Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-03-14
RICHMOND, VA.
"wednesday Morning, March II.
TIE Dinner drcricd .

February. 1t contains copy of the docu-
nenls which were recently submitted 10 the Sc
nate of Texas, by Mr.. Arson Jones' the Pres-
dent OF the Republc-embracing the correspon-
dence which has passed between Messrs. Elliott
nhe British Charge d'Affaires) and Jones, in
| March and April last-and also copies OF letters
which passed between Messrs. Jones and How
ard, (Chargc Of The U. So in August, l844.-
The same No Of this Journal contains some
very interesting views of its Editor, upon THE
Prospect" before them. We lay these remarks,
and the first letter of MIR. Elliott before our read
ers to show the great responsibility when Tue
Wings would have assumed, By relectingthe re-
solutions for annexation They would have in
Cured risk, which might have entirely endan-
gered The acquisition Of Texas by The US. IL
appears from these and other documents, as Inc
Mobile Register truly remarks, thai we were
in serious danger of losing the country, II
| if the recent Congress OF the United States had
not acted as promptly as The interests OF our couh-
try required. Suppose the Wings had succeeded
in defeating the resolutions, how then should we
| have stood The Government of Texas would
have been exposed 10 all The intrigues OF the
British Cabinet Elliott was plying every arsu-
ment he could employ-eyery appeal 10 The priue
and the commercial interests oil Texas, iopersuade
them 10 decline Annexation loSecurc their own IN
dependence and pledcingth powerful interference
of Great Britain with Mexico 10 accomplish that
| object. He tells Mr. Jones in his letter oil April
last, that il is "lhe opinion OF Her MaJesty's Co
vernmen that The preservation of their independ-
ence is the best security OF The people OF Texas
| for their ultimate prosperity, both political and
commercial"-that never were there better
founded hopes Of an early and honorable adjust
menl, than at the moment when as Mr.. Jones OBJ
serves, the doort 10 annexation olhe United States
was unexpectedly opened 10 the people OF this
country'-and that Texas need not look 10 The
United States for any eilectnal measure-as very
eminent and practical statesmen in that country
are firmly opposed 10 the Annexation OF Texas
10 that Union either at ALL or al least under any
other condition tlianthe consent al Mexico peace
fully obtained neither does il seem doubtful
Judging from the same sources, that!osc opinions
arc shared By large part Of the people OF that
| Conlederacy."
There is no doubt, if our late Congress had ad
iourned without adopting the resolutions, we
should have left Texas exposed 10 all the wiles
and inlrSues OF British diplomacy-wi,h her
people partially sourcd BIZ disappointment
and her leading men disposed 10 lis.cn 10 the
overlurcs of England. The 9Alobilc Resis,c-''
refers 10 The Editorial article OF "Thc National
Register" as "a very significant exposition Of the
real wishes OF President Jones, and hardly less of
those OF his predecessor, Gen. Houston, whose in
! nuenccs he represents. That Gen. Houston and
Mr.. Jones were originally opposed 10 the renew
| al Of negotiations with the United States for an
nexation and gave assurances 10 The British Mi
mister in March Of last year-Iiouston being Pre-
! sden, and Jones Secretary Of Slale-o! their hos
| tiliiy 10 annexation, is sufficiently apparent from
the letter of MIR. Elliot oflhat date, which is now,
for the first time, made public. We find il copied
! into the Galveston News, from the Register, and
repubish il as an important item in the political
| history OF the times. II will he seen that Capt.
Elliott reminds General Houston OF satisfactory
personal assurances OF hostility 10 annexation,
| which have, by Houston's wish, been commu-
nicated 10 the British Ministry. 1t further APP
pears, that Houston ard Jones, both gave
Mr.. Elliott 10 understand, that the sending
Of Texas Minister 10 the United States,
was dictated bv desire 10 avoid causes OF
| irritation, and 10 explain that Texas would not
entertain the subject of annexation at all
This letter Of Elliot defines what were the dispo-
sion of the late ard present Presidents Of Tex
as, al that time; and there is no proof that there
has since been any real change in ilier desires
| Indeed The Galveston News which is in Posses
sion Of other official letters which VIC have mol
SEEN says that in answer 10 Captain Elliot's en-
quircs about Gen Hendcrsun's mission to the
United States-Houston excuses himself BY say
ing that he 'oniy acted in obedience 10 the re-
| Cuircmenls al Congress- These proofs oil the
inclination Of those in authority in Texas, 10 le
Ject annexation, fol- separate indere ndence, under
| the protection of the British, give force to the
pointed declarations OF lheil newspaper organ
The position is taken broadly, that unless annex
| alton takes place al the present session OF Con-
gress, it must be considered as finally defeated,
| and il will be necessary Tor Texas 10 lake imme-
diale steps 10 secure her independence and sell
tie her relations with European powers What
these relations will BE-, is indicated with sufficient
distnctness The Register confirms plainly the
| rumours transmitted 10 US from Galveston and
published in this paper couple OF weeks ago.
France and England demand 10 concessions or
equivalents from Texas, but merely that she re-
mains independent, says the organ OF The Go
vernment Of Texas III is further understood
that they will terminate the hostile attitude OF
Mexico forthwith, and compulsively, lift remain
independent We have no doubt OF these facts,
that Great Britain will yield every condition, and
Withdraw every prctenson, il Texas will but re-
pudia;e annexation aud consent 10 owe The ac-
| acknowledgement of her sovereignty By Mexico
10 British interference Neither 90 We doubt that
| finer government could devise any means OF de-
tending tsclagainsl the real tanaticism al home,
il would guarantee the existence Of slavery II re-
quired sthe condition for keeping Texas from
reunion wilhthe United States
From the Washington, Texas, National Eesister.l
The PRospEcT.-We believe it may be set
down as certain, that annexation will not take
place during the present session of The American
Congress, though the prospect was becoming per-
ccplibly less unfayolable, in consequence OF the
apprehension created there lest the people Of
Texas, wearied and disguised with the dilatory
and trifiing course pursued towards them, should
contract other relations Incompatible with annex
alton to the Union Unless the American Con-
gress, ioreseeing this consequence, shall act de-
cisyely, there is cow good reason 10 believe that
they will, IL heir next session, re.enact the farce
Of the present and last sessions, and so continue
10 do for years until the admission Of Texas shall
no longer be mailer subject TO their decision.-
Since The election of Mr.. Polk they can no longer
allege that public opinion has not been made up
and expressed, in that country. The proposed
annexation has been in point OF fact before the
American people for their consideration since
1886; though not at all times submitted to the &C
iion Of their Congress- Have We not now
right TO demand respectfully, but auhoriiaively,
prompt and final action in regard TO il Z III po-
stively stated, that no extra session OF Congress
will be called by Mr.. Polk. Is not this state of
suspense, Of all others, the most preIudicial to
our interests Does not this uncertainty arrest
European emigration oil the best character, as
well as that from our Northern neighbor? The
fear OF annexation prevents the coming Of those
who would unite with ne, were We certainly 10
remain independent Others abstain from emf
grazing 10 Texas, being unwilling; 10 change their
allegiance temporarily. Furthermore, are We
not grossly deudng ourselves in imagining that
we have only 10 continue in the huinor for an
nexalion 10 order ultimately TO attain it? We
have been somewhat cajoed. Let US, therefore,
examine carefully orr position and prospects
Our relations with France and England are
on the most friendly basis. These Governments
clearly perceive the great interests they have in
our permanent independence and are willing, it
is understood 10 place our commercial inter-
course with them upon the most liberal footing
They have, however, deferred taking any decisive
steps herein, pending the present measures for
annexation. Should these measures fail, France
and England will then act They ask no con-
cessions or equivalents from Texas, but merely
that we remain independent For free and equal
| carnne;iian for The cnm,ne1ce Of Iexas unshac.