The North-Carolina standard., 1844-12-11

lprehcnsion of war was entertained by the Execil-
tive; and must express frank " the opinion that
had the Treaty been ratified by theSenate it would
have been followed by,a prompt settlement, to the
entire satisfaction Of Mexico, of every matter in
difference between The two countries Seeing
then that new preparations for hostile invasion of
Texas were about to be adopted by Mexico, and
that these were brought about because Texas has
adopted the Suggestions Of the Executive upon the
subject OF Annexation it cond not passively have
folded Its arms and permued war, threatened to
be accompanied by every act that could mark
barbarous age, to be waged against her. because
| she had done So
! Other considerations of controlling character
linhuenccd the course ofthe Executive The trea
ty which had thus been negotiated, had failed to
receive the ratification Of the Senate One of the
chief objections which were urged against it, was
found 10 consist in the fact that the question of
annexation bad not been submitted 10 the ordeal of
public opinion in the United States, However
untcnable such an objection was esteemed 10 be- in
view of the unquesionable power ofthe Executive
to negotiate the treaty, and the great and lasting
interests involved in the question, felt to be my
duty to submit the whole subject to Congress as
the best expoundcrs of popular sentiment No de-
hnitive action having been taken on the subject by
Congress, the question referred itself directly to
the decision of the States and the People The
great popular election which has Just terminated,
afforded The best opportunity of ascertainiug the
will Of the States and People upon it, Pending
that issue, it became the imperative duty of the
Executive to inform Mexico that the question Of
annexation was still before the American People,
and that, until their decision was pronounced any
serious invasion of Texas would be regarded as an
attempt TO forestall their judgment and could not
be looked upon with indifference am most hap
pv to inform you that no such invasion hns taken
place, and trust that whatever your action may
be upon it, Mexico will see the importance of de-
Gliding the matter by resort to peaceful expcdi-
ents, in preference 10 those Of arms, The deci
sion ofthe People and the States on this great and
interesting subject, has been dccisyely manifested
The question of annexation has been presented
nakrdly 10 their consideration By the treaty it.
SELF all collateral and incidental issurs, which
were calculated to divide and distract thepubc
councils, were carefully avoided. These were
left to the wisdom ofthe future to determine 1t
presented, repeat, the isolated question OF annex
alton; and in that form it has been submitted to
the ordeal of public sentiment A controlling
majority Of the People and large minority of
the States, have declared in favor ofimmcdate an
nexation. Instructions have thus come up to both
branches Of Congress, from their respective con
sttucnts. in terms the most emphatic. tits the
will of both the People and the States that Texas
shall be annexed 10 the Union promptly and i'm
mcdaicly. 1t may be hoped that, in carrying
into execution the public will, thus declared, all
collateral Issues may be avoided Future Leeis
lIurcs best decide as to the number of States
which should be formed out tho territory, when
the tim" has arrived for deciding that qu"stion
So with all others. By the treaty the United
States assumed the payment of the debts ot Texas,
to an amount not exceeding $4,000 900, to be
paid, with the exception of sum falling short of
S4000 900, exclusively out Of the proceeds of the
sales OF her public lands We could not, with
honor take the lanls without assuming the full
payment Of all incumbFanccs upon them.
Nothing has occurred since your last session, TO
inluce doubt TINT the dispositions of Texas re-
main unaltercd No intiination of an altered de-
termnatien, on The pau Of her Government and
People, has been ftIrnishcdto thr Executive She
still desires to throw herself under. the protection
of laws, and to partake of the blessings of our
frderaive system while every American interest
would seem to require it. The extension of our
coastwise and foreign trade, to an amount almost
incalcuable-thc enlargement of the market for
our manufacture s-a constantly growing market
COR our agricultural productions-safity to our
frontiers, and additional strength and stability 10
the Union-tht sc are the r, suhs which wo;Ild IA.
pidly devclopc themselves, upon the consuinma-
lion of the measure OF ofannexation In such event,
[ will not doubt but that Mexico would find her
trueinterest to consist in meeting the advances OF
this Government in spirit of arnity.
mot 40 dppTCtlt1u serious complaint lTOHl {
any other quarter; no sufficient ground exists for :
such complaint We should interfere in no reg
pect with the rights of any other nation There :
cannot be gathered from the ac any design on our
part to do so with their possessions on this Cont
nent We have interposed no inpedncnts in the !
way ofsueh acquisitions ofterrtory large and ex-
trnsiveas many of them are as The leading pow
ers of Europe have made, from time to time, in !
every part Of the worIJ We seek no conquest :
made by war No intrigue will have been rcsor-
ted to, or acts Of diplomacy csslycd to accomplish
the annexation of Texas. Free and iniepfn lent /
herself she asks to be received into our Union |
1t is question for OUT own decision whether She |
shall be received not
The two Governments having already agreed |!
through their respective organs on the terms of
1 would recommend their adoption by |
Congress in the form of joint resolution, or act,
to be perfected and made binding on the two coun-
tries, when adopted in like manner by the Gov /
crnrncnt of Texas
In order that the subject my be fully presented
in all its bearings, the correspondence which has
taken plice, in reference 10 it, SINCE The adjourn
ment of Congress, between the United States, |
Texas, and Mexico, is herewith Transmitted.
The Amendments proposed by the Senate TO the
Convention concluded between the United States
and Mexicoon the 20th of November, i843, have |
been transmitted through our Minister, for the con
currence of the Mexican Government, but, al |
though urged thereto no action has yet been had
on the subject; nor has any answer been given