The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-12-20

ttner CONSIDERATIONS OF Il COhuOlILng
character influenced the course of the Exec
ltiye. The treaty which had been nego-
,iatcd, had failed to receive the ratification
of the Senate. One of the chief objec-
tons which were urged against it, was
found to consist in the fact that the ques-
ton Of annexation had not been submitted
10 the ordeal Of public opinion in the L.
States. However untcnable such an OBJ
lection was esteemed 10 be, in view of the
unqucstonablc power of the Executive to
negotiate the treaty, and the great and last
ing interests involved in the question, | felt
it to be my duty TO submit the whole sub
iect to Congress as the best expounders Of
popular sentiment. No definite action
having been taken on the subject by Con-
grcss, the question referred itself directly to
the decision of the States and the people.
The great popular election which has
Just terminated, afforded the best opportu-
nifty of ascertaining the will Of the States
and people upon it. Pending that issue,
it became the imperative duty of the Exec
utyc of Mexico that the question of annex
alton was still before the American people,
and that, until their opinion was pronoun-
ccd, any serious invasion Of Texas would
be regarded as an attempt to forestaIl their
judgment, and could not be looked upon
with indifference. | am most happy to in
form YOU that no such invasion has taken
place, and trust that, whatever your ac-
ton may be upon it, Mexico will see the
importance of deciding the matter by re-
sort to peaceful expedients in preference to
those OF arms.
The decision Of the people and the States
on this great and interesting subject, has
been dccisiyely manifested. The question
of annexation has been presented markedly
to their consideration. BY the treaty itself
all collateral and incidental issues, which
were calculated 10 divide and distract the
public councils, were carefully avoided
These were left to the wisdom of the future
to determine. 1t presented, repeat, the
isolated question of annexation; and in
that form it has been submitted to the or
deal of public sentiment. A controlling ma
ority OF the People, and large majority
OF the States, have declared in favor of I'M
mediate annexation. Instructions have
thus come up to both branches of Congress
from their respective constituents, in terms
the most emphatic.
1t is the will of both the people and
the states, that Texas shall be annexed
to the Union, promptly aud Immediately.
It may be hoped that, IN carrying into eX-
ecution the public will, thus declared, all
collateral issues may be avoided Future
legislation can best decide as to the num-
Der of states which should be formed out
OF the territory, when the time has arrived
for deciding that question. so with all
others. By the treaty the United States
assumed The payment Of the debts of Tex
as, to an amount not exceeding $40, 000,-
600, to he paid, with the exception Of a
sum falling short of 100000, exclusive
~ ont Of the proceeds of the sales of her
public lands. We could not, with honor.
take the lands, without assuming the full
payment Of all membranes upon them.
Nothing has occurred since your last
session, to induce a doubt that the dispo-
silions of Texas remain unaltcrod No
inimation Of an altered determination, on
the part of her government and people,
has been furnished to the executive. She
still desires 10 throw herself under the
protection Of our laws, and TO parlake Of
the blessings Of our lederalivo system;
while every American interest would
seem to require it. The extension Of our
coaslwise and foreign trade 10 an amount
almos, incalculable-the enlargement Of
the market for our manufacturers-thc
constantly growing market for our agri-
cultural produclons--sasoty to our from.
tiers, and additional strength and stability
to the Union--thcse are the results which
would rapidly devclope themselves upon
the cOnsumatlon of the measure Of annex
alton. in such event, will not doubt
but that Mexico would find her true inter
est to consist in meeting the advances Of
this government in a spirit Of amly.
Nor do | apprehcud any serious COM
plant from any other quarter; no suni-
cicnt ground exists for such complaint.
We should interfere in no respect with
the rights Of any other nation. There
canno, be gathered from the act, any de-
sign on our part to do so with their pos
sessions on this continent, We have in.
lcrposed no impcdmenls in the way Of
such acquisitions of territory, large and
extensive ms many Of them are, as the
leading powers Of Europe have made,
from time TO time, in every part Of the
world. We seek no conquest made by
war. No intrigue will have been resort
ed to, or acts of diplomacy essayed 10 ac.
complish the annexation of Texas. Free