The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-12-12

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highly beneficial. Her inability TO re-conquer
Texas had been exhibited, | repeat. by eight
now nine years Of truItless aud rainous contest.
In the meantime, Texas has been growing in
and resources. Emigration has flow
ed into her territory, from all parts of The world.
in a current which continues to increase in
strength. Mexico requires "a permanent boun
darv between that young republic and herself.
Texas. at no distant day. ii she continues sepa,
rate aud detached from the United States. will
inevitably seek 10 consolidate her strength by
adding 10 her domain the contiguous provinces
of Mexico.
The spirit of revolt from the control of the
Central Government has, heretofore, manifested
itself in some ot those provinces; and ii IS lair
to- infer that they would be inclined to take the
first favorable opportunity TO proclaim their IN
dependence, and To form close alliances with
Texas. The war would thus be endless; or, IL
cessations Of hostilities should occur, they would
only endure Tor a season. The Interests of Mex
leo, therefore,, could in nothing be better con-
suited than in a peace with her neighbors, which
would result in the establishment of perma-
nent boundary. Upon the ratification of the
treaty, the Executive was prepared to treat with
her on the most liberal basis. Hence the boun-
da ries OF Texas were left underlined by the treaty.
The Executive proposed to settle these dPon
terms that all the world should have pronounced
just and reasonable. No negotiation upon that
point could have been undertaken betw cen the
u. States aud Mexico, IN advance OF the ratihca-
iioG of the treaty. We sh ould have had no
right-no power-no authority, TO have conduc-
ted such a negotiation; and to have undertaken
ito would have been an assumption equally re
vultIng TO the pride oil Mexico and Texas. and
sublectIng us To The charge of arrogance: while
to have proposed in advance OF annexation, TO
satisfy Mexico for any contingent interest she
might have in Texas. would have been To have
treated Texas, not as an independent power, but
as a mere dependency OF Mexico.
This assumption could not have been acted on
by the Executive. without setting al defiance
ourown sulemn declaration thatihe republic was
an independent STATE. Mexice had, il Is true,
a threatened war against The United States, in the
event the Treaty of Annexation was ratihed-
The Executive could not permit itself TO bein-
huenced by this treat. 1t represented in this.
the spirit of our People, who are ready TO sacri
fee much for peace. but nothing to intimidation
A war. under any circumstances, is greatly to
be deplored. aud the United States is the last
nation TO desire n; but il, as the condition oil
, peace. il be required Of Us to torego the unques'
tionable right of treating with an Independent
power, of our own Continent. upon matters high.
ly interesting TO both, and that upon a make ana
unsustained pretension of claim by a third pow
y err, to control the free Will of the power with
whom we treat-deyoted as we may be to peace
! and anxious TO cultivate friendly relations with
the whole world, The Executive does not hest
tate TO say that, the people OF the United States
would be ready to brave all consequences soon
5 er than submit 10 such condition
But no apprehension OF war was entertained
by the Executives; aud | must express frankly
Z the opinion that, had the Treaty been ratified by
5 the Senate, II would have been followed by
). prompt settlements, TO the entire satisfaction o
Mexico, OF every matter in difference between
the two countries. Seeing then that new pre-
partitions for hostile invasion of Texas were a
i bout to be adopted by Mexico, and that ihes
d were brought about because Texas has adopte,
; the suggestions OF the Executive npon the sub
Iect OF Annexation, il could not paSslveiy hav
u folded Its arms and permitted a war, threatened
to be accompanied by every act that could mari
?, a barbarous age, TO be waged against her, be
cause she had done so.
Other considerations of a controlling characte
influenced the course OF the Executive. Tn
II treaty which had been negotiated. had tailed I
receive the ratification of the Senate. One o
the chiei objections which were urged against l
IN the Tact that the question
OF annexation had not been submitted to the or
deal OF public opinion in the United States
However untenable such an objection was es
d teemed TO be, in view of the unquestionabl
power OF the Executive TO negotiate the treaty
aud the great aud lasting interests involved i
the question. l ielt il to be my duty to submit III
whole suhJectto Congress as the best expound
,s es of popular sentiment. No definite actio
having been taken on subject by Congress, iii
question referred itself directly to. the decisio
Of The States aud the People
s. The great popular election which has lust tel
nv minated, afforded the best opportunity of asceI
tanning the will OF the STATES and People upon i
-. Pending that issue, il became the imPerativ
u duty OF the Executive to inform Mexico, that tn
u question of annexation was still before the A
merIcan People, and that. until their npinion wa
pronounced. any serious invasion OF Texas woul
" be regarded rs an attempt TO ioresiall IN eiT JUDI
e me Ut, and could not be hooked upon with IndI
Terence | am most happy to- inform you th'
no such invasion has taken place, and | tru'
that. whatever your acrion may be upon it, Me,
leo Will see the importance OF deciding the ma
ter by a rcsorf TO peaceful expedients in pretel
a ence to those of arms.
lie The decision of the People and the State.
- on this great and interesting subject, ha
IN been decisively manifested. The questio
of annexation has been presented uakedi
I'd to their consideration BY the treaty itsei
all collateral and incidental issues, whic
ce we're calculated TO divide and distract th
IS public councils, were carefully avoided
of These were left to the wisdom of the fuiur
10 determine. 1t presented, | repeat, til
S? isolated question of annexation; and in ih;
IL form it has been submitted to the ordeal {
D. pubic sentiment. A controlling majority
le the People, and a llrge majority Of tn
I'd ST ates, have declared in favor of immediat
IS, annexation. Instructions have thus com
H. up 10 both branches of Congress, from the
IF respective constituents, in terms the mo
e. emphatic.
is 1t is the will OF both the people and ii
rs States, that Texas shall be annexed to ii
= Union, promptly and Immediately. 1t ma
IN be hoped that, in carrying into execution til
TO public will, thus declared all collateral issue
nd may be avoided. Future Legislatures CT
10 best decide as to the number of States whit
er- should be formed out of the territory. whe