The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-04-27


tho other hand does Mexico offer, indemnify
Tor our losses to the gsilany aud enterprise Of our
countrymen' This view OF the subject supposes hal
the war would be confined 10 the United States an
Mexico as the only beligerenis. But have we any
cert in guaranty that Mexico would obtain no allies
among the great European Powers suppose any
such Powers, Jealous OF our increasing greatness
and disposed 10 check our grown and Cripple u.s.
10 take part Ia behalf OF Mexico IN tbe war
how would the different belligerepts present theu-
selves 10 Christendom and the enlightened world :
We have been seriously charged with an inoruiha'e
spirit OF territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and, "i'hou,
admitting the justice Of the charge, must DC owneo
that we have made vast acquisitions oil territory
within the last forty years Suppose Great Driiaih
and France, one Of them, were 10 take part witi
Mexico, and, by manifesto, were 10 proclaim lhat
their OBJ ects to assist weak and helpless any
to check the spirit of encroachnent aud ambition OF
already oyergrown Republic seeking sui iurlhef
acquisitions OF territory, TO maintain the indepen-
jence of Texas disconnected with the United States,
and TO prevent the further propagation oil slavery
from the United States. what would be the elect Oh
such allegations upon the judgment Of All impartial
and enlightened wordi
Assuming that the annexation Of Texas rs war
with Mexico, is II competent 10 the treaty'mekDg
power to plunge this country into war; not only with
out the concurrence OF, but without degniDg TO con-
suit Congress- to which, by the Constitution, belongs
exclusively the power OF declaring war
have hitherto considered the question upon the
out the assent of Mexico. II she yields her consent,
that would materially affect the foreign aspect OF
the question, If II did not remove all foreign DIM
cues On the assumption Of that assent the ques-
tion would be confined 10 the domestic consdera-
ton which belong to il, embracing the terms and
conditions upon winch annexation is proposed. do
not think that Texas ought TO be received into the
Union, integral part of il, in decided opposition
to the wishes Of considerable and respectable por-
ton of the Coniederacy. | think It far more wise
and impor ant to compose and harmonic the present
Coniederacy, as it now exists, than to Introduce a
new eleme at Of discord and distraction into it, In
my humble opinion, it should be the constant and
earnest endeayor OF American statesmen to eradicate
prejudces, to cultivate and foster concord, and to
produce general contentment among all parts OF our
Confederacy. And true wisdom, It seems TO me,
points to the duty of rendering its present members
happy, prosperous, and satisfied with each other, ra-
ther than TO attempt to introduce alien members,
against the common consent and with the certsiLty
OF deep dissatisfaction. Mr. Jefferson expressed the
opinion, and others believed that il IN the
contemplation OF the trainers Of the Constitution to
add foreign territory to the Coniederacy, out OF
which new States were TO be formed. The acquisl-
tions OF Lousiasa AMI Florida may be defended upon
the peculiar ground of the relation IN which they
stood to the States of the Union. After they were
admitted we might well pause awhile, people our
vasl wastes, develop our resources, prepare the
means OF defending what we possess, and aug
ment our strength, power, and greatness. H. herea-
ter, further territory should be wanted Tor an IN
creased popu alton, we need entertain no apprehen-
sions but that it will be acquired by means, Is TO
be hoped, fsir, honorable, and constitutional.
1T Is useless to disguise that there those who
e-pouse and those who oppose the annexation OF
Texas upon the ground of the Influence which II
would exert IN the balance of political power be-
tween two great sections Of the Union. | conceive
that no motive for The acquisition of foreign terri
tory would be more unfortunate, or pregnant with
more fatal co.'s, quences, Than that of obtaining for
The purpose OF part against another
pan OF the Common Confedcracy. Such principle,
put into prlcuca operat on, would the exist
ence, II II did NOT certainly the seeds OF dissolu-
ton OF the Union Ii would bc 10 proclaim TO the
world unsuitable and uDquencbable thirst for for
oign coLqu st or acqu siton OF territory. For II to-
day Tcnas be acquired to strengthen one part OF the
Conf, deraey, Tomorrow Csuada may be required To
add strength TO oiher. And aiter that might have
been obtained, su other and further acquisitions
would become necessary TO equalize and sdjust he
balance OF political uower. Finally, IN the ,rOgress
Of this spirit OF universal dominion, the part oi the
Coniederscy Which is now weakest would find Itself
still weaker from the mposs Ibiuy Of securing new
theatres for those peculiar institutions which 1t IS
charged WIN being desfous to extend
But would Texas, ultimately, really add strength
to that which Is considcrod The weakest part OF
The ConeJeracy Ii my information be correct, It
would not According 10 that the territory of Texas
Is susce ptbe ot divissn into five Sta of convent
eni szs and form. OF these, two cnly would be
ada pied to those peculiar institutions TO which have
referred, and the other three lying and north OF
San Antonio, beiog only adapted To farming and
grazing u'poses, from the nature OF their soil, j.
mate, and productions would not admit Ct those in
sthutlons. In the end, therefore. there would be
two slave and three free States probably added the
Union. IL this view Of the soil and geography Of
Texas be correct, might erve TO diminish the yea
both of those who oppose and those Who are urging
annexation.
Should Texas he annexed 10 the Union, the Unit.
ed states VIII assume and become responsible for the
debt Of Ieras be IT. amount what 1t may. What il
IS, do not know c, rIalnly but The least have seen
d stated at IL thirteen millions OF dollars And this
respOns biiity Will exist, whether there be a stipula
ton IN The treaty or not expressly assuming the pay
ment of the debt OF Texas. For suppose 1t TO he
undenishIe thai, II one nation becomes incorporated
in another all the debts and obligations and incum.
branoes, aud wars Of the incorporated nation, be-
come The debts, and obligations, and inrumbrances
and was OF the common nation created by the ineof
poration.
u afy European nation enter aims any amb liou,
designs upon Teras such that Of culonizing her
or IN any way eating ber | should regard il
the ihperaye duty OF the Government OF the United
sntes TO oppose TO such designs the frn nd deter
mined resistance 10 the extent If necessary ofsppe
Ing T. arms 10 prevent the accomplishment ofay such
d'signs The Executive of the United States ought
TO be informed 10 the aims and views Of oteig n
po"ers With regard to Texas and presume thai, III
there be any of the erceponable character which
have Indicated the Executive will dcljse to the CO.
ordinate depa tnent. Of the Government not TO the
public, The evidence of hem. From what have
seen and heard, believe that Great Bri ain has
Gently formally and solepnly disayoveJ any such
AIMS or lurposes-has declared that she il DESTROYS
only OF the Independence of Texas and that she has
no int nton 10 interfere in her domestic Institutions
" she has made such dsavowal and declarali,n, |
pr,fune they are m The ps cssion Of the Executive
IN INC future progress Of events II probable that
"A q III, q ~
British North American possessions from the par,
country am strongly inclined TO think that II will
be best for the happiness Of all parties that in that
event. they should be erected into separate and IN
DEL endnnt IRsppblic. With the Canadian Republic
on one eide, That OF Texas on tie other and the Uni
Ted saics- the Z lend If hniL hctxc ihera -each