Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1844-05-17

would moi. According 10 thatithe terri
tory ofTexas is susceptible Of a dIVislon
into five States OF convenient size and
form OF these, Two only would be
adapted 10 those peculiar institutions TO
which | have referred, and the other
three, lying west and north Of San An
tonic, being only adapted to farming and
grazing purposes, from the nature Of
their soil, climate, and productions,
would not admit Of those institutions. In
the end, therefore, there would be Two
slave and three free States propabIy
added 10 The Union. Iflhis view Of the
soil and geog rapby Of Texas be correct,
il might serve to dimiDisb lhe zeal
both Of those who oppose and those
VINO are urging anneXalion.
Should Texas he annexed TO the u.
nion, the United States will assume and
become responsible for the deb, Of Texas
be lis amount what ii may. What it is,
! do not know certainly; but the least |
have seen It stated at is thirteen millions
OF dollars. And this responsibility will
exist whether there be a stipulation in
The treaty or not expressly assuming the
debt Of Texas. For suppose it to be
undenIabie that, If one nation becomes
incorporated in another, al the debts,
and obligations, and membranes, and
wars Of the Incorporated nation, become
the deblS, and obligations, and iucum
brances, and wars Of the common nation
created by the incorporation.
Ifany European nation eD,ertains any
ambitious designs upon Texas, such as
that Of coonizing her, or in any wsy
subjugating her. | should regard it as
the imperative duty Of the Government
ofIhe United States to oppose such de
signs The most 6rm and determined re
slstance, 10 the extent, If necessary, OF
appealing 10 arms to prevent the accom-.
pishmeut Of any such designs. The
Executive OF the United States ought to
be informed as to the aims and views oil
foreign Powers with regard 10 Texas
and presume that, if there be any oI
The excsplionable character which
have indicated, the Executive will dis
close it TO the co ordinate departments
OF the Government, if not to the public
the evidence of them. From what
have seen and heard, | believe
that Great Britain has recently formal
" and solemnly dIsavowed any such
aims or purposes-has declared that she
is desirous only of the independence oI
Texas, and that she has no intention tC
interfere in her domestic institutions
II she has made such disavowa aud dec
Iaration, presume they are in the pos
session Of the Executive.
In the future progress Of events, it il
probable that there will be a voluntary
or lorclble separation OF The British
North American possessions from the
parent country. lam strongly inclined
10 think that it will be best for the hap
piness Of al! parties that, in that event
they should be erected into a separate
and independent Republic. With the
Canadian Republic on one side, that o.
Texas on the other, and the United
States, the friend Of both, between them
each could advance its own happiness
by such constitutions, laws, and meas
ures, as were best adapted to ils peculiar
condition. They would be natural al
lies, ready, by cooperation, 10 repe
any European or foreign attack upon
either. Each would afford a secure
refuge to the prosecuted and oppressed
driven into exile by either OF the others
They would emulate each other in i'm
provemeHts, in free institutions, and ii
the science of self government. Willis
Texas has adopted our Constitution a.
the model OF hers, she has, in severn
Important particulars, greatly improVeu
upon it,
Although have felt compelled, from
the nature Of the inquiries addressed It
me, TO extend this communication to
much greater length than | could havu
wished, could not do justice TO the sub
jeCt, and fairly and fully expose my owI
opinions in shorter space. 10 concIu
sion, they may be stated in a few word
TO be, that | consider the annexation o
Texas, at this time. without the assen
of Mexico, as a measure compromising
the national character, involving us ce
tainly in war with Mexico, probabII
with other foreign Powers, dangerou
TO the integrity of the Union, nexpedi
ent in the present fnancal condition o
the country, and not called for by an!
general expression of public opinion.
| am respectfully,
your obedisnt servant,
Il. CLAY.
~O0OOG@
From the Ohio State Journal.