ia ir.n.f,r TO The United States ~ hacomfs III W
beware Of TOO early movement, as might subject US
however unjustiy, The i;npulaA6n ot seeking 10 e.
,hsh The claims OF neIgtbors to territory, win
a. q, Ito subseouent acquisition by ourselves"
| II has been urged, from quarter entitled to greet
resnect and reasoned, too, with no uncomfortable de
rse IF cocency that The acquisition OF Texas now, III
h mode nroposed would be liable TO no greater objec
49,; hon The accomplishment of The same object would
49,. hecc either in 1c27 1929, when it attempt
cd bv two successive administrations 10 purchase II
from Mexico If were to 60 INTO discussion OF this
nssron and the facts necessarily connected with 1t,
should be writing book, instead OF letter. nor IS
: neessorv ,ha, should. will therefore content my
.If with saving that with every disposition to look on
~ h;sc, IN ali lis bearings with an impartial eye,
h,vs mt been able to the analogy which is claimed
10 exist between the two cases but II IL were even
admitted that the able men who were, at thos. respsc
srong convictions of the importance of the acqu'si.
,on n Texas TO the United States, so far precpted
their measures for the accomplishment of that obj
ne to have endangered the good faith and pacific ea-
tions of the United States, (Which do not admit
e con,d sl only felicilate ourselves their failure,
bu, could not thereby justify the present movement, #
il il not right in itself, aad capable Of justification on
o,b.r grounds ! by means contend that a formal
RECOGNITION of the independence oil Texas by Mexico
is necessary, to Justify US IN asserting 10 her annexation
to the United States Time and circumstances may
work such change the relations between those two
coun,res os 10 render act of that cha-acie The
oart of Mexico, unnecessary and unmposnnt What
l mean 10 say is, that from all the information have
been able TO acquire upon the SUBJECT no change mas yet
,,ken Mace in those relations that would make The Cb
;sc,;ons which have here detailed, inspplicabe.
II IL said ALSO that if Texas is not acquired now, the
will be forever losttha other power
viii ACQUIRE it--and, indeed of the rumors of The
dav have gone far as to say, that the Texan Minister
10 already instructed case Of failure here TO proceed
for,bwth 10 Europe, with full authority for the
nlishment of that object We must no, forget that be-
sdss orsa, public Considerations there are extensive
private interests involved in this matter; and may
therefore we'll be distrustul Of the thousand
which are from day to day. put unoa! upon this subject
Whit n comnarativey few individuals, acting under the
influence o personal interest," may not desire TO have
done | will not undertake to say, or TO conjecture
But ,ha, the people of Texas-so many of whom carry
in their veins the blood Of our Revolutionary ancestors
I-thousnnds OF whom are thoroughly imbued With DE-
mncratic princcles-who achieved by their own gal
lnntary that independence which were tie first
kuowledre-who have established end subs quently
maintained institutions similar to oCr own-tht such a
people, and such Government will ever be 'ound en-
pabe of sending Minister 10 the crowned heads Of
Europe 10 barter away their young and cnarpr,siDg
Republic and all that they have purchased with their
blood 10 the highest bidder, wha, cannot believe
in the possibility OF $50 aposla,e aud unnatural
nesion" can have no faith.
1t is also apprehanded by many, that the British
liberties will attempt to make Texas n British colony
or dependency find ii difficult 10 credit tne exist
ence of such nu;uation the par! Of any European
power cannot bring myself TO believe thatany Eu-
opean Government which has not already made up lis
mind 10 provoke war with this country, will ever al
tempt coonzs Texas, either in form or III substance
If there be such power, the considerations TO which
have adver,ed would lose most Of their import
aGcp; for opportunities would not then be slow in pre-
sent,ng themselves for the conquest OF whatever terri
tory might, i'll that event. be deemed Necessary to our
security in legitimate selfdefence Commercial fsvcrs
/ Texns has, to the extent as other independent
powers right dispose of as she thinks proper sub
iecl only to the penalties which are certain, sooner or
later 10 follow in the wake Of national injustice. But
European colon zaton of Texas is another ,nd very
different matter matter in respect 10 the ultimate
conse quences Of which European nation posi-
bly, deceive either herself have access to
The of true information in respect &c the degree
o credit which may be due 10 theee rumors; but
Government ought without doubt, to exercise most
Jealous vigilance against the extension of British nn-
cnce and indeed foreign influence, dominion of any
kind from any quarter, either IN Texas or in any of
the portions of the continent bordering on the Gulf of
Mexico If the time ever comes when the question re-
solves itself into whether Texas shall become British
ndency or colony, n constitutional portion OF this
Unon the great principle OF sell defence, applicable as
well to nations to individuals, would without doubt
produce az grea, unanmiIy amongst US in favor Of
the latter alternative, as be expected on any
great question Of foreign or domestic policy
Having replied the fullest and frankest man.
ner TO both the questions which you have propounded
me might here close this letter; but being sincere
10 pu, you and others occupying The same
position, in possession Of my views and opinions uDon
The whole subsc as fer as they Gun with proprlety
De now formed and expressed, l will goa lew steps
farther.
Occasions do sometimes present themselves, in the
administration OF public affairs, when The declslon OF
great questions be safely anticipated by those whose
subsequent duty II may become 10 pass upon them; but
10 justify such course those questions must De such
as unavcdably dependent upon circumstance and
considerations Of fixed and settled character have
not been able regard this os being IN all It's aspects
case Of that dsscup tion. 1t IS matter ahecung our
foreign relations in respect to which every enghten
ed nation makes ii rule TO avoid, as lar as pacucaoe
public annuncations OF its proceedings and intentions
be yond what is deemed necessary either to justify 'ts
past course 10 make others sensible OF lis deserm
nation reeis. aggression whether present or prospec
tive As acton Of the Executive upon all questions
that affect relations with other couniss, must be
more or less Influenced by their conduct towards u.s. II
is in general, desirable that his future course should
not be embarrassed by assurances given at period
when no safe opinion could be formed OF what that
conduct would he. In respect even to motives OF q
domestic character it could scarcely be deemed consls
tent with that prudence and calm discretion which, IN
public we'll private affairs, is Of such Inesmatle
value, bind ourselves in advance in respect 10 The
particular line Of conduct will hereafter adopt IN
of such magnitude The present. When the Pc
Rod for defnve acton shall have arrived, Inc consl-
deraons taken into view may have lost the weight
they present possess in the estimation OF The pubic;
and others, not regarded of any value mny, IN
the meantime, urse TO affect materially not TO change
the whole aspect of the subject. The present cond'-
ton of the relations between Mexico and Texas may
soon be SO far changed TO weaken, and per-
baps to obviate entirely The objections against the
immediate annexation of the latter to the United
States, which have here set forth, and TO place the
question different grounds Should such a state OF
things arise and be found in the charge OF the re-
sponshle duties of President you may be assured tina.
would meet the question, if then presented 10 me,
with sincere desire 10 promote the result which
believed best calculated advance the permanent
welfare of the whole country In The discharge OF this