Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-07-06

that the measure Of annexation should be pre-
ceded by the consent of Mexico. To preserve
the most friendly relations with Mexico; to
concede 10 her, not grudgingly, but freely, all
her rights TO negotiate fairly and frankly
with her as 10 the question: of boundary; TO
| render her, in word, the fullest and most
ample recompense for any loss she might con
vince US she had sustained, fully accords with
the feelings and views the executive has al
ways entertained. But negotiations in ad-
vance of annexation would prove not only alb.
ortive, but might be regarded as offensive to
Mexico, and insulting TO Texas. Mexico would
not, am persuaded, give ear for a moment to
an attempt at negotiation in advance, except for
the whole territory Of Texas. While all the
world besides regards Texas as an independents
power, Mexico chooses to look upon her as q
revoled province. Nor could we negotiate
with Mexico for Texas without admitting that
our recognition Of her independence was frau
dulent, delusve. or void 1t is only after ac>
quiring Texas that the question OF boundary
can arise between the United States and Mex
leo, question Purposey left open for negotia>
ton with Mexico, as affording the best oppor.
!uniy Tor the most friendly and pacific arrange
rnenis. The executive has dealt with Texas
as power independent Of all others, both del
facto and de jure. She was an independent,
state Of the Mexican republics; when, by vio-
lent revolution, Mexico declared the confedera
ton at an end. Texas owed her no longer al
leglance; but claimed and has maintained the
right Tor eight years, to a separate and distinct
position. During that period, no army has in.
yaded her with view 10 her reconquest; and
il she has not yet established her right to be
treated as nation independent de facto and
de jure, it would be difficult to say at what pc,
e n Wi atfo To hot
Nor can we, by any fair or airy legitimate
interference, be accused Of violating any treaty
| stipuIations with Mexico. The treaties with
Mexico give no guaranty Of any sort, and are
co-eXistent with similar treaty with Texas
So have we treaties with most OF the nations Of
the earth, which are equally as much violated |
by the annexation Of Texas 10 the U. States,
as would be our treaty with Mexico. The |
treaty is merely commercial, and Intended as
the instrument for more actually defining The |
| rights and securing the interests Of the citizens
OF each country. What bad faith can be im>
piled or charged upon the government of the |
United States for successfully negotiating with
an independent power upon any subject no, VIC
lating the stpulatlons Of such treaty, confess
my inability TO discern.
The objections which have been taken to the |
enlargement of our territory, were urged with
much zeal against the acquisition Of Louisiana.
and yet the futiiity Of such has long since
been fully demonstrated. Since that period,
new power has been introduced into the affairs
Of the world, which has, for all practical pur-
poses, brought Texas much nearer 10 the sea,
Of government than Louisiana was at the time
Of its annexation. Distant regions are, by |
the application of the steam engine, brought
within close proximity.
With the views which | entertain on the |
subject, should prove faithless TO the high |
trust which the constitution has devoved up,
on me, if neg lected TO invite the attention OF
the representatives OF the people to it at the |
earliest moment that due respect for the sen
ate would allow me so TO do. | should find,
in the urgency of the matter, sufficient opel,
ogy, if one was wanting, since annexation is
to encounter a great if not certain hazard Of
final defeat, if something be not no,o done to
prevent it, Upon this point cannot too i'm
pressively invite your attention to my mes
sage Of the 10th May, and the documents
which accompany it, which have not hereto
fore been made public. If it be objected tina,
the names OF the writer's OF some Of the pri |
vate letters are withheld, all can say is, that
is done for reasons regarded as altogether ade.
quate, and that the writer's are persons Of the |
first responsibility, and citizens Of Texas, and
TO enttle their sentiments TO full credit Nor
has any thing occurred TO weaken, bu, on the
contrary, much to confirm my confidence in |
the statements OF gen. jackson, and my own
statement made at the close OF that message,
in the belief, amounting almost to certainty, |
"that instructions have already been given |
by the Texan government TO propose 10 the
government Of Great Britain, forthwith, on !
the failure (of the treaty. TO enter into trea
~ of commerce, and an alliance, offensive and |
defensive.
also particularly invite your attention to
the letter from Mr.. Everett our envoy at Lon |
don, containing an account Of conversation |
in the house of lords which lately occurred be |
tween lord Brougham and lord Aberdeen in |
relation to the question Of annexation. Nor !
can | do so without the expression Of some
surpaise at the language the minister Of for
eign affairs employed upon the occasion -
That a kingdom which is made what it now is
by repeated acts Of annexation, beginning from
the time Of the heptarchy and concluding with
the annexation Of the kingdoms of Ireland
and Scotland, should perceive any principle,
either novel or serious, in the late prodeedings
Of the American executive in regard 10 Tex
as, is well calculated to excite surprise. Ii j.
be pretended that, because of commercial or
political relations which may exist between
Two countries, neither has right to part with
its sovereignty, and that no third power can
change these relations By a voluntary treaty
of union or annexation, then il would seem to
follow that an annexation to be achieved by
necessary war could in no way be justified
and ~ iSn Ihagl RriIa