The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-04-16
TEXAS.


neither new MOI an immature purpose, that II
has not been sprung upon the nation, and that
in the opinion of John Quincy Adams, Henry
Clay, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren,,
Daniel Webster aud the National Intelligencer,
with Texas annexed, the country would not be
too large. We trust, too, that in our article up
ON that particular objection, we have demon
straied the superior ability of this Government
to control the largest extent Of country. Be-
fore the cession Of Texas, Mr. Adams contend
ed 'that our right to Texas was established be-
You'd controversy" On the 26th March, 1925,
(almost the very first act Of Mr. Adams Admi-
nistration was an endeavor TO recover Texas,)
for on that day and by the express direction Of
President John Quincy Adams. Mr.. Clay wrote
q letter to Mr.. Ponse,t, our Minister AZ Mexico,
instructing him to procure ior as. II praeiica-
bic, transfer Of Texas to The Del More. Tor in
the language Of the New York Z sssesn. 10
beg back that national domain, which bad been
sacrificed. contrary to their wish. Ia sppease the
hatred of his father, Rufus King. 10 the Soush.)
Mr.. Clay was opposed TO the father then, rs is
the son TO Mr.. Clay now. Mr.. Clay says: 'thc
President wishes you to effect that object"
for, Mr.. Clay continues, ''thc line Of the Sa-
bine approaches our great Western mart
cal with chief reason Of Gen. Jackson.) Mr..
Clay urges the importance of having entirely
acithin our o,cn limits ssthe Red river and Ar
kansas and their respective tributary streams"
This attempt of Messrs. Adams and Clay
failed.
and Clay with the importance, the necessity of
annexins Texas, that they renewed the attempt
upon the very first occasion. And, accordingly,
we fad Mr.. Clay, under date Of 18Th March,
1927, repeating the desire of the Adminstra-
ton to procure the annexation of Texas he
says: "The President has thought the present
might be an suspicious period for urging ne
gotiation at Mexico to settle the boundary of
the two republics" '.If we could obtain such
boundary as we desire, the Government of
the United States might be disposed TO pay
reasonable pecuniary compensation. The
boundary we preferis that which, beginning at
the mouth Of the Rio del Norte in the sea, shall
ascend that river 10 the mouth Of the Rio Pu-
ERGO, thence ascending that river to its source,
and from its source BY ine due North to
strike the Arkansas, thence following the South
ern bank Of the Arkansas TO its source in lati-
Iude AZ dogs. North; and thence by that
parallel of latitude to the South Sea - and, he
adds, the treaty may provide ''for the incorpo-
ration of the inhabitants into the Union" The
attempt was persevered in by Adams and Clay
regardless of the strong circumstances urged
by Spain.
Very shortly after the accession Of General
Jackson to the Presidency, Mr.. Van Buren,, as
Secretary of State, again invites or 'begs'' the
annexation Of Texas. He thus writes 10 our
Minister at Mexico under date of 25lh August
1929; =" II is the wish Of the President that you
should, without delay, open negotiation with
the Mexican Government for the purchase Of so
much of the province of Texas is hereinafter
described" she is induced by deep convic-
ton of the real necessity Of the proposed ac-
QUESTION, not only as guard for our Western
frontier, and the protection Of New Orleans, but
also TO secure forever to the inhabitants of the
valley of the Mississippi the undisputed and un-
disturbed possession Of the navigation Of that
river" Z" ihe territory of which possession is
desired by the United States, is all that part of
the Province of Texas which lies east of line
beginning At the Gulf of Mexico, in the centre
OF the desert, or grand prairie, which lies west
OF the Rio Nueces." And 'ihe treaty may
provide for the incorporation of the inhabitants
,oto he -f.t.
dent he volunteers to add very elaborate argu-
ment of his own in favor of this annexation of
Texas.
On the 20tb March, 1888, immediately after
his second election, General Jackson by his
Secretary of State, Mr.. Livingston, makes, as
plish the annexation of Texas, by renewing the
" instructions on the subject Of the proposed
cession." Again, for the third time, General
Jackson renews bis efforts for the annexation Of
TEXAS, through Mr.. Forsyth, and he expresses
"an anxious desire to secure the very desirable
alteration in our boundary with Mexico.n On
the 9th August, 1885, Mr.. Forsyth directs our
Minister at Mexico to procure, if possible, for
us the following boundary "beginning at the
Gulf Of Mexico, proceeding along the eastern
bank Of the river Rio Bravo del Norte, to the
37tIl parallel Of latitude, and thence along the
parallel to the Pacific"
Thus we have seen vigorous resistance bv
Mr.. Clay to the cessIon of Texas, and fire df-
ferent strenuous efforts 10 recover it, in which
Efforts John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay An
drew Jackson, Martin Van Buren,, John For
syth, Edward Livingston and Daniel Webster
all concurred; measure Of such overweening
importance, that all parties tremendously com
bined TO insure lis success. And who is there
of sufficient authority with the American Peo-