Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1844-12-20

emn declaration that Repul lie was an IN
dependent State. Mexico had, 1t is true,
threatened war against the United States
in the event the treaty OF anneXatlotGwas
ratified, The Executive could not Perh4t
itself to be influenced by this threat. IL
represented in this the spirit OF our Feope
who are ready to sacrifice much for peace
but nothing to Intimidation. A war un-
der any circumstances is greatly to lie de-
plored, and he United States is the last ma
ton to desire it; but if, as the condition of
peace, it be required of us to torego the un-
Questionable right treating with an indie
pendent lower, OF our own continent,
- upon matters highly interesting TO both,
and that upon naked and unsustained
p,etension of claim by a third Power to
control the free will of lie Power with
whom we treat, devoted as we may he to
ppace, and anxious to cultivate friendly
relations with the whole world, the Exc
cutve does not hesitate to say that the
peopIe of the United States would he rea-
DIV to brave ali consequences sooner Than
submit to such conditions. but no appre-
hension of war was entertoired by the
Executive; and | must express frankly the
opinion that, had the treaty been ratified
by the Senate, il would have been follow
ed bv 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 he
adopted by Mexico, ard that these We're
brought about because Texas has adopted
the suggestions ofthe Executive upon the
subject of annexation, it could not pas
sively have folded its arms and permitted
a war, threatened to be accompanied by
every act that could mark barbarous age,
to he waged against her because she had
done so.
Other considerations Of controlling
character influenced the course of the
Executive The treaty which had thus
| beer negotiated had Jailed to receive the
rarifca inn ol the Senate Oue cf he
chirfohlrc'ions which we're urged against
! il vas found 10 consist in the faC' that
the question ri enuexa'ion had not heer
sutmu.d to The ordeal ot public opinion
in the Unitfd States. However un'ena
bIe such in objection was esteemed 10
he. in v,ew Of the unqnestioUahIe power
Of the Executive TO negotiate the treaty i.
and the great aud lasting interests 'nvoNv
ed in the qu,sIicU felt tito he my duty
to suhnu the whole subject to Congress
az the beat expoundets Of potular senu
menr. No d, fnIiyH sclIon having beer
taken on he SUBJECT by Congress-, the
question referred irself directly 10 ihe de
clsion Of the States and the People. The
great popular election which has just
termn"ted aff rded tn best opportunity
of sscertainlug the will of the People
upon it. Pending that issue, 1t became
the imp Tatlve duty Of the Executive to
inform Mexico that the question Of en-
nexaiion was stil be'ore the American
: People, ard that. until their drcisl0n was
pronounced, any serious Invasion Of Tex
az would he regarded N an attempt to
Gorestali their Judgment, and could moi
he looked upon with indifference am
most happy to ufo,m OH that no such
invasion has taken place. and trust that,
, whatever your action may he uD0n II ,
Mexico will see The lnpOt lance ct dpcld
ing the matter by resort 10 peaceful
cxpedlents IN preference 10 those oI
> arms, The decision Of the People and
t the States on this great and interesting
subject has been decislvely manifested
: 'Che question Of annexation has been
presented nakedy 10 their consid ration
By the treaty itself, all collateral and
Fl incidental issues which we're calculated
to divide and distract the public councils
r were carefully avoided These we're
, left TO the wisdom OF the future to deter
; mine. II presented repeat, the 'sclat-
ed question Of annexation; and IN that
) form It has been subnited TO the ordeal
of pubic sentiment. A controlling ma
iorily of the Peops. and a large majnTi-
, ~ oil 'he States, have declared 10 favor
| of immediate annexation. Instructions
have thus come up to both branches ot
5 Congress. from thtir respective coOsltlu
ents, in terms most emphatic. II is the
' will Of both the People and the SIaics
that Texas shalt be snnexed To the UniOr
! promptly and immediately. 1t may be
hoped that, in carrying into execu1oT
D the public viii, thus declared, all collaler
A q issues mpy be avoided. Fulure Legls
;, Ialures can best decide ne 10 the numhe
e Of States which shod|d be formed out q
Y The territory, when the time has arrive'
II Tor deciding that question. So with al
!, Others By the treaty The United State
- assumed tho payment OF the debts
MI rexas 10 an amount not exceeding $ 10
at 600 600, 10 he paid, with the excep'io
a. ot IA .um falling short oi four hundre
g. thousand dollars, exclusiVely out ot III
tn proceeds of The sales OF her public land
IS; We could mol, with honor, tnKe IN
~ lands without assuming the iull pa! met
=! ie of all eucumbrences upon them,
ce Nothing hos occurred since yo1r 'a'
in seus,on IN ,rduCp a Doubt that the diSpC