Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-05-25
TIE, MISSOURI, SATURDAY, MAY S5, Is44.

the stale oil missouri and the province oil New
Mexico, to interrupt and mar the inland COM
merce and the social intercourse, between the
United States and the Mexicans on the impor.
iant line of communication between st. Louis
and Santa Fe; and 10 crown all these sacraf-
ces Of territory, rivers, and natural bounda-
res, they were made in favor Of a non SLAVE
holding power, whose dominions were thus
brought in contact with the slave holding state
Of Louisiana, and almost in contact with the
ave-hodng Chen territories, now States Of
Missouri snd Arkansas.
Such sacrafce of great national interests,
so unanimously concurred in by public author
tiles. gave the first great shock TO my conf
dence in public bodies: the treaty Of The mex
year with the British government for the joint
occupation Of the Oregon, gave me the second
great shock; and the two shocks together,
shocked me so much that came into public
life, in 1890, with very little concern for my
own position, when | should chance to find
myself " solitary and alone" upon great nation
al questions.
| came to the senate Of the United States
in the fall Of 1920, the recovery of Texas be-
ing a leading object in my mind and the more
so, because Missouri was the greatest sufferer
by it's loss. During Mr.. Monroe's admins
tration, nothing could be done towards this re-
coverv; for it was the same president and
cabinet which had just thrown away the coun
try. 10 the commencement Of Mr.. Adams
administration, Mr.. Clay being secretary o.
state, the first attempt was made to recover
what had been lost, and gave faithful sup>
port to the effort by writing articles in the
newspapers 10 sustain and promote it. This
effort was unsuccessful. Gen. Jackson's adj
mnistration made the same attempt, and with
the same result; need not repeat that gave
it cordial support. In the second term OF
general Jackson's administration the revolt OF
Texas took place, (l836,) and several gentle>
men Of the south were Immediately in favor
Of aYaiiDg ourselves of that event to recover
possession Of the los! territory. Recognition
of Texan independence and admission of Tex
as into the Union, land this before Texas ap-
piled for admisson,l were urged by them as
simultaneous acts-twln operations-tO he ac-
complished together. | could not agree TO it
Mexico and Texas were at war; and TO admit
Texas into our Union was TO so 10 war with
Mexico, with the faith Of treaties and the opin,
ion of the world against US. ! could not gr
for admission: recognition was the furthest
that could venture; and that with some mis-
| giving, at so early stage OF the contest, fol
fear Of the effect it might have on our.ocm
merce with Mexico.
The next year, 1879 being the first Of Mr.
Van Buren's administration, a Texan Minis
| general Memucan Iunt) arrived here to soil.
cit the admission Of his country into our Union
lie did me the hoRor 10 speak 10 me on The
subject, counting largely upon my cooperation
from the we'll known detestation which had
expressed Tor the treaty which gave Texas
away. But told him from the beginning that
it was impossible that much as desired the
restoration Of Texas, my first duties were tc
my own country; that Mexico and Texas be-
ing al war, could not leopard the peace Of the
United States, compromise its honor in thu
eyes of nations, and are its commerce, b,
taking step which should give Mexico RICH
to treat US as az enemy. Mr.. Van Buren,
administration gave he soa'e answer; and al
america approved it
Thus, while being inconrestby the first op
ponent to the loss oil Texas, and the first ad
vocate for its recovery, have yet aread!
twice found it impossible to support PROPOSE
lions FOR its admission into our UniCn; an
that may do justice TO my own conjuct-ma
show that am not blind zealot, rushn
headlong 10 favorte obiect-but a man Q
head and thought considering what he ls abou
and striking balance between the good AM
evil of m important proposition THAT ma
do ;his, will here present an extract from m
speech in the senate Of the United States, o
Friday, July LIST, 1885, on the resolution 70
the acknowledged of the independence {
Texas, and in which my policy, and that {
The administration, wa; faithfully sketched:
Mr. Benton rose, and said he should coz fin
himself strictly 10 the proposition presented i
the resolution, and should not compicate IN
| that act question of recOnnilOn with )eCult
Vlons on tho future fate of Texas. Slch spec
} ulalions could have no good effect upon eirhe
Of the countries interested pon Mexle
Texas, or the United States. Texas has NJ
asked for admission into this union. Her il
. dependence is still contested by Mexico. lie
boundaries and other important points in h
: political condition, are not yet adjusted. l
= discuss the question Of her admission into tn
: union, under these circumstances. is to tre
, her with dlsrespec, to embrol ourselves vii
!, Mexico, to compromise the disinterestedness
: our motives in the eyes Of Europe, and to sta
j among ourselves prematurely, and wilho
: reason, question which, whenever it come
i and PerPlexi'ie'.
d The conduct OF the administl alton has bee
: strictly neutral and, as a friend to that a
n ministration, and from my own convictions
d have conformed to its policy avoiding the la
re guage which would Irritate, and opposing I
j acts that might interrupt pacific and CONNIE
g. ciaI communications Mexico is our neighbc
RS dividing with as the continent Of North Am
rs lea, and possessing the elements of gre
I'd power. Oar boundaries are coterminous
t. more than two thousand miles. We have
II "a tnoa Sha hna mi n