The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-03-18
tutions of Religion and Liberty and thus TO push il
forward in its career OF prosperity and glory.
am, gentlemen, with most true regard.
DANIEL WEBSTER
From the National Intelligencer, March ls !

From the National Intelligencer, March 10
THE TEXAS QUssTos.-ln all Governments, but espe-
cially those wherein in this Government the
reigy Of the People recognised questions sometimes
grave in their nature that beng seriously an.
nounced hey command 'he with
the party topics OF the day or OF the age occupy az
once exclusively the public mind OF TINS character
if question was that concerning the annexation Of
Texas to the United States now sprung upon the cou
When early in the present session of Congress, the
subject was casually alluded by u.s. were somewha,
staggered by the remark OF contemporary-Detter IN
formed OH the subject seems than We then were ta'
the project worthy OF serious consideration
than disposed to give to it, But, still incred
lous longer ago than the 26h OF last month though
report of pending negotiation for annexation" re-
ceived by way of Texas and New Orleans as being most
probably the work Of wanton mischief or interested
speculation" Little did then dream that the in
huences to which then alluded being employ ed IN
agatng the question OF annexation had been seconded
by the Executive power oil this Government ia the man
and in the extent to which we forced by iniorma
ton from different quarters reluctantly to believe
Matters have proceeded TAR however that II IS pro-
per that should state readers what knowledge
have recently acquired this subject from sources to
be relied upon and endeavor open their ey to the
dark cloud which overhangs the public peace and the ma
tonal welfare if not the existence OF this Union
is now some months ago-probably not long after the
than overture was made by this Government, through
the Secretary of State, inviting from the Executive Of
Texas the United States This FIRST if
understand rightly, rather coOly received by the
Congress- the Government of Texas having been again
apprOached-we will not say mportuned, though circum-
stances almost justify the use OF that phraseby the Ex-
ecuve Of the United States Gen Houston, did at length
consent to negotiate the subject The terms OF an ar
rangement between the high contracting parties are al
ready arranged and, if already DONE they are to be
reduced forthwith to the form of Treaty, through the
agency OF special minister from Texas (Mr Hender-
SON. who is already his way this city for the pur
ose it, before this paper goes to press, he have not al
ready arrived.
SO far the President the United States and the Pre-
nfF rnya tha naiA
This Information has, confess, filled our minds with
humiliation, and apprehension. Humiliation at the unau
thorized and almost clandesne manner in which, after
having heretofore soemnly rejected for unanswerable
reasons proposition for annexation when sought by the
Government OF Texas as our own Government mas gone
awooing to that OF Texas and solicited its avors and a
prehension Of the consequences Of the contamination OF
the Treaty. which the President at least has been made to
believe will be promptly ratified by constitutional ma
jority ofthe Senate OF the United states
The sudden occurrence of this question, we have al
ready minated is Of those occasions Of engrossng
interest which, like that of foreign aston,
beOn at home-a pestlence or an earthquake ought to
suspend for time all mere party differences ana conen
tons. Ii is question OF peace war, OF selpreserva
on Of national existence in comparison with which the
ordinary topics OF party into abso-
While speaking thus we know and feel that we
pressing sentiments not in accord with those OF some OF
count and on theirs But when, in our opinion great
danger mpends must not be deferred by such consi
deratons from sounding the alarm, and calling upon pub
lie opinion to make itself heard at the capitol in tones
which can neither be misunderstood nor disregarded.
70 The annexation OF Texas this Union under present
circumstances is opposed, in Judgment by host Of
considerations of which will not be possible for to-
day more than to enumerats the Chief Before doing
which however we wish TO state that there is no one
who sincerely desires the welfare and prosperity OF
the people who compose the population OF Texas than
we do We would contribute to it in anyway not mcompa-
wealth within which lot is cast Desiring to see the
Republic OF Texas independent in fact as it is in name,
we would exert the power OF this Government to any ex
tent which would not commit the fame and the peace OF
this country towards that end We would employ all the
means OF counsel persuasion and cooperation with other
nations In friendly ofices, her that durable
peace and tranquility which alone are wanting to her
growth into populous productive, and wealthy State
among the nations OF the earth.
first objection the annexation of Texas is that it
cannot be accomplished without involving the country in
too great price to pay tor any territorial acquis
ton whatever which the national honor does not de-
IN and.
Our second objection is that far from demanding this
acquisition the National honor orbids it. So long
continues between Mexico and Texas and solemn Trea
ty Of Peace and Amity exists between and Mexico
cannot without violating the sacred faith OF treaties I'M
deake to possess ourselves OF the Territory to which
Mexico still maintains her right We have it is true.
knowledged the independence OF Texas as we had right
do for certain international purposes but that recogni
ton did not extnguish or in any manner affect the rights
OF Mexico upon iTexas. The obligations OF our Treaty
with Mexico remain untouched; and Mexico would have
the same right to possess herself G she could OF any
State of this Union the Government of the United States
has to possess itself OF Texas.
Our third great objection (Which would be conclusive
without the pecedng u.s. that the Territory OF the United
states j, already lage enough l. is infinitely more m
than grasp after more especially when its acquisition
would be inevitably attended with dscord and dssatisac-
People of the United States that they should enjoy in
peace lcontentment, and harmony, what they already
have than that they should place all those blessings Of
hazard by this new experiment.
Our fourth objection u.s. that il the annexationn Of
Texas in other respects desirable entire third
this Union at least orbds the BANS doubts the constu
tonal right to establish the connexon, and declares it,
determination to resist it. The proposition to in
corporate Foreign Nation in this Union moreover il
/ emit re 4
toned This objection would have much less force had
we in this instead of recognising the independence
| of Texas negotiated with Mexico, with without the
Of the people OF Texas for the acquisition of that
| Territory. We would not, merely to acquire more land
(of which we have already more than want) leopard
the existence of the Union which ought to be dearer to
the heart Of every American citizen than any considers
| ton extraneous to it.
Fiithy-Wc dread the beginning by the United State,
of system of acquisition Of foreign territory by
quest (Which, things stand the annexation of Texa
it, and where will end Shall we ever have territory
| enough for ambition, though we have enough for on
| wants
With these brief hints we willingly relieve our read
ers from DISCOURSE to ask their attention
view of the ground heretofore occupied by Govern
ment this subject, from which it is proposed now &c
depart We have the more pleasure in doing this be
affords the opportunity OF giving due credit tc
the last administration for its conduct in regard to this
matter and particularly of doing justice to the patriotism
and OF honor OF the Secretary OF State
more) under that administration
On the 4th of August 1897, few months after the
of Mr. Van Buren, to the Presidency correspon
dence opened with Mr.. Forsyth then Secretary
State by Gen. Memucan Hunt, Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Penipotentiary of the Republic of Texas in
which the annexation OF Texas formally proposed
this Government and supported by train Of argument
quite cogent any that be applied to sustain
such application The offer declined, read
know, by the Presidents and this declenson
municated by MIR Forsyth TO the Texan Minister in
letter under date Of August 25h than the terms Of which
| nothing can be more decisive or explicit
From the New York American
Tue ANNExArIoN or Trxa-Wc repeat, with increased
emphasis conviction that treaty for the annexation
this foreign State 10 these United States Inns been sign
ed and is about to be presented 10 the Senate We
letters yesterday from very high authority expressive
great alarm and the observations Of Mr. Winthrop, in
the House of Representative on Thursday. in
remark Of Mr. Holmes OF South Carolina, justify thi,
alarm.
We add these further particulars communicated
us from what believe authentic sources
nAt the period Mr. Upshurs death the articles of thu
treaty alibut finally arranged the pause given by
the dread circumstances OF that death seems hardly Il
have checked the negotiations, and IL is now believe,
that Mr.. Nelson, the acting Secretary has signed tn,