Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1844-09-21
From the Nashville Union.
Another Letter from Gen. jackson on the
Texas Question

1eX0S OucSI1Ons
HERMITAGE, August %, 1914.
Dean Sir 81 am in possession Of your note of
che 9th inst, and, although greatly enfeebled by
the excessive warm weather of this month, shall
endeavor to reply to 1t.
The more have reflected on the policy of an
nexing Texas to the United States, the more de-
Cided is my conviction, that since the establishment
Of the Federal Constitution, no question has arisen
of SO great Importance to the welfare and safety of
the people of the United States. 1t seems to me
that in this instance, in the Revolution and our
last war with Great Britain kind Providence still
interposes to help on our efforts in the cause of
SelfgoVernment and to give US the necessary guar
anty for our independence.
Under the treaty of 1903, by which Mr.. Jeffer-
son obtained Louisiana from France, the people of
that country acquired the right to incorporation in
our Union as ample and complete as that possess
ed by the original States and their territories and
all the corresponding ri hts of citizenship and pro-
lection. In the treaty, therefore, of lsl9 by which
the people of Louisiana, west of the Sabine. were
deprived of the guarantees of the treaty of 1903
a serious question arises whether this government
can dsmember its territory and disfranchise its cit
liens without their consent, and, in the case o.
Texas, without the consent of France. But leav
ing out Ct view this solemn question, and looking
sOHLy dI TIC consequences winch nave followed the
treaty of 1919, It is wonderful that the course o
events Is such to enable us to repair the errors
of that treaty, at the same time that we avoid do
ing wrong to other powers, either on this or th,
continent of Europe.
The people eff Texas have maintained their sep
Arate existence, and after years of battle and toll
have achieved their freedom and Independence
And without stain on their character, without vi
Olating obligations with Mexico or other foreign
powers, with no restraint on their sovereignty 9th
er than that which has been imposed by their Goo
they again come back to US, and tell US that a
though the guarantees of the treaty of 1903 hav
been withdrawn from them, they are yet willing t
embrace them. And the question is, what sha
we say to them in reply
But before answering this question let us see
Mexico has any right to the territory of Texas, {
any cause for resisting the extension to the cit
gems of Texas of the guarantees of citizenship 6
. intended in the treaty of 1903. When did Me,
leo acquire any title to the territory of Texas T.!
The title of France was conveyed to US, and th
title was then recognized by all the civilized orr
as the only good one. Did we convey it to Me,
leo? We did not. We conveyed ito old Spai
and she did not convey it to Mexico. How, the
does Mexico derive her title She pretends
none except what results from the confederate
which was formed in 1924, and founded on rev
luton. in which compact Texas expressly stipul
ted that her separate sovereignty was retained
The overthrow of that confederation or compa
by military force gives Mexico no title to the ter
tory, unless she can show that she has conquer
One-and if we examine the claim on the score
conquest, it Is VIGOROUSLY unjust. That clsim "