Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-12-21

sentiment No dehnitive 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 just
terminated, afforded the best opportunity OIL
ascertaining the will OF the States and the people
upon it. Pending that issue, it became the |
imperative duty Of the Executive to inform Mexico,
hat the question Of annexation was still before
The America People, and that, until their opinion
was pronounced, any serious invasion Of Texas
would be regarded as an attempt to foresal theiI
Judgment and could not be looked upon with
indifference. | am most happy 10 Inform you
that no such invasion has taken place, and
lrust that, whatever your action may be upon it,I
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
decisvely manifested. The question Of annexa
ton has been presented nakedly to their consid
Grafton. BY the treaty itself, all collateral and
incidental issues, which were calculated to
divide and distract the public councils, were
carefully avoided. These were left to the wisdom
OF the future to determine. 1t presented, repeat,
the isolated question Of annexation; and in that
form it has been submitted 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
i H., .l,,l
Future legislation can best decide as to the
number of States which should be formed out Of
the territory when the time has arrived for
deciding that question. So with all others. By
the treaty the United States assumed the payment
Of the debts OF Texas, to an amount not exceed.
ing $40, 100000, to be paid, with the exception
Of sum falling short Of $500, 900, exclusively
out Of the proceeds OF the sales Of her public
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 session,
to induce doubt that the dispositions Of Texas
remain unaltered. No intimation Of an altered
determination, on the pant Of her Government and
People, has been furnished to tho Executive.
She still desires 10 throw herself under the
protection OF our laws, and to partake OF the
blessings OF our federatve system; while every
American interest would seem to require it. The
1 extension of our coast wise and foreign trade, tc
an amount almost iDcalculable--t enlargement
Of the market for our manulactuTers-the con
santy growing market for our agricultural pro
ductions-ss(ety to our frontiers, and additional
strength and stability to the Union--these are the
results which would rapidly deveope themselve
+ upon the consummation Of the measure OF annex
alton. In such event, will not doubt but tina
D Ell Il,
meeting the advances Of this Government in
r spirit Of amity.
2 Nor do apprehend any serious complaint from
} such complaint. We should interfere in Mt
respect with the rights OF any other nation Their
d cannot be gathered from the act, any design OF
It our part to do so with their possessions on thi
l Continent. We have interposed no impeachment
B., in the way Of such acquisitions Of territory larg
a and extensive as many Of them are, as the leadn
powers Of Europe have made, from time to time
II in every part OF the world. We seek no conqueS
e made by war. No intrigue will have been resort
2 ed to, or acts Of diplomacy essayed to accomplish
the annexation OF Texas. Free and Independent
n herself, she asks to be received into our Union
d 1t is question for our own decision, whe Their sht
I shall be rece we'd or not
The TWO Governments having already agreed
n through their respective organs, on the terms o
0 annex alton, | would recommend their adoption
by Congress in the form Of a jOnt resolution, Oh
act, to be perfected and made binding on the two
countries, when adopted in like manner by the
Government Of Texas.
In order that the ubject may be fully presented
T in all its bearings, the correspondence which
, has taken place, in reference TO it, since the
adjournment Of Congress, between the United
j States, Texas, and Mexico, is herewith transmit
ted
The amendments proposed by the Senate to tht
: Convention concluded between the United State!
; and Mexico on the Goth OF November, 1S43, have
!, been transmitted through our Minister, for tn,
e concurrence of the Mexican Governments but
although urged thereto, no action has yet been haC
] on the subject; nor has any answer been gver
I which would authorize favorable conclusion il
b the future.
:, The Decree OF September, 1913, in relation
TO the retail trade, the order for the expulsion o
e foreigners, and that OF more recent date ii
! regard to passpors-all Of which are considered
i as ia violation of the Treaty Of Amity and
. Commerce between the two countries, have led
} TO a correspondence Of considerable Length
between the Minister Of Foreign Relations anc
cur Representative at Mexico, but without any
satisfactory result They remain still unad usted
} and many and serious Inconvenience have
already resulted 10 our citizens in consequence o
; them.
} Questions growing out Of the act OF disamin2
} "a body Of Texan troops under the command 0
Maj. Snvely. by an officer in the service Of the
United States, acting under the orders Of oul
; ,I he ;,,a IL