The North-Carolina standard., 1844-05-29
Gen. Jaekson on, the .Tsras Question.

EAsfss |e'Nese'' otttstte "A 80 %E~eSIIQH.
We present below another Letter from Gen
Jackson en-. the question of FAnnexationa 1t i
clear, frank and manly ard evinces strong so
lcitude in the breast of its wise and venerable
author for the speedy consummatioh of this great
national measure He says, as to the tor0.s of an,
nexation, 81 DO not think it material whether il
be by treaty or upon the application Of Texas by
an act or joint resolution OF Congress" The
closing part of his letter, in relation to Mr.. Van
Buren, is worthy of special notice and considera.
ton:
HERMIrAGE,May Is, 1874.
To the Editor Of the U5eson
SIB: am induced to address you this letter because
1 have, within few days past received letters from
know whether my views in relation 10 the policy
nexng Texas to the United States have been changed by
the light which the subject has received from the Iecent
letters of Mr. Van Buren, and other prominent citizens;
aud because ii to be necessary that should an
swer or be misunderstood
Having no connexion with the question, except the in
terest which, IN common with other citizens take
all that my country what have heretofore said
upon dictated by desire to be prominent actor
1t was certainly far from my that there should
be an effort IN any quarter to make the question
party one. Hence, when it brought to my notice
some twelve months ago. by the honorable Mr. Brown of
this State answered his inquiries with prompness and
frankness ...
had not forgotten the principles by which my admin
israton had been guided when attempting obtain Tex
as by negotiation with Mexico, the which was
taken to convince Mexico afterwards that this govern
ment had agency, directly indirectly the steps
resorted by the people of Texas to establish for them
selves an independent government In the reference
which Mr.: Van Buren has made my conduct as Presi-
dent In these respects, he has stated what is entirely
and has deneated with the ability and perspcu-
ty which emnently distinguish him; the general prin-
cpes which characterize the course of government
IN Its intercourse with foreign powers But just and
curate he and subscribing most fully as do to all
that he alleges applicable to the question it stood in
my administration, and it did under his own still,
think that the circumstances so far altered give
new aspect to the whole question: and 10 authorize
corresponding change in the discretion with which our
government may now act upon it.
At the present PERIOD it be doubted that Texas
IS able to maintain her independence Mexico If each
State is left TO its resources uninfuenced and un
aided by any foreign power Eight years have elapsed
since the memorable battle of San Jacnto, and there has
been no serious attempt the part of Mexico occupy
the country, and it is certain be made with any
prospect of success In this state of affairs, ackow
edged by ourselves and the principal powers of the
world as independent nation, and treated as such,
Texas renews TO the almost unanimous wish of her
citizens to be annexed to the United States, telling
substantially that if repused, she mdst form such
alliances elsewhere will best enable her to improve
heI resources and repair the disasters which she has
fered from proracted quasi She is sensible that
her happiness Will be best secured by incorporation into
Unionthat the disposition and pursuits of her peo-
ple being homogeneous with those of the United States
receive adequate protection from any other quar-
ter. We admit the truth of these assertions and feel
that they constitute powerful motive for action, inde
pendent Of the considerations which suggested by
prudent regard for the stability of institutions
In reference 10 Mexico, would use the following Ian
guage: We have carefully abstained from all nterfer
ence with your relations to Texas except to acknow
ledge her independence in the manner and upon
the principles that did your independence when
you separated from Spain. We have, indeed been
more scIupuous with you than with Span for without
consulting respecting the feelings of the latter power
government did not hesitate to open negotiation
with you for the retrocess ion of Texas, and hat too
long before your independence acknowledged by |
Spain But the time has now come when we feel that
this delcacy ought longer to restrain from areaty
with Texas particularly know that failure to
DO so Will produce results that may endanger the safety
Of our conlederacy .- r..
1 cannot think there is discrepancy between these !
views and those avowed by my administration, when pro-
allowance made for the change of circumstances
that they contain we'll founded cause for complaint
IN the part of Mexico
1t may now be stated fact, on which we may rely
With the greatest confidence that if Texas be not speed
admitted into conederacy. she must and will be
Inevitably driven into alliances and commercial regula
ions with the European powers, of character highly
njurious and probably hOstile to this country What
would then be condition? New Orleans and the
whole valley of the Mississippi would be endangered
The numerous herds Of within the limits OF Tex
and her borders would be easily excited to make
var upon our defenceless frontier. ,
do not deem it necessary TO be explicit here in
he enumeration of the reasons which justify, to my
mind, the speedy annexation of Texas 10 the United
states. My aim to give to this country the strength to
esist foreign Interference. Without Texas, we snail
lot have this strength She is the key to safety in
he Southwest and West She offers this key to on
air and honorable terms Let take it, and lock the
against future danger. We can do it without giving
nst offence 10 Mexico. Indeed, may say that the
is called for by the interests of Mexico, less
han of own for without it, she can have no relia
lie guaranty against future Invasion. :
AS to the form of annexation do not hini it mater-
whether it be by treaty upon The application of
'exas by an act or joint resolution Of Congress
cannot close these remarks without saying that my
egar2 for MIR. Van Buren great and my confidence
his love of country is strengthened by long and in
mate scquain ntance, that difference on this sub
ec change my opinion of his character. He has
vdently prepared his letter from knowledge only of
circumstances bearing the subject as they existed
the close of his administration, without view of the
iscloures since made, and which manifest the proba
y of dangerous nIerierence with the affairs of Tex
by foreign power
I an. respectfully, -
Your servant,
ANDREW JACKSON.