The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-05-22
NEW YORK HERALD.
Texas Annexation not so Ccrtain-A Threat
ened storm.

The Washington Union has been driven into vio
Tent ecstacles by the receipt OF some private inlel
gence from Texas Annexation is set down as alb
solutely CERTAIN settled as 50 with the bond of fate
and the organ congratuates the country the aus
picious result, with a bounding enthusiasm that is
really amusing. Indeed, there is youthfuness, an
Intensity, and Observation-Disclosures about the joyful
declarations OF the Union this subject that are
quite refreshing when contrasted with the usual
cold, commonplace, frigid sobriety of government
organs. We are rather inclined to believe. how
ever, thatthe JOY of the Union is premature What
is the amount of the intelligence from which the
"organ" deems itself justified in at once drawing
the conclusion that "the die is cast" and annexa-
ton settled beyond all doubt Why that Major Do
nelson had left Texas ON the assurance of Gen Hous
ton that he would nterpose no obstacle to the union
OF Texas with the United States! Verify, il seems
very clear that the "organ' has been making prea,
fuss aboutnothing.
Annexation Is not by any means to be settled 40
easily as the Union would have us believe. Grant
that no opposition whatever will be made to the
union by the people of Texas, does it fol-
low that annexation is ssettled 4" BY no
means. We have no reason TO believe that
the Texan Government are in favor of annexa-
The increasing, sagacious and well-drected efforts
Of the English and French agents in Texas, have
not been frutless. From the movements of Mr.
Ashbel Smith, now in England, prosecuting designs
not exactly favorable to annexation and other sipn
hcantindlcatons, we quite justified in entertaining
the convection that the opposition to annexation on
thepar OF eExecutve of Texas which manifested it.
selfony short time since in such decided and ener
genc manner has not been all disspated and
to the winds, as the Union tells with such rhetorical
flourish and almost hystercal rapture On the con-
trary, we have not any doubt that there has
been wel-laid and settled scheme formed to delay
and defeat the measure. praa4
But we are not left to speculate merely on the OBJ
stacles which stand in the way of the successful set
Element OF the Texas question. We are no longer
left IN doubt as to the policy which England and
France mean to pursue with regard to the difficulty
between this country and Mexico on the annexation
project. formidable English squadron, as we sta
ted yesterday, consisting of line of battle Shin
frigate, sloop of war, and ten-gun brig is at pre
sent IN the Gulf of Mexico; and French squadron.
consisting OF frigate, steamship and corvette, was
at last accounts at Puerto Rico evidently designed
to cooperate with the other Now, what are the de-
sign and object of this naval movement? On the
be at once adopted for the purpose of operating on
the Senate so as to delay the assent of the Republic
TO annexation with this country. This scheme there
is every reason to believe may be successful. It is
very true that the people of Texas are in favor of an
nexatlon-warmly and enthusiastically in favor of
annexation. But the Executive Is exactly the other
way The declarations OF Houston nothing He
does not now speak with authority. If the delay Of
the measure tor year or for any period be secured
then the whole project is virtually defeated. The
people VIII be indignant, and great popular agitation
and disturbance will follow. A revolution NAV be
threatened, or actually take place Then comes the
time of action for the English and French naval
forces now in the Gulf of Mexico. They will be
called on by the Government of Texas to aid in main
tanning Its independence, and thus by the wellcon-
certed and powerful combination of the Governments
OF England, France, Mexico, and Texas itself, an
nexation may be entirely defeated.
The prospect of immediate and peaceful annexa-
ton Is thus seen to be somewhat elouded when
we come to look at it with calmness, and in connec
ton with the real facts of the case In Texas ITSELF
intimidation, promises, offers, bribery, and all
sorts OF secret man9uvres will be resorted to by the
agents Of the English and French governments, in.
order to operate successfully on the Texan Senate
so as to procure the delay of its action on the annex
alton question. 1t is quite mistake-but one into
which many have been readily enough led by the
declarations of the British ministry on the Oregon
question: and their studious silence with respect to
Texas-to suppose that the annexation of Texas to
this confederacy has become matter of indiffer-
ence to the government of England It has never
been lost sight offor moment, and the loud denun-
Citations of Mr.. Folks assertion of our claims to
Oregon, it would appear have been mere vaporing
bravado, intended to distract the attention of our
people and government from the subtle designs en-
tertained with regard to Texas. The grand object
OF the British government in seeking to thwart and
defeat annexation, now appears to be the establish
ment on this continent of rival republican power,
to operate a counterpoise to the United States
This idea is undisguisedly put forth in late Lon
don journals.
From all these indications and reflections. il ia
very obvious that annexation is surrounded with
great deal of difficulty, and is in more critical and
doubtful position than ever. We do not know how
soon this business may assume warlike character
The Gulf of Mexico may be the scene of conflict
between the United States and the united forces of
England, France and Mexico sooner than manvmav
now imagine. The Union, however, appears to be
quite unsuspicous of the probability of such crisis.
It's indeed, amusing to observe the perfect abandon
with which it gives itself up to all sorts Of pleasant
imagnngs It's so happy visions Of the future,
as to be altogether blind to the threatening clouds
which even the dullest observer cannot regard with
out anxiety. One of these days it may get a very
rude awaking, and in the meantime we fervently
trust that the government of the United States is
little better informed on the real position and pros
poets OF Texas annexation than its easy, good-na-
tured, and slumbering organ"
We have always been in favor Of annexation We
are SO still. The union of Texas with this contede-
racy, we regard as measure Of the highest impor-
lance to the stability and future trumphs of free
POYernmenf on fhis oreat oort,rax.. III -