Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-06-14

were 10 De formed. me acquisitions OF Louisiana
and Florida may be defended upon the peculiar
ground of the relation in which they stood to the
States OF the Union. After they were admitted,
we might well pause awhile, people our vast
wastes, deyelope our resources, prepare the means
OF defending what we possess, augment our
strength, power, and greatness. IT, hereafter fur
Their territory should be wanted for an increased
population, we need entertain no apprehensions
but that will be acquired by means, it is to be
hoped, fair, honorable, and constitutional
1t is useless to disguise that there are those who
spouse, and those who oppose the annexation of
Texas, upon the ground Of the influence which it
would exert, in the balance of political power, be-
tween two sections of the Union. | conceive that
no motive for the acquisition of foreign territory
would be more unfortunate, or pregnant with more
fatal consequences, than that of obtaining it for the
purpose OF strengthening one part against another
part of the common Confederacy. Such princ-
pie put INTO practical operation, would menace the
existence II not certainly sow the seeds ola DISC
luton OF the Union. 1t would be to proclaim to
the world an Unsuitable and unquenchabe thirst for
foreign conquest or acquisition of territory For
if today, Texas be acquired to strengthen one part
of the COnfederacy, tomorrow Canada may be re-
quired to add strength to another. And, after that
might have been obtained still other and further
acquisitions would become necessary, to equalize
and adjust the balance Of political power. Finally,
in the progress of the spirit of universal dominion,
the part Of the Confederacy which is now weak
est would find itself still weaker, from the impos-
sibity of securing new theatres for those peculiar
institutions which it is charged with being desir-
Gus to extend,
But would Texas, ultimately, really add strength
to that which is considered the weakest part
of the Confederacy? If my information be cor
rect, it would not. According to that, the territory
of Texas is susceptible of division into five States
of convenient size and form. OF these, two only
would be adapted to those peculiar institutions to
which have REFERRED and the other three, lying
west and north of San Antonio, being only adapted
to farming and grazing purposes, from the nature
of their soil, climate, and productions, would not
admit of those institutions. In the end, therefore,
there would be two slave and three free States
probably added to the Union. Ifthis view of the
soil and geography of Texas be correct, it might
serve to diminish the zeal, both of those who OPP
pose and those who are urging annexation.
Should Texas be annexed to this Union, the U.
States will assume and become responsible for the
debt of Texas, be its amount what it may. What
it is, do not know certainly; but the least have
seen it stated at is thirteen millions of dollars
And this responsibility will exist, whether there be
stipulation in the treaty or not, expressly assum-
ing the payment of the debt of Texas For sup
pose it to be undeniabe that, if one nation becomes
incorporated in another, all the debts and obliga
tons, and membranes, and wars of the ncOrpo-
rated nation, become the debts, and obligations
and membranes, and wars of the common ma.
ton, created by the incorporation
If an European nation enterains any ambition;
designs upon Texas, such as that of colonzIng her
or in any way subiugatng her, should regard il
the imperative duty of the Government of the
United States to oppose to such designs the mos
firm and determined resistance, to the extent, il
necessary, OF appealing to arms, to prevent the ac
compIishment of any such designs. The Executive
ofthe United States ought to be informed to thu
aims and views of foreign Powers with regard tt
md I shat = tbo ho r.
exceptionabe character which | have indicated
the Executive will disclose to the coordinate de
partments of the Government, if not to the public
the evidences Of them From what have seen ant
heard believe that Great Britain has recently
formally and solomnly disavoWed any such aims o
purposes-haS declared that she is DESTROYS only o
the independence of Texas, and that she has M
intention to interfere in her domestic institutions
If she has made such an avoWal and declaration,
presume they are in the possession Of the EXecu
tive.
In the future progress Of events, it is probabl
that there will be a voluntary or torcibe separa
ton of the British North American possession
from the parent country am strongly inclined
think that it will be best for the happiness of al
parties that, in that event, they should be erected
into separate and independent Republic. Wit
the Canadian Republic one side, that of TeXa
on the other, and the United States, the friend c
both, between them, each could advance its oW
happiness by Sucn COnStltullOnS, laws anu lnCas
ures, as were best adapted to their condition.
They would be natural allies, ready by co-operc
ton, to repel any European or foreign attack uT
on either. Each would afford a secure refuge t
the prosecuted and oppressed, driven into exile
either of the others. They would emulate eac
other in improvements, in free institutions, and
the science of self-government, Whilst Texas h;
adopted our constitution as the model Of hers st
in several important particulars, greatly improve
upon it.
Although have felt compelled, from the natul
of the inquiries addressed to me, to extend tn
communication to much greater length than
could have wished, could not do justice to tt
subject, and fairly and fully expose my own opil
ions, in shorter space. In conclusion, they ma
be stated in "a few words to be, that consider II
annexation of Texas, at this time, without the a
sent of Mexico, as measure compromising Il
national character, involving US certainly in WI
with Mexico, probably with other foreign power
dangerous to the integrity of the Union, ineXped
ent in the present financial condition of the cou
try, and not called for by any general expression
public opinion.
l am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. CLAY.