The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-12-11

=
has just terminated, afforded the best oppor-
tuniy Of ascertaining the will of the States
and People upon it. Pending that issue il
became the imperative duty of the executive
| to inform Mexico that the question Of annex
alton 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 10 forestall their judy
ment, and could not be looked upon with in
difference. ! am most happy to inform you
that no such invasion has taken place, aud
trust thar, whatever your action may be upon
! it. Mexico will see the importance of deciding
the matter by resort TO peaceful expedienls,
| in preference TO those of arms. The decision
of the People Of the States, on this great and
interesting subject. has been decisyely mani
tested. Tine question of annexation has been
presented markedly TO their consideration. By
The treaty itselfal collateral and incidental is
sues, which were calculated to divide and
distract the public councils, were carefully a.
voided. These were left to the wisdom of
the future TO determine. 1t presented. ] re-
pear, the isolated question of annexation; and
in that form it has been submitted to the or
deal ofpnblic sentiment. A controlling ma
joriiy Of The People, and large majority of
the States, have declared in favor of inmedi
ate annexation. Instructions have thus come
} up TO both branches of Congress. from their
respective constituents, in terms the most en-
/ phatic. 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 pub
lie will. thus declared, all collateral issues may
be avoided. Future Legislatures can best
! decide as 10 the number of States which should
be formed out Of the territory, when the time
has arrived for deciding that question. So
will all others. By the treaty the United
States assumed the payment of the debts of
| Texas, to an amount not exceeding SIC, 0O0,-
600, TO he 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 moi, with honor take the lands, with
out assuming the full payment of all incum-
! brances upon them.
| Nothing has occurred since the last session,
to induce doubt that the dispositions of Tex
as remain unaltered. No intimation of an al
tered determination, on the part of her gov
eminent and people, has been furnished TO the
| Executive. She still desires to throw her.
self under the protection of our laws, and to
partaks of the blessings Of our federative sys-
/
seem TO require it. The extension Of our
coastwise and foreign trade, TO an amount al
most incacuable-ihe enlargement of the
market for our manufacIures-a constantly
growing market for our agricultural produc-
| tious-safety 10 our frontiers, and additional
strength and stability to the Union-these are
the results which would rapidly develope
! themselves, upon the consumalion Of the
I mn Of ati n II | WI
not doubt but that Mexico would find her
true interest to consist in meeting the ad-
vances ofthis Government in spirit Of am
ity.
Nor DO Iapprehend any serious complaint
from any other quarter; no sufficient ground
exists for any such complaint. We should
interfere in no respect with the rights of any
other nation. There cannot be gathered from
the act, any design on our part TO DO so with
their possessions on this Continent. We have
interposed no impediments in the way of
such acquisitions of territory, large and ex-
tensive as many Of them are, as the leading
powers of Europe have made, from time TO
time, in every part Of the world. We seek
no conques. made by war. No intrigue will
have been resorted TO, or acts Of diplomacy
essayed TO accomplish the annexation of Tex
as. Free and independent herself. she ask
ed to be received into our Union. 1t is
! question for our own decision whether she
shall be received or not.
! The two Governments have already agreed,
| through their respective organs. on the terms
1 OF annexation. would recommend their a.
doption by Congress in the form ofa Joint res
olution, or act, TO be perfected and made bind
ing on the two countries, when adopted in
I Ike manner by the government of Texas.
( In order that the subject may be fully pre-
senied in all its bearings, the correspondence
which has taken place, in reference TO il.
since the adjournment Of Congress, between
the United States, Texas, and Mexico, is here
with transmitted.
The amendments proposed by the Senate
10 the Convention concluded between the
United States and Mexico on the 2Orh Of No
vember. 1913, have beeu transmitted through
OuT Minister. for the concurrence Ofthe Mex
ican government; but, although urged there
to, no action has yet been had on the subject;
nor has any answer been given which would
authorize any favorable conclusion in the fu-
iure.
The Decree OF September, 1913, in relation
TO the retail trade. the order for the expulsion
Of Foreigners, and that of recent date in regard
~ pdSspOilS-dli VI WHICH dTe COnSiOeICC ds
in violation of the Treaty of Amity and Com
merce between the two countries, have led
to correspondence Of considerable length
between the Ministers for Foreign Relations
and our Representative at Mexico, hut with
out any satisfactory result. They remain
still unadjusted and many and serious incon-
veni ences have already resulted TO our citi-
zens in consequence Of them.
Questions growing out ofthe act fdisarm-
ing a body of Texian troops under the COM
mand Of Major Snively, by an officer in the
service of the United States, acting under the
orders of our Government; and the forcible
entry into the custom House at BryarIy's
Landing on the Red River. by certain ciri-
zens of the United States, and taking away
therefrom the goods seized by the Collector
ofthe Customs, as forfeited under the laws Of
Texas, have been adjusted so far as Execu-
tive powers extend The correspondence be-
tween the two Governments in reference to
both subjects, will be found amongst the ac-
compayning documents. 1t contains a full
statement of all the acts and circumstances,