The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-24

no more effect, but null ana voiu. EvcryWhotoi
among abolitionists especially, did make enemies
by defending Henry Clay. How, them dare Henry
Clay's son and Kentucky wings sit in solemn con-
clave and vote TO be the ergan and agent OF an
incendary secti' - Cleveland (O) PlGindeaier
From the New Orleans Bulletin, Oct 10.
We feel degree of pride in introducing to the at
tenton of our readers the letter of the venerable
William Darby, which appears in our columns this
morning The letter is Introductory to some highly
interesting and important papers in relation to the
history, geography, sectional limits, and general
characteristics of Texas, and other portions Of
Western America. The letter which will appear
tomorrow, concerning the history and recognised
boundaries of the old province of Louisiana, will be
found particularly interesting and striking.
TEXAS, AND THE ANCIENT PROVINCE
OF LOUISIANA.
Mr.. WIN. c. jaws:
DEAR SIR. Enclosed you will receive some no
tees of the first discovery and settlement made in
and claims of France to, Louisiana, with historical
references to the authorities on which my final de-
ductions in relation to that province were founded
Though the data to sustain the position have taken
in this branch Of American history have accumula-
ted during the last thirty years, you will discover
that had assumed that position when my treatise
on Louisiana was written in 1915, and published in
1876 and 1917.
My views were not directed to the subject OF
Louisiana by my researches in and concerning that
country; but the reverse i was residing there
when it was received into our domain, and was led,
by the discussions which were excited Ivy the event,
to regard the acquisition as involving consequences
| seldom then brought into view.
Time and every circumstances which have since
marked the history Of Texas, have given force to
the opinion that the United States ought TO have en-
forced its claim to the Rio Bravo, Rio Grande, or
Rio Grande del Norte, as severaly named. A great
.oI he
political position Of the province of Texas, under
the authority of SPAIN 1t was not dependent on the
viceroyalty Of Mexico, but on the comandancin
general de Chihuahua, and constituted one Of the
prorincias internas, or internal provinces When
Louisiana was re-ceded to France, and by that ma
ton transferred to the United States, the latter had
not the most remote intercourse with Mexico on the
subject, nor any call for such Interference In the
subsequent revolutions which severed the continent
tai provinces of Spain in America from their metro
pole the viceroyalty of Mexico and propincias inter-
mas became nominally flor they never have, to any
useful purpose, really formed) one state.
Called early in life, by causes which need not be
intruded your attention, to witness the rapid and
steady augmentation Of population westward on this
continent, the introduction Of Louisiana into our
domain enforced my views into futurity--views
which have been proved correct in a powerful man
ner by that appeared adverse to their truth.
The reception Of Louisiana by the United States
was opposed as has been that Of Texas, long after
wards on constitutional ground, and plausible if not
reasonable remorstrances were urged against the
measure. The real motives were probably, in both
cases, not very candidly expressed. nor were the
sure consequences of either reception refusal dis
tinctly understood in either case. Politicians and
poetasters have been thick over the earth in all
ages; but statesmen and poets appear few and far
between. To the politician, the expedient of the
moment is ALL to him, there is neither past future;
the contrary, the statesman consults the past to
for f,t,,r fxaha
was coded to the United States, any statesman-like
views had guided the government, one of its most
steadfast principles of policy would have been to
cure the obvious natural, congratulated, and
knowledged, as well as peace-securng, boundary of
the Rio Grande.
Previous to the annexation Of Louisiana two de-
cennial enumeratons of the population Of the United
States had been made, and data by their means pro-
cured to demonstrate the progress of the greatest of
all modern revolutions--the western motion, with
the enormous increase on North America, of that
most active and energetic family, the Saxon.
In vain was it shown, that the general increase in
ten years, from 1890 to 1900, was more than one
third on the original mass. In vain was it shown
that in the same ten years, the inhabitants of the
great central valley had increased in ratio from
about one and half to five, or from one hundred
and fifty thousand to near half million. All this
great lesson was unavailable, and the Sabine made
what either nature policy would have forbidden
a national boundary; and foundation laid for inter-
minab,e difficulty
Under all circumstances 1t is wrong to insist and,
r;vhs. bn mi 70 enforce our clear right is worse
as Il involves error The entire course Of our policy
IN tic snb;ect Of that mart Of Louisiana called Tex.
as has been tissue OF error. The nation literally
refused to receive that country when no serious OPP
Ter INT awaited mill The operation Of causes which
ought 10 have been foreseen and could not be coun
terec,ed rendered annexation imperative.
The LANGUAGE now use. used 10 the men who
were nv assistants on the banks, and in the then
,n,nnched Forests of The Sabine. II il not vanity.
hut Justice 10 nyself in old age. which induces me
IN REQUEST vonr columns TO recall to public notice
what predicted more than thirty years past. In
noyertv and deprivation made the Sabine survey,
snd free,v nubl,sbed INV reflections on the sure re.
smi,s If az ;mnolicv but verv partially since re-
dsemed hv wiser counsels or more enlightened
resources
T.~.s - q large /. 6ne and bealtb6,I country
y