Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-05-04
IMPORTANT PUBLIC DOCUMENT.
The Treaty of Annexation ofTexas


doptng their Constitution, expressed, by an al.
most unanmoes vote, their desire so be incorpor-
ated into the Union of the United States, and be.
ing still desrous of the same with equal unanimi.
ty in order to provide more effectually for their
security and prosperity and the United States,
actuated solely by the desire to add to their own
security and prosperity, and to meet the wishes
ofthe Government and people of Texas, have de.
termined to accomplish, by treaty, objects so
important to their mutual and permanent wei.
fare.
For that purpose, the President of the United
States has given full powers to John c. Calhoun,
Secretary of State of the United States and the
President of the Republic Texas has appointed,
with like powers. Isaac Van Zandt and j Pinck-
ney Henderson, citizens of the said Republic, and
the said Plenipotentiares, after exchanging their
full powers, have agreed on and concluded the
following articles
ART, l. The Republic of Texas, acting in con-
formity with the wishes of the people and every
department Of its Government, cedcs to the United
States all its territories, 10 be held by them in
full property and sovereignty, and TO be annexed
, TO the said United States as one of their Terri
tories, subject to the same constitutional prov-
sions with their other Territories This cession
! includes all public lots and squares, vacant lands
/ mines, minerals salt lakes and springs, public e.
Offices. Notifications, barracks, ports and harbors,
navy and navy yards, docks, magazines, arms,
armaments and accoutrements, archives and pub
lie documents, public funds, debts, taxes and dues
unpaid at the time Of the exchange of the ratif-
/ cations of this treaty.
ART. H. The citizens of Texas shall be in
corporated into the Union of the United States,
maintained and protected in the free enjoyment of
their liberty and property, and admitted. as soon
may be consistent with the principles of the
Federal Constitution, to the enjoyment of all the
rights. privileges, and immunties of citizens of
the United States.
ART III. All titles and claims to real estate,
which are valid under the laws ofTeXas shall be
held to be so by the United States; and measures
shall be adopted for the speedy adustifcation of
all unsettled claims to land, and patents shall be
granted to those found TO be valid.
ART. ". The public lands hereby ceded shall
be subject to the laws regulating the public lands
in the other Territories ofthe United States as
far they may be applicable; subject, however,
TO such alterations and changes as Congress may
from time 10 time think proper. 1t is understood
between the parties that, if in consequence of
the mode in which lands have been surveyed in
Texas or from previous grants or locations, the
sixteenth section cannot be applied for the pur-
pose Of education Congress shall make equal pro-
vision by grant Of land elsewhere And it is also
further understood, that hereafter, the books, pa
pers, and documents of the General Land Office
OF Texas shall be deposited and kept at such
place in Texas as the Congress of the United
States shall direct.
ART V The United States assume and agree
TO pay the public debt and liabilities of Texas,
however created, for which the faith or credit
of her Government may be bound at the time of
: the exchange of the ratifcations of this treaty
:, which debts and liabilities are estimated not to
exceed, in the whole, ten millions of dollars to
be ascertained and paid in the manner hereinaf-
n ter stated.
rs The payment of the sum of three hundred and
r fifty thousand dollars shall be made at the Trea-
le sury OF the United States within ninety days
5. after the exchange of the ratlfcatlons OF this
le treaty, as follows Two hundred and fifty thou
sand dollars TO Frederick Dawson of Baltimore
or his executors, on the delivery OF that amount
ne of ten per cent bonds of Texas one hundred
at thousand dollars ifso much be required, in the re
id demption of the exchequer bills which may be il
circulation at the time OF he exchange of the ra
is tifcatons of this treaty For the payment o
ed the remainder of the debts and liabilities Of Tex
%. as which, together with the amount alread.
IS. specified shall not exceed ten millions of dollars
the public lands herein ceded, and the nett reve
% nue. for the same, are hereby pledged
- ART VI In order to ascertain the full amour
:, ofthe debts and liabilities herein assumed, an
+. the legality and validity thereof, four commits
III soners shall be appointed by the President OF tn
United States, by and with the advice and conser
of the Senate who shall meet at Washington
Wv Texas, within the period ofsix months after III
. exchange of the raitfcations Of this treaty, an
may continue in session not exceeding twelV
months, unless the Congress ofthe United State
., should prolong the time, They shall take a
oath for the faithful discharge ofther duties, al
that they are not directly or indirectly nterest'
in said claims at the time, and will not be durI
ort " O.,
-, their continuance in office and the said oa
,,, shall be recorded with their proceedings
case of the death, sickness or resignation OF al
40, of the commissioners, his or their place or pac
ooo may be supplied by the appointment as aforessi