Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-12-24

mtied TO the ordeal of public opinion in
the United States. However unteuable
such an objection was esteemed to De, in
view OF the unquestIonable power Of :hs
Executive to negotiate the treaty, and the
great and lasting interests involved in the
question, felt it TO be my duty TO submit
the whole subject to Congress as the bes,
expounders OF the popular sentiment. No
defnitive 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 cleo
ton which has just tie terminated, afforded the
best opportunity of ascertaining the will Of
the States and the people upon it, Pend
ing that issue, it became tho imperative
duty of the Executive 10 inform Mexico
that the question of annexation was still
before the American People, and that, I'M
til their decision was pronounced, any seri-
Gus invasion of Texas would be regarded
as an attempt to forestall their judgment,
and could not be looked upon with indiffer
ence. am most happy to inform you
that no such invasion has taken place, and
| trust that, whatever your action may be
upon il, Mexico will see the importance of
deciding the matter by resort to peaceful
expedients, in preference to those Of arms.
Tho decision of the people and the States,
on this great and interesting subject, has
been decisively manifested The question
of annexation has been presented markedly
10 their consideration. BY the treaty Itself
all collateral and incidental issues, which
were calculated to divide and distract the
public councils, were carefully avoided
These were left 10 the wisdom of tho future
to determine. 1t presented, repeat, the
isolated question of annexation and in that
form il has been subm iled TO the ordeal of
public sentiment. A controlling majority
of the People, and large majority Of the
States, have declared in favor of immediate
annexation. Instructions have thus come
up to both branches Of Congress, from
their respective constituents, in terms the
most emphatic. 1t is the will of both the
People and the States, that Texas shall be
annexed to the Union promptly and imme-
diately. 1t may be hoped that, in carrying
into execution the public will, thus declared,
all collateral Issues may be avoided Flu
ture Legislatures can best decide as TO the
number Of States which should be formed
out Of the territory, when the time has ar
rived for deciding that question. So VIII
all others. BY the treaty, the U. States
assumed The payment of the debts Of Texas,
to an amount not exceeding 100000 900,
10 be paid, with the exception of a sum
falling short Of $500, 900, exclusively out
Of the proceeds Of the sales of her public
lands. We could not, with honor, take the
lands, withou, assuming the full payment
of all encumbrances upon them.
No hing has occurred since your last SEES
! sion, 10 induce doubt that the dispositions
of Texas remain unaltered. Ne interim
ton of a altered defamation on the part Of
her Government and People, has been furn-
ished to the Executive. She still desires
TO throw herself under the protection Of
our laws, anc to partake Of the blessings Of
our federative system; while every Ameri,
can interest would seem to require it. The
extension of our coast-wise and fore On
trade, to an amount almost incalCulabe-
the enlargement of,he market for our man.
u(actures-a constantly growing market
for our agricultural productions safety Of
our frontiers, and additional strength ard
stability to the Union-these are the results
which would rapidly develope themselves,
upon the consummation Of the measure Of
Of annexation in such event, | will moi
doubt but that Mexico would find her true
interest TO consist in meeting the advances
Of this Government in spirit of ami,y.
Nor do apprehend any serious COM
plant from any other quarter no sufficient
ground exists for such complaint. We
should interfere in no respect with the rights
Of any other nation. There cannot be
gathered from the act any design on our
: part TO do so with their possessions on this
Continent. We have nterposed no inn
: pedimenls in the way Of such acquisitions
o!territory, large and extensive as many of
them are, as The leading powers Of Europe
have made, from time TO time, in every
part of the world We seek no conquest
} made by war. No intrigue will have been
) resorted TO, or acts of diplomacy essay ed,
to accomplish the annexation of Texas
! Free and Independent herself, she asks to be
received into our Union. 1t is q question
FOL our own decision, whether she shall be
received or not.
The two Governments having already
5 agreed, through their respective organs,
} ommend their adoption by Congress in the
!, form of n joint resolution Tor act, TO be per
/ fected and made binding on the two coun-
, tries, when adopted in like manner by the
: Government of Texas.
In order that the subject may be fully
presented in all its bearings. the cores
} pondencs which has taken place, in refer
ence TO it, since the adjournment of Con-
gress. between the Y. States, Texas, and
Mexico, is herewith transmitted.
} The amendments proposed by the Sem
ale TO the Convention concluded between the
U. States and Mexico on the 20th OF No
! vember, lS43, have been transmitted
through our Minister, for the concurrence
of the Mexican Government; but, although
urged thereto. no action has yet beer had
on the subject; nor has any answer been
) given which would authorize favorable
conclusion in the future.
The Decree of September. 1913, in rela-
ton to the retail trade, the order for the ex-
pulsien OF foreigners. and that of a more
) recent date in regard to passporis-all OF