Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-05-18


the revolt Of Texas took place, 1886, and
several gentlemen Of the south were imme-
diately in favor Of awaiting ourselves Of that
event TO recover possession Of the lost ter
ritory. Recognition Of Texan independ-
ence and admission Of Texas into the Union,
(and this before Texas applied for a,lmis-
sion, were urged by them as stimultane-
Gus acts twin operations--to be accom-
plished together l could not agree to ii.
Mexico and Texas were at war, and to adj
NIT Texas into our Union was to 90 TO war
with Mexico, with the faith of treaties and
the opinion of the world against us.
could not gofor admission: recognition was
the iartherest that | could venture; and
that, with some misgiving, at so early a
stage of the contest, for fear of the effect it
might have on our commerce with Mexico.
N The next year, (lS37.) being the first
of Mr.. Van Buren's administration, Tex
ian minister General Memucan Hunt ar
rived here to solicit the admission OF his
country into our Union. He did me the
honor TO speak to me on the subject, count
Ing largely upon my cooperation, from the
well-known detestation which | had ex-
pressed for the treaty which gave Texss
away. But told him from the beginning
that it was impossible: that, much as | de-
sired the restoration of Texas, my first du-
ties were to my own country; that Mexico
and Texas being at war, l could not leo
, pard the peace of the United States. COM
, promise its honor in the eyes of nations.
and injure is commerce, by taking step
which should give Mexico right to treat
Us as an enemy. Mr.. Van Buren's admin
istration gave the same answer; and all
America approved it.
Thus, while being incontestably the first
orpohent to the loss of Texas, and the first
advocate for Its recovery, have yet al
ready twice found 1t impossible 10 support
; propositions for its admission into our Union:
+ and that | may do justice to my own con-
duct-may show that | am not blind zeal
OF, rushing headlohg to favoritc object
but man Of head and thought, considering
what he is about, and striking a balance be-
tween the good and the evil of an impor-
tant proposition-that may do ills, will
here present an extract from my speech in
, the Senate of the United States, on FRIDAY,
July LIST, 1886, on the resolution for the
acknowledgment of the independence ot
Texas, and in which my policy, and tina,
, of the administration, was Eitlfllly sketch
ed.
mir. Benton rose, and said he should
confne himself strictly to the proposition
/ presented in the resolution, and should not
ccmplicate the abstract question of recogni-
ton with speculations on the future fate Of
Texas. Such speculations could have no
good effect upon either Of the countries in
tercsted-upen Mexico, Texas or the Unit
ed States. Texas has not asked for ad-
mission into this Union. Her independ-
cnce is still contested by Mexico. Her
boundaries, and other important points in
T her political condition, are not vet adjusted.
To discuss the question of her admission
into this Union, under these circumstances.
is to treat her with disrespect, to embroil
ourselves with Mexico, TO compromise the
disinterestedness ofour motives in the eyes
OF Europe, and to start among ourselves,
permaturely, and without reason, aquestion
which, whenever it comes, cannot be with
out its own intrinsic difficulties and per-
nlexities.
y
s.The conduct of the administration has
been strictly neutral; and, as friend to
that administration, and from my own con-
victions, | have conlormed TO its policy,
avoiding the language which would irritate,
and opposing the acts that might interrupt
pacific and commercial communications
Mexico is our nearest neighbor, dividing
with us the continent Of North America,
and possessing the elements Of great pow
er. Our boundaries are coterminous for
more than two thousand miles. We have
inland and maritime commerce. She has
mines; we have ships. General consider
ations impose upon each power the duties
\ of reciprocal friendship; especial induce
ments invite us to uninterrupted CONNER
cial intercourse. As western senator,
coming from the banks of the Mississippi,
and from the State of Missouri, cannot be
blind to the consequence of interrupting
that double line of inland and maritime COM
merce which, stretching to the mines Of
Mexico, brings back the perennial supply
Of solid money which enriches the interior,
and enables New Orleans to purchase the
vast accumulation Of agricultural produce
of which she is the emporium. Wonder
full are the workings of commerce, and
more apt to find out its own proper cham
nels by its own operations, than TO be guild
ed into them by tie hand Of legislation
New Orleans now is what the Havana once
I was-the cntrepot of the Mexican trade,
and the recipient of IFS mineral wealth.
/ The superficial reader of commercial sta
tistics, would say that Mexico but slightly
encourages our domestic industry; that she
takes nothing from our agriculture, and but
little from our manufactures. On the con-
trary, the close observer would see very
different picture. He would see the pro-
ducts Of our soil passing to all the coun-
tries Of Europe, exchanging into fine fab
RIGS, and these returning in the ships Of
many nations, our own predominant, to the
city Of New Orleans, and thence going off
in small Mexican vessels to Matamoras,
Tampico, Vera Cruz, and other Mexican
ports. The return from these ports is in
!, the precious metals; and, to confine myself
to single year, as sample Of the whole,
it may be stated that, of the ten millions and