The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-11-26
THE BEAUTIES OF JOHN q. ADAMS.
Mr.. Adams has recently published speech

Mr.. Adams has recently puDilshed speech
and an address agains: the annexation OF Texas,
which were delivered ia New England on the
eve Of the final overthrow Of Mr.. Clay, and
which exnce malignancy Of spirit, and
reckless disregard of facts, unparalleled in our
political annal, unless, indeed, we are forced
to admit that one Of the Ssnalors from Missouri
rivaed him. in hi, unbounded denuncatons of
the wise and patriotic exer,ions of the Execu-
tive TO recover a territory essential 10 our well
fare and safety, and which had been ignomini-
ousy lost by Mr.. Adams. We do not desire to
intimate that there was any concert OF action,
or Encouragement between those gentlemen in
their unmeasured invectives; but it is matter
Of history that they occupied precisely the same
ground, and stood upon the same platform, when
hurting their innoxious 'hnnderbolts at the ad
vocates Of the immediate annexation of Texas
A, state .man, Mr.. Adams should have OPP
posed the measure, since he was iIreconcilably
hostile 10 it, in siatesmanllke manner. A
grave and dignl6ed opposition would have much
better beftled one OF his years; one who had
occupied the most exalted seat in The nation !;
and it would also have been infinitely better for
his future fame than The rbald and impassion-
ed course which he unfortunately determined
to adopt.
Having said this much, we will proceed TO
exhibit specimen of the production under con-
sideration. Mr.. A. thus introduces the subject
Of the Treaty in his speech, delivered at Bridge
water, Massachusetts,, on the GA of November:
You are awaIe that the Vice President OF the
United States, acting President and self-s'yled
President Of the United States, during the last SEES
zion Of Congress, laid before the Senate, for their
consideration and action, paper, purportirg TO De
treaty for the annexation OF the republic of Texas,
including several States Of the republic of Mexico,
assumed by the Constitution of Texas as forming
parts of her territories butnever having been SO 10
these United States. The history OF the negotiation
Of that treaty. if written, will unfold series OF
transactions surprising in proh gacy, any thing which
ever suied the annals of this conieceracy. 1t Was
rejected by majority Of more than two-thirds OF
the Senate and tner by the honor OF the country
redeemed, SO far it could be redeemed, by
that body. The whole transaction was IN hagraDt
violation Of The Constitution, and its contamination,
had it been effected, would have been itself disso-
luton of the existing Union. 1t was an attempt
frauduentIy 10 ntrude upon the free States OF this
confederation, a new swarm Of States, with constr
tutions stained with human blood, tainted with per-
petuai hereditary slavery, and regulating the self
evident truths Of he Declaration OF Independence OF
4.h july 1916 And to this swarm of God-defyng
States, this unhallowed league and covenant pledged
a right of admission to the Senate of two slave
traicking Senat TO each State, and into the House
Of Representatives, and the Electoral Colleges oil
President and Vice President double representa-
ton of all the shareholders Of the inruding States
To have submit ed to such compact OF infamy,
would have been TO sink yourselves INTO the West
and most hepes, of slaves, nor would you have SUD-
mitted to it while drop OF republican blood circuia
ted IN your veins"
The Presidents proper title, with the con-
currence of Mr.. Adams himself, was recognised
by Congress in 1S4l; and hence those mere
words, intended to be so bitter, contain neither
argument nor poison. Ventis rerbd tu'ldis
The charge that the treaty annexed several
Mexican States, was first made by the Senator
alluded TO above, and was undoubtedly borrow
ed by Mr.. Adams ; bot j! was made without the
slightes, grounds of Justification, as an inspce-
lion of the treaty, aud the instructions TO our
charge at Mexico will show. The Govern
meni Of the United States could not, of course,
prescribe limits to the Republic with which 1t
was treating, and was necessarily compelled TO
rely upon such information as the authorities OF
Texas furnished. Whether or not the true
boundaries were given, was matter for adJudi-
cation with Mexico, after the ratification of the
treaty. In the event OF it appearing that Texas
claimed more territory than she was justly en-
titled to, the Government Of The United States
was, Of course, bound 10 make restitution, or
offer such equivalents as Mexico should deem
to be satisfactory. To settle this matter OF
boundaiy and limit, was The object Of the pro-
position 10 negotiate with Mexico; and not to
"buv her consent TO the anne xaton," as was
supposed by Mr.. Benton and the Wing presses.
The Executive did not, and never viii, seek TO
obtain the consent Of Mexico TO the annexation
Of Texas. T,xs, was, and is, as indepeu-
dent pf NJ xico, as has been ack owledged
by most Of The civilized powers Of the world,
as she is of Russia and hence she is undr
no necessity or Obligation 10 consult any
nation about the disposition she may sec
proper 10 make OF her territories and population
But in STIMULATING to become portion Of our
territory, If she should convey to US lands, or
other properly, righfully longing 10 another
nation, ,uch conveyance, Of course, could not
ve-ta tlth in the United States. The land in
dispute would have TO be relinquished by cur
Gov,rnmeut, or purchased by it subsequently,
to the treaty. These facts must have been
stran gey overlooked by Mr.. Adams and Colo
mel Benton, or they would have remained ST.
lent on thi, poiut. until the result Of our nego-
tiaiions with Mexico and Investigations on the
subject Of title, had been made known. But as
il is, the unqualified declaration Of Mr.. Adams
amounts 10 positive untruth.
The "bi.tory of the negotiation" will most
certainly be .,written !" and instead of "prohi-
gacy" 10 "sulls" DOR "annals," future genera
tons will award the need of praise to those
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