The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-05-17
Letters Of Hsr. Van Buren,. nJr. Clay, md
Mr.Benton GA thc Annexation OF Texas.

now proceed to fulfil this promise, and in doing
so have to regret that the grca. length Of these
letters utterly precudes the idea Of our publishing
them entire. The great importance of the sub
Jeot to which they relate, and the position occu.
pied by the individuals by whom they were writ.
ten, attach to them an interest that would well
Justify their careful perusal by every one. But
for want Of space We are obliged to content our
selves with very imperfect abstract, directing
those OF our readers who are DESTROYS Of reading
them at length to the large political hcbdomadals
Of The cities for a COPY.
MIR. VAN BUREN's LETTER.
| This was written in reply to a letter which was
addressed to Mr.. Van Buren,, under date Of March
9th, 1914, by Mr.. Hammet, a member of the
lower house Of congress from Mississippi, asking
his views in regard to the annexation Of Texas.
Mr.. Van Bu,cn replies under date Of April Goth.
lie begins by brief allusion to the importance Of
the subject, and remarks ,ha, it is one on which,
unhappily, we may not promise ourselves tina,
unanimily Of opinion so important in the decision
Of grea, national questions, and that, doubtless,
his owa views will conflict with those of many
of his most valued friends.
| lie then says that it has already been twice his
duty to nc, officially on this subject; first. while
he was secretary Of state under President Jackson
when he was directed to send instructions TO our
minister at Mexico to open negotiations for the
purchase Of Texas, and TO offer, if necessary as
high as IS 000, 900, which was but the renewal Of
similar proposition that had been made to Mex
leo under Mr.. Adams administration, when one
million was offered and secondly, in 1887, when
proposition was received from the Texan CO.
vcrnment for the annexation Of that country to
the U. S. In deciding upon the matter in 1887, it
was not deemed necessary TO consider the
question of constitutional power nor the manner
in which the object should be accomplished; but
as these points are now directly brought up, he
proceeds to discuss them. We have not time To
follow him through his argument, but are very
confident that every one who gives it fair
examination, will agree with Mr.. Van Buren, in
The conclusions OF which he arrives, TO wit, that,
although under the constitution congress have no
power TO purchase territory, except to build arse
nails, &c, yet the power is clearly embraced in
tho treaty making power; and tina, Texas may,
therefore, be annexed to the U. S. Ivy treaty as
territory and afterwards admitted by congress in
to tho Union ns state; and Louisiana is ins,anc-
ed as having been admitted in this way.
lIo then notices the grounds upon which the
application Of Texas for annexation, made in
1887, was refused, and states they were that, at
that time, TEXAS and Mexico were at war with
each other; that the u. s. were bound to Mexico
by a treaty Of amity and commerce.; that the an
ncxa,ion Of Texas 10 this country under such cir
cumstancts would therefore haze been breach Of
tina, treaty; and that, whatever might be the adj
vantages both countries would derive from
union, they could not, in the scale Of reason,
weigh against the obliga,ians Of n solemn treaty
and tina, national integrity by which tho United
States have sough. TO distinguish themselves.
And il those grounds for refusing to anne !
Texas were good in 1887. he asks whether cir.
have so changed as TO render them
otherwise now. lie thinks not. Is is indeed
coniended by some, he says, that, as the United
states have acknowledged the independence Of
Texas, they have declared to the world that she is
no, only independent in fact, but of right. Du,
this view is wrong. That acknowledgment am
ounted TO o mere recognition Of the government
dc fieio, in conformity with The uniform usage Of
nations, which was established for the express
purpose Of avoiding all inquiry into the question
Of right between contending parties in state,
and ii was never considered Ivy this government
or Mexico as a violation of the ami,y exist.
ing between them. II therefore tho con,cs,
between Texas aud Mexico is still undecided, i,
would DO manies,ly as improper for the U. s.
now 10 interfere as it was in 1897. And is that
contest still undecided The declarations Of Mex.
leo. Of the Y. s., aud of Texas, made within the
last three months. arc produced by Mr.. V. D. to
show tina, it is.
lie next notices the argument frequently used
that If Texas is not now annexed to the u. s.,
some other power will acquire it; and /, is even
rumored, he says, that the Texan minister is al.
ready instructed. in case Of failure here to proceed
forthwith TO Europe for the Accomplishment, OF
that object Mr.. V.B. believes the rumor comes
from interested individuals, md has no faith in the
possibility of so "apostatc and unnatural con.
ncxion," II, however, the time should ever come
when the question resolves itself into whether
Texas shall become British dependency or
portion Of this Union, the grea. principle of self
defence, he has no doubt, would produce Ms grca,
a unsnimhy amongs, US in favor Of tho latter al
Tentative as can ever be expected on any grca,
question Of foreign or domestic policy.
NAV. D.adds that, although there arc srea, ques.
tons, dependent upon considerations Of a fixed
character, the decision OF which may bc safely an.