Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1844-05-09
Important Documents on the Anncxa-
ton Of Texas.

Since the issue Of our last number several important
documents IN relation To the annexation Of Texas have
come TO hand The first il the secret treaty add the Pre-
sidents Message accompanying 1T, which were sent to
the Senate confdeniially, but which have nevertheless
already appeared in the New York papers. Secondly.
the letters Of Mr. Clay, Mr. Van Buren,, aud Mr.. Benton.
which we name in the order Of their reception, mol of
their comparative me,it.
Mr.. Van Burens letter Is decidedly one OF the ablest
and mos, staie-maniike papers, that ever has come from
his able pen. IL Is distinguished in the highest degree BY
that GOODNESS, %calmness, ability, patriotism and WISDOM.
which may Justly be looked for from "A man who has held.
or who aspires To hold, the most important places in the
government of the county. 1t is addressed solely to the
TeaSo" Of the people, and Il not infected by the slightest
tinge Of humbuggery, and we cannot resist the expression
of the feelings of just pride with which we regard IL, in
comparison with the puerile and "stump' production of
Mr.. Clay.
Mr.. Van Burens letter IS long, aud necessarl, so-for
he goes over the whole ground involved IN the main qucs-
ton, and sevcrally discusses the principal points at large.
lie takes up the constitutional question, disputed ia the let
ter OF Mr. Webster, and shows most coneIusively and sa-
ti-iactonly, that there are no sound constitutional objections
against the annerat,on Of additional ,ndependent territorg
to The tnton. lie then considers the question of the ex-
pediency OF the immediate annexation of Texas, particu-
larry "a : connected with International Law, aud Treaty
Obligations between cur government and Mexico. Al
matters stand, he thinks immediate annexation inc xpedi-
eni, but says that he should be IN favor Of future annexa-
ton after the conclusion OF the Armist,ce at present ex-
isting between Mexico and Texas, If Mexico should be
unable to MAINTAIN her assumed power and authority, in
such a way "a the laws of nations rcquire,-and after a
iuil aud lar discussion and understanding Of the question
by the people of Tins country, and its approval by "a MAJOR
ity- lie goes further, and says, that II satisfied thai Eng
land or any European power should attempt to make
Texas a dependency of their own, we should prevent the
contamination of such an event, even AT the expense of
war and that legitimate self defence would authorize US
to make a conquest of the territory.
Mr.. Van Buren, gives his reasons nj length why he
thinks that a treaty Of annexation should be della, ed for
the present, so that the good faith aud integrity of our
country with Mexico shall not be impeached, through,
hasty and unad, Ised action on our part, and so that the
honorable character Of our country m the eyes of other
nations, may be maintained unsuIlied by anv act of appa-
rent rapdciiy or injustice in our foreign relations. But
we must refer our readers to the letter itself for these rea-
sons, which we are sure Will be altogether satisfactory TO
every intelligent, citizen, OF whatever party.
We regret that 1t l. impossible for u > to print the letters
of Mr.. Benton and Mr.. Clay in company with Mr.. Van
Buren's, that they might have been read together but
their Postponemenr I'LL next week IS unavoidable. Mr..
Benton, though he declares his desire for the annexation
TO have been unvarying for twenty five years, expresses,
nevertheless, his decided opposition to any such Sc, let
manoeuvre a that of the present proposed treaty. Like
Mr.. Van Buren,, he considers the question one of time.
and believes that If we waita little, until the pear Is ripe,
IT viii fall INTO our hands without difficulty of any kind.
Mr. Clay 5 letter Is a regular Virginia fcnce"-dodsing
here and there, like a coon in a cornieId. lie seems 10
view the question:, not III a slatesmanlikc point OF view.
but as one of locality, and thinks annexation should not
be desired by the South, because more Free States than
Slave States would be formed out of the territory lie
seems TO come to the point, however, in The conclusion of
ms letter, IN winch he says 'that he considers the annex
alton of Texas. M this time vvIfhout tho nissan or NJ;
co, AS a measure compromising the national character. IN.
volvIng us certainly in W with Mexico. probably with
other foreign Powers. dangerous to the integrity of the
Union, inexpedient IN the present financial condition Of
the country, and not called for by any general expression
Of public opinion