The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-04-04
r. HOLCOMB & D. S. MURRAY, PUBLISHERS.
7 E x A S..

in regard to the annexation of Texas tc
the United States, and since no doubt ex
lists as to the determination OF many south.
, ern members of Congress to have it an
nexed at all hazards, thought some sta.
tisics of former incipien. steps might be
Interesting and profitable to our readers
generally. Many have, no doubt already
seen this account; but | trust when they
bear in mind that many others have not
seen it, they will willingly see it inserted.
The object in now giving the statistics is
10 refresh the minds ofsome,-to enlight-
en- the minds of others on these points,
that if possible, public sentiment may
be formed, sufficient y stroug against the
annexation, to put the matter safely a! rest.
The following is from an address deliver
ed at Wing State Convention held al
Montpelier last fall, by Hon. William
Slade. AS people generally understand
the purpose and the result of annexa.
lion, do not deem it of importance at
this time to publish all of the address,
which goes to substartiate those points,
Before close, | will ask Mr.. Slade, in
this public manner, and will thank him 10
answer through the same medium, the
following questions, viz; Is not Henry
Clay as much in favor of the annexation
of Texas, as was Andrew Jackson? Has
he at any time, since he proposed the an
nexa'ion. in, or near the year 1920, given
the public to understand that his views
have at all changed on this subject? If
he has, will you furnish me the documen-
tary evidence of such change. that may
present it 10 our readers? If you can
find no such evidence, can you aud other
Wings of Vermont, consistently support
Henry Clay as candidate for President of
the United States, while you virtually say,
the annexation of Texas would dissolve
the Union? would like reply to the
foregoing questions next week, if con.
venent, but if not then, soon after.
J. HoLcoMB,
Resolved, That we deprecate the con.
templated annexation of Texas to the I'm
ion. We regard the movement to that
end as originating in purpose TO perpel-
uate the Slave Power; and deem it our
duty 10 declare that such annexation, if eff
fecled. will be virtual dissolution Of the
Unlon-lntroduclng, as it will, into the
contederacy, parties entirely beyond the
anticipation of the Constlution-thereby
aboIishng the old, by the constitution of
a new political family, and thus breaking
up the foundations OF our federal Unon,
The movement for annexation-ils pur.
pose, and its results, are topics to which |
would solicit brief attention.
The movement is of no recent origin.
1t was among the first acts OF General
Jackson's administration to seek a cession
of Texas from The government of Mexico.
The negotiation failed. Texas could
not be Obtained by cession; and thence
forward it was 10 be obtained by revolt,
and annexation. To effect this purpose
emigrations were encouraged and lncreas
ed. Companies were formed upon the ba-
sis of pretended grants of large tracts of
land by the Government of Mexico; and
rights, in the form OF script We're dispos-
ed of 10 adventures, by agents in New
Orleans, New York, and other cities of
the Union.
In 1888, the movement became so far
matured that rcvol! was proclaimed.
Samuel Houston, formerly Governor of
Tennessee, and subsequently member of
Congress from that State. was It's leader,
who gave out on his arrival in Texas,
that he was in the possession of the pri-
vae views of the President of the Uni,cd
States," and openly invited aid from the
United States. An invitation for aid, and
a disclosure ofthe purpose of the revolt
r appear in the following extract from his
letter TO Gen. Dunlap os Tennessee.
Having spoken of the force necessary to
rout' the Mexican troops he says,
"For portion of this force we must
look to the United States. 1t cannot
reach US too soon. There is but one feel.
l ing in Texas, in my opinion; and hat is,
to establish the independence of Texas,
and 10 be attached 10 the United States
March as speedily as possible with all
4 the aid you can bring"
Here was nm open invitation from the
# Commander.n-Ch Chief otthe Texan forces,
for volunteers TO aid in wrestling from
Mexico this portion of her territory, IN
order TO annex u to the United Slates.-
y The following from Mississippi paper
the Vicksburg Regisler,) will show how