Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-07-25
Gen. wApDY THOMPSON ON TEXAS.


The National lntcllgcnccr publishes long
letter from Gen. WAppy THoMrsoN, late Min
lister TO Mexico, in which he takes strong and
decided ground against the admission of Tex
as into the Union, either Immediately or here
after, as destructive of all the interests of the
South, industrial, social and political We
make the following extracts. I, will be seen
that he treats Gen. CAss's military view of
the importance of the annexation of Texas,
(Which by the way is the same as that of
Gen. JAcKsoN,) with great contcmpt-but not
more certainly than it deserves.
In an address which l recently made to the
Wings OF Albany, made some remarks in rela-
uon to the late treaty for the annexation of Texas
to the United States. A misrepresentation (no
doubt resulting from misunderstanding of
those remarks makes it proper in my judgment
that should no longer withhold the public ex-
preston oil my opinions upon that subject, and it
Is due 10 myself that should at the same time
give the reasons for those opinions. In the speech
which made at Albany l expressed no opinion
upon the question Of ultimate anneXaiion not be-
cause L thought that my views of that subec,
would be disagreeable 10 the audience which |
was addressing, but for exactly the opposite rea-
son. preferred 10 discuss this subject before
Southern audience, where different opinions were
entertained, and where it wac possible that some
good might be done. No individual in the Uni
TED States has more motives OF personal charac-
Ter IMAM have to advocate the immediate annex
alton oi Texas To this country. l was the first
man who, on the floor of Congress, expressed his
sympainy In the Revolution OF Texas TWAS AN
amendment offered by me to the appropriation b;lI
In March, 1887, which secured the reco. milton Of
texas by our Government-a measure nj ihat
Time oil vital Importance 10 the young Republic.
circumstances have since placed it in my power
To give many other and substantial proofs of NV
friendly feelings both to Texas and the reyians.
anu am proud TO know that no living man has
stronger hold upon the gratitude and affection of
the people OF Texas than have; and, will add,
'iat there are pecunary considerations Ito me moi
unmportanD which would make the annexation
OF Texas eminently desirable TO me; vet with all
these motives TO different conclusion, have not
neeh aoie 10 change my opinions upon the subject.
these opinions have not been hastily formed, but
have ripened into fixed and settled convictions.
am opposed 10 the annexation, because, i'm the
language oil Judge Upshur, lit would iniure their
chiei agricultural interest (that of the South) by
raising up powerful competitors" and sit would
cheapen tie price oil cotton, the principal raw ma
terai.' Now these considerations NAV have
great weight with the manufacturers of the North;
they have exactly The opposite effect with mo, as
southern man and cotton planter. Will such
be the effect OF the measure! That 1t will be, no
one can doubt who is acquainted with the UNEQUAL
led advantages of Texas a cotton growing
country. do not hesitate to say-and do SO on
no light auhority-that if the most skilful cotton
planter were TO ask of Heaven a country for the
growing oil that staple, that he would ask no sim
gle advantage which is not found in Texas
There are millions Of acres there which will pro-
duce from 1000 to 1000 pounds of cotton TO the
acre. AS provision country II is at least equal to
Of our
more healthy than any other cotton growing re-
glon III the world. 1t is true that there are some
portions OF the United States where, in favorable
years, hand can make much cotton as no can
gamer, but here presents itself an nappIecable
advantage which Texas possesses, which is this:
From the month of February, when the cotton is
planted, until the middle OF July, when it is ma
tnred, there are constant showers and from july
until the middle OF December, i'm ordinary Years
there Is no rain at all-thus aiiordino FIVE months
oil uninterrupted good weather for gathering the
crop. The cotton is therefore unstained, and its
staple is also better than that of American cotton
| am perfectly satisfied that udicous invest
ment In cotton plantation in Texas will yield,
besides all necessaries for family consumption,
from eight 10 ten per cent. profit per aDnun the
price OF three cents per pound for the cotton.
In continuation OF these Vows il is only neces-
sary TO say, That even now, with all the insecurity
OF property III Texas, many OF the best planters
In the Southwest are removing their property
shere. know myself that two gentlemen who
own the very best plantations which | have seen
In Alabama and Florida, have abandoned i'm a
great degree their estates and removed their hands
10 Texas. distinguished advocate of the inca
sure estimates that in q very short time two hun
dred thousand negroes will be removed to Texas.
The most Oh these will be taken from the exhaust
ed lands OIL The old States where they do not pro-
duce one thousand pounds of cotton to the hand
and carried to Texas, where they will average
five thousand pounds TO the hand. To which may
Dc added large number of slaves and white la
Dorers now employed in other branches OF aprcul-
lure, which will still more increase the produce
ZION OF cotton. Is ii wise in US thus to stimulate
me production oil our great staple now, when the
I adjustment OF the demand and supply is tremb-
ing In The balance, and when all the indications
are that this adjustment will be most disastrous to
The cotton planter, and not 10 the cotton planter
alone, but TO the value of slave labor, and of ne
cessary consequence to the existence of slavery
presume that no one will deny that cotton cam
not continue TO be raised in the old States at three
/ OF Tour cents the pound, and | know of nothing
else that can be substituted for it. Slaves will
/ then become an lncumbfance which we shall be
glad to be rid of; and confess for myself that it
Will afford me very little consolation in riding o.
! yer my helds, grown up In broom-sedge and wash
ed into gullles 10 be told that the institution of
slavery sui exists and is prosperous in Texas
believe that slavery is in no sense an evil, that
the African is not only more content and happy,
enjoys more physical comfort, and is more moral,
religious and virtuous, in the condition Of do
mestic slavery than in any other, but do most
confidently believe that the only alternative of
that condition is vice, idIeness, and debauchery,
ultimately leading TO barbarism but | confess
that my phianihrophy is not so expansive as to
sacrifice every thing to It's Perpeiuatlon elsewhere,
even if such would be the effect, which do not
believe. My patriotism is in some degree geo
graphical, and the first object of my sOlicitude,