Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1844-05-09
To Ia Edilors y lGe .Nalional Iaislag.ne.r.

hALEiGhl APRIL ~, 1874. +,
GENTLEMEN: Subsequent 10 nv de.
parturefrom Ashland, ia December last.
!. | received various communications from
popular assemblages and plivate indiyidu.
ais, requesting an expression OF nv opin
! ion upon the question ofihe Annexation Of
Texas to, the United States. have for.
borne to reply 10 them, because il was not
very convenient. during The progress OF
my journey, TO do 50. and Ter other rea
sons. | did not think il proper, unn eces.
sarily, TO introduce at present ;new~ele.
ment among the other exciting subjects
I which sgllate and engross tie public
mind. The rejection Of The overture Of
Fexas, some years ago, 10 become annex.
ed 10 the United States had met with ge.
neral-acquiescence Nothing bad SINCE
occurred materially ID yary the question
| | had seen no evidence Of a desire bein5
entertained on The part Of any conside.
rable portion Of the American people thai
Texas should become an integral part Of
the Uhied States. During my soiourn 10
New Orleans, Tshad. indeed been greatly
surprised by information which / receiy.
ed from Texas. that, in the course of last
TALL, voluntary overture had proceeded
from the Executive Of the United States
TO the Authorities Of Texas 10 conclude
treaty Of Annexation; aud that in order.
10 overcome the repugnaRce felt BIZ any
OF them TO negoiationNpon-lhe subject,
strong aud, as | believed, erroneous re
presentations had been made 10 them Of
a state OF opinion in the Senate Of Tie
United States favorable 10 The ratification
Of such treaty, According TO these re.
presentations, it had been ascertained
that "a number Of Senators, varying from
thirtyfve to forty two, were ready 10
sanction such treaty. was aware too.
that holders Of Texas lands and Texas
scrip, and Spectators in them, were ac.
lively engaged in promoting the object Of
annexation. Still did not believe .bat
any Executive Of the United States would
venture upon SO grave and momentous a,
proceeding, no: only without any general
manifestation Of public opinion 10 favor
OF = but in direct opposition TO strong
undecided expressions Of public disap.
probation. Bat il appears thatI was mis-
taken. To the sstonishment OF the whole
nation. we are now informed that treaty
Of annexation has been actually concluds
ed, and is 10 be submitted to the Senate
for lis consideration. The motives for nv
silence, therefore, no longer remain, aud
| feel tito be my duty TO present On ex.
position Of mTNiews and opinions upon The
Question, forwhat they may be worth, 10
the public consideration. | adopt this
method as being more convenient than.
several replies to the respective comnn.
nicaiions which have reoei9ed.
Iregret that | have kot The a}yantage.
Of view Of The ttes,y-i.seIf 50 as 10 en-.
able ..ne 10 adaf; an expression Of my opiu
ion 70 the actual conditions aud s:ipnla
lions which il coa:sins. Not possessing
that opportunity, am constrained to treat
the question according 10 what presume
to be the terms of The treaty. II, without.
the loss Of rational character, without. The
hazard Of ioregu war, With the general
concurrence of the nation, without any
danger 10 the integrity Of the Union, and
without giving an unreasonable price for
Texas, the question Of annexation were
presented. Il would appear ID quite diff
ferent light from that in which, / app.e
bend. il is COW TO be regarded.
The United States acquired a title 10
Texas, extending. as ! believe, TO the
Rio del Norie. by the treaty Of Louisiana.
They ceded and relibquished that tile 10
Spain hy The treaty of 1919. by which
the Sabine was substituted forthe Rio del
Norte IS our western boundary. This
treaty was negosiaied under thu Admins.
lraiion Of Mr.. Monroe. and with The con
cnrfence Of his Cabinet, Of which Messrs.
Crawford. Calhoun. and Wirs. being
msjorisy, all Southern gentlemen, com
posed a part. When the treaty was laid
befafe the House Of Representatives. be.
Jog member Of tha, body, I expressed
The opinion, which Iihen en,effained. and
still hold, tbsl Texas was sscliticed 10 The
acquisition os FioGla We waaled Flo
rida; bot / thought Il must. from is posi.
lion. inevitably fsll into Our possession Il
that The peiptof a Few wears. sooner ,orl
later, was u no snFt Of Consequence. and
that ia eiylag five millions q dollars aud
Texas for il. we gave mare than just e.
qaivalenl.I But, II We made j great sa.
eriiice 10 The surrender Of Texas,we ought
10 take care 10 not make too great i sacri-
/ fee 10 the attempt tore acquire II.
My opinions OF the iaexpedidney o.
The :rsa.y ef 1919 did pot prevail. The
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