Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1844-05-09


tiOnS Of momentuOus interest to the people Of this
State are pending before the Senate, I submit to
your consideration, whether vacancy IL not neces-
sarily created thereby, which, in accordance with
the spirit of the Constitution, it will be your duty
to declare and supply. '
ION whatever subjects of common interest we
may be called to deliberate to act, let us enter
upon the performance Of our important duties in
spirit Of mutual Cancellation and enlighted berali-
ty, and with an earnest desire that under the guild
ance Of Him, whose sustaining providence has
hitherto been 90 visibly manifested in protec-
tion, we may be led to the adoption of such meas
ures as shall promote, in the highest degree, the
permanent welfare and prosperity of the people.
-. 'N' q '"'94" ROGER S. BALDWIN.
= I'd General .4sse"'bly, May, 1874. 4@
MIR. Van Buren, ON Annexation.
u The Globe of Saturday publishes letter Of Mr.
Van Buren, of seven columns, on the Annexation of
Texas. The following is the close, showing that
Mr. Van Buren, is with the people if the people
are for Texas. Then let the people speak,
"a Having now replied in the fullest and frankest
manner, to both the questions which you have pro-
pounded to me, might here close this letter; but
being sincerely anxious to put you and others occu
pyng the same position, in possession of ny views
and opinions upon the VIII ole subject, far they
can with propriety be now formed and expressed,
/ will go a few steps farther. 't -
= Occasions do sometimes present themselves, in
the administration Of public affairs, when he de-
csion of great questions be safely anticipated
by those whose subsequent duty it may become to
pass upon them: but to justify such cours, those
questions must be such as unavoidably depend
ent upon circumstances and considerations Of fix
ed and settled character. have not been able to
regard this being in all its aspects, case of that
description. 1t is a matter affecting our foreign
1V. fO Vuyl1Sr oh obi
nation makes it rule to avoid, far practicable,
public annunciations Of its proceeding and inten-
.tions, beyond what is deemed necessary either to
Justify its past to make others sensible of
its determination to resist aggression, whether pre-
sent or prospective. As the action of the Execu-
tive upon all questions that affect relations with
other countries, must be more or less Influenced by
their conduct towards us, it is, in general, desira
rable that his future course should not be embar-
raSscd by assurances given at period when safe
opinion could be formed of what that conduct
would be- In respect even to motives of domes-
tic character, it could scarcely be deemed consis-
tent with that prudence and calm discretion which,
in public as well private affairs, is Of such ines
Unable value to bind ourselves in advance in res
pect to the particular line of conduct will here
after adopt in case Of such magnitude as the pre-
sent. When the period for definitive action shall
have arrived, the considerations now taken into
view may have lost the weight they at present pos
sess in the estimation of the public; and others,
not now regarded as Of any value may, in the mean
time arise to affect materially, if not to change the
whole aspect Of the subject The present condi-
ton of the relations between Mexico and Texas
NAV soon be SO far changed as to weaken and per-
haps to obviate entirely the objections against the
immediate annexation of the latter to the United
States, which have here set forth, and to place
the question on different grounds Should such a
state of things arise and should be found in charge
of the responsible duties Of President, You may be
assured that | would meet the question, if then
presented to me, with a sincere desire to promote
the result which believed hest calculated TO ad-
vance the permanent welfare of the whole country.
In the discharge of this, the common duty of everv
public fInctionarv, would not allow myself to be
influenced by local or sectional feeling. am not,
need hardly say to you, an untTled man in respect
TO nv disposition or ability, to disregard any feel
ing of that character in the discharge of Official du
ties. You as we'll as all Others, have therefore ct
least some groU Ids which to form an opinion as
to the probable id ,lity with which these assuran,
ces would be- observed
shall add a few words on another ASPECT of thu
question, and then dismiss the subject. Mexico
NAV carry her persistence in reius ~ to acknowl-
ed e the inenendence If Texas, ard in destructive
but frltless eeorts to hat state, so FAR
rs to produce in connexicn with other circumstar
ces, a dec;d ed conviction the part Of majority
Of the people Of the United tates, that the rerma
nent welfare if not absolute safety Of all, make it
effected, be the consequences what they NAV. The
question NAV he asked, what u"dHr snch circum-
stances, would be the YOU would make Of the
executive power, il entrusted to your hands p
Would it be welded to defeat or to carry into ef-
feet, the ascertained wishes of our people: MY
answer to such supposition is, that can conceive
of public questions in respect to which it is
eminently proper that the opinions and wishes Of
the people of the different states should be consult
ed, aud, being ascertained, treated with res
pect than those which relate either to the admis-
sion of new member into the confederacy, or the
acquisition OF additional territory, with view to
such result; and that, If any application for an.
nexation, under such circumstances, were made to
me- would feel it to be my duty 10 submit the
same to Congress for public expression of their
opinion, as well upon the propriety Of anne alton,
as in regard the terms upon which il should take
place. IT. after the whole subject had been brought
before the country, and fully discussed as it now
will 1.-THE Senate and House Of Representatives,
large portion of the former and the whole If the
latter having been chosen by the people, after the
question of annexation had been brought before the
country for mature consideration, should express
an opinion in favor of annexation, would hold il
to be my farther duty to employ the executive pow
er to carry into ul and fair effect the wish of
majority Of the people Of the existing state, thus
constitutionally and solemnly expressed.
There may, notwithstanding be those, or both
sides of this great question, who unwilling t.
confer their sufrages who is not prepared to
give them specific pledges in regard to the course
he would if elected, pursue in respect to the vari-
Gus aspects in which this matter may hereafter be
presented. To all such have only to say-and
do so with the greatest sincerity-that have not
the slightest disposition to question their right
to regulate their conduct. and will be the last to
complain Of It's exercise. II there be any one who
kho.-