Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1844-09-06

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then, that the Trealy-making power is
not competent, without the concurrence
of Congress, to cede away any Territory
belongingto TO the United States. But Con-
gress, by repeated acts, subsequently man
liiested its appreciation of the treaty; and
these acts rendered it as valid and obHgato-
ry upon theaUnited States, as if Congress
had given its assent, prior to the conclu-
.sion'of the treaty. AT that period of 1879,
Texas as claimed by us, was unpeopled.
No hostile incursions had been made into
1t by citizens of the United States. In
1926 and 1897, there were but few nhabi-
tants OF Texas, consisting ofsome colonists
planted there under the authority OF Mex
leo. Atneitherof the three periods aLove
mentioned had any State or section, in this
Union, manifested any opposition to Texas
composing a part OF it. 1t has been said
that Mr.. Adams administration offered to
negotiate with Mexico for Texas, notwith-
standing the existence OF war between
Spain and Mexico, and THAT it could not
therefore have believed llrat the acquisition
of Texas, at that time, would have involv-
ed the Unised States in war with Spain.
Hence it is argued that the ratifcalioneof
the late treaty could not have coinpfomit-
ted our peace.
Mr.. Adams thought it desirable 10 obtain
Texas. Two foreign powers claimed it.
Mexico was in possession, and Spainw0s
doing nothing to assert and enforce her
claim. Her representative had even gone
SO far as to sipulate, in q convention, to
acknowledge the Independence Of Mexi-
co, although that convention was not rati-
fed by Spain.
MIR. Adams had a right to authorize the
negotiation of a treaty for the acquisition
OF Texas with both or either Of the powers
cIaimingit. Jtwas natural that he should
begin with that power which had the pos
session Of Texas. Spain had interposed
no obstacle. She had made no declaration
that she would regard the acquisition Of
Texas as an act of war. In point of fact,
no overture was formally made to Mexico
to purchase Texas, no negotiation was
opened, no treaty was concluded. lfa
negotiation had commenced, or if treaty
had been signed, and Spain had protected,
the prudent and cautious policy which cha
racterized Mr.. Adams administration,
would undoubtedly have prompted him to
quietSpain, and accommodate the matter,
previous to the annexation of Texas to the
United States, and withoutplunging them
in war with Spain. How totally different
are all the circumstances under which,
with Mr.. Adams authority, authorized
the overture to Mexico, from those which
attended the recent treaty of Mr.. Tyler!
So far from Mexico being silent, she re-
peatedly'and solemnly declared that she
would consider an annexation as war with |
her. Texas was no Aonger an uniuhabi-
ted country. 1t had been 7wrested from
the dominion Of Mexico by citizens, many
Of whom went armed from the United
States. The war between Mexico and
Texas had not been terminated by any
treaty'0f Peace. Mr. Tyler not oaly did
notconsuIt Mexico, but he announce that
her assent to the annexation was altogeth-
er unnecessary. And he proceeded to
conclude treaty, embracing a large ex-
tent Of Territory, and a numerous popula-
ton, not comprehended in the Texas
which the United States ceded to Spain in
1919.
In the mean time too, powerful pppo-
sition had arisen in the United States
against the annexation of Texas to them
Several States had declared, through their
Legislature, against it, and ,othels, if not
whole sections of the5Union, were believed |
to he adverse to it. This was the opposi-
ton to the measure, to which, in my Ra-
leigh letter. alluded, when spoke of
considerable and respectable portion of
the coajederGcy" l did not refer to per-
sons but to States or sectens.
Under such cifcVnsta noes, Icould not !
but regard the annexation Of Texas, at
this time, as compromitting the honor Of
my country involving it in war, in
which the sympathies Of all christendom
would be against us, and endangerng the |
integrity of the Union. ! thought than, |
and still believe, that national dishonor,
foregn war, and distraction and division
at home, were too great sacrif ces to make
for the acquisition ofTexas.
But, gentlemen, you are desirous of
knowing by what policy Iwould be guild
ed, in the event ofmy election as Chief Ma
gslrate Of tho United States in reference
to the question ofthe annexation Of Texas.
do not think il right to announce in ad-
vance, what will be the course of a future
administration in respect to question
with Foreign power. Ihave, however,
no hesitation in saying that, far from hav-
ing any personal objection TO the annexa.
ton OF Texas, I shonld be glad to see it,
without dishonor, without war, with the
common consent of the Union, and upon
just and fair terms. | do not think the
subject of slavery ought to affect the ques-
ton one way or the other, Whether Tex
as he Independent, or incorporated in the
United Stutes, | do not believe it will pro-
hong or shorten the duration of That insttu-
ton. 1t lie destined to become extinct, at
some distant day, in my opinion, by the
operation Of the inevitable laws of popule-
ttSn. 1t would be unwse.to refuse per-
maneRt acquisition, which will exist as
long as the globe remains, on account of a