The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-05-10

with this country, will ever attempt to colonize
Texas either in form or in substance. II there be
any such power, the considerations to which /
have adverted, would soon lose most OF their i'm
portance; for opportunities would not then be slow
in presenting themselves for the conquest of what
ever territory might, in that event, be deemed
necessary to security in legitimate self-defence
Commercial favors Texas has, to the same extent
as other independent powers, the right to dispose
of as she thinks proper; subject only to the penal
ties which are certain, or later, to follow in
the wake of national injustice. But European
colonization of Texas is another and very diffe-
rent matter--a matter in respect to the ultimate
consequences of which no European nation can
possibly deceive either herself or us. have no
access to the sourses of true information in respect
to the degree of credit which may be due to these
rumors; but our government ought, to exercise
most Jealous vigilance against the extension of
British influence, and indeed foreign influence or
dominion OF any kind, or from any quarter, either
in Texas, in any of the portions of the continent
ever comes when the question resolves itself into
whether Texas shall become a British dependency
or colony, or unconstitutional portion Of this Union,
the great principle of selfdefence, applicable as
well to nations as TO individuals, would without
doubt, produce great unanimity amongst us in
favor of the latter alternative, as ever be ex
pected on any great question of foreign or domes-
tic policy.
Having now replied, in the fullest and frankest
manner, to both questions which you have pro-
pounded to me, might here close this letter; but
being sincerely anxious to put you and others
occupying the same position, in possession Of my
views and opinions upon the whole subject, as far
as they can with propriety be now formed and
expressed, will 60 few steps farther.
Occasions do sometimes present themselves, in
the administration of public affairs when the de-
cision of great questions can be safely anticipated
by those whose subsequent duty 1t may become to
pass upon them; but to justify such course, those
questions must be such as are unnvoidably depend
ent upon circumstances and considerations of a
fixed and settled character. have not been able
to regard this as being, in all its aspects, case of
that description. II is matter affecting our for
eign relations, in respect TO which every enghten-
ed nation makes 1t rule to avoid as far as practl-
cable, public annunciations of its proceedings and
intentions beyond what is deemed necessary either
to justify its past course, or to make others sensible
of its determination to resist aggression whether
present or prospective. AS the action of the ex-
ecuve upon all questions that affect our relations
with other countries, must be more or less inHu-
enced by their conduct towards US, it in general,
desirable that his future course should not be en-
barrassed by assurances given at period when no
safe opinion could be formed of what that conduct
would be. In respect even to motives of domes-
tic character, it could scarcely be deemed consis-
tent with that prudence and calm discretion which
in public well private affairs, is of such ines
timabe value, to bind ourselves in advance in res
pect to the particular line of conduct we will here
after adopt in case of such magnitude as the
present. When the period for defnitve action
shall have arrived, the considerations now taken
into view may have lost the weight they at present
possess in the estimation of the public; and others
not now regarded as ofany value, may in the mean
time arise to- affect materially, if not to change,
the whole subject. The present condition of the
relations between Mexico and Texas may soon be
so far changed as TO weaken, and perhaps to obvi-
ate entirely, the objections against the immediate
annexation of the latter to the United States,
which have here set forth, and to place the ques-
ton on different grounds. Should such state of
things arise, andI be found i charge of the respon
sible duties of President, you may be assured that
would meet the question, ifthen presented to me,
with sincere desire to promote the result which
| believed best calculated to advance the perma-
nent welfare of the whole country. In the dis
charge of this, the common duty of all our public
functionaries, would not allow myself to be in1u-
enced by local or sectional feeling. I am not |
need hardly say to you, untried man, in respect
to my disposition or ability to disregard any feeling
of that character in the discharge of official duties
You well as some Others have therefore at least
some grounds on which to form an opinion as to
the probable fidelity with which these assurances
would be observed.
shall add few words on another aspect of the |
question and then dismiss the subject. Mexico
may carry her persistence in refusing to acknow.
edge the independence of Texas, and in destruc-
tive but ruitless efforts to reconquer that State,
far to produce, in connection with other circum-
stances, decided conviction on the part of ma
jorty of the people of the United States, that the
permanent welfare. il not absolute safety of all,
make il necessary that the proposed annexation
should be effected, be the consequences what they
may. The question may be asked, what, under
such circumstances, would be the use you would
make of the executive power, if ntrusted to your
hands' Would it be welded to defeat, or to carry
into effect the ascertained wishes of our people'
My reply to such suppositon is, that can con-
ceive of no public questions in respect to which it
is more eminently proper that the opinions and
wishes Of the people of the different States should
be consulted, and being ascertaned, treated with
tnao n, t,I |