Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-05-10

citation with the United States. as a portion Of their
territory. This vote thus solemnly nken has never
been reversed; and now, by the action Of her consl
ued authorities sustained rs il is by popular sen
nent, she affrms her desire for annexation. This
course h1s been adopted by her, without the employ
nent OF any sinister measures on the part OF this
Government No intrigue has been set on foot to nc
compsh IL. Texas herself wills il, and the Executive
of the United States concuting with her, has seen
sufficient reason TO avoid the consummation of an act
esteemed TO he SO desirable BY both 1t canno, be
denied that Texas is greatly depressed in her energies
ny her longprotraced war with Mexico. Uuder these
circumstances 1t is but natural that she should seek
Tor safety aud repose under the protection Of some
stronger Power; and it is equally that her people
should turn to the United States the land of their
birth, in the first instance in pursuit Of such protec
ton: She has often before made known her wishes ;
hut her advances have, TO this time been repelled-
The Executive Of the United States no longer
any cause for pursuing such The hazard Of
now defeating her wishes may be of the most fatal
tendency. 1t might lead, and most probably would
TO such an entire alteration Of sentiment and feeling
as would inevitably induce her to look elsewhere for
ald and force her either to enter into dangerous ALI
ances with other nations, who looking with more
wisdom to their interests would it is fairly TO be pre-
sumed. readily adopt such expedents; or she would
mold Out the proffer Of discriminating duties in trade
and commerce. IN order 20 secure the necessary asss
lance: Whatever step she nigh, adopt looking to
this object would prove disastrous in the highest de-
gree TO the interests of the whole Union. To say
nothing of the impocy of our permitting the carl wing
trade and home market OF such a country TO pass out
OF our hands into those of a commercial rival, the
government in the first place. would I've certain to
suffer most dsasirOusy in its revenue by the intro
dnciion offs system of smuggling, upon nm extensive
scale, which army Of custom house officers could
not prevent, and which would operate TO affect nju-
rously the interests of all the industrial classes of
ihls country. Hence would arise constant collisions
between the inhabitants of the two countries which
would evermore endanger their peace. A large in
crease Of the military force of the United States would
inevitably follow, thus devolvng Upon the people new
ana extraordinary burdens, in order not only to pro.
tect them from the danger OF daily collision with Tex
rs herse but to guard their border inhabitants against
hostile inroads, so easily excel the part of the
numerous and warlike tribes Of Indians dwelling IN
Their negh'orhood. Texas would undoubtedly be un.
able for many years to come il any time, resist,
nnaided and alone, the military power of the United
States; but IS not extravagant to suppose that
tons reapng rich harvest from her trade secured
mem ny advantageous tre1es. wo I'D be induced TO
take part with her in any conflict with us, from the
strongest considerations Of public policy. Such a
state OF things might subject devastation the terri
tory OF contiguous States and would the country,
single campaign, more treasure thrice told over
Than IS stipulated TO he paid and REIN ursrd by the
treaty now proposed for ratification. will moi per-
init myself 10 dwell this view of the subject Con-
sequences of fatal character 10 the peoce of the
Union and even 70 the preservation OF the Union itself
might he dwelt upon They will now, however, fail
to occur to The mind Of the Senae and of the coun.
Try. Nor do indulge in any vague conjeciures ofhe
nture. The documents now transmitted along with
the treaty lead to the conclusion as inevitable that If
the boon now rendered be rejected Texas will seek
for the friendship Of others.
In contemplating such contingency il cannot be
overlooked That the United Stnes already almost
surrounded by the possessions of European Powers.
The Canadas, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia the
sands in the American seas with Texas trammel.
led by treaties Of alliance, or of commercial charnc.
ter differing in policy from that of the United State,
would COmDe,e the circle al
nith upon terms OF perfect honor and good faith TO
all nations, 10 ask 10 be annexed to the Union. As
an independent sovereignty, her right TO do this is
un1nestonable. In doing so she gives no cause of
umbrnee to any other powers her people de. ire H. and
there is no savish transfer of her sovereignty and in
dependence. She has for eight years maintained her
Independence against oil efforts TO subdue She
mas been recognised as independent by many of the
most prominent of The family of nations, and tina, re
cognl'on so far as they concerned places her in
position without giving any just umbrage TO Them
10 surrender her sovereignty at her own will and plea
sure. The United States, actuated evermore BY
sprit OF justice, have desired, bv the spulaons of
the treaty. to render justice to all. They have made
provision for the payment of the public deb, OF Texas
tain means Of accomplishing This: but this is mat.
Ter between the uulted States and Texas, and with
which other covenants have nothing to do Our
right TO receive the rich grant ten Tered BY Texas is
perfect; and this government should not having due
respect either TO its own interests permit its course of
policy to be interrupted by the interference OF other
powers, even if such interference was threatened
The question is one purely American. In the acqui
sltlon, while we abstain most carefully from all thai
could interrupt the public peace we claim right 10
exercise due regard TO our own. This government
cannot, consistently with its honor permit any such
interference WIN equal ifnol greater prophet,
might the United Stnes demand Of other nen,s
to surrender their numerous and valuable acquisitions
made m past time, al numberless places on the sur
ace OF the globe, whereby they have added to their
power and enlarged their resources.
To Mexico the Executive is disposed TO pursue n
course conciaiory in IT'S character, and at The same
t"e 10 render her the most ample justice by conven-
TONS and sipnlaons not incon ,srent with the rights
ana dsnl'y OF the government. 1t is actua,ed by no
sihflt OF UNJUST nggrandzemeni but looks only to It's
own security II has made known 10 Mexico NJ
several periods. its extreme anxiety 10 witness the
termnaiisn Of hosttes between that country and
lexas It's wishes however have been entirely disre.
gsrded II has ever been ready to urge dnstnent
OF the dispute upon terms mutually advantageous to
both. II will be ready at all times to hear and discuss
any CLAIMS Mexico may think she has on the Justice
o. the Gntei States and 10 ADJUST any that may be
deemed TO be so on the most liberal terms. There il
no desire on the part Of the Executive to wound her
PRIDE or affect inJuriously her interest; but at the
same time, It cannot campromce by any delay in its
action the essential interests of the Ttaited States
Mexico has no right 10 ask expect LIS Of us-we
deal rlghtfuily with Texas an independent power
The war which has been waged for eight years hns
resulted only IN the conviction with all other than her
se'f that Texas canno; he reconquered cannot hut
repeat the opinion expressed in nv message at the
opening of Congrss, that it is time it had ceased The
Executive while 1t could not look upon It's longer con.
lhuance "nouf Inc greatest uneasiness, has never.
lheless for all past time preserved course of strc,
neutrality II could not be ignorant of The fact of
The exhaustion which war of so long duration had
produced Least OF all was it ignorant of the anxiety
OF o'her powers TO induce Mexico To enter into terms
Of reconciliation with Texas, which, affecting the do
nestle institutions Of rexas, would operate most in.
nronsy upon the United States, and might most sc.
.ousy threaten The existence Of this happy Union.
Nor could II be unacqnanied with the fact, that al.
though foreign governments might dsavow oil design
to disturb the relations which exist under the Consli-
tuition between these States, yet that one the most
powerful amongst them, had not failed to declare its
marked and decided hostility to the chief features in
those relations, and its rpose, all suitable occa.
course IN negotiating with Texas as 10 produce the OBJ.
i'teraon OIL that feature from her domestic policy as
one OF the conditions of her recognition, by Mexico,
as an INDEPENDENT state The Executive was also
aware Of The fact, thai formidable associations Of ner
sons the snbecs Of foreign powers existed who were