The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-06-14
IIERMIrAGE, May 10, 1874.
To The Editor ofthe Union:

SIR: am induced TO address you this
letter, because have, within few days
past, received letters from many Of my
friends, who have expressed desire j
know whether my views in relation |
the policy of annexing Texas to the | 4
Statec have been changed by the lig +
which the subject has received from Il &
recent letters of Mr.. Van Buren,, and 9th
err prominent citizens; and because ID
seems to be necessary that should air
swer or be Rd;!ec1stood. ----------i
Having no connection with the ques-
ton except the interest which, in common
with other citizens, take in all that con-
Germs my country, wha, have heretofore
said upon il was dictated by no desire to
be prominent actor. 1t was certainly
far from my expectation that there should
be an effort in any quarter to make the
question mere party one. Hence. whe..
il was brought 10 my notice some twelve
months ago, by the honorable Mr.. Grown
Of this State, | answered his inquiries
with promplness and lrankncss.
| had not forgotten the principles by
which my administration had been gui-'
ded when attempting to obtain Texas by
negotiation with Mexico, nor the cafe
which was taken to convince Mexico, af-
forwards, that this government had no
agency, directly or indirectly, in the
steps resorted to by the people of Texs
TO establish for themselves an indcpender
government. In the reference which NJ.
Van Buren, has made to my conduct as
President in these respects, he has statei
what is entirely true, and has deinea.ed
with the ability and perspicuity which SO
eminently distinguish him, the general
principles which characterize the course
of our government in its intercourse with
foreign powers. But just and accurate as
he is, and subscribing, most fully, as
do, 10 all that he alleges as applicable to
the question as it stood in my administra-
ton, and as it did under his own, still
think that the circumstances are so far al
tered as TO give new aspect TO the whole
question, and TO authorize correspon
ding change in the discretion with which
our government may now act upon it.
AT the present period, it cannot be
doubted that Texas is able to maintain her
independence of Mexico, if each State is
left 10 lis own resources, uninnuenced
and unaided by any foreign power.
Eight years have elapsed since, how
orable battle of San Jacinto, ly have
has been no serious attempt oIy@!.na
of Mexico to occupy The country, and it
Is certain none can be made with any
prospect of success. In this state of af-
fairs, acknowledged by ourselves and the
powers of the world as an indie
pendent nation, and treated as such, Tex
as rencws to us the almost unanimous
wish of her citizens TO be annexed to the
United Substituting us, substantially,
that if now repulsed, she must form such
alliances elsewhere as will best enable
her to improve her resources and repair
he disasters which she has suffered from
l protracted quasi war. She is sensible
hat her happiness will be best secured
~ incorporation into our Union--that the
disposition and pursuits Of her people,
'eing homogeneous with those of the Uni
ed States, can receive no adequate pro.
ecion from any other quarter. We ad =
nit the truth of these assertions, and feel
hat they constitute powerful motive for
'ctlon, independent of the considerations :,
which are suggested by prudent regard (
or the stability of oug own institutions. {
In reference TO Mexico, would use
he following language We have care
ully abstained from all Interference with
'our relations to Texas except to ac-
her independence, in the same
manner and upon the same principles that
ve did your independence when you sep
rated from Spain. We have, indeed,
zen more scrupulous with you than with
spain, for, without consulting or respect
ng the feelings Of The latter power, QUIZ,
overnment did not hesitate 10 open n
ego,lation with YOU for the retrocession
t Texas, and that. too, long before your
Independence was acknowledged by
pain. But the time has now come
then we feel that this deficiency ought Z
o longer to restrain us from treaty with
'exas, particularly as we know that our s
allure to do so will produce results that
,ay endanger tho safety Of on own con-
'deracy.
cannot think there is Discrepancy be-
Seen these views and those avowed by
" administration, when proper allowan-
9 is made for the change of circumstan-
ns, or that they contain any well founded
ause for complaint on the part of Mexi- 7