Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-05
MISSOURI LEGISLATURE

The Legislature met in the CITY Of Jefferson, on
Monday. 18th ult. 6. +. Jackson was elected
Speaker of the House Col. Acock, President
oro .em took The Chair Of the Senate. The fol-
lowing is an extract from Governor Marmaduke's
Message:
"The subiec, of the annexation Of the Republic
Of Texas 10 the United States has for some time
excited deep interest among the people OF
this State and il is believed that an overwhelm-
ing majority desires 10 see that object accomplish
ed.
THE State Of Missouriis peculiarly interested
in the successful result Of This measure. II Tex
rs be admitted into The Union, it becomes al once
m Ms border Stale, and our relations assume,
in consequence, an intimate and friendly charac-
Ter. Our connection with il, toe, is rendered still
more close By lis numbering among lis inhah-
tanls many who were once the citizens OF our
state. In a commercial poin, of view, in the
great and increasing market il would afford for the
AGRICULTURAL and mechanical products of our la
lor and in the exchange OF commodities that
would result from this trade, il is highly desirable
that Texas should become part of orr Union.
"If on The other hand its admission into our
confedcracy should not take place. the conse-
ouence to us would be perilous, perhaps disastrous
'i'he General Government has located, on our
borders, and those Of Arkansas, immense hordes
of Indians; whose warriors al this time amount
10 nearly forty thousand, and in the limits OF Tex
az there are computed 10 be about twenty thou-
sand more.
in the event Of war with Texas, either as
nr;ncipal or an ally, il would be an easy thing to
prccipi,ate on our territory fearful number of
these savagrs. \ scrvile war Too could easily be
excited among us, and when is added TO these,
the blockade OF the mouth Of the Mississippi,
whereby all our products reach their destination,
the evil would become nolera5le. And, as
field leo. whereby an invasion of our soil, by a
foreign enemy could be rendered so easy as 10
be used at discretion the acquisition of Texas be-
comes TO us matter OF the first moment.
II have alluded to these points by which the
question bears directly on our State, but in con-
sequence OF its general agitation throughout the
Union, have not thought proper 10 bring 10 your
consideration the other bearings ofthis great CUES
lion on our relations as Confederacy.
"As no doubt is entertained on The subject OF
the wishes and feelings of all our members in
Congress in relation 10 Ibis matter, and OF their
anxious desire 10 aid in the accomplishment ofthis
great national object; in order therefore that the
wishes of the people in this State may he fully
known and understood By the Congress Of the
United States, would respectfully suggest that
YOU memorialize Congress in favor OF The annexa-
ton of Texas at period as early as practicable.
CLOSELY connected with this subject is the sub
iect of our tile 10 the Territory OF Oregon. The
possession of this country by the L. States is not
only important in military and commercial point
of view bu, i, assumes more important aspect
when il becomes necessary for Us 10 assert our
clear right 10 it against the pretended claim of the
British Government. The studied policy of that
Government in awaiting itself OF every possible
prelexl 10 extend its territory, whereby protection
can be afforded 10 its great marine, and market
opened for its immense manufactures is too we'll
known 10 require explanation or comment here.
Shall we iamely submit, when our soil is invaded,
and military force planted on it, that will rem
der It's recovery, at future day. matter of grea,
doubt, perhaps OF impossibility?
Eve owe to ourselves, as 4 nation, to asser;
and maintain al all hazards the integrity of our
Territory, and we owe besides. 10 those who have
planted their homes in this new region, that pro-
lection which they have the right 10 claim
as American citizens on American soil Asm
ny of our most valuable citizens have cmigrated
10 that territory it seems 10 me, that an expression
OF The public feeling on This subject would come
with peculiar proprietv from the General Assem-
bly, OF this Stale, and cheerfully recommend thi:
| course 10 YOU"