The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-08


the North. ALI our leading statesmen committed
their views on the question TO the public. Mr..
Webster denounced Il. Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Van
Buren, both regarded il probable thing; but OF
its present expediency they were doubtful. Their
views were much alike, though Of opposite politics.
They did not consider Texas any longer within the
power Of Mexico, but they thought that respect and
forbearance towards that power should prevent any
present action. MIR. Van Buren, further discussed
the constitutional legol bearing of the question:
which he thought required mature consideration.
This was pending the selection Of candidates for
The presidency. The South had become decided on
the Texas question. The reason is obvious. The
Van Buren, party in the North, to prevent di-
vision, united with the South on Mr.. Polk. The
result was, that MIR. Clay was defeated, and Texas
was Immediately annexed by an act Of Congress, to
take effect when ratified, as il now is, by the peo-
pie OF that country IN convention.
OF the expediency Of that measure to the United
States, say nothing. The question is one Of hon
or and gooa faith.
You charge the United States with "rapacity, -
and class her with the robbers" Of Poland. And
what great power has not exhibited a similar sra
pacity" We have attempted TO initiate the virtues
of our ancestors, and il is verv possible we have
also inherited your vices. Nations observe not the
severe and narrow rules which govern private mo-
rality. In what part Of the world has not the ag-
gressive spirit of British power planted her foot?
But the United States deny that they have de-
spoiled Mexico of foot of territory which she
could claim or recover from Texas. They have
never acquired any other possessions, but by hon
orable purchase. They make no claims now to
which they do not believe they are entitled. They
have designs California, charged; nor is il
their interest their wish to enlarge their present
territory. Nor is il believed by sober men, ON the
other side of the Atlantic, that annexation would
have occurred but for jealousy of the interference
Of foreign powers in the affairs of Texas, and the
apparent probability that she would become de-
pendant, commercially, upon Great Britain or
France, to the great injury of the United States.
Yours, respectfully,
London, Sept. IL.
From the London Examiner, Sept 10
UNITED STATES.
We have received letter on the subject of Texas
and Mexico, which, without desiring here TO ex-
press an opinion on the argument it contains, seems
10 us written in spirit not undeservng of attention.
To The editor of The Examiner
4 SIN: am surprised to observe that the unreason-
able tone generally adopted by the journals in this
country, in relation to the annexation Of Texas, hos
called forth no remark on the part Of unprecedented
and discerning Englshmen. Annexation is gene
rally pronounced TO be a great injury inflicted by
the United States government on Mexico, and Just
cause for declaration of by the latter: indeed
il is frequently stigmatised robbery the part OF
tnc Ouittu Odtcb, anu dl iflsuIt 10 the ClVIiZeu
world. Observe: all these hard names are lavished
upon the act of annexation, not upon the acknowl-
edgmeDt of the independence Of Texas as State,
IN the first instance or the conclusion Of treaties OF
commerce with her; nor yet upon the emigration OF
armed Americans into Texas during her struggle for
Independence. Whatever wrong may have been
committed then-and think il was great wrong,
although one which the government of the United
States would have found it almost impossible to pre-
vent--little was said about it on this side of the
water. A few individuals raised their voices to de-
nounce il, but governments got reconcied TO c
wrong which they thought they could turn to their
own profit; treaties were made with these very
American emigrans loans Of money granted; and
the young republic was fast rising into favor with
European governments, when it was suddenly dis
covered that these people had more sympathy with
their first cousins in the States than with their tenth
cousins in England, and were actually thinking OF
joining the Union. Negotiations and manGuyres
now resortcd to, to prevent this act of peo-
Pile acknowledged by England to be free and these
negotiations failing, the British press opens an at
tack, from one end Of the kingdom to the other,
upon the Americans and Texans--and for what
Not for having broken any compact with England,
or done her any wrong not for having made very
foolish arrangement far Is their own interest is
concerned, about which much might justly be said
but for having cheated and robbed Mexico.
The Texans, with whom England was hand and
glove suddenly discovered TO be rebels, and the
Americans invaders ana rObDerS, Tor treating WIN
them upon more favorable terms than Engle nd
could do. | saw it gravely questioned, the other
day, even in your paper, "whether England would
give up her claim on Texas part Of .Merco, for the
debt Que by Mexico to Engandr and this, after
acknowledging the independence Of Texas and
loaning her money!
Really, this seems to be either very dull, very
insincere.
am one of those Americans who consider the
act of annexation as verv improper one on the
part Of the government Of the United States, for
rious reasons, moral and polit Il. object to it,
because it may prolong the existence ofsavery; be-
cause it increases territory, already too large;
and especially, because il has been brought about
by. means which consider unconstitutional. But
what is oil this to Mexicoi If she wished to quar-
rel with us, it should have been when our govern.
ment acknowledged the national existence of Texas
The Texans, being once established as an ndcpen-
dent nation, have certainly right to negotiate, as
well with America as with England; and the Anne
ricans have right to negotiate with them, without
being branded robbers for being able to conclude
treaty ,chich England happens 10 be arerse 10.
remain, sir, your very obedient servant,
AN AMERICAN.
THE RIO GRANDE.
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