The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1844-12-11

dent power, but as a mere dependency of Mext
CO. This assumption could not have been acted
on by the Executive, withoutsetting at defiance
your own solemn declaration that the Republic
was an independent State. Mexico had, it is
true, threatened war against the United States,
IN the event the Treaty of Annexation was rati-
fed. The Executive could not permit itself to
be influenced by this threat. Ii represented in
this, the spirit of our people, who are ready to
sacrifice much for peace, but nothing to intimi-
dation. A war, under any circumstances, is
greatly to be deplored, and the United States is
the last nation to desire it; but if, as the condi-
ton Of peace, it be required of us to forego the
unquestionable right of treating with an indie
pendent power, of our own Continent, upon mat
tiers highly interesting to both, and that upon a
naked and unsustained pretension of claim by a
third power, to control the free-willof the power
with whom we treat-devoted as we may be to
peace, and anxious to cultivate friendly relations
with the whole world, the Executive does not
hesitate to say that, the People of the United
States would be ready to brave all consequences,
sooner than submit to such condition. But no
apprehension of war was entertained by the
Executive; and | must express frankly the opin-
ion that, had the Treaty been ratified by the
Senate, it would have been followed by a 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 be
adoptedby Mexico, and that these were brought
about because Texas had adopted the suggestions
OF the Executive upon the subject of Annexation,
it could not passively have folded it's arms and
permitted q war, threatened to be accompanied
by every act that could mark q barbarous age,
to be waged against her, because she had done so.
Other considerations Of a controlling charac-
terinfilenced the course of the Executive. The
treaty which had thus been negotiated, had failed
to receive the ratification of the Senate. One
of the chief objections which was urged against
ut, was found to consist in the fact, that the
question OF annexation had not been submitted
to the ordeal of public opinion in the United
States. However untenabIe such an objection
was esteemed to be, in view of the unquestiona-
bic power Of the Executive to negotiate the trea-
ty, and the great and lasting interests involved
in the question, Ilelt it to be my duty to submit
the whole subject to Congress as the best exp6un-
dors Of popular sentiment. No deinitive action
having been taken on the subject by Congress,
the question referred itself directly to the deci-
nv VI nv 1LAIt dH1 bilj l. COplCs iC Ritib
popular election which has Just terminated, az
tordod the best opportunity of ascertaining the
will OF the States, and the people upon it. Pen
ding that issue, it became the imperative duty Of
the Executive TO inform Mexico that the ques-
ton OF annexation was still before the American
People, and that until their decision was pro-
%nounced, any serious invasion of Texas would
be regarded as an attempt to ~forestall their judy
ment, and could not be looked upon with indiffer-
enco. | am most happy to inform you, that no
such invasion has taken place; and | trust that
whatever your action may be upon it, Mexico
will see the Importance of deciding the matter
by a resort to peaceful expedients, in preference
TO those OF arms. The decision Of the People
and the States, on this great and interesting sub
lect, has been cisivelymanifested. The ques-
ton OF annexation has been presented markedly
to their consideration. By the treaty itself, all
collateral and incidental issues, which were cal
cuIatcd to divide and distract the public councils,
were carefully avoided, These were left TO the
wisdom of the future to determine. 1t prosen.
ted, lrepeat, the isolated question of annexation
and in that form it has been submitted to the Or
deal Of public sentiment. a controlling MAORI
ty OF the People, and q large majority Of the
States, have declared in favor Of immediate an
n%eXation. 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 Immediately. 1t may be hoped that, in car.
rylnginto execution the public will, thus declar-
ed, all collateral issues may be avoided. Future
Legislatures can best decide as TO the number Of
States which should be formed out of the terrific
ry, when the time has arrived, for deciding that
question, So with all others. BY the treaty.
the United States assumed the payment of the
debts of Texas, to an amount not exceeding
Sl0,000,000; to be paid, with the exception Of
a sum falling short of 100000, exclusively out
of the proceeds Of the sales of her public lands.
We could not, with honor, take the lands, with
out assuming the full payment Of all incum.
brances upon them.
Nothing has occurred since your last session.
to induce a doubt that the dispositions Of Texas
remain unaltered. No intimation of an altered
determination, on the part Of her Government
and People, has been furnished to the Executive
She still desires to throw herself under the pro.
lection Of our laws, and to partake Of the bles.
sings Of our federative system; while every
American interest would seem to require it,
The extension of our colst-wise and foreign
trade, TO an amount almost incalculable-the
enlargement of the market for our manufactures
a constantly growing market for our agricul.
tural productions--safety to our frontiers, and
additional strength and stability to the Union,--
these are the results which would rapidly devel
ope themselves, upon the consummation of the
measure of annexation. In such event, | will
not doubt but that Mexico would find her true in
terest toconsist in meeting the advances of this
Government in a spirit of amity.
Nor do ! apprehend any serious complaint
from any other quarter; no sufficient ground ex-
| ISIS for sLIch cnmnlnint W. chnuld intorcnrn in