Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-05-18


their neighborhood. Texas would I'M
doubtedly be unable, for many years to
come, if at any time, to resist, unaided and
alone, the military power Of the the Uni
ted States; but it is not extravagant 10 sup
pose that nations reaping a rich harvest
from her trade, secured to them by advan-
tageous treaties, would be induced to take
part with her in any conflict with us, from
the strongest considerations of public poll
cy. Such a state of things might subject
to devastation the territory of contiguous
States, and would cost the country, in
single campaign, more treasure, thrice told
over, than is stipulated TO be paid and re-
mbursed by the treaty now proposed for
ratification. l will not permit myself to
dwell on this view of the subject. Conse- |
quences of a fatal character TO the peace of
the Union itself might be dwet upon
They will not, however, fail TO occur to the
mind of the Senate and of the country.
Nor do indulge in any vague conectures
Of the future. The documents now trans
mitted along with the treaty, lead to the
conclusion, as inevitable, that if the boon
now rendered be rejected, Texas will seek
for the friendship Of others.
In contemplating such a contingency, ii
cannot be overlooked that the United
States are already almost surprised by the
possessions of European powers. The
Canadas, New Brunswick and Nova SEQ
tia, the islands in the American seas, with
Texas, trammelIed by treaties Of alliance,
or of a commercial character, differing in
policy from that Of the United States,
would complete the circle. Texas volun-
/ tarI ho 6
honor and good faith TO all nations, 10 ask
to be annexed to the Union. As an indie
pendent sovereignty, her right 10 this is IN
questionable. In doing so, she gives no
cause of umbrage to any other power: her
people desire it. and there is no slavish
transfer Of her sovereignty and independ-
cnce. She has for eight years maintained
her independence against all efforts to sub.
due her. She has been recognized as indie
pendent by many the most prominent Of the
family of nations, and that recognition, so
far as they are concerned, places her in
position, without giving any just umbrage
to them, to surrender her sovereignty at
her own will and pleasure. The United
States actuated evermore by spirit of JUS
tice, has desired, by the stipnlations of the
treaty, to render justice to ALL They have
made provision for the payment Of the
public debt of Texas. We look to her
ample and fertile domain as the certain
means of accomplishing this; but this is a
matter between the United States and Tex
as, and with which other governments have
nothing to do. Our right to receive the
rich grant rendered by Texas is perfect;
and this government should not, having due
respect either to its own honor or its own
interests, permit its course of policy to be
interrupted by the interference of other
powers, even if such interference was
threatened. The question is one purely
American. In the acquisition, while we
abstain most carefully from all that could
interrupt the public peace, we claim the
right to exercise due regard to our own.
f This government cannot consistently with
its honor, permit any such Interference
With equal, if not greater propriety, might
, not the United States demand of other
governments 10 surrender their numerous
and valuable acquisitions made in time
past at numberless places on the surface OF
the globe, whereby they have added TO
their power and enlarged their resources.
To Mexico, the Executive is disposed TO
, pursue a course conciliatory in its charac-
, ter, and at the same time to render her the
: most ample Justice, by conventions and
| stipuIations not inconsistent with the rights
} and dignity Of the government. Ii is &C
, tuated by no spirit of unjust aggrandise-
! ment, but looks only to its own security
: 1t has made known to Mexico, at several
;, periods, its extreme anxiety to witness the
e termination of hostilites between that
r country and Texas. Its wishes, however
t have been entirely disregarded 1t has ever
2 been ready to urge an adjustment of the
] dispute upon terms mutually advantageous
= to both. 1t will be ready at all times to
hear and discuss any claims Mexico may
: think she has on the justice of the United
r States, and to adjust any that may be
), deemed TO be so, on the most liberal terms
: There is no desire on the part Of the Exec
!, utive to wound her pride, or affect injuri
e ously her interest; but, at the same time, il
: cannot compromit, by any delay in its &C
r ton, the essential interests of the United
+ States. Mexico has no right to ask or ex
I pect this of us-we deal rightfuly witt
: Texas as an independent power. The wal
!. which has been waged for eight years ha'
: resulted only in the conviction, with al
:. others than herself, that Texas cannot be re
r conquered. cannot but repeat the opn
e ion, expressed in my message at the open
c ing of Congress, that it is time that il haC
: ceased. The Executive, while it could no
# look upon its longer continuance withou
h the greatest uneasness, has nevertheless
fO oil 81 ri,