The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-03-21
GEN. JACKSON'S LIE fTER-"ANNEX
ALTON OF TEXAS"

ALTON OF IEAAS.
Last year we prepared series OF essays de-
signed to show the necessity of annexing the
| territory of Texas to the United States
| Among the reasons which induced us 10 devote
so much attention to the subject, the revelations
in the British Parliament made by The Earl of
Aberdeen (lhe Minister OF Foreign Relalions,)
and Lord Brougham, as TO the designs OF the
British Government, seemed 10 be the most
urgent. IL was proclaimed that by the interpo-
stion of the British Envoy, acting under the
instructions of the British Government, an ar
mislice had been effected between Mexico and
Texas, Uhe former being indebted 10 England
some $4,000 OOO,) and that a treaty between
Great Britain and Texas was about being con
summated, the leading design of which was to
secure the abolition Of slavery in Texas, and to
exert powerful Influence, through Terds,
and by means Of the treaty. on the Southern
States Of our Union, which, it was predicted,
would directly cause the abolition of slavery in
the United States. Such were the declarations
in the British Parliament, and from the lips Of a
British Cabinet Minister
Under these circumstances, nothing was far
ther from our mind than the alleged design to
make The subject ''party question" We ad
vocated the annexation of Texas as great
NATIONAL subject, subject important to
all parties, and to all sections of the Union
And hence if it is to be made '.parly ques-
ZION" ii will be done by others, and not the Presi-
dent. The President, however, will never shrink
from the responsibility Of any measure which be
may deem II his duty to advocate, even if his
enemies shall seek to deter him by raising the
cry Of "party question !" Whatever may be
his views on this or any other subject, he will
stand by them, even if others shall determine
to make il party question"
But there are other and weighly reasons for
immediate annexation, which will be found in
the following letter from Gen JACKSON, which
was published in yesterdays Globe:
HERMIrAcK, Feb 10. Is43
My DEAR Sir: Yours of the 23d ut has been re-
ceived, and with II the Madsonian containing Gov
Gilmer's letter the subject of the annexation of
Texas TO the United States
You are not mistaken in suPposing that have
formed opinion this interesting subject IL oc-
! cuped much Of my attention during my Presidency
and l am sure has lost Of It's importance by
what has since transpired
Soon after my election in 1929, it was made known
TO me by Mr.. Irwin, formerly our Minister Mt the
court of Madrid that willis, at that court he had laid
the foundation Of treaty with Spain for the cess on
OF the foidas and the settlement of the boundary of
louisiana fixing the western limit OF the latter at
the Rio Grande,' agreeably to the understanding of
France-that he had written home to our govern
ment for powers To complete and sign this negotia
ton but that, instead Of receiving such authority
the negotiation taken OF his hands and trans,
| ierred TO Washington, and a treaty was there
/ LII. Il a.. CT
Grande was recognised and established as the boun-
dairy OF Louisiana.
! tiudlDg that these statements were true and that
our Government did really give up that important
territory, when 1t was al lis option TO retain IT, was
filled with astonishment. The right TO the t.rritory
was obtained from France Spain stood ready 10 ac
knowledge it TO the Rio Gtande and yet the author-
ty asked by minister to insert the true boundary
not only withheld, but in lieu Of it, a limit wa.
adopted which stripped of the whole Of the vast
coun try lying between the two rivers.
On such subject, thought with the ancient Ro.
mans, that II was night never TO ce1e any lsnd or
boundary Of the republic but always to add TO !, by
honorable treaty, thus extending the area of freedom
and II in accordance with this feeling that 1 gave
our minister to Mexico INSTRUCT ms to enter unon a
negotiation for the r,trocession of Texas TO the mi.
ted States.
This negotiation failed and shall ever repre, il as
| a misfortune 10 both Mexico and the Uned States
Mr. Gilmers letter presents many Of the considera-
uons which, in my judgment rendered the step ne
cessary 10 the peace and harmony Of the two coun-
tries but the point in II At that time which most
strongly impeed me To the course pursued was the
injustice done by the surrender of The Tertiary
when II was obvious that II could have been retained
without increasing the consideration afterwards given
for the Floridas could not hat feel hat the
der OF so vast and important territory atirbuta-
bic TO erroneous estimate Of the tendency Of our
Institutions, in which there mingled sonev hat of
jealousy to the rising greatness OF the South and
West
But forbear to dwell this par, Of the hist nv of
this question. IL IL pact and cannot now be undone
We can now only look at It as of anne alton, il
Texas presents II 10 us and IL she does | do not
hesitate TO say that the welfare and happiness of our
Union require that 1t should he accepted.
II IN a military point OF view alone the question
be examined, II will be found TO be most importa nj
TO the United States TO be in possession Of that terri
tory.
Great Britain has already made treaties with
Texas, and we know that far seeing nation never
omits circumstance, in her extensive intercourse
with the world, which can be turned to account 10
increasing her military May she not enter
into an alliance with Texas and, reservng las she
doubtless VIII the northeastern boundary question
as cause Of war with whenever she chooses 10
declare It, let US suppose that, an ally with Texas
we arc to fight her Preparatory TO such move
ment she sends her 20 900 or 30 900 men To Texas
organizes them on the Sabine, where her supple,
and arms can be concentrated before we have even
notice OF her intentions; makes a Judgment on the
Mssissppii excites the negroes to insurrecon; the
lower country falls, and with il New Orleans; and
seville war RACES through the whole South and
West.
In the meanwhile she is also moving an army
along tho upper western frontier from Canada
which, in co operation With the army from Texas,
spreads ruin aud havoc from the lakes to the Gulf of
Mexico.
Who can estimate tho national loss VIC may ,us.
tain before such movement could be repolled with
such force as we could organize on short notice.
Remember that Texas borders upon US. on our
west, 10 ~ deg. Of north latitude aud is our south.
ern boundary to the Pacific. Remember also that
4 annexed to the United Stto- our western boun-
! Jsry wOuLI he the 10 Gr.ndo ,h,ek 4.