Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1844-04-27

r Whs.lyrigbt Robert G. Cornell
d Nav;ns VIM. ID. Waterman,
D,aLs Mills James Brown,
M;n,borns Tompkins Peter G. Stuysesant,
Hiram Ks,cbum Harvey Weed,
Tbomas T;Ieson Arthur Bronson,
Jsmas Z; King Robert b. Miniurn,
psIatah perritt Wm b. Astor,
George E. Talman, John l.. Lawrence.
Secretaries
Henry N;coll. Chas. E. Anderson,
Thos. w. Tucker, f. L. Weslbrook'
N. M. Beckwitb, John bigeio".
The following letter from the venerable ex-Chan-
cellor JAMES KENT was read by MORRIS FRANK
LIN, Esq.,, and received with every demonstration
Of appreciation
New YonK, ArRT 90, 1874.
GEsrLraES regret that shall not be able to attend the
public meeting Of citizens evening on the subject
Of Texas
1t must not be inferred from my absence that am not de-
cdedy opposed to the annexation of Texas to the United
States Considering the relations in which stand to Mex
and Texas and the existing relations of those States to
each Other the proposed treaty. executed would be
abuse of the treaty msking power II would amount to
breach Of national faith and honor respects Mexico and
might otherwise in its consequences have most pernicious
influence the character. tranquility, and s~-y s -
runs1nuariUn or such Prvjcct, without any
previous foundation for it in public opinion public ne
cessy, ought in my humble judgment be universally
demned
have the honor be- gentlemen, with great respect your
obedient servant JAMES KENT.
Messrs VIM q. Bryant Benjamin D. Silliman, Theo-
dore Sedgwick and d. D. Field, Committee.
The Hon. ALBERT GALLATIN addressed the
meeting briefly, but with great effect. Nothing, he
said, but the magnitude of the interests involved in
this question, could have called him at his years,
and enfeebled as he was, from his retirement but
ne was thankful for the opportunity thus afforded Of
raising his vocen opposition this project He denounced
the q clear papable violation Of treaty spua-
TONS and the idea that would be consequence of
sunmang it was in his view partial and view
of the subject He asserted that the annexation in it.
self positive declaration against Mexico under pre-
sent circumstances. For, Texas with Mexico
to her to the United States would be become par
y to that and in his opinion, he said he would be up
held by every juris, in the civilized world.
He adverted also to the effect the annexation would have
the great and important question of slavery which he
dered the most agated in this country and
pointed out the disastrous consequences in that point Of
view, which must result from annexation He next advered
the powers Of the Senate and urged that that body could
not in making treaty, annul those previously exist
ence, and he commended that foreign State could be a
med into the Union without the unanimous consent OF oil
the States in the Conderacy In the of Louisiana and
Florida which had been cited precedepts no one State
protested against their admission and further than that
the Precedens did not go. He considered this omentous
tremendous question, such would shake the Union to
its centre and which he wished avoided He re-
probated IN the strongest terms the and nsdous
in which the plot had been conducted so as to deprive
the people Of the right Of expressing their opinions
THEoDsRE SEDswIcK Esq followed speaking on the same
points, and succeeded by D. D. FIELD Esq who spoke
more at length, touching upon the various why
atm ahonl1 .ln
ton he treated piece Of weak, sophstry
be showed thai Senator Walker, In mooing TINS point had
plagiazed from the manifesto of the Empress Of Hungary
when she determined upon the Of portions
the kingdom Of Poland.
Mr.. FIELD then read the following resolutions which
adopted with reclamation, and the meeting then ad-
jOurned, being just announced tina, DAvrp b. ooDEs
Esq and another distinguished gentleman who had prom
ised TO address them, were unable to attend
esored That United States have never since the term
nation Of the Of acquired my territory BY
conquest violence any other way than by fairly
negotiated and freely agreed to by all the parties having
claim such territory and that they made war or
committed hostes against foreign nation but self defence
and to repe sggressons on their most sacred rights
That strdghtforwa pure, and reproachabe in rea
tons with foreign Powers, Government Of the United
has never to this day violated any engagement has made with
them but has on the contrary maintained the faith
ties with the most scruPuous negry and that
Putaon and character less than the dictates morality pre-
scribe strict adherence 10 these principles.
That whereas the United States have by their treaties with
Spain and MEXICO soemny and declared
10 be within the limits Of MeIco and whereas Texas still al
war with Mexico and in Of the public docnme mis-
I'LL designated by herself The Department Of Texas and
whereas no breach Of her engagements with States
alleged against Mexico any step taken by our
TeKns the Union the free consent Of Mexico
would be direct and violation Of treaties that
Power.
That the pretended former claim Of the United States 10
ieIas as having been part Of the French colony
cannot be sustained by the law OF nations that ever had apy
validity has cen expressly renowned by treaty and
sn the 50 called re annexation Of Texas" preence for
covering Of Injustice support which no more
legitimate precedent be adduced xaon
ahca me Austrian domnions and that Of other Polish pro-
land in the year 1879.
That the annexation Of Texas this Union now contem
plated would according nations be A positive
claraon Of against MeKoa war OF and an unjust
war which the nation would be supported
DC BY the unanimous voice Of the civilized
Christian world.
g. That Il his be adopted from the com
weakness Of Mexico compel her acquesce or be
cause al all e'ens she is not considered formidable enemy
" would be such an avswsd derecion Of honorable principles
as can never be countenanced by the American people
2 That the Government Of the United States has this very
case acted IN strict conformity with the principles the
1887 by Texas for admission Union Secretary
Forsyth expressly stated in the Of the President
states are with her adversary proposition
y involves the question with adversary the
states are bound 70 Mexico BY treaty. which will be
scrupuiously observed on their That they might
Justly be suspected Of disregard Of the friendly purposes the
compact this overture 10 be reserved for consider
as inns would imply disposition espouse the quarrel Of
Texas with Mexico disposition wholly at variance with the
spirit OF their the uniform pocv and obyiou,
70 e = % tne Oaii"d States That the inducements
Tor me annexation are light opposed to treaty spuaions
ana respect Tor that integrity Of by which the United
s nave sought 10 themselves since the establish
ad er ,Rnt 70 CHM place in the great family Of nations.
Nne haSlng 10 the possibility OF Texas granting CONNER
ela svors 10 other nations the Unied States Mr.
concluded by saving that this Government will be con-
soed o the Consciousness the ecude OF lis and
Certainty that listing prosperity can h. aeco,e bsn in