The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-04-15
ANNEXATION OF TEXAS.


the Richmond Compiler:
GENTLEMEN: Allow me to express my satisfaction
at the udicious, wse and patriotic which you
have pursued the subject of Texas Instead Of echo
ing the idle and ridiculous clamOr against the Execu
tive for having negotiated n secret treaty"for ha
wing carried on a g clandestipe' negouation-you
seem TO have remembered that it is the appropriate
function of the President, through the Secretary OF
State, to carry important diplomatic intercourse
consulting his constitutional adv sers, and to submit
the result of his negotiations, when they have as
sumed the form Of treaty, to the Senate of the
United States for its confirmation rejection and
that is the part Of wisdom to confde such matters
to the proper constitutional organs Of the Govern
ment; and especially to wait until we know some
thing about what has been donewhether treaty has
indeed been made and what are its terms and proyi-
sions-what the public considerations which be-
long TO the question, before denounce it and pre-
possess the public mind against it.
Especially, think, is to be approved in public
journal the patriotic spirit and temper in which YOU
have rebuked, by example and precept the silly and
mischevous talk and babble about dissolution OF
the Union as the consequence Of the annexation Of
Texas
Ii is strange that those who are so fond of menac-
ing dissolution Of the Union, whenever the consti.
tuted authorities of the nation do any thing which
these Ua,on-breaker, do not like, will not learn
dom, at least discretion, from experience. Josiah
Quincy & Co. said the Louisiana treaty disco
luton Of the Union, and, as ii the right OF all
so il was the duty Of some to declare the dissolution
peaceably if they could, forcibly if they must" This
is good set phrase for dissolution of the Union,
and recommend its 10 the Unon-breakers of
the day.
The Hartford Convention people talked very loud
ly and boldly about dssolvng the Union, and in the
times of notification had little buster and big
talking about the same thing
Where all these advocates of dissolution
of the Union' Echo answers where -.
II is lamentable to see the temper manifested by
por ion of the press, and political partisans
the great and vastly important question Of the
alton Of Texas TO the Union. II is not a matter 10
be taken up like Of the topics Of par
~ warfare, and TO be decided in reference to its in
6uence the success defeat of some political
leader, or the triumph Of this or that party. Any
party asprant who expects 10 build his political for
tune defeating receiving Texas into the Union
no matter what terms its admission may be pro-
posed, will assuredly find he has only been digging
the ground under his feet, and rendered certain
his own defeat and humatng downfall
Ii Texas can be acquired now by udicious con-
tract-1ithout unreasonable sacrifice of national
treasure--~i bout violating duties to other ma.
tions-witbout invading the principles Of nterna-
tional law-depcnd upon IL there presented
to the Americon people apublic qu son which pop.
uar sentiment and feeling will be more united ANY
treaty which is not framed with due caution, and
does not studousy guard the performance and re-
spect the obligations Of our public faith, We may
fairly and reasonably suppose will not be confirmed
by the Senate, (even if such an one made by
the President without the assent Of two thirds oi
whom no treaty can be ratified.
No matter whether Mr.. Tyler is to reap advan tagc
from its negotiation-no matter whether he has been
prompted to make u (as with the accustomed charity
Of partisan opinion is imputed) with the sole view 10
his own popu,rIty-no matter how It may be feared
that its decision now may embauass some Of Mr.
Cisys or Nj. Van Burens friends--no matter how
agreeable TO either Tor boih) Of these gentlemen TO
have this feather IN lis own CAPT such treaty
Tor the amer alton Of Texas supposed above is
made and offered 10 the Senate for lis ratification
and To the country Tor APPRECIATION, il will be carried
irumphantly IN the Senate, IL will carry down in
defeat and prosraon the and the party who de-
istn Those Who resist such a treaty for personal
or parry reasons, may thereby make capital for Mr.
Tyler and play into his hands ( indeed he be play.
ings political gsme) and ing political ruin on them
seives-but they will not prevent the sober good
sense and intelligent patriotism OF the people from re-
gardng the measure itself which would re-
dound TO The bene6, of the country tending TO stsb
tate the Union and incidentally TO enhance its ran
quiIluy and prosperity.
However II may be elsewhere, when the people IN.
dersiand the subject there can b, bud one paru ON the
general question Of the eI,ediency Of annex ling or
rather, OF re .anneIing Texas to the Union Il ON
Mason and DiNon's line, and the Ohio on the North
to the Gulf OF Mexico and the Sabine on the South
and West There can, indeed be no real difficulty
and not much diversity of opinion any where sup
posing II can be obtained fair and udicous Terms
Does any man suppose that the abolnio nsts
would object TO II they did not know or teeye that
IT Is, add Is to be, sl,seholding county
This general quesi n as 10 the erpediency Of an.
poIing Texas to the Union, h new question no
new mine OF political capital, opened by The aspiring
ambition of good fortune Of Mr.. Tyler. They who
complain OF Mr.. Tyler for moving secretly and clan
desuncly IN this business only expose their own
ignorance of the proceedings Of their own
on tins sui jet for more Than Thirty years-proceed-
inEs, 10 be sure, all secret in their and
while negotiations were going on, but since spread
out on the Official documents and published records Of
the country.
The importance Of the anpers alton of Texas has |
been declared and manifested in the strongest ma inner
BY Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, J, q Adams, Clay,
Jackson and Van Buren, '''
II belonged TO the Union as a mari Of the o,,.
siana purchase. Mr.. jefferson Mr. Madison and |
Mr.. Monroe concurred ia opinion that ,iour tile 10
the Rio del Norte or Rio Bravo, was as clear as TO
the island Of New Orleans And Mr.. Adams as !
late as 1878 short time prior to The ceoon of Texas
by this Government TO Spain, said, "our title IN |
Texas IS established beyond the power of further
controversy"
Mr. Clay, speaking Of the treaty of 1919 said il |
was the case OF avowod e,ssion of terrtor, from
the United States to Spainn-and he maintained a.
Maine and Massachusetts lately did in a much weak.
er case, That was not competent to the treatymak
ing power TO cede away any acknowledged portion
Of the Union.
The cession, however, was made on what grounds
or Tor what equivalents, am lot DOW informed moi,
surely, because we had too much territory and that
il was not exped'ent TO retain Texas 6ut The eos.
sion was made, sustained by the oon.ttuted avthor
ties, and it, binding authority acoui.sced in md
therefore, yhetheY n Ieoitinn.t. ...-.t-~ Nr