The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-16
MAJOR DoNELsoN'S CORRESPONDENCE
WITH TEXAS

rur paper was the first in the United States to re-
,.blish the correspondence which passed between
our charge and the Texan government, on the
.ohect Of annexation. On Major Doneson' 8 ac-
count, we regret that every paper in the United
states has not followed our example, for his let
ter, do great credit to his ability. They are
clearly written, in spirit Of exemplary mode
,.,ior as well as of remarkable frmness. They
breathe the most conciatory temper towards the
,.onle of Texas the most commendable anx-
;s,v to remove any doubts which they might IN
| aolpe about the character Of our propositions !;
I 70 nersuade them, that though everything was not
simulated which they might desire to obtain they
might confde in the liberal feelings Of the United
s,s,es to do them justice. He advises them to take
the resolutions as they are, without attaching new
conditions or qualifications, which might leopard
IN. success Of annexation itself but at the same
lime he takes care not TO deceive them, by making
,ostiye engagement which he had no right to offer.
He holds out the hope that Congress might be dis
nosed to take their public lands and to regulate their
Indian concerns, by allowing a satisfactory and
liberal equivalent towardsthe discharge of their pub
lie debt Our charge knows too well, however, the
provisions of the constitution to pledge our Congress
to make any such provisions; and all that he does
ali that he ought to doand all that he was at liberty
10 promise, was to pledge the Presidents cordial
support and earnest accommodation of any wise
amendments of our resolutions to the favorable
consideration of Congress. II is not true there
fore. that our Congress is bound to adopt these
chapges;-not true, that the President or his charge
has engaged to bind Congress to any "promise
beyond the resolution of annexation" as the "Na-
uonal Intelligencer has called it. All that he will
do. is to recommend to Congress any proposition
Of proper and acceptable character, which the
convention Of Texas may make about their
public lands, and debts, and Indians, but not as
condition to the acceptance of our resolutions.
He cannot bind Congress by his acts; and they are
at perfect liberty therefore, to accept or reject Them
and crafty or disappoint the wishes Of the people Of
Texas. We have as little doubt, however, that
Congress will receive them with distinguished re-
spect, and determine upon them in the most liberal
and conciatory spirit.
1t is not true, the "National lntelligencer" in
sinuates, tina. there are any "other inducements
which Major Donelson has been authorized to
make, or that he has made. The remark of the
aNationa Inelgencer," therefore, that "what othe,
inducements, if any, have been more privately sng-
gesed to the Texan govern ment or citizens, we
shall know in the course of time" must pass fol
what it is WORTH and what il bears upon its face
sly and insidious inuendo, that something more
is meant than meets the ear'--that more has beer
secretly promised than is publicly avowed by our
minister. We assure the " National Intelligencer'
that no other inducements have been made-no
other propositions have been offered; there is
nothing privately kept back. The country see II
Mr. Doneson's published documents all that he has
promised-.all that he has done to persuade thu
government and people Of Texas to accede to oul
propositions
The s'Natonal Intelligcncer, with all its DISPOSE
ton to indulge in captious inuendos, and suspi
cious insinuations, does not appear to object to
the character Of the Inducements" thus publicly
held forth. In fact, how could it attempt to cavi
about them, with any plausibiity' The case wat
evidently one which required all the wisdom and eau.
ton Of the President He wished secure the
alton of Texas He did not wish to expose it to th'
nrgues Of foreign powers;--and, Heaven knows! W.
see enough in the last developments, Of the extern
to which they have carried their ingenuity and in
rigues-in concert with President Jones, too. Still
less did he desire to throw it back into our own Con-
gress and renew, on that theatre, the struggles
the last session. to agtate the country and to endan
ger the success of the The President wal
well aware that the resolutions had passed Con
gress under circumstances not calculated, perhaps
to give them their most perfect form. The provis
ions about the lands, and debts and Indians Of Tex
as might not be the most agreeable to her, nor thu
best for US, nor the best in themselves. Would ]
not be best to bring her lands under the well-tret
land system Of the United States; and, in the SAM
manner, the regulation of her Indian tribes? Blu
Mr.. Donelson has touched these questions with al
ingenuity which leaves us nothing to add to his ar
guments We, therefore, refer our readers to them
And now the question comes up: whether it was no
the part of wise statesman, to anticipate some ob
iectons on the part of Texas, and attempt to over
rule them by the assurance that our Congress wou
take the whole matter into consideration, am
change the system, if it was thought conducive I
our interest, and introduce such amendments a
their own wisdom might recommend, and experience
might suggest-with the representatives of Texas
too, being present in councils to assist their dc
lberatlons' The course of Major Donelson, how
ever requires no vindication from pen. Its wis
dom will be approved by every statesman To al
enlightened people, we freely commit the decision
There is another question, however, growing GU
Of his dispatches, which requires some notice.
is the promise he makes in relation to the defence
Texas against the Mexican troops; or, rather, tn
course which our government has determined Z
pursue in regard to the employment of our troop
and squadron, as soon as we have acquired an.
right to interfere with her Never, in GU
opinion, was wiser course devised, or more hap
py medium hit. As soon as Congress ION the par
Of the actual government sanctions our resolu
tons, and the convention the part of the peopl
ofTexas have given the stamp ofther appreciation
in other words, as soon as the annexation of Texa
has been affirmed and adopted by the government
and the people, land the only form wanting is tn
sanction ~ our aur C,opuraco to he n.tttutio