The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-05-16

the struggle This, sir, is matter OF
the very gravest import one in respect
to which no American statesman or citi-
zen can possibly be Indifferent. We
have character among the nations OF
the earth to maintain. All our public
functionaries, as we'll those who ad-
vocate this measure as those who OPP
pose it, however much they may differ
as to its effects, will, | am sure, be equal
ly solicitous for the performance Of this
first OF duties
Nothing is either more true or more
extensively known, than that TEXAS was
wrested from Mexico, and her indepen-
dence established through the instru-
mentality of citizens of the United
States. Equally true is it that this was
done not only against the wishes, but in
direct contravention Of the best efforts of
our government to prevent our citizens
from engaging in the enterprise. Efforts
have, nevertheless, not been wanting on
the part of those who are not over anX-
ious for the credit Of republican govern
ments, to msrepresent the views of ours
in this respect to cause it to be believed
that our efforts to prevent unlawful par
tclpation by our citizens in that strug-
gle were insincere that we coveted this
portion of the territory Of Mexico and
having failed to obtain 1t by fair purchase,
or by egotiatIon, we saw in this move
ment preliminary step, which would in
the end. be equally subservient to our
views upon Texas. No one can have
had better opportunities of knowing how
unfounded these injurious imputations
were than myself. AS early as when
President Houston first went to Texas,
believe in 1929, | was consulted by Gen.
Jackson upon the subject of private
letter addressed by him to the Hon Mr.
Fulton, now Senator of the United
States, then Secretary of the Territory
Of Arkansas, requesting him to cause
the movements Of General Houston to be
watched and to apprize the President Of
the first indication on his part of an in
tentlon to violate the laws of the United
States by an armed incursion in MeXi-
CO.
From that period to the end of General
JackSon's term of office, am as well sat
lstied as | can be OF any fact, that he, SIN
cerely DESTROYS to perform his whole duty
as chief magistrate Of the country, and to
prevent, in this respect, the slightest vio
alion Of the laws, with the execution Of
which he was charged. He no doubt
sincerely believed that the incorporation
| { 'n,xy,- i,,to ~, E.,d.,rol TTnio1 XuD,tI ho
alike advantageous to her, to Mexico, and
to the Uned States and was ever ready
to adopt all proper lie sures for the ac-
compishment of that object. Bat they
know very little of General Jackson's
true character, who can for moment
permit themselves TO believe him capable
; Of ding, countenancing, or advising, a
f single act which he believed, or had even
reason to apprehend, would violate the
plighted faith of his country, or infringe
upon the dusy which it owes to the great
family Of na!ions. 10 prevent oar peo-
pie from going to Texas, and emOarkIng
in the war, was an impossibiity which
neither he nor any other chief magistrate
could have accomplished. If they went
} there without military organization, or
/ armamenls and chose to place themselves
beyond the protection Of This government,
we had no right 10 control their action =
nor do other governments exercise any
such right in similar cases. For the sup
, preston of military enterprises, organized
, and armed here against a nation with
which we are at peace, the provisions of
, our laws are ample. But of the Official
ties Of enforcing them with from Ter and
) seabOard like those which open our COM
municaton with Texas, no sensible and
wei -lnformed mind can be ignorant.
For the voluntary action of our gov
ernment in regard to the subject of an
nexaton, We can have no such eXplGna-
ton to give. The acquisition of 50 vdIu,
) able territory by meas which are Of
questionable propfiety, would be a depar
ture from those uSt principles upon which
, this government has ever acted, aud which
!, have excited the admiration and secured
, the respect of Tie dispassiouate and en-,
Iightened friends cf freedom throug hout
tue world. But | am very sure that we
shall all, in the end, so act upon this sub
jet as to put it out of The power of the nat
ural enemies of Republican institutions
: TO make any plausible charge of iuGdelity
TO our avowed principles in respect to it.
Having now replied, in the fullest and
frankest manner to both the questions
which you have propounded to me, |
might here close this letter but being
sincerely anxious to put you, and others
occupying the same position, in possession
of my views aod opinions upon the whole
: subject, as far as they can with propriety
} be now formed and expressed, | will go a
few steps further
Occasions do sometimes present them.