American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper., 1844-12-04


People of the United States would be ready
to brave all consequences, sooner than sub
nit to such condition. But no apprehension
of war was entertained by the Executive; and
| must express frankly the opinion that, had
the Treaty been ratified Ey the Senate, it
would have been followed by prompt set
tIcment, to the entire satisfaction Of Mexico,
of every matter Of difference between the
two countries. Seeing then that new prepar-
ations for hostile invasion of Texas were
about to be adopted by Mexico, and that
these were brought about because Texas has
adopted the suggestions Of the Executive
npon the subject of Annexation, it could not
| pasSively have folded its arms and permitted
Il war; threatened to be accompanied by every
act that coU!d mark a barbarouS age, to be
Wa%cd against her, because she had done so.
Other considerations Of controlling cha
ractcr Influenced the course of the Executive
The treaty which had thus been negotiated,
! had failed to receive the ratification of the
Senate. One Of the chief objections which
were urged against it, was found TO consist
IN the fact that the question of annexation
had not been submitted 10 the ordeal of pub
lie opinion in the United States. However
untcnabic such an objection was esteemed to
be, in view Of the unqueStionable power OF
the Executive 10 negotiate the treaty, and the
Great and lasting interests involved in the
question, | felt it to be my duty to submit
the whole subject to Congress as the best ex-
Founders Of public sentiment. No dcfnitiye
action having been taken on the subject by
| Congress, the question referred itself directly
to the decision of the States and the People
The great popular election which has lust
terminated, afforded the best opportunity Of
aScertaining the will Of the States and Peo-
pie upon it, Pending that issue, it became
the imperative duty Of the Executive to in
form Mexico that the question OF annexation
was still before the American People, and
that, until their decision was pronounced,
any serious invasion of Texas would be re-
garded as an attempt to torestall their judg-
ment, and could not be looked upon with in
difference. | am most happy to inform YOU
that no such invasion has taken place, and |
trust that whenever your action may be
upon it, Mexico will see the importance of
deciding the matter by resort to peaceful
eXpedients, in preference to those of arms
The decision Of the People and the States, on
this great and interesting subject, has been
dccSivey manifested. The question has
bECh pItSCIllCu HdhClllS W lllCll COUSlOtIdlOn.
BY the treaty itself, all collateral and Incl
dental issues, which were calculated to di-
vide and distract the public councils, were
carefully avoided. These were left to the
wisdom of the future to determine. 1t pre-
Sented | repeat, the isolated question of an
neXation and in that form it has been sub
mitted to the ordeal of public sentiment A
controlling majority of the People, and
large majority Of the States, have declared
in favor of immediate annexation.
Instructions have thus come up TO both
branches Of Congress, from their respective
constituents in terms the most emphatic 1t
is the will Of both the people and the States,
that Texas shall be annexed to the Union
promptly and Immediately. 1t may be hoped
that, in carrying into execution the public
will, thus declared, all collateral issues may
be avoided. Future Legislatures can best
decide as to the number of States which
should be Termed out Of the territory, when
the time has arrived for deciding that ques-
tion. So with all others. By the treaty the
United States assumes the payment Of the
debts of Texas, to an amount not exceeding
100000 600, to be paid, with the exception
of a sum falling short Of S400, ,000, exclusive
ly out of the proceeds of the sales of her pub
lie lands. We could not, with honor, take
the lands, without assuming the full payment
Of all membranes upon them.
Nothing has occurred since your last ses-
sion, to induce doubt that the dispositions
of Texas remain unaltercd. No inumation
of an altered determination, on the part of
her Government and People, has been fur
nished to the Executive. She still desires to
throw herself under the protection of our
laws, and to partake Of the blessings of our
federative system; while every American in
terest would seem TO require it. The exten-
sion of our cost wise and foreign trade, to an
amount almost incalculable--the enlarge
ment of the market for our manufactures
constantly growing market for our agri-
cultural productS--safety to our frontiers,
and additional strength and stability TO
the Union--these are the results which
would RAPIDLY develope themselves, upon the
conSummation Of the measure of annexation,
In such an event, | will not doubt but that
Mexico would find her true interest to con-
sist in meeting the advances of this Govern
ment in spirit of amity.
Nor do apprehend any serious complaint
tom any other quarter; no sufficient ground
exist for such complaint. We should interiors
in no respect with toe rights Ct any other ma
ton. l here cannot be gathered from The act,
any Design on our part to do so with their pos
sessions on this continent. We have ipterpos- |
cd no impediment in the way of sucs scquisi.
tions OF territory, large aud extensive as many
CT them are, as the leading powers Of Europe
have made, from time to time, in every part of
the world. We seek no conquest made by war
No intrigue will have been resorted to, or acts
OF diplomacy essayed, to accomplish the annex
4
she asks to BE- received into our Union. 1t is
question for our own decision, whether she
shall be received or not.
The two Governments having already agreed