The Port-Gibson correspondent., 1844-05-04

iassers our title as unqueslionable. IA
Mr. Moatoe's letters, aa Secretary cr
Slste. dalsd January IS. 1916 and Jdne
10. 1916, he says none could question
.'our title TO Texas" and he expresses
fhis concurrencein opinion viii, JefEef.
son and Madison, "lhai our title 10 the
Del Norie was sclsar as the island of
New Orleans. = 10 his letter, as secse.
itary Of State, 10 Don Oois, Of the l2,h
March, 1918, John Quincy Adams says:
"Fhe claim Of France always did extend
westward TO the Rio Bravo; = .she al
ways claimed the territory which yoas
call Texas being within the limits, and
forming part of Losisiana.'' . ARtSrs
demonstrating our title t. Texas ia this
letter, Mr. Adams says: "Well might.
Messrs. Pinekney and Monroe write TO
NJ. Cevallos, in 1905, thai the claim OF
the United States 10 the boundary Of tie
Rio Bravo was as clear as their right 10
the island Of New Orleans" Again, ia
his letter OF the 3isi October, 1918, Mr.
adams says our title TO Texas is "estab-
llished beyond the power Of further con.
,royersy.n
By the treaty Of 1908, by which, We
have seen, Texas was acquired by US
from France, we pledged our faith 70.
France, and TO the people OF Texas,
never 70 surrender that territory. The
Sd article Of that treaty declares: The
inhabitants of The ceded territory shall
be incorporated in the Union of the Uu.s
tied States, and admitted as soon as pos
sible, according TO the principles Of the
federal constitution, to the enjoyment Of
! all the rights, advantages, and irlrhuni,
ties of citizens Of the United States; aul
| in the mean time they shall be protects
ed in the free enjoyment Of their liberty,
property, and tbs religion which they
profess Such was our pledge TO France
and 10 the people Of Texas, BY the trea-
|ty Of purchase; and if our subsequent
ofcession 10 Spain was no. unconssila-.
tional and invalid, il Sas. 4 gross ID.
fraction Ola previous treaty, a. OF one
Of tie fundamental conditions under
which Texas vas acquired.
Here, then, are many grave quesri as
Unconstitutional power. Could the soIn a
guaranty 10 France, and 70 the peope
Of Texas, be rescinded By its own mere
power, surrender any PARTON Ofitster>
ritory? Can ii cut off territory with.
Out the consen. ofits people. and sur,
render them and the terriiory 10 for.
eign powers Gun /. expatria:e and ex.
pei from the Union its own citizens, who
occupy tha, territory, and change an A,
nerican citizen into q citizen of Spain
or Mexico7 These are momenious cues.
tions, which il is not necessary now. TO
determine, and ia regard 10 which | ad.
vance at this ,imo no opinion. Certain,
heWever, tits, that, with the consent of
the people Of Texas, Congress can carry
out the solemn pledges of The treaty of
1903. and admit one or more States from
Texas into ihe Union.
The question as 10 Texas IS, in sny
respect, a question Of The re establish.
snent-of our ancient boundaries, and the
rePossession Of 4 territory most reluc.
taniIy surrendered. The surrendor Of
territory, even if constitutional, is al
most universally inexpedienl and un>
wise, and, in any event, when circums
stances may seem 10 demand such O.
surrender, the territory thus abandoned,
should always be.reacquired whenever
il may be done with justice and prOprie-
y. independent or these views, wc
have The recorded opinion or John O.
Adams as President, and Henry Clay as
Secretary Of State, and also Or Gen. An.
drew Jackson as President and Marlin.
Van Bdfen as Secretary OF State, that
Texas ought 70 be reannexed to the In
ion. On the 26th Of March, 1895. Mr.
Clay, in conformity with his own views
and the express directions Or M. ADJ.
ans as President, directed let,er 70.
Mr Poinsesl, our Minister 81 Mexico, IN.
structing him TO endeayOr to procure
from Mexico q transfer tOus Of Texas
TO the Del NOrts. sla this letter Mr..
Clay says, The Preaideul wishes you to-