Mississippi Democrat., 1845-02-19

ring last yeae @Sfted that ne III person
submitted he atlcf 1919 (ceding Texas
to Spain, G1n1 jackson, at his lodgings,
Strother's 6tei, Washington, between the
10Th and q February of that year, and
that Gen'l Jackson fully approved and ad-
vised the treaty. 1t was conclusively pro-
ven that Gent Jackson was not in Wash
ingtou City at that date. Mr.. Adams then
refers to " diary which he pretends to
have kept at that time, and ante-dates the
alledged interview to the Cd of February.
The extracts purporting 10 be taken from
this " diary" completely reverse known
facts which transpired in the negotiation,
and previous assertions of Mr.. Adams-in-
deed the extracts disprove themselves.
Gen. jackson utterly denies any such IN
terview or consultation, or that he apProv-
ed or sanctioned the treaty before its final
ratification. After that time he looked up
on it as valid agreement between the
United States and Spain, in the then rela-
tions of the two countries.
Under these circumstances, it was al
! lodged that the executors of President Mon-
| roe had in their possession a letter from
| Gen. Jackson fully substantiating the as
sertion of Mr.. Adams. This letter was
| frequently alluded to and hinted at by the
presses and orators who sided with Mr..
Adams, but they studously avoided calling
for its publication. 1t was lately alluded
to in direct terms, by Mr.. Kennedy, of Nd,
Oh the floor of Congress. Gen. Jackson
thereupon wrote to Mr.. Gouverneur, SON.
in-law of Mr.. Monroe, to furnish for publ
cation any letters which may have passed
between himself (Gen'l j. and President
Monroe, in relation to the treaty of 1919.
In reply TO this, we have a letter from
Mr.. Monroe, cautious and diplomatic in its
style, addressed to Gen'l Jackson under
date of May %, 1920, more than gear qE-
ter The ytina! ratification Of the treaty, in
which the then critical state of our foreign
relations is dwelt on with much force, the
importance of the acquisition of the FIori-
das urged, and the treaty defended on the
grounds of the exigencies of the time
| 1t is evident from Mr.. Monroe's letter that
Gen. Jackson had not advised or sanction
ed the treaty.
Mr.. Monroe says
Having long known the repugnance
with which the eastern portions of our
| Union, or rather some of those which have
enjoyed its confidence (for l do not think
that the people themselves have any inte-
rest of that kind), have seen it's aggran-
diZement to the West and South, | have
been decidedly of opinion that We ought
to be content with Florida for the present,
and until the public opinion in that quarter
shall be reconciled to any change.
When We reflect how gigantic our growth
has since been there--that we have acquir-
ed the Mississippi and both of its banks
have erected eight States in that quarter.
and made provision for more-I think we
ought to pause" &c.
And he subsequently speaks of Texas as
ga territory which we might take when
we pleased"
Gen'l Jackson's reply, dated Goth June,
1920, the treaty was finally ratified 22d
February, 18l9,) is frank and patriotic. At
ter acceding to the earnest request of the
President to continue in the military SER
vice of the country, he says that under
then existing circumstances
" am clearly of your opinion that FOR
THE PRESENT we should be content with the
Floridas.'
And that at that time there was no danger
OF military invasion through Texas
The correspondence shows, not that Gen.
Jackson advised the terms of the treaty,
but that he looked upon it as a binding
compact between this country and Spain,
after its ratification. A large party at that
time, headed by Henry Clay, advocated a
reduction of the army-interferenc in
\ South American affairs-and insisted that
, kthe treaty of 1919 was void. Gen. Jack.
son sustained the treaty, as binding on oul
government. Since then, Texas, as a
member of the Mexican confederacy, has
achieved her independence of Spain-o
,1Mexican tyranny-and of the world, and
5 is, in law and in fact, free and sovereign
nation.
e The wing papers of course publish Gen
y Jackson's letter without the accompanying
: letter of Mr.. Monroe, and without men
|. tioning that it was written after the treat
= was in force. Old John O., and his organs
e have signally failed in establishing, as they
y boasted they would, that Gen. Jackson re
commended and approved in detail, tn
: treaty of 1919; and they stand convicte
n as standerers and calumniators of pur
) patriot. The more the matter is sifted, tn
less enviable will be the position of tn
distinguished men such as Adams an