Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-04-13
From the National Tn,elligeneer.
THE TEXAN QUESTION.-ITS
HISTORY,


US. that a negotiation had been brought
nearly TO a conclusion for the "annexation"
Of Texas 10 the United States, we sup
posed the first overture by this Govern
ment TO that of Texas to have been proba-
bly, made soon after the retirement of Mr..
Webster from the Department of State.
Since the publication Of that article, how
ever. in tracing back, through the file of
the Government paper, the history of this
extraordinary negotiation to the earliest
indication of it, we find (among many
things which certainly would have ava
kencd suspicion, could such thing have
been within belief as the scheme which is
now in the course of developmenD evil
dence, -circumstantial, but apparently con.
elusive to our minds, that the project of
annexation" did not take root in the Cab
met until after the death of DIR. Legare,
who succeeded Mr.. Webster in charge of
the Department of State.
The first allusion to Texas, founded upon
pretended belief of certain designs of
Great Britain in regard to Texas, is to be
found under the Editorial head of the
Madisonian of June "a, being the same
number Of that paper in which, after the
death Of Mr.. Legare, the appointment of
Mr.. Upshur as his successor is announced.
In that article, we discover the germ of
the project for the acquisition of Texas,
wrapped up in parcel of sounding phrases,
importing the opinion of the writer that
contest might be at hand, arising out of
the relations Of Texas to other nations, not
10 cease until the whole continent of
America belonged to the United States y
How could we, or how could any body in
his right senses, regard this sort of buster
in any other light than that, in which il was
regarded by every body at the time, OF
mere empty bravado?
The first introduction into the official
paper of direct suggestion of the annexa.
ton of Texas which we discover, is on the
Both of August following, in the form of a
short essay, copied from the New York
Aurora" the object of which was to show
"why Texas ought to be admitted into the
Union" But, after one or two intervening
similar publications, il is announced in the
that General Murphy. the Charge DAT.
flares of the United States, at the capita
Of Texas, had been fully instructed of the
estimate placed by the Government of the
United States" upon the indication fur
nished by the declaration, by some membe,
Of the British House of Peers, of the great
wish which he felt for the abolition of
slavery in Texas. We do not see how the
expression of such a wish by member
Of Parliament concerned this Government
at all: we should be very sorry certainly
on many accounts, if the speeches Of indi
vidual members of our Senate or House Of
Representatives were TO be considered as
indications of the fixed purposes, or even
probable designs, of this Government: but
the President, viewing the matter differ.
emily, il seems, instructed General Murphy
to what extent we can only conjecture,
but not so far probably at that time as tc
authorize him to invite proposition from
Texas for annexation. The scheme began
10 ferment, however: for, soon after thi:
instruction, viz on the 18th of October
we find published speech delivered or
some public occasion in Virginia by Mr.
Ex.Speaker Hunter, and letter from Mr.
Wise, strongly in favor of the annexation
Of Texas, in support of which "the whole
South" are invoked to 60 in body.
On the Sd of November, we arrive, al
we suppose, at the commencement of thi'
negotiation. "From the most authentic
sources" says the official paper of tina
date, 1--WE have assurances that the Peoph
Of Texas not the Government of Texas
observed earnestly desire the annexation
TO the United States" Commenting oil
this "authentic" information. and aware, L
all appearance, of what is in contempla
ton, the Government paper promises "the
plaudits of the country, both present ant
future" to him or them who shall be abb
TO contribute most to an object $50 advan
tageous TO the Union. and so anxiously de
sired by the Texans" as annexation"
The Sd Of November, therefore, was
as nearly as we can ascertain. the date o
the first direct overture made to the Texia
authorities, apprizing them of the design
Of ,he President, and inviting their coop
Grafton in them.
After this date is kept up, in the Govern
mcnt paper, q regular fire Of annexation
articles, evidently, we can now perceive
from official and semi-official sources
though then so little thought to be an,
thing more than the speculations of inter
esled or visionary persons, as we hav
already heretofore taken occasion to sa
that we did not read any part of them Ell
cept the headlines Nor was our attentio
ran.A1 IN what yyae raallxy 0oipO IN upti