Litchfield enquirer., 1844-05-02

one OF them, were to take part with Mexico, and,
by manifesto, were to proclaim that their objects
were to assist weak and helpless ally, to check
the spirit of encroachment and ambition of an al
ready overgrown Republic, seeking still further &C.
QUESTIONS of territory to MAINTAIN the independence
of Texas, disconnected with the United States, and
to prevent the further propagation of slavery from
the United States-what would be the effect of such
allegations upon the judgment OF an impartial and
enlightened worlds = e. r's IN'E'
Assuming that the annexation Of Texas is war
with Mexico, is it competent to the treaty making
power to plunge this country into war, not only
without the concurrence of, but without designing
to consult Congress- to which, by the Constitution,
belongs exclusively the power Of declaring war!
have hitherto considered the question upon the
supposition that the annexation is attempted with
out the assent Of Mexico. If she yields her con-
sent, that would materially affect the foreign aspect
Of the question, if it did not remove all foreign diff
culties. On the assumption Of that assent, the
question would be confined to the domestic consid-
erations which belong TO it, embracing the terms
and conditions upon which annexation is proposed.
do not think that Texas ought to be received into
the Union, an integral part Of it, in decided OPP
position to the wishes of considerable and re-
spectacle portion Of the Confederacy. | think it
far more wise and important to compose and @har-
monte the present Confederacy, as it now exists,
than to introduce new element Of discord and dis
traction into it. In my humble opinion, it should
be the constant and earnest endeayor of American
statesmen to eradicate prejudices, to cultivate and
foster concord, and to produce general contentment
among all parts Of our Confederacy. And true wis
dom, it seems to me, points to the duty Of render
ing its present members happy, prosperous, and
satisfied with each other rather than to attemrt to
introduce alien members. against the common ~
sent and with the certainty of deep dissatisfaction.
Mr. Jefferson expressed the opinion and others
believed, that it never IS in the contemplation If
the trainers fthe Const uton to add foreign terri
txA.
were to be formed. tn acquisitions Of Louisiana
and Florida may be de ended upon the peculiar
ground Of the relation il which they stood to the
States of the Union. After they were admitted we
might pause awhile, people our vast wastes, devcl
op our resources, prepare the means of defending
what we possess. aud augment our strength, power
and greatness. If hereafter further territory should
be wanted for an increased population, need
entertain no apprehension but that it will he &C.
qnred by means, it is to be hoped, fair honorable
and constitutional
1t is useless to disguise that there are those who
espouse and those who oppose the annexation Of
Texas upon the ground Of the influence which it
would exert. in the balance Of political power be-
tween two great sections ofthe Union. I conceive
that motive for the acquisition of foreign terri.
tory would be more unfortunate, or pregnant with
more fatal Consequences than that of obtaining it for
the purpose Of Strengthening one part against an
other part of the common confederacy. Such
principle, put into practical operation, would men
ace the existence, if it did not certainly sow the
seeds Of dissolution 81 the Union. II wonld be to
proclaim to the world an Unsuitable and unGuench-
able thirst for foreign conquest acquisition Of
territory. For if to-day Texas be acquired to
strengthen one part Of the Confederacy, tomorrow
Canada may be acquired to add strength to anoth.
er. And, after that might have been obtained.
still other and further acquisitions would become
necessary to equalize and adjust the balance Of pc.
litical power. Finally. in the progress of this
spirit Of universal eominion, the part Of the Con.
federacy which 10 now weakest, would find itself
still weaker from the impossibility of securing new
theatres for those peculiar institutions which it is
charged with being DESTROYS 10 EXTEND, y
BIT would Texas, ultimately, really add strength
to that which is now considered the weakest part
Of the Confederacy' Ifmy information be correct
it would not According to that, the territory Of
Texas is susceptible Of advisor into Ave states of
convenient 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 adap.
TED TO farming and grazing pVroses, from the ma.
not admit ofthose institutions. In the end there.
fore. there would he two slave and three free States
probably added to the Union. If this view of the
soil and geography OF Texas be correct, it might
serve to diminish the zeal both Of those who oppose
and those who are urging Annexation. N'Tt '"
Should Texas be annexed to the Union, the Uni
the debt Of Texas, be its amount what it may.-
What It is, do not know 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 as.
Stunning the payment of the debt of Texas For |
suppose it to be undenial that, if one nation be-
comes incorporated in another, all the debts, and
obligations, and membranes. and wars Of the in.
corporated nation, become the debts, and obliga.
tons, and membranes, and wars, of the common
nation created by the Incorporation. Na'7N NJ
If any European nation entertains any ambitious
designs upon Texas, such as that of colunizing her
or in any way subjugatng her, l should regard it
as the imperative duty Of the Government of the
United States to oppose to such designs the most
firm and determined resistance, to the extent. If
necessary, Of appealing to arms to prevent the &C.
complishment nf any such designs, The Execu- |
tive Of the United States ought 10 be informed as
to the aims and views Of foreign Powers with re-
gard to Texas and presume that il there be any
OF the exceptional character which I have indica-
ted. the Executive will disclose to the coordinate
Departments Of the Government, If not to the pub
lie, the evidence ofthem From what have seen |
and heard, believe that Great Britain has recent
ly formally and solemnly disavowed any scch aims
or purposes-has declared that she is DESTROYS only
OF the Independence Of Texas. and that she has no
intention to interfere in her domestic institutions
II she has made such disayowal and declaration,
presume they are in the possession Of the Execu-
tive.
In the future progress Of events, Il is probable
thar there will be voluntary forcbe separation
OF the British North American possessions from
the parent country. ! am strongly inclined 70
think that Il will be best for the happiness az All
parties that in that event, they should 30 erected