Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-09-21
ASHLAND, 9th July,lS44,

Gast1sm1a:-I have received your faso
informing me that my views, as disclose,
in my letter from Raleigh, on the question
the Annexation OF Texas, are miscon
ceived, il not misrepresentrd in your quar-
ter; and that it is supposed that l hav,
changed my opinion from what Z was il
1919. l endeavored to express myself il
that letter as explicitly as could, and
do not think now that It can be fairly mis-
interpreted.
In 1919, when I addressed the Hous,
Of Representatives, the Executive had ne
gotiated the treaty with Spin, by which
TIE as was ceded to that power, but Con
gress had not then given any sanction I,
the cession. believe now, as though
then, that the Treaty-making power is no
competent, without the concurrence O
Congress, to cede away any Territory be.
longing to the United States. But Con
gress, BY repeated acts, subsequently, man.
Tested its appreciation Of the treaty; ant
these acts rendered il as valid and obliga
tory upon the United States, as i Con
gress had given its assent, prior to III,
conclusion Of the treaty. At that penot
oflSl9, Texas as claimed by us, was un
peopled. No hostile incursions had beer
made into it by citizens Of the Unitet
States. In 1925 and 1927, there were bu
few inhabitants of Texas, consisting o
some colonists, planted there under the au
thority Of Mexico. At neither Of the tire,
periods above mentioned had any State Of
section, in this Union, manifested any op
position to Texas composing part Of it,
It has been said that Mr.. Adams admins.
tration offered to negotiate with Mexict
for Texas, notwithstanding the existence
Of war between Spain and Mexico, ane
that it could not therefore have believed
that the acquisition Of Texas, at that time
would have involved the United States ir
war with Spain. Hence il is argued that
the ratification of the late treaty could moi
have compromised our peace.
Mr.. Adams thought it desirable 10 OBJ
tain Texas. Two foreign powers claimed
it. Mexico was in possession, and Spain
was doing nothing TO assert and enforce her
claim. Her representative had even gone
so far as to stipulatc, in convention, 10
acknowledge the Independence OF Mexico,
although that convention was not ratified
BY Spain
Mr.. Adams had right to authorize The
negotiation Of a treaty for the acquisition
Of Texas with both or either Of the pow.
ers claiming it. It was natural that h
should begin with that power which hat
the possession Of Texas. Spain had in.
terposed no obstacle. She had made M
declaration that she would regard the ac
QUESTION Of Texas as an act of war. Ii
point offact no overture was formally mad.
to Mexico to purchase Texas, no neg
ton was opened, no treaty was concluded
fla negotiation had commenced, or If;
treaty had been signed and Spain had pro
tested, the prudent and cautions polio,
which characterized Mr.. Adams admins
tration, would undoubt, diy have prompted
him to quiet Spain, and accommodate tn,
matter, previous to the anne alton Of Tex
as to the United States, and without pl,lng
ing them in war with Spain. How totally
different are all the circumstances under
which, with Mr.. Adams authority, au.
thorized the overture to Mexico from tn, 81
which attended the recent treaty of Mr.
Tyler! So far from Mexico being silent
she repeatedly and solemnly declared tina,
she would consider annexation as war with
her. Texas was no longer an uninhabited
country. 1t had been wrested from the
dominion Of Mexico by citizens, many o.
whom went armed from the United States
The war between Mexico and Texas hat
not been terminated by any treaty of peace
Mr.. Tyler not only did not consult Mexi
CO, but he announced that her assent {,
the anne Nation was altogether unnecessary
And he proceeded to conclude treaty, EN-
bracing large extent OF territory and
numerous populations, not comprehendes
in the Texas which the United States ceLet
to Spain iii 1879.
In the mean time, too, powerful oppo
sltion had arisen in the United State,
against the annexation Of Texas to them
Several States had declared, through theil
legislatures, against it, and others, if no
whole sections of the Union, were believed
to be adverse to it. This was the opposi
J 4 ii .#
ton to the measure, TO which, in my Ra
leigh letter, | alluded, when spoke Of
considerable and respectable portion o
the contsderacy." ! did not refer to per,
sons but to States or sections.
Under such circumstances, could no
but regard the annexation Of Texas, at thi.
time as compromising the honor Of my
country, involving it in war, in which
the sympathies Of all christendom would
be against us, and endangering the integri.
" Of the Union. l thought then, and still
believe, that national dishonor, foreign
war, and distraction and division at home,
were too great sacrifices to make for the
acquisition Of Texas.
But, gentlemen, you are DESTROYS Of
knowing by what policy | would be guild
ed in the event of my election as CIiei
Magistrate of the United States, in refer
ence to the question of the annexation Of
Teva do not think it right to announce
in advance what will be the course Of a
future administration in respect to ques.
ton with foreign power. IHAvE, How
EVER. NO HESITATION IN SAYING THAT,
FAR FROM HAVING ANY PERSONAL oHJEc-
TON TO THE ANN ExATIoN or TEXAS,
SHOULD BE GLAD TO SCI 1T,
without dishonor, without war, with the
common consent Of the Union, and upon
-