The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-01-17
THE TEXAS QUESTION.


OF ILLINOIS,
IN the House Of Representatives.,
JSuAKr 6, ls45.
In Committee Of the whole on the State Of the Unon
the JOINT Resolutions for the Annexation Of
Texas.
When MIR. WNrHsor concluded his remark
Mr. DOUGLASS nett obtsineJ the floor, asd
renewed bis motion, submitted some days since,
TO amend the amendment to the report Of the
Committee Foreign Affairs, by substituting the
preamble and resolutions heretofore offered by him
He proceeded to say, that he had listened with
pleasure the speech Of the gentleman from Massa-
chusstts on this occasion, Indeed be always did
when that gentleman addressed the House. he had
listened 10 him to-day, however, with than usu.
al interest with the expectation Of bearing full
position OF all the grounds upon which the annex alton
OF TEXAS TO the United States was TO be opposed
and forcbly struck with the extraordinary posi-
tion which be advanced in regard To the manner in
which the discussion should be conducted. He has
informed that is the duty Of the friends of the
sustain IFS constitutiooaliiy. propriety,
and expedency, by fair argument; while its oppo-
nents consider themselves under obligation to do
more than to maintain IN sullen silence, the firm
solve Of opposition, and inerpose negative to each
proposition. After this annunciation, he proceeds to
denouDce the project Of annexation as a papsbe vi
oation Of the Constitutions subyersion of the prn-
cples Of the Federal Union-the adoption of an UNI
Just foreign war-an nfrsction Of the laws of ma
ions and breach Of the national faith This is
truly novel mode Of conducting a discussion, and
very convenient one for those who adopt it, They
10 raise objections, to deal in broad assertions
and bold denuncialions, without any obligation 10
sustain them by facts or arguments. Be it so. II is
their privilege TO select their mode of conduct
ing the opposition, and do not complain of them
for pursuing the course indicated, for the that
80 =, /. -.
| adopt.
The friends Of annexation arc willing to assume
the affirmative, and undertake TO demonstrate by ar
gument, not only the propriety and eIIediency Of
the measure, and the constitutional power 10 consum-
mate it, but our right to do it in the manner pro-
posed.
MIR. d. would here notice another remark of the
gentleman from Massachuseis in relation To the orr
| gin Of the Texas question. That gentleman had
been pleased to say that this odious measure had
been devised for sinister purposes BY President Of
the United States not eectsdb by The People" If he has
reference to President Tyler the originator Of the
att question, will inform him that he is do
ing great injustice TO his friend and colleague Mr.
| Adams. While will not pluck from the brow of
Mr.. Tyler, OF General Jackson or Of any other dis
tnguished advocate of annexation any Of the aures
they have by their zeal in behalf of the measure
cannt permit such palpable injustice TO the
bic gentleman from Massachusetts to allow the
gin Of the movement be traced to any other indi-
| v,dual. i, will be recollec,cd that, in 1926, Mr..
Adams then President of the United S,tes) direct
ed his Secretary Of State Mr.. Clay to instruct our
minister at Mexico 10 open negotiations for the imme-
| date remuneration Of Texas to The United States
whereupon Mr.. Clay Immediately wrote his despatch
| TO Mr.. Poinsett which | now hold in my hand, in
forming hun of the wishes of the President regard
TO tie annexation Of Texas, and nstructing him to
use his best efforts to secure the reunion Of that
county to this. | commend this letter especially to
4 ~. r.. Ia. n l. IL
position Of the great and numerous advantages this
country would derive from the alton of Texas.
| Again, in 1927, Mr.. Adams had the subject so much
at heart, and was 20 anxious 10 secure acquisition
that would reflect much credi, upon bis admins
aon, and confer such benefits upon his country re-
newed his instructions to his Secretary and Mr.. Clay
wrote another letter simplifying upon his former one,
and directing our minister to offer large amount Of
money 10 order TO &c, Texas into the Union again.
These efforts were considered among the proudest
Of that administration, and il successful, would
have been considered profitable investments in the
capital stock Of the next presidential campaign. But
unfortunately they unsuccessful and that admin
istraton was deprived Of the gI.ry Of the achieve
ment, although il received due credit for its zeal and
repeated efforts TO accomplish great good for the
country. IL may not be amiss to remark, ALSO that
at the time these efforts regain Texas werelmade
Mexico and Texas we're both revolving colonies to
the kingdom OF Spain, and that fierce and cruel
war then actually raging between the revolving
colonies and the mother country, Tor independence
the side and subj lection the other. II It will
not be deemed uokIDd, wonld like TO inquire of the
friends OF Messrs Adams and Clay on Gthis floor,
whether a treaty annexing Texas 10 this country,
made at that time with the revolving colonies, while
they were engaged 10 actual war with the mother
| country would have been considered the adoption OF
an unjust and unconstitutional war-whethcr Il would
have been deemed pslpabIe violation Of the laws Of
nations-of treaty supulations, and Of national ho-
norl submit this question in all kindness and sin
! ccrity to those gentlemen who now think that we
have right 10 Tcxss without the consent OF
Mexico. If there any difference 10 the two cases,
| II Is in favor Of Texas, inasmuch as Mexico has no
troops stationed in Texas, and has had for the
last nine years whereas Spain had about six thou
sand troops in Mexico at the time Mcssrs. Adams and
Clay carrying their negotiations for the an
| nexation Of Texas.
But am depressing from the thread OF my remarks
| | was attempting TO show that the Texas question
| was not a new one-that IL did not originate with
Mr. Tyler-and that II had for long time engrossed
| the attention Of the American people and govern
ment BY tie fat Of the people,, Gen. Jackson and
Mr. Van Buren, succeeded to the places OF Mc.srs.
Adams and Clay. One Of the first acts Of the nsv
administration TO reopen negotiations for the
nexa,ion Of Texas BY order OF the President, Mr..
Van Bureo addressed long despatch 70 Mr., Pom