The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-06-11
THE DEBT OF TEXAS.

During the political campaign of last year
very discrepant statements were published as
TO the amount of the public debt of Texas
1t was insisted by the opponents Of Annexa-
ton that the debt was not much short of ticcn
tn millions of dollars; while the advocates of
this measure protested with the utmost con-
fidence that the debt would not exceed sir
millions. An effort was made in The House
Of Representatives TO procure some authentic
information on the subject; but in answer TO
"call'' for that purpose the Secretary of
State replied in effect that he had no infor-
nation to give. 1t is not probable that we
shall obtain any detailed or satisfactory state
ments in regard to the items and aggregate
amount Off the Texas debt until the "lone
Star" has become "bone of our bone and
flesh of our flesh.'' There are very many and
obvious reasons why the Texas authorities
should keep dark" on the subject until the
project Of annexation has been fully consum-
mated. But as the period for the anticipated
union draws nigh, limitations begin to be
dropped in various quarters from which some
light is thrown on the point in dispute. Thus
New Orleaxs correspondent OF the National
InteIligencer,in letter Of recent date, furnish
es the following items of Texas debt, and
gives US itiO piOSSSS "
which that deBthas been so largely and SO
rapidly increased
81 know one concern that holds upwards
of one million Of dollars of Texan paper, and
three others each of which holds upwards of
four hundred Thousand dollars, besides the
claim Of the house in Baltimore that was spc-
cially provided for in the treaty OF annexation,
for nearly three hundred thousand dollars.
II it is asked how Texas in so few years
could have incurred such debt, reply by
issuing deprecated currency, and paving
one hundred dollars for barrel Of flour, enc
hundred and fifty dollars for a barrel Of pork,
twenty-five dollars for pair Of soldiers shoes,
and in like proportion for all supplies and
purchases. joined to the total want Of system
or accountability in her expenditures aud fl
nances and an utter recklessness and waste
in every department. II is fact well known
in this city, that one OF her Ministers or
Charge d'Affaires, on his arrival here, sold
sixty thousand dollars OF paper for five thou
sand dollars specie fnpds Tor his salary; and
when all the expenditures of a Goveram, ut
are made al such ratio, IS not her large debt
readily accounted for? A most determined
and systematic effort will be made to fois;
this debt OH the treasury of the U. States;
ana, III u IS 10 Oe dSsiINcu II ID Dul IlSDl tldt
that the American people should do it with
their eyes open.'
1t is quite apparent that if The same thrift
which characterized the proceedings Of the
Texas Charge and Commissioned, as above
related, has pervaded the action of all depart
ments in the Texan Government, the largest
estimate yet made of the Texas debt will fa!
far short The reality. But what of that
Be the debt five millions or fifty, Texas, il she
does not belle her own history and character,
will speedily rid herself of the burihen by re-
pudiafiOn or. this reasonable expectation
shall be disappointed and the obligation to
pay the debt devove upon the Uncle Sam,
who will stop TO count the cost OF ''enIarging
the area Of freedom ?''-AIJGny Ere. Jour.