Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-02-09
POLITICAL.
MIR. SHADES SPEECH.

pose to perpetuate the Slave Power; aud deem it
our duty to declare that such annexation, if effec
ted, VIII lie virtual dissolution of the Unon-in-
PRODUCING, as it will, into the confederacy, parties
eh'lreiy beyond the anticipation of the COnstu-
uon-lhereby aboisIing the old, by the constitu-
ton of 4 new political family, aud thus breaking
up the foundations of our federal Union.
lhe movement for annexation-its purpose, and
lis result, are topics to which would solicit u
brief attention.
The moremeHt is Of 10 recent origin 1t was a.
mong the first acts of General Jacksun's admins
iration g sctt cession Of Texas from the gov
erntnent of Mexico I he negotiation failed
Texas could not he obtained by cession; and
lhenceiorwarl 1t was TO be obtained by revolt,
and annexation. To effect this purpose emigra-
lions were encouraged aud increased. Companies
were formed upon the basis of pretended grants
OF large tracts of land by the Government of Mex
lco and rights, in The form OF scrip were dispos.
ed of 10 ndveuturers, by agents in New Orleans,
New York, anu other cities of the Union.
In 1884, The movement became so far malured
that revolt was proclaimed. Samuel Houston,
formerly Governor of Tennessee, and subsequent
ly member Of Congress from that State was its
leader, who gave out on his arrival in the Texas
that ho was SIN possession Of the private views Of
the President OF the United Suites" and openly
invited MD from the United States. An invitation
for aid and disclosure OF the purpose of the re-
volt appear in the following extract from his let.
ter 10 Gen. Dunlap OF Tennessee Having spoken
OF the force necessary TO rout the Mexcnn troops
he says
For portion Of this force we must look to
the United States 1t cannot reach us too soon
There is but one feeling in Texas, in my opinion !;
and that is, to establish the independence of Texas
and 10 be attached 10 The United States. March
as speedily as possible with all the aid yoa can
bring"
Here was an open invitation from the Comman-
Chief of the Texan forces, for volunteers
to aid in Wrestling from Mexico this portion of
her territory, in order 10 Gnner il 10 The United
StdleS. The following from Mississippi paper,
(the Vicksburg Reglster,) will show how this in-
vilatlOn was responded TO.
"IHree hundred men for IerdS.-Gen. Dunlap
of Tennessee is about to proceed 10 Texas with
the above number OF men. The Whole corps are
now at Memphis. Every man is completely arm.
ed, the cops having been originally raised for the
Florida war. This force we have no doubt, will
be able to carry every thing before ill.,
Similar responses 10 similar invitations, were
made extensively in the Southern and Western
States.
With the aid thus afforded, ihc revolution went
on. On the Sc cond of March, 1896, the decara-
ton ofindependence was issued aud on the I7ih
OF the Same month constitution was formed
Invitations to embark IN the project of dlsmeni-
herring Mexico, and annexing u portion of it TO the
The foii9~ing ifun North Carolina Journal is
specimen:
"WHo WILL GO TO TEXAS?
Major J. II. Harvey Of Linoon has been au-
thorzed by me, with the consent of Major Gem
eral Hunt an agent in the Western counties of
North Carolina, to receive and enrol volunteer
emigranls TO Texas, and will conduct such as may
wish TO engrate to that Republic, about The first
OF Oclober next AT the expense of the Republic Of
Texas. J. 7. HENDERSON,
Brig. General of The Texan army,
August TO- 1886"
These efforts 10 excite the War spirit in aid of
the Texan revolt was seconded by Texian Land
JOhbers in various parts of the United States, and
by the universal sympathy of those who wish to
extend and perpetuate slavery Associations were
formed. Contributions OF money were openly
invited aud arms and other munitions OF war
purchased and sent TO Texas. Volunteers for the
war were despatched under the name of " Emf
grants" and heavy guns shipped under the de-
nomination OF hollow ware y while many of
both went without any disguise whatever.
Fiagiantly as these movements were in violation
OF our laws OF neuiialiy, no serious effort was
made by our public authorities to arrest them.-
Official coEnlvance vas, every whee, the order
OF the day.
Nor was this ALL Under pretence of necessi.
ty OF restraining the Indians IN Texas from COM
committing hostilItes on our ironliers-ol which
there was no danger General Gaines was order.
ed with portion Of the United States troops, 10
march into Texas. Tie obeyej, and took post at
Nacogdoches, fifty miles beyond the line. The
character of this expedition was thus described by
an officer oflhal army, in Letter dated al Nacog-
doches aud published in the Army and Navy
Chronicle. Referring 10 The object Of the expe-
diuon lie says
1t is TO create the impression in Texas that
the Government OF The UuiIed States takes part
in the controversy. 1t is in fact, lending 10 the
cause OF Texas, all the aid aud support which it
can derive from the counenance and apparent
support OF the United States besides placing our
troops in n situation TO take an actual part in aid
oil the Texans, in case reverse OF their affairs
should render aid necessary. he prelext OF the
anticipated INVASION OF the Indians in that quar-
ter is unsupported by the least probable testimo-
n.y."
The order for this movement upon the Mexican
territory became the subject OF Il correspondence
between The Mexican Minister dnd our govern
men, in which he complained of its uniriundly
character "The presence" said he, " OF body
OF neutral troops in the very theatre of the war,
cannot fail TO enharrass the operations OF the
Mexican army, TO favor lheTeXians indirectly, and
create a constant risk OF collision" But il was in
vain. The order was executed. The result was
that the Mexican Mnter demanded his passports
aud returned home.
Grosser perfdy never marked the policy Of
ours towards Mexico in This critical crisis of her
conIesl, and may say, in the whole course OF her
contest, with Texas; while to perhdy was added
The heanness OF dong towards a comparatively
weak power what we should not have dared to
do towards one capable OF inhlcling on us the
chasilsement which such course merite L.
Every body remembers the marked contrast to
all Ibis in the conduct OF our government towards
Great Britain, in connexions with the Canadian
troubles. But she was strong while Mexico was
weak. That was the difference
The battle Of San Jacinto, which resulted in the
capture Of The Mexican President, took place in
Aprl, 1916, n short time previous to the order TO
General Gaines. The tables of Congress were
soon loaded with petitions asking for the immed-
ate recognition OF Texan Independence They
were referred, in the House OF Representatives,
to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, who rcpor
ted that the independence OF Texas ought TO be
acknowledged, "wheneyer satisfactory evidence
should be received that II had in successful opera
ton government capable of performing the du-