Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1844-09-10
GEORGETOWN, O, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, Is44

no declaration that she would regard thI
acquisition Of Texas as an act of war
10 point of fact, no overture was formal
! ly made 10 Mexico 10 purchase Texas
20 negotiation was opened, no treaty
was concluded
| 1t negotiation had commenced, or i
treaty had been signed and Spain bac
protested. the prudent and cautious pol
icy which characterized Mr.. Adams ad
minlslrrIiun, would undoubtedly have
prompted him to quiet Spain, and ac-
commodale the matter, previous 10 the
annexation Of Texas to The United Safes
end without plunging them IN war with
Spain. How totally different are oil
the circumstances under which, with
Mr.. Adams' authority, | authorized the
overture to Mexico, from those which
ailende l the recent treaty Of Mr.. Tyler
So far from Mexico being silent, she re.
peatedly and sOlemnly declared that she
would consider annexation as war with
her. Texas was no longer an uninhabi-
ted country. IT had been wlested from
the dominion Of Mexico by citizens, mas
ny ofwhom went armed from the United
States. The wsr between Mexico and
Texas had not been terminated by any
treaty OF peace. Mr.. Tyler not only
did not consult Mexico, but he annoLn.
ced thai her assent TO the annexation was
altogether unnecessary. And he. proc CO.
ded TO conclude a treaty, embracing a
large extent Of territory and a numerous
population, not cOmprehendsd in the Tex
as which The United States ceded TO
Spain in 1919.
In ;he mean time, TOO, powerful op-
position had arisen in the United States
against the annexation Of Texas to them.
Several States had declared, through
their legislatures, against il, and others, if
not whole sections Of the Union, were
believed 10 be adverse TO it, This was
the opposition TO the measure, 10 which,
in my Raleigh letter, alluded, when
spoke Ofa 'consid cradle and respecta-
Bile portion Of the confederacy.' did
not refer 10 persons but to States or sec.
lions.
Und9r such circumstances, could
not but regard the annexation Of Texas,
at this time, as compromising the honor
OF my country, involving it ina war, in
which the sympathies of all Chrislen-
dom would be against us, and endanger.
ing the integrity oflhe Union. | Thought
then, and still believe, that national
dishonor, foreign war, and distraction
and division at home, were too great sac.
rifces 10 make for the acquisition of Tex.
as.
But, gentlemen, you are desirOus Of
knowing by what policy | would be gui'
ded, in the event Of my election as Chief
Magistrate Of the United States, in ref
erence to the question oflhe annexation
of Texas. | do not think il right to an.
nounce in advance what will be the
course Of future administration in Je-
spect to a question with foreign power.
| have, however, no hesitation in saying
that, far from having any personal objec-
lion 10 the annexation Of Texas,
SHOULD BE GLAD TO SEE IT, with
out dishonor, without war, with the com
mon coasent Of TIE Union, and upon
Just and fair terms. DO NOT THINK
THAT THE SUBJECT OF SLAVE
RY OUGHT TO AFFECT the QUES<
.TION ONE WAY or THE OTHER
Wether Texas be independent or incor-
poraled in the United States, do not
believe it will prolong or shorten the du'
ration Of that institution. 1t is destined
to become extinct, at some distant day,
in my opinion, by the operation Of the
inevitable laws Of population. 1t would
be UNwIsE to refuse permanent acqui-
silion, which will exist as long as the
globe remains, or account of Temporal
ry institution. a.fr
In the contingency ofmy election, to
which you have adverted, if the affair of
acquiring Texas should become a subject
Of consideration, | should be governed
by the state Of fact, and the state Of
public opinion, existing at the time |
might be called upon TO act. Above all,
should be governed by the paramount
duty preserving this Union entire, and
in harmony, regarding it as | do the
great guaranty of every political and
public blessing, under Providence, which
as free people, we are permitted TO en-.
Ijoy. 1 am, gentlemen, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
II. CLAY.
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