Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1844-12-21

just and reasonable. No negotiation upon that
point could havo been undertaken between tho Uni
ted States and Mexico, in advance Of the ratihcs-
lion of the treaty. We should have had no right
no power-no authority, TO have conducted such
a negotiation; and to have undertaken il, would
have been an assumption equally revolving to the
pride of Mexico and Texas, and suhjscting US TO
the charge OF arrogance; while 20 haze proposed
in advance OF annexation 20 satisfy Mexico for
any contngena interest she might have in Texas,
would have been 10 have treated Texas, not as an
Independent power, bat as mere dependency OF
Mexico
This assumption could not have been acted on
by the Executive, without setting at defiance your
own solemn declaration that that Republic an
independent State. Mexico had,ii is true, threaten
ed against the United States, in the event the
treaty Of annexation was ratified. The Executive
could not permit itself TO be Influenced by this
threat. II represented in hsthe spirit Of our Peo-
pie, who are ready 10 sacrifice much for peace, but
nothing to intimidation. A war, under any cir
cumstances,is greatly to be deploed, and the Uni
ted States is the last nation to desire it, but if as
The condition peace, it be required OF us TO lore
90 the unqueslionnbe right OF treating with an in.
dependent power, of our own Continent, upon mat
tiers highly interesting to both, and that upon a
naked and unsustained pretension OF claim by
third power, TO control the free viii OF the power
with whom we treat-aevoied as we may be to
peace, and anxious to cultivate friendly relations
with the whole world, the Executive does not hesi-
tate TO say that, the people of the Uniten States
would be ready t. brave all consequences sooner
| Than submit TO sdch condition..
| But apprehension of war was entertained by the
Executive; and must express frankly the opinion
that, had the treaty been ratified by the Senate, it
would have been followed by prompt settlement,
10 the entire satisfaction of Mexico, of every mat
| ter IN difference between the two countries. See
ing then that preparations for hostile invasion
| OF Texas were about TO be adopted by Mexco,and
that these were brou Int about because Texas had
| adopted the suggestions of the Executive upon the
subject of annexation, il could not passively have
folded its arms and permitted war threatened TO
be accompanied by every act that could mark
barbarous age, 10 be waged against her, because
she had done So
Other considerations ola controlling character
influenced the of the Executive. The
treaty that had been negotiated, had failed TO re-
coivo tho ratification of the Senate Che OF the
chief objections which were urged against II, was
found To consist in the fact that the question oil an
nexatiOn had not been submitted 10 oideal OF pub
lie opinion in the United States. However UNI
tenable such an objection was esteemed TO be in
view of the unquestionable power OF the Executive
TO negotiate the treaty, and the great and lasting
intc ests involved in the question, felt il TO be my
duty submit the whole subject to Congress as the
best expounders OF popular sentiment. No definite
action having been taken on the subject by Con-
gress, the question referred itself directly TO tho de-
cision Of the States and the People.
Tho great popular election which has been ter
minated, afforded the best opportunity or ascertain
ing tho will ofthe States and People upon it,
Pending that issue, il became the imperative duty
ofthe Executive to in form Mexico that the ques-
lion of anne xatior was still before tho American
People, and that, until their opinion was pronoun-
ced, any serious invasion of Texas would be regar-
ded as an attempt to folestal their judgment, and
could not be looked upoi with indifference. am
most happy to inform you, that no such invasion
has taken place; aud trust, that whatever your
uction may be upon il. Mexico will see the I'M
poi lance of deciding the matter by rosort to
peaceful expedienis in preference TO those OF arms
The decision of the People and the States on
this great aud interesting subject, has beon deci-
siyey manifested The question of annexation
has been presented markedly TO their considerations
BY the treaty ITSELF all collateral and incidental IS
sues, which were calculated to divide aud dstrae,
tho public councils, wero carefully avoided
These wefe left to tho wisdom Of the future TO de-
temine. 1t presented, lirepeat, the isolated ques-
ton of annexation; and in that for ii has been
submitted to the ordeal of public sentiment.
controlling majority of The People, and large ma
jority of tho States, have declared in favor of I'M
mediate annexation. Instructions have come up
to both branches Of Congress, from their respective
/ constituents, in terms the most emphatic.
Ii Is the will OF both the people and the States,
that Texas shall be annexed 10 the Union, prompts
ly and Immediately. II may be hoped, that IN
carrying into execution the public viii, thus de-
clared, all collateral issues may DO avoided. Flu
ture legislation can best decide as to the number of
States which should be formed out OF the Territory,
when the time has arrived for deciding that ques-
ton. So with all others. by the ueay,the Uni
ted States assumed tho payment of the debts OF Tex
"a, to an amont not exceeding ten millions OF dol
lars, to be paid, with the exception OF a sum falling
snort of 100000, exclusively out OF the proceeds
OF the safes OF her public lands. We could noe,
with honor, take the lands, without assuming the
full PAYMENT OF all membranes upon them.
Nothing has occurred since our last session, 10
induce doubt that the dispositions OF Texas re
main unanered. No intimation OF an altered de-
termination, on the part her Government and
People, has been furnished to the Executive
She sill desires TO throw herself under the protection
of our laws 10 partake OF the blessings otour fed
eratlvs system; while every American interest,
would seem to require H. The extension OF our
coast wise aud foreign trade, TO al amount almost
incalculable-ihe enlargement oiths market for
our manufactured constantly growing market for
our agricultural productions--saety 10 our fon-
tiers, and additional strength and stability to the
Union-,hese are the result which would rapidly
develop themselves, upon the consummdtion otthe
measure of annexation. In such event, will not
doubt but that Mexico would hnd her true Interests
to consist in meeting the advances OF this Govern
meht in spirit of aniiy,
Ncr 10 apprehenS any serious complaint from
any other quarter; no sufficient, ground exists for
such complaint. We should interfere in no respect
with the rights ofany other nation. There eolnot
be gathered from the act, any design Oh our part
to do so with their possessions on this coiinent-
We have in,erposed no impediments in the way
of such acquisitions Of territory, large and extern