The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-05-03

dulles trade and Commerce, order 10 secure thu
necessary assistance. Whatever step she might adopt
looking to this object, would prove disastrous, in h
highest degree, to the Interests of the whole Union
To say nothing oi the impolicy Of permitting tn,
carrying trade and home market Of such country I.
pass out of our hands into those Of commercial ri
VAL the Government, in the first place would be Ger
tain to suffer most dIsastrously in its revenue by tn.
introduction of system of smuggling, upon an ex
tensive scale, which army of custom-house officers
could not prevent--and which would operate 10 ahec
inJurously the interests of all The industrial classes
this country. Hence would arise constant collision.
between the inhabitants of the two countries, which
would eyermore endanger their peace. A large in
crease of the military force of the United States
would inevitably follow, thus devolving upon The peo-
pie and extraordinary burdens, in order not only
10 protect them from the danger Of daily collision with
Texas herself but TO guard their border inhabitants
against hostile iDroads easily excited on the par
of the numerous and warlke tribes of Indians dwell
ling in their neghboihood. Texas would undoub'ed-
be unable tor many years 10 come, II at any time
toresist unaded and alone, the military power of the
United States but it is not extravagant to suppose
that nations reapiDg rich harvest from her trade,
cured 10 them by advantageous treaties would be in
duced to take part with her in airy conflict with US
from the strongest considerations of public policy
Such state of things might subject to devastation he
territory Of contiguous States, and would cost the
country, in single campaign, treasure, thrice
told over than is stipulated to be paid and reimbursed
by the treaty now proposed for ratification. will
not permit myself to dwell on this view Of the subj ct
Consequences of fatal character 10 the pence Of the
Union and even TO the preservation of the Union it.
self, might be dwelt upon. They will not, however,
fail to occur to tn. mind of the Senate and of the
country. Nor do indulge in any vague conectutes
of the future. The documents transmitted along
with The treaty. lead TO the conclusion, as inevitable,
that If The boon rendered be rejected Texas will
seek for the friendship of others.
| In contemplating such contingency, it cannot be
overlooked that the United States already almost
surrounded by the possessions Of European powers.
The Canadas, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the
islands in the American seas, with Texas, trammeed
by treaties OF alliance, or Of commercial character,
differing in policy from that of the United States,
would complete the circle. Texas voluntarily steps
FORTH upon terms of perfect honor and good faith to
all nations, to ask to be annexed to the Union As
an independent sovereignty her right to do this is
questionable In doing so, she gives no cause of UNI
bragg to any other power her people desire it, and
there slavsh transfer Of her sovereignty and in
dependence She has foreight years maintained her
independence against all efforts to subdue her. She
has been recognised independent by many of the
prominent Of the family of nations and that re-
cognon, so far as they concerned, places her in
position without giving any just umbrage to them,
to surrender her sovereignty at her own will and
pleasure. The United States, actuaed evermore by
spirit of justice has desired, by the stipuIatons Of
the treaty, to render justice to all They have made
provision for the payment of the public credit of
Texas. We look TO her ample and fertile domain as
the certain means OF accomplishing this but this is
matter between the United States and Texas, and
with which other governments have nothing to do.
Our right to receive the rich grant rendered by Tex
as Is perect and this government should not having
due respect either to lis own honor or its own inter-
ests permit its course of policy to be interrupted by
the interference of other powers, if such inter-
ference threatened. The question is one purely
Anne can In the acquisition, while we abstain most
carefully from all that could interrupt the public
we els he rtUh IN d,,or tn
our own. This government cannot, consistently with
It's honor, permit any such interference. Wi equal
If not greater proprety, might the United States de-
mand OF other governments to surrender their nu-
merous and valuable acquisitions made in time past,
at numberless places on the surface of the globe,
whereby they have added TO their power and enarg-
ed their resources
To Mexico, the Executive is disposed to pursue
course concatory in its character and at The same
time to render her the most ample justice, by conven
tons and stipulaons not inconsistent with the rights
and dignity of the Government. 1t is actuated by no
spirit of unjust ACKNOWLEDGMENT, but looks only to its
own security. 1t has made known to Mexico at Sc
veral periods, its extreme anxiety witness the ter
mination of hostilities between that county and
Texas Its wishes, however, have been entirely dis
regarded. Ii has been ready to urge an adjust
ment of the dispute upon terms mutually advanta-
geous to both. IL will be ready at all times to hear
and discuss any claims Mexico may think she has on
the justice of the United States, and to adiu.t any
that may be deemed to be the most liberal
terms There IS no desire the part Of the Execu-
tive to wound her PRIDE or afec, inuriousIy her in
terest; but at the same time, it cannot compromit
by any delay In lis action, the essential Interests of
the United States. Mexico has no right to ask or
expect this of us-we deal righfuily with Texas as
independent power. The war which has been
waged for eight years has resulted only n the con-
viction, with all others than herself that Texas can
not be reconquered cannot but repeat the opinion
expressed In my message al the opening of Congress
that it is time il had ceased. The Executive while
it could not look upon IFS longer nuance without
the greatest uneasness has nevertheless for all past
time, preserved Of strict neutrality Ii could
not be ignorant Of the fact Of the exhaustion which
war OF so long duration had produced Least OF
all it ignorant of the anxiety of other powers to
induce Mexico to enter into terms Of reconciliation
with Texas, which, affecting the domestic institutions
of Texas, would operate most ipluriously upon the
United States and might mos, seriously threaten the
existence OF this happy Union Nor could If be I'M
acquainted with the fact, that although foreign gov
ernments might disavow all design to disturb the re-
lations which exist under the Constitution between
these States yet that one the most powerful amongst
them had not failed TO declare its marked and de-
cided hostility to the chief features in those relations
and its purpose, ak suitable occasions, to urge
upon Mexico The adoption Of such course in neyo-
tating with Texas as to produce the oblterstion of
that feature from her domestic policy, one Of the
conditions of her recognition by Mexico as an indie
pendent State. ] he Executive was also aware of
the fact that formidable associations of persons the
subjects of foreign powers, existed, who direct
ing then utmost efforts TO the accomplishment of this
object To these conclusions il inevitably brought
by he documents now submitted TO the Senate
repeat the Executive saw Texas in a state of almost
hopeless exhaustion, and the question was narrowed
down to the simple proposition, whether the United
States should accept the boon of annexation on fair
and liberal terms, or by refusing to do so, force
Texas TO seek refuge in the arms of some other
power either through a treaty of alliance offensive
and defensive, or the adoption of some other expe-
dent, which might virtually make her tributary to
such power, and dependent upon il for all future
time. The Executive has full reason to believe that
such would have been the result, without its interpo
sition and that such viii be the result in the event
either of unnecessary delay in the ratification, or of
the rejection of the proposed treaty.
In iull view then, Of the highest public dntv and