Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-05-14
Commodore CHAs. STEWARD,
Bordentown, New Jersey.
HUI OF HEALTH,

Commodore CHAs STEWART,
Bordentown, New Jersey.
u Hill OF HEALTH,
i (Near Bordeniown,) y. May =, 1874
Sir-I have had The honor 10 receive your letter oil
the 29th of last month, int'maiing mat haV "een
SPOKEN Of as candidate for the Giiice oil fIesidsht o.
the States" remarking also, that an "inielligent
,eople exercising the right at selecting their own
>bst MAGISTRATE ate entitled 10 know the opinions OF
those whom they may select as their candidates. np"
The leading questions that aga'e the pubic mno' ano
concluding with asking mine on "the question OF tne
annexation Of Texas 10 this Union, as one whch,
"fom the necessity Of immediate acton upon IT, Is the
mes, prominent and interesting measure now before
the people" And you also add, that "heing dele
gate to the Baltimore Convention, which assemblies on
the 9th Of May, ii will be your desire TO make my
views THIS subject public
am profoundly sensible of your coed and patriotlc
views in making this inquiry, under existing c'rcum
stances and shall proceed TO reply, IN all frankuess
(! and sincerity, to your inquiry
! assume that there exists constitutional objec-
ton 10 Texas being incorporated with our Union
That question appears to be set at rest since our &C
4 ousi,on of Louisiana and Florida, and the abundant
and cs have supposed satisfactory discussion OF 1t, to
which all have access Will a, least venture 10 say
that they have satisfied my mind.
Posing then, the general question, the reasons
are 90 numerous cogsnt powerful and urgent, both on
the score of policy and humanity, for making Texas
part of the Union, and have strong bearing upon
our national industry revenues, prosperity and power
that have net been able 10 refuse the assen! OF my
| judgment to them
| have considered, the other hand, the views al
lered against the measure, and greatly the sources
Whence they emanate entitled 10, and have my
speci they have no: proved the camest reflection
sufficient with to outweigh the strong reasons that
exis, in lis favor That step Of so much magnitude
oe.en, ard future, should meet with opposition in the
st instance IS 10 be expectsd This the when
we ACQUIRED LOUISIANA and Florida, the objections 10
which are now forgotten in the unspeakable acyan
ages flows rg from IT. and 10 flow throughout ages IN
come Such, apptars to me, would decidedly attend
the annexation o: Texas Millions unborn, and ages
in the future may be expected TO reap the advantages
Of its incorporation with Union, long after the OBJ
ieclions Of the day forgotten.
This important acquisition, which can be obtained
with honor and advantage 10 all parties interested bring
ing with il The and affections Of lis inhabitants
will perhaps when future necessity makes lis acquis
ton imperative be acquired only through deoatng
sanguinaIy contests, and the loss of those affections of
the Texian inhabitants essential 10 happiness IN
united and republican people But would not be for
gaining those advantages however ranscendent and last
ing believe they would be for country al the ex
pcnsc Of justice.
The man question: therefore, is, would annexation
give Mexico Just ground Of complaint for, Of course
Other foreign country has any thing to do with the ques
ton. Now, have not been able 10 bring my mind 10
the conclusion tina, II gives Mexico any just Of
complaint whatever II is almost eight years since Tex
as won her independence at the decisive battle OF San
Jacino No serious invasion of her soil, other eff
forts important movements in arms have been made
by Mexico asans, her. since that decisive victory. 1t
was in fact the contamination Of Texan Independence
and has produced throughout the world The unavoidable
effect OF an event decisive The most powerful Sta'es
Of Europe have fully recognized the independence oil
Texas not suddenly ii i necessary 10 ber in mind
but after letting tme enough capse fairly 10 attest that
the Overwhelming victory Of San JacnIo decisive
would hay her DIeneId.
cuce long they supposed that there existed any
probability Of Mexico being ahe again 10 reduce Texas
10 submission by force of 1t has, indeed, been
principle with the United States when civil war existed
m countries 10 treat each party alike soon as the
power Of wagrg war dc fatio existed with each. But
this has mol been the practice OF tie great powers of Eu-
rope They at, different principles TO which their
institutions more naturally incline item. They are slow
10 sanction resistance, in any shape 10 existing auho-
rlty in Government. They very tardy as all may
remember in &C nowledging the independence Of the
revocd ccloe, q; Spanish America, including Mexico
among item Nov rtheess, mo, oil those ancient king
dom> and States have adopted Texas into the family oil
nations by toir most solemn acts Of recognition, which
mean villa L.in great deal more than the mere formal
acknow r'.G,nt oil dc tacto Government existing in
Texas aad liable al any mcmcnt, 10 be again over
thrown; and - Inch facts may, therefore, well make US
feel easy IS 10 their opinion Of annexation.
The capture Of Lord CORVALLIS did not more chccl-
ay establish independence for by force OF arms. mot
much perhaps, all circumstances considered) as
the total overthrow Of the Mexican forces al Jaclnto
ard Simultaneous capture of the head Of the Mexican
nation, established independence for Texas. Great Bri
tain acknowledged Immediately after the former
event. ancient, proud, aud powerful monarchy as she
yet MeNico keeps up the idle show OF still being
the parent State Texas, nearly eight years at
the utter extinction Of all her powers of supremacy
which decidedly persisted the plains Of San ia
cinte.
II may be asked. is this rehi' Can it stand before
the dspassonse Judgment OF nations : and is il rea
sonable towards the Uni,ed Stnes II cannot be for
rotten how long aud Justly Mexico complained o
Spans refusal TO recognise her independence alter shc
had actually son It ny force Of arms. And here u
NAV be mentioned, that the fact OF Spain having re-
fused recognise II long subsequent 10 the year 1925
formed objection with Government for offering
TO rure base Texas from Mexico IN that year This las
tact, Of itself, may 10 show that other nations
are not bound 10 wait Unit, The parent State gives he
formal consent, uuresscnaby prolonged TO the indie
pendence Of the resisting Colony History contradict
that idea. If il true, Holland would have had Il
wait eventy wears before she became ndepen ds n
nation Tor We have lately been reminded, from
ds,ingu shed source, that j, full that length o
time be fore Span-aga'nst whom she had revoted-
would acknowledge her independence. hope ina,
be excused for addng-for consider il as belongn:
10 The subject Of Ibis litter and due to the splr'
of TN. whole occasion that there wanting OPT
Mons carefully formed V h,ch 60 10 say, that if Mex
leo should al Thu late day, .s-commencc earnss
against Texas, instead of keeping up, IN the latte
power The irritation and OF only talking
about It for cgh, years NEARLY, the chances would h
ful IS great, greater, tat she would be cor
opered herself, that she would result usa;
that gallant and independent people.
notwithstanding the conviction o! my Judgment, tina
! Mexico could not have the least ground OF complain
against Us, Justice reason, for immediate annex
,lon should We adopt that measure, think it worl
become the magnan,mty of this great republic TO put
towards her generous and liberal course as pos
sble
If, therefore, any subsequent steps Of the NEST cor
ca,ory nature for soothing her feelings, may be ope
to US, would be for adopting them 10 The very vere
cf not yielding up rights, interests, or honor.
, anything beyond this be expected or demanded OF Vi
(Which Will not an,cipate,) or " any i'll cons sequence
khould threaten ns. which. however. | should d