The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-05-08

ence which it would exert in the balance OF
political power, between two great sections OF
the Union. / conceive that no motive for
the acquisition of foreign territory would be
more unfortunate or pregnant with more fatal
consequences, than that for obtaining it for
the purpose Of strengthening one part against
another part of the common Coniederacy.-I
Such principle put into practical operation,
would menace the existence, if it did not GER
tainly sow the seeds Of a dissolution Of the
Union. 1t would be to proclaim TO the world
an Unsuitable and unquenchable thirst for for
eigu conquest or acquisition of territory
For if to-day Texas be required to strength
en- one part Of the Confederacy, TO morrow
Canada may be required TO add strength to
another. Aud after that might have been OBJ
tanned. still other and further acquisitions
would become necessary to equalize and ad-
lust the balance Of political power. Finally.
in the progress Of this spirit of universal do
minion, the part Of the confederacy which is
now weakest, would find itself still weaker
from the impossibility of securing new thea
tres for those peculiar institutions which it is
charged with being DESTROYS to extend
But would Texas ultimately, really add
strength to that which is now considered the
weakest part Of the Confederacy? If my in
formation be correct, il would not. Accord
ing to that, the territory of Texas is suscep-
tible of a division into five States Of conven-
lent size and form. OF these, two only would
be adapted to those peculiar institutions to
which have referred, and the other three,
living west and north of San Antonio, being
only adapted to farming and grazing purpo-
ses, from the nature of their soil, climate, and
productions, would not admit of those institu-
tons. In the end therefore, there would be
two slave and three free states probably ad-
ded TO the Union. Ii this view of the soil and
geography ofTexas be correct. it might serve
TO diminish the zeal both of those who OPP
pose and those who are urging annexation.
| Should Texas be annexed 10 the Union,
come responsible for The debt of Texas,
he IFS amount what il may. What II is,
do not knew certainly but the least |
have seen it stated at is thirteen millions
Of dollars. And this responsibility will
exist, whether there be stipulation in the
treaty or not expressly assuming the
payment of the debt of Texas. For |
suppose il to be undeniable that, if one
nation becomes Incorporated in another,
all the debts, and obligations, and incum.
brances, and wars of the incorporated ma
ton, become the debts. and obligations,
and incumbrances. and wars of The CON-
mon nation created by the incorpora-
| ton.
If any European nation entertains any
ambitious designs upon Texas, such as
that of colonizing her, or in any way sub.
jugating her, should regard it a, the i'm
perntire duty Of the Government of the
United States to oppose to such designs
the most firm and determined resistance,
10 The extent, if necessary, of appealing
10 arms to prevent the accomplishment OF
any such designs. The Executive of the
United States ought TO be informed as to
the aims and views of foreign Powers
with regard to Texas, and presume that,
if there be any of the exceptional charac-
ter which have indicated, the executive
will disclose 10 the coordinate depart
ments of the Government, if not to the
public, the evidence of them. From what
have seen and heard, | believe that
Great Britain has recently formally and
solemnly disavowed any such aims or
purposes-has declored that she is DESTROYS
only of the independence of Texas, and
that she has no intention TO interfere in
her domestic institutions. If she has
made such disavowal and declaration,
presume they are in possession of the Ex-
ecutiye.
In the future progress of events, it is
probable that there will be voluntary or
forcible separation OF The British North
American possessions from the parent
country. / am strongly inclined to think
that it will be best for the happiness of all
parties that, in that event, they should
be erected into a seperate AID indopon-
dent Republic. With the Canadian Re-
public on one side. that of Texas on the
other, and the United States, the friend Of
both, between them, each could advance
IFS own happiness by such constitutions,
laws, and measures, as were best adapted
to its peculiar condition. They would be
natural allies, ready, by cooperation. to
repeal any European or foreign attack
upon either. Each would secure refuge
10 the prosecuted and oppressed driven in
to exile by either of the other. They
would emulate each other in improves
NETS. in free institutions, and in the sci.
ence of selfgovernment. Whilst Texas
has adopted our Constitution as the model
of hers, she has, in several important par
ticulars, greatly improved upon it.
Although ! have felt compelled, from
the nature of the inquiries addressed to
me, 10 extend this communication to a
much greater length than could have
wished, | couc not do justice to the sub
ject, and fairly and fully expose my own
opinions in a shorter space. In concIus-
ion, they may be stated in few words to
be, that consider annexation of Texas,
at this time, without the consent of Mex
leo, as measure compromising the ma
tional character, involving US certainly in
war with Mexico, probably with other for
eign Powers, dangerous TO the integrity
of the Union, inexpedient in the present
financial condition of the country, and not
called for by any general expression of
public opinion.
am, respectfully. your obedicnt SER
|