Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-05-21
ANNEXATION OF TEXAS.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE PEOPLE.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE PEOPLE.
TEXAS MEETING-ELIZABETH CITY COUNTY.
tan adjourned meeting of the citizens OF Elizabeth
City County. Virginia, held at the Court House, u
the town of Hampton, on the 4h day OF May-in the
absence of the former officers, Thomas r. Chisman
Esq, was called to the Chair, and r. ri. vaughan
ESQ., appointed Secretary
The Committee appointed at the previous meeting
reported through their Chairman Dr. Francis Mallory
the following resolutions, which, after speech by
that gentleman, in explanation Of tho subject. and IN
support Of the views presented, were unanimously
adopted
RESOLVED, As the sense Of this meeting, that Texas
was ceded the United States by France, as part oil
Louisiana and was surrendered TO Spain by the Treaty
of 1919, by the manog cement of John G. Adams, then
Secretary Of State under President Monroe-a Treaty
opposed BY Mr. Clay IN the Con lress of 1890, the
ground that the Federal Government could not cede
away our Territory, and by him then pronounced TO
be imperative
Rssolped That while subsequent acts the part Of
the United States Government would seem to render
il inexped dent to assert claim to that country u,
this time, we rejoice al the opportunity now offered of
repossessng ourselves terms OF perfect honor ond
good faith to all nations, of large and valuable ter
ritory most improperly bartered TO foreign power.
Resolved, That the annexation OF Texas IS recon-
rnended "by controlling considerations Of public policy
and the general good aud TIA, the country thus OBJ
tanned is Of ncaculabie value in an agricultural and
commercial point of view.
Rssolred That the South evil find in the fact OF
exat,on protection and security her peace and
tranquility we'll against domestic as foreign efforts
TO disturb them-thus consecretng the Union OF the
States aud holding out the promise fits perpetual du
ration
Resolred, That the constituted authorities and PEG
pie of Texas, almost % man, having declared their
earnest desire be ADMITTED INTO the Union, 1--WE can
see no sufficient 10 AVOID the consummaton Of
an act esteemed to b. SO desirable to boih.'
ResOlued, That considering the state of things in
certain quarters of the Un:on-the condition of Texas
itself-and the movements oF Great Britain. can
but view the pnsponement OF this grast question
as certain and lrre,uevatle deisa, Those whc recon-
mend delay under any pre,ert ,chaterer, will, be-
lieve De found against US and our "peculisf IN
stitutions, IN any emergency that may hereafter
Resolred That the rejection of the Treaty now be.
fore the Senate would most probably lead to such
alienation of feeling "on the part Of Texas to in
duce her look elsewhere for aid and force her
ter dangerous alliances with other nations who
looking with more wisdom TO their interests, would,
fairly presumed, readily adopt such exped,ents, and
which would prove disastrous the highest degree,
TO the interests OF the whole Union "
Resoired, That nothing but the political influences
OF abolition, secret or avowed, the legislation OF
Congress aud the desire the part of Presidential
ddaes and their friends in that BODY to concats this
base f.ct.on the rejection OF treaty WHICH
annexes to our dominion country IS rich and fertile
reprte with all that add 10 national greatness.
and wealth so necessary to peace and safety
An empire inhabited only by fellow -ci,ixens
"bone Of bone and flesh of flesh" and who car
risd with them into the wilderness which they have
partially reclaimed the lave, customs and potca anc
domestic Institutions of their native land.
Resotred, That after recognizing the independence Of
Texas and establishing diplomatic relations with her
the same footing with Mexico frivolous pretence
to object to annexation the plea that il would contra
relations with Mexico.
Resoired That we have the same right now 10 trea,
with the revoted province OF Texas without injustice
Mexico, who has not acknowledged her independence
as we had in 1926 and ~ (when Messrs Clay and Ad
ANS and in 1929 when Messrs jackson and Van Burer
opened negotiations for that purpose for Texs
with Mexico, revol,ed province Of Spain-Texas being
now Government de fieto and de jure 10 all ntent
and purposes, as was Mexico when Nessrs Clay ant
Van Buren, endeavored 10 obtain from her this very Tex
as, which they would have us at this time to reject
Rcsolred That the present Executive OF the Unite
States has as much right, and can with full muc
p,aoriety, "venture on grav- and momentous pro
ceeding, as Messrs Clay and Van Buren,, under for
mer administratons-wh', overlooking "loss Of ma
tional character "fore'gn war" general concur
renee" and 'danger 10 the integrity OF the Union,
made strenuous efforts TO attain.
Resolped That we at u loss 10 conceive to whor
alluson IS made by the words considerable and r,
spectacle portion of the Confrderacy are opposed
the anne Ration, unless it be to the .9botionists
the ACQUISITION Of Texas depend upon the question
slavery or ant-slavery, the compromises Of the Cor
s,tut,on are gone, and We will coon have TO choos
between backing out of the Union ourselves, ben
backed out BY the s'consderable and respectable pc
ton Of the Confederacy.'
Resolped, That the refusal to accept Texas, no
rendered to us on such fair and liberal terms, for fe
that it would involve US war with foreign powe
'eaous Of increasing greatness, would be to brar
ourselves as nation of towards who "knowing the
rights, dared not maintain them" If such a sentme
be adopted as the basis of acton on this OCCASION n
only Texas but the United States, will be placed in
state Of colonial dependence on England That lber
and independence OF foreign control, for which O.
fathers fnught, will have been basely surrendered
their sons.
Resolved, That far from bringing in it's train sue
onseouence We believe that annexation is the sure
means Of preserving harmony among the States, al
Of maintaining honorable peace with other nations
Resolued, That we wilt respond to the declaration
ofa considerable and respectable portion OF the Co
federacy, speaking through their organ, the Bosto
Atlas, 10Th March, ls4d,) By ,ransPosi,ion of The
own language and soemaly and seriously declare, til
il the (Southern) people remnant OF the sp
rt Of their fathersif they not madly bent on TO
lowing TO their ruin and disgrace, the lead of polite
aspiranis, they will stand up to The mark in deent
OF their homes and their riahts-'hat they will nj
stand idly by and their great measure defeated
We, portion of them, will susla'a i. every way
which support be effective We will MAINTAIN
with pen-we will maintain it with our tongue
we will maintain it with every nerve aud muscle OF OF
bodv-we will maintain it with the last drop of OF
blood There is no hope of happiness earth we W,
not surrender, rather than submit 10 this occurse'
heI,;.b Mot (of the Aboltons,s their associates an
allies) We will give up the strong attachments thu