Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-05-24
Hon. LEVI WOODBURY.

WAsRiSaroS, May ii, 1874.
GsntIemen Your letter of the 9th inst has ust been
received, stating that public meeting has been held
ia Prince William county, Virginis at which reso-
linton was passed to ascertain my "vsws in regard to
the annexation OF Texas" As the meeting is 10 con-
yene again on the 18Th Instant you request an I'M
mediate answer on that subject, for the purpose Of
laying it before those who may assemble on that ocea
sion.
Accordingly, though such an answer must be very
imperfect from of time, and though my general
impressions in relation to this subject were commun
Gated TO the public December last, yet the state
Of the question may appear TO some 10 have materially
altered snce anG you desire further explanations has
ten to give sketch of my views on the case as it now
stands before the community
By careful examination of facts and principles,
have formed CONSCIENTIOUS conviction that The mms-
date annexation of Texas TO the United States is
per- The reasons which have had most weight IN
bringing me TO this conclusion are as follows:
Because the territory Of Texas lies near the great
monarch of the Western waters. and especially the
mouth or the Mississippi on the Gulf Of Mex,co, and
the emporium Of Western commerce at New Orleans,
as to be very important il not vital 10 Their security.
in the event of And its POSSESSION By Us would
at all times contribute essentially 10 pfo.ec, n exposed
frontier from the torch and png knife - Indian out
rage enabling US much more ehec'usiy TO hold IN
check the aboriginals near, whether within or without
our present boundaries whenever they may be stirred
up under that foreign Influence which has too often
heretofore stimulated that e!ocous race 10 oench our
borders in blood.
Because the obligation thus to procure secur-
~ and tranquility 10 the industry and trade Of The
whole Mississippi valley, embracing over m lion of
SQUARE miles, and nine millions Of people, IS nstonai
and not sectional, and deeply involves thu interests,
we'll as the affections and happiness OF their kindred
in the East, and every other portion OF our ra,erns
Government. Ii is an obligation stronger and more
solemn if possible, than that half century ago
10 procure the freedom of their trade through the free
vio nf he M,eSe
after our indepe achieved long ngitaed The
anxious councils OF the fathers OF the Revolution ;
and, considering lis momenous importance, not only
them but in the growing future was at last chFapy
purchased al the expense OF mlions by buying Lou
isana, and afterwards oheaply defended by the sacr
fee of life and treasure On the plans OF New Or
leans
Because this annexation would secure the West and
Southwest against other disturbing causes such as
collisions in the navigation oil some OF our rivers,
whose sources in posse ssion OF foreign pow
er, and the want of large natural and striking bar
rier and boundary on the Southwest. between Us and
different governments, well different, If not hos
tile races; and annoying exposure 10 foreign oegres
sons the property and domestic institutions of the
South and Southwest which property and instltut ons,
however different from those in other sections are
such as they came into the Union with, and for half
century have remained with under sacred puarnn-
lies and, till changed by themselves, the Union is
dissolved, entitled to- and especially, in the autho
rity given by Congress in 1871, for The forcibe
patton OF Florida received the security the
institutions and property Of the North
Because the xaon of Texas, IN lis influence on
oil the great branches Of industry is not merely
Western or Southern question, hut deeply int
resting 10 every quarter of our common country
whether il promotes that industry by opening to arr-
culture more fertile soils and GENIAL climates or by
forming a wider home market Tor manufacturers or by
furnishing new articles of commerce, and ne bays
and rivers for the free CATION of Western steamers
as we'll as coasting and ireighng vessels from the
East
And, finally because, by this anne xaton, should
only restore to the Union territory thus tesira
BILE, but one bought in 1903 by treasure-de-
Tended in 1915 by our own arms--and though ceded
away in 1919, yet its consent not asked to the
messure, and therefore IT seems still entitled, by the
express obligation of the oignaltreaty, 10 be admitted
into the Union, and TO enjoy all it's privileges and
rights A territory which has never united with any
other country, except part OF an independent
State in the confederacy Of Mexico; and when that
confederacy dissolved by the expressions and
pations of Santa Anna, re-asserted its rights an
independent government, and has since successfully
maintained those rights, with the lives, The for
tunes and the sacred honor of it's people; and by the
common origin of most of them with ourselves less
than their common education, religion, form Of gov
eminent, and social institutions, as well ns Saxon
blood beside their contiguous residence and claims
der former treaties they better suited to unite with
u than any other power. For reasons like these, as
they are now DESTROYS of annexation, which delays
may endanger If not defeat, through disappointment
and foreign interference it ought, IN my opinion, to
be sanctioned; and If end is ever to be made OF pre-
datory and uncivil,z-d marnudng, of intrigue and
ENHANCEMENT by other foreign powers, It would seem
wise, as we'll rs humane, 20 do it forthwith; or in
the language Of him. who has long lived IN The
hearts of our people, at he "present golden moment
But am aware that several objections have been
urged against the annexation OF Texas and as some
Of them come from gentlemen long and highly appre-
ca,ed, and with whom diiferenc, of opinion on so in
terest'nga topic is mnch regretted It is due to them
and the occasion that should explain my views gene.
rally such of these objections 10 be most
prominent.
/. The annexation is opposed by some, on the
ground that it will make territory too large bu,
experience has evinced that Representative Republic
can with convenience and efficiency. extend H.
ms far wider than from the ST Croix to the Rio del
Norte Indeed, by the aid Of railroads and steam, the
Union, with Texas included, will be far more accessi-