Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-07-12
GEoRGIA.-Gov. TRoUp's LETTER.
VALDosrA, Laurcns, Sd June, 1911.

| FALDosTA, LaurcnS, Sd June, loil.
conference.-the slavery question has reach
ed lis crisis. The abolitions,s must side witt
I England, and 20 for universal emancipation, o
! fulfil their obligations under the Constitution O
The United States. In the first alternative ,hel
are our enemy, i'll the last our friend, as the,
ought to IL.
| The vcry best men in the country who ar
! sound patriots, and who look 10 lis interests as
whole. may have been puzzled and perpieXed b.
the various aspects in which annexation has beer
presented. and the more easily pclpexed by
iaudablc regard TO the SacredncsS OF the public
faith; and OF this, would say, that should an,
man entertain the least doubt OF the compromit
tal of that faith he ought not TO be the advocate
of annexation Ii is because have not the leas
doubt. that advise you, without hesitation, I,
give all Your efforts 10 The support that measure
not merely as one ofeXpcdiency and sound policy
! bu as vital, in every sense OF the word withou
the accomplishment of which the Southern anC
Western country are in imminent peril.
| IfTexas were as independent of Mexico as sh,
is of other countries. you will readily pcrcciv,
how one great obstacle 10 annexation would IN
removed. There would he no scrupcs touching
The falkland vet this makes no difference.
Ii Texas had the acknowledged sovereignty
and jurisdiction and rights OF ropcry-absol"et
from all connection with Mexico, and were toprc
sumo 10 do, in relation to slavery, what England
would persuade her 10 do, and wha, Mexico
would force her 10 tio--thc entire o. the Southern
States. (itone community would have right
bv the Law oil nations, as measure OF safety, IL
protest against any such doing, - 10 follow up
that protest by acts Of war and rcpriSal-havina
iustifablc cause oiwar III self defence say, adj
hitting Texas 10 he among The most independent
of nations. and having supreme control over heI
slave population Texas would still be subject 10
the same Limitation and restriction in her use
and control OF that population, Is all States and
individuals would be by the law OF nature and
nations. viz: so 10 control and use that popnla-
lion as not 10 interfere with the rights Other neigh
bors-espccially the rights which appcriain 10 the
same description OF population. Ii Texas fol-
lowinr the example Of Mexico, were 10 pass an
nc, of cmancipation we'll knowing that the same
popula,ion would instantancouslv cross the line
10 poison and corrupt and inciie their own color
~ cut The ,hroa,S of the women and children or
his side no doubt could be entertained by The
s,rictes, casuisls Of the right of The Southern
STATES. (he Federal Government refusing its aid
IN project themselves bv all the means in theiI
mover as a case OF immincn, peril, and one moi
admitting of dclay.
If Texas. being independent. and for reasons
seeming rood and sufficient 10 herself, should By
snch Il course of policy. 50 far involve the safety
/ ofihis norton of the United States. as 10 give
unsuitable cause ior war; is the case al all alter
cd. because not being independent in the opinion
Of every body, Texas happened 10 he stimulated
! by England, or any other foreign power 10 adopt
/ this same policy? If indeed from urgent int.
re-, or superior force, Texas should he thus con.
/ strained, Texas might be pliied but could moi
/ hopc 10 escape the rctribulion which must ncvi
I lahIv follow measure, 50 rcpeie with mischic
/ and disaster TO 4 ncishbor and TREND.
IfTexas be not. to all inicn> AMI purposes, in
dependent OF Mexico, but subject, coniinsenlly
! 10 orcupation and dominion. in due course OF war
! sill the Southern States have 4 right 10 say, ant
if they are no.; defended by tie U. States, they
arn in duty bound To say. that Mexico shall no
conouer Texas. The Southern States know tha
/ if Mexico should conquer Texas, the same re-
suits would follow, as if Texas alone-ur Tcya:
with England and Mexico were 10 resolve ant
carry into effect the abolition OF slavery in Texas
! If Texas. therefore, pressed BY the war of Mex
leo refuses to lend herself 10 the nlury or ruiz
Of the South and Western State>-ii pressed b,
the policy and influence and power of England
she holds s,eadfasrly To the prospective alliance o
her own blood and kindred-is pressed by waste
resources and imperious wants, in her day o
ribuiation-and bcset by crafty and covert friends
7
ole. her country and all, 10 those who most ma
urally seek, and who best deserve them-whC
and WHAT are they Of the United Siacs-whC
and what are they of the Southern and Western
States, who will take part with England ant
Mexico and the abolitonists OF all countries
agant TeyaSi
repeat. that il matters not what our siipula
tons OF treaty may have been with Mexico, pro
vdcd we did not stipulatc eyprcssly-lsl. That il
no event should the United States enter into treaty
with Tcxas-3d. That Mexico or Texas nigh
/ al any time abolish slavery within their limits
without complain, or molc1a,ion from the L. :
If We have made no such specific treaty sipula
tons, then without reference 10 what may be the re
! laive condition Of Mexico and Texas, al any tine
il is permitted neither 10 the one, nor to the other
nor 10 both. 10 abolish slavery in such 4 man
ner as 10 endanger the safety OF her neighbo
States, OF which those States are the exclusive
Judges
You NAV observe. gentlemen, that have no
considered the power OF Texas To make and hi
right of The United States TO receive title Il
that country. If Texas be actually independent
no body disputes her power; and whether She b.
independent or not may be LEI, to the higher Ju
riss 10 dicide; but having ourselves acknowledged
her dependcnce-havins acknowledged it main
IL or the ground that she had won il, and woult
Z
dependence. especially when such denial reject
the treaty, and would compel us, in sclf-deicnce
to OCCUPY the county without the treaty.
( England has made what is tantamount 10 a de
claration Of war against the Southern and West
crn States; Mexico does the same, by her cont
nucd or iniermi,ied efforts 10 force emancipation
! upon Texas. Mexico has no right 10 plead trea
~ stpulations in justification Of an aggression
which would warrant the United States in decla
ring war against her. War authorizes the de
struction oflife and property: the consequences {
abolition are the same; and whenever Mexico Q
England shall raise the standard Of abolition 0
the borders of the United States, great moral re
sponsihiliiy will devolve on the well meaning OF
ponents 10 annexation, who could not bring them
selves 10 believe that Texas, which they ha
acknowledged 10 be independent, was indeper
dent enough to make a treaty with the Unite
States.
The treaty of alliance and guaranty betwee
France andthe United States was never considere
null and void because The United States migl
eventually have been ,ubjugated by England.