Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1844-05-14

u"ig a. HOm sincere oeSre 10 SatlS "
Ihnse OF my friends who may differ from
me on this point, and whose opinions
bold in the highest respect, that have
NOT yielded my assent hastily or unsdyis
edly 10 the views have here taken oI
the subject.
Having thus given you my views upor
the constitutional question, | will, witt
the same frankness answer the remaining
portion of your inquiries, viz: the expe
dieDcy Of Immediately annexing Texas
TO The United States. or 50 soon as hel
consent TO such annexation may be OBJ
tsined.
have already referred TO an appiiea.
tiOn fol the accomplishment Of the same
Lobiect that was made 10 this government
by Texas whilst | was President.
The history of the Texan revolution,
and the then condition of that republic,
as well as the probable advantages to re.
suit 10 both from the proposed annexation,
were placed before Us in an elaborate
and able communication. Itcan scarce.
ly be necessary 10 say that the sppIica-
tiOn was considered with that attention
and care which were due to SO grave a
proposition, aud under the full influence
Of feelings Of sincere soliciInde for the
prosperity and permanent welfare Of a
young and nsighbOriDg State, whose in
dependence we had been the first TO &C.
knowledge-feelings which constitute,
and, sincerely hope, ever will consti-
tute, the prevailing sentiment OF the peo-
pie of the United States. In coming 10
the decision winch il became my duty to
make, was aided, in addition 10 the
other members Of my cabinet, by the
counsel and constitutional advice of two
distinguished cilizons Of your section Of
the Union, Of the fret order of intellect,
great experience in public affairs, and
whose devotion to their own. as we'll as
every other section Of the Union, was a.
boVe all question. The result of our uni,
ted opinions was announced TO the
Texan Minister, (Gen. Hunt, in CON.
municaIon from the late Mr.. Forsyth,
the substance of which canot better ex-
press than by Incorporating one or two
brief extracts from it in this letter. Up.
on the general subject, my own views, as
we'll as those Of my cabinet, were thus
stated:
$50 long as Texas shall remain at
war, while the Uni,ed States are at peace
with her adverse ry,the propOsitionot the
Texan Minister PlOnipotentiary nece,sa,
rily inVloved The question war with
that adversary. The United States are
bound TO Mexico by treaty of amity and
which will be scrupnlously
observed on their part so long as it can
be reasonably hoped that Mexico will per.
form her duties, and respect our rights
under il. The United States might Just
y be suspected Of a disregard of the
friendly purposes of the compact, if the
overture of Gen. Hunt were to be eveh
reserved for future consideration, as this
would imply disposition on our part 10
espouse the quarrel nf Texas with Mexi.
co-a disposition wholly at variance with
lhe spirit of the treaty, with the uniform
policy and the obvious welfare of the u |
nited States. 51a
"The inducements mentioned BY Gen.
Hunt for the UnitsdStstes to annex Texas
o thsirterrhory, are duly appreciated;
,ut, powerful and weighty as certainly
hey are, they are light when opposed in |
he scale OF reason to treaty Oblig atiOns,
Ind respect for that integrity of charac.
er by which the United States havs
Iought 10 distinguish themselves since
he establishment of their right 10
lain a place in the great family of ma.
ions"
The intimation in General Hunts LETT
er, that Texas might be induced to ex'
end commercial advantages TO other
lations to the prejudice OF the United
States, was thus noticed:
SIT is presumed, however, that the
motives by which Texas has been gov.
'rned in making this overture, will have
equal force in impelling her TO preserve,
IS an independent power, the most liberal
commercial relations with the United
otHL6Ss 0uCu utSpUSlIlOH ""i ~ S"S'
fully met, in corresponding spirit, BY
his government. If the answer which
he undersigned has been directed TO
give TO the proposition of General Hunt,
should unfortunately work such a change
n the sentiments Of that governmental as
10 induce an attempt 10 extend CONNER
,ial relations elsewhere, upon terms pre-. I
udicial to the United States, this gov I
,rnment will be coA 'Oled by the reclitude !
# it's intentions, and certainty that, al.
hough the hazard Of transient losses may
,e incurred by rigid adherence 10 just
no lasting prosperity can be
iecrred when they are disregarded."
That there views we're not altogether
atlsfac tory to Genelal Hunt, nor proba
,ly TO his government, has been Sc en-
But think | may safely say that seldom,
fever, has the decision, BY this govern.
nent, Of question Of equal magnitude,
'een more decidedly or moro unanimous =