Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-06-29

revolution, Mexico declared the Confed.
, Grafton at an end, Texas owed her no
longer allegiance, but claimed, and has
maintained the right for eight years to
separate and distinct position. During
that period, no army has invaded her with
a view to her leconquest, and if she has
not yet established her right TO be treated
as a nation independent de factO and de
Ijure, it would be difficult to say at what
period she will attain to that condition.
Nor can we, by any fair or legitimate
interference, be accused of violating any
treaty Spulations with Mexico. The
treaties with Mexico give no guarantee Of
any sort, and are co-existent with SINH.
lar treaty with Texas. So have we trea-
ties with most of the nations of the earth
which are equally as much violated by the
annexation Of Texas to the United States,
as would be our treaty with Mexico
The treaty is merely commercial, and
intended as the instrument for more accu'
rately defining the rights and securing the
interests of the citizens Of each country.
What bad faith can be implied or charged
upon the Government Of the United States
for successfully negotiating with an inde-
pendent Power upon any subject not vio.
laling the stipulation Of such treaty, |
confess my inability to discern.
! The objections which have been taken
TO the enlargement of our territory were
urged with much zeal against the acqulsl-
ton of Louisiana-and yet the futility OF
such has long since been fully demonstra.
ted. Since that period new Power has
been introduced into the affairs OF the
world, which has for all practical purposes,
brought Texas much nearer to the seat OF
Government than Louisiana was at the
time of its annexation. Distant regions
are, by the application of the steam engine,
brought within close proximity.
With the views which entertain on
the subject, should prove faithess 10 the
high trust which the Constitution has de-
volved upon me it neglected to invite
the attention of the Representatives Of
the People to il, at the earliest moment
that due respect for the Senate would
allow me to do so. should find in the
urgency Of the matter sufficient apology
! if one was wanting. since annexation Is
TO encounter a great IL mol certain hazard
of final defeat, if something be not now
done 10 prevent it. Upon this point |
cannot too impressively invite your atten.
ton to my message of the 10Th May, and
to the documents which accompany it,
which have not heretofore been made
public. Ii it be objected that the names
OF the writer's of some of the private let
tors are withheld, all that can say is,
that it is done for reasons regarded as al
together adequate, and that the writer's are
persons of the first responsibility and citl.
zens of Texas, and have such means OF
obtaining information as to entltle their
sentiments TO full credit. Nor has any
thing occurred to weaken, but, on the
contrary, much 10 confirm, my confidence
in the statements of General Jackson, and
nv own statements made at the close OF
that message, in the belief, amounting al
most to certainty, "that instructions have
already been given by the Texan Govern.
ment TO propose to the Government OF
Great Britain, forthwith, on the failure,
! (of the treaty. to enter into treaty Of
commerce, and an alliance, offensive and
defensiye."
| also particularly invite your attention
| to the letter from Mr.. Everett, our Envoy
at London, containing an account OF
conversation in the House Of Lords which
lately occurred between Lord Brougham
and Lord Aberdeen in relation TO The
( question of annexation. Nor can DO SO
without the expression OF some surprise
at the language the Minister of Foreign
|, Affairs employed upon that occasion :.
That Kingdom which is made what II
!, now is by repeated acts Of annexation,
: beginning from the time Of the Heptarchy
and concluding with the annexation o.
the Kingdoms of Ireland and Scotland,
should perceive any principle, either novel
or serious, in the late proceedings OF the
i American Executive IN. regard TO fexas,
| is well calculated to excite surprise.
Il n il be pretended that because of COM
mercial or political relations which may
exist between two countries, neither has
a right to part with its sovereignty, and
that no third Power can change those re-
f la,ions by voluntary treaty of union or
annexation, then it would seem to follow
that an annexation to be achieved by
force of arms by the prosecution OF a
lust and necessary war, could in no way
be justified; and yet it is presumed that
Grea. Britain would lie the last nation on
earth TO maintain any such doctrine
!, The commercial and political relations OF
manv of the countries Of Europe have I'M
/ dergone repeated changes by voluntary
treaties, by conquest, and by particlPatlons
! of their territories, without any question
"a IN the rioht, under the public law. The