Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1844-05-25

cossarily, 10 Introduce NJ present now
element among tho other exciting sub.
octs which aglato and ongross tho pub.
I Tic mini. The rejection Of The overture OF
Toxas, somo years ago, to become nm.
noNod 10 the United SlaIos, had mot with
general ucquIosccnco, Nothing had since
occurred materially to vary the question.
had seen no evidence OF desire being
entertainod, on the part OF any considera.
BILE portion Of Tho American people, that
Texas should become an integral part Of
the United States. During my sojourn
IN New Orleans, | had, indeed, been
greatly surprised by information which
received from Texas, that u voluntary
overture had proceeded from the Execu-
tive of the United States to the Authori-
lies of Texas to conclude treaty o: An.
nexaton; and that in order to overcome
the repugnance felt by any of them to
negotiation upon the sub ject, strong, and,
| believed, erroneous representations had
been made to them Of n state Of opinion
in the Senate of the United States favor.
able TO disqualification Of such treaty.
According TO these representations, it had
been ascertained that number of Sena-
tors, varying from thirty.five TO forty-
two were ready 10 sanction such treaty.
| was aware, TOO, that holders of Texas
lands and Texas scrip, and spectators in
them; were actively engaged in prone
ting the object Of annexation. Still did
not believe that any Executive Of the T.
nlted States would venture upon SO grave
and momentous a proceeding, not only
without any geReral manifestation Of
public opinion in favor of it, but in d..
rect opposition TO strong and decided ex-
pressions of public disapprobation. But
it appears that ! was mistaken. To the
astonishment Of the whole nation, we are
now Informed that treaty Of annexation
has been actually concluded, and is to be
submitted to the Senate for its considera-
ton. The motives for my silence, there
fore, no longer remain, and feel it 10 be
my duty 10 present an exposition of my
views and opinions upun the question, for
what they may be worth, TO the public
consideration. | adopt this method as
being more convenient than several re-
plies to the respective communications
which | have received.
regret that have not the advantage
ola view of the treaty itself, SO as 10 en-
able me to adapt an expression Of my
opinion TO the actual conditions and stp-
ulations which it contains. Not possess
ing that opportunity, am constrained to
treat the question according to what l
presume to be the terms Of the treaty.
If, without the loss of national character.
without the hazard Of foreign war, with
the general concurrence Of the nation,
without any danger to the integrity of
the Union, and without giving an unrea
sonable price for Texas, the question Of
annexation were presented, it would ap-
pear in quite different light from that
in which, apprehend, it is now to be re-
garded.
The United States acquired title to
Texas, extending, as believe to the Rio
del Norte, by the treaty of Louisiana
They coded and relinquished that title to
Spain by the treaty 1916, by which the
Sabine was substituted for the Rio del
Norte as our western boundary. This
treaty was negotiated under the Admins
traton of MIR. Monroe, and with the con
currence Of his Cabinet, of which Messrs.
Crawford, Calhoun, and Writ, being
majority, all Southern gentlemen, com
posed part. When the treaty was laid
before the House Of Representatives, be-
ing a member of that body, expressed
the opinion, which then entertained, and
still hold, that Texas was sacrificed to
the acquisition Of Florida. We wanted
Florida; but thought it must, from its
position inevitably fall into our possession;
that the point OF a few years sooner or la
ter, was of no sort OF consequence, and
that in giving five millions of dollars and
Texas Tor it we gave more than just e.
quivalent. And, five made a great sa-
crifce in the surrender of Texas, we
ought to take care not 10 make too great
a sacrifice in the attempt 10 re-acquire il.
Nv opinions Of the inexpediency of
the treaty of 1919 did not prevail
The country and Congress were satisfied
with it, appropriations we're made to car
nv il into effect, the line of the Sabine
was recognized by US as our boundary,
in negotiations both with Spain and Next
CO, after Mexico became independent.
and measures have been in actual progress
10 mark the line from the Sabine TO Red
River, and thence TO the Pacific Ocean,
We have thus fairly alienated our title TO
Texas, by solemn national compacts, to
he fulfilmeDt of which we stand bound by
good faith and national honor. 1t is there
ore perfectly idle and ridiculous, if not
lishonarable, to talk OF resuming our Ii.
lie TO Texas, as il we had never parted
With it. We can no more do that than
spain can resume Florida. France Louis
ana or Great Britain the thir teen col.