Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-09-02
AsnBEL SMITH OF TEXAS ONCE NOR,

wing presses will 9frao'e and misrepresent.-
Bn', in this matter, ieel sure that the country
Will do full justice 10 Mr.. Walkers motives.
AsIIBEL SMITH OF TEXAS ONCE MORE,
The New York Journal Of Commerce pub
fishes, in advance, long letter from this famous
diplomalist, 10 the editor OF The Galveston Civil
liam This gentleman has played so important
part in the drama of annexaiion-has been
invested by The press with such Plolean DISCUSSES,
tina, his adventures are full OF interest 10 both
countries. In the first place, we Shall record his
important denial that he was ''lhe man with the
white hat" He complains of the abuse and ca
lumny heapcd upon him By the press and main
lains that he has never been opposed to annexa-
ton. We extract The gia of his deience-but
must accompany twi,h our opinion that, in the
best view, he, too, was "coqueliing," instead OF
playing an open, manly part. We will further
add that The Journal of Commerce completely
acqui,> Mr. Smilh OF any design Of defeating an
nexaion. As We have, heretofore, expressed our
decided dsapproYal Of Mr.. Smiths diplomatic
manTuvres we think ii but just to let him be
heard in his own defence. We will do Mr. S. the
nstice 10 state that he is, n0w, clearly in favor OF
annexation:
"The insinualion that | have opposed annex
alton, or that went 10 Europe 10 concert mea-
>ures, or 10 cooperate in any way with any Eu-
ropean Government for The purpose of prevent
ing annexation, is utterly ja!S. The following
facts will illustrate my views on this subject. In
June, last year, proposition was made 10 me as
IN nd
a diplomatic act, whereby these powers would
guarantee 10 Texas peace with Mexico and nIe-
pendence conditioned that we should remain
separate Government. communicated The pro-
position 10 The Department OF Stale, accompanied
with what c0ncciveda strong argument against
lis acceptance, based on The grave objections 10
European Interference in American affairs. on
any p!etex whatever. This despatch of mine is
in the archives ut Texas. Tie proposition has
rcver been renewed on either side. President
Jones, then Secretary Of State, under Gen. Huus-
ION, entirely approved ny conduct.
"Aly signing, with Senor Cueyas articles pre-
limnaly 10 peace with Mexico has been severely
condemned. received assurances on which
could rely, that the Mexican Government would
sign these articles. provided the Texas Secretary
oil State would fls aliiX his signature. 1t APP
peared proper 10 accede 10 this overture from
Mexico, for the following considerations:
"EHA-The signing Of the articles IT. question
renewed all precxl .or The renewal of hosili;ieS
by Mexico, aud thus left Texas 10 pursue, with
on molestalion, such policy as VIC might deem
best.
!Seon{-lt was iii fact REIMBURSEMENT sub
mo.io, by Mexico Of all claim Of sovereignty
over the territory OF Texas, thereby facilitating
rather than impeding Annexation.
"INird-lt was the ohlv way by which the
overture from Mexico could he presented TO the
representatives ui The people OF Texas, 10 whom
alone belonged The decision OF So gave a matter
as this OF peace or the risk Of a renewal oil hos
ultics.
"EmoRy-I was Of great importance, in the
even; that any unloward Circumstance should pre-
vent The accomplishment of Annex alton.
WAS the administration Of Texas authorized,
Of itself 10 reject ultimately, this friendly over
ture? Was il not bouud 10 submit this matter 10
the pcopcl There are FACTS in my possession
which shall al proper time make known 70
The people OF Texas, 10 convince them OF The cx
IRENE importance OF our coming 10 Il pacific ar
rangemenl with Mexico Al The period Of signing
The articles with Senior Cuevas, though that ar
raneement was temporary. The individuals who,
in 1912, supplied Mexico with facilities for pro.
curing vessels OF war 10 attack Texas and
whose machinaliors were then ballled hy my ac-
ivily, were ready in lSl5 10 advance means 10
equip the Mexican Navy for The purpose of
wagins active war against Texas with The same
Intimate design as torme,iy VP0a enc NJ Our m
dart.ons Are we sure, would ask, that some
Northern or Western Senators might not have
been found in the American Congress friendly 10
,cacefA Annexation, but opposed TO receiving
Tex with war on its ands? Were we not
sufficiently told 100, that wka a resolution Of
cCnnres> had done. resolution might undu!
And is the importance Of single vote-Senator
Baghy's for example forgotten
II has been falsely asserted that | signed the
articles with Senator Cncvas without the know
lct,o.. Of the Executive. ! know my duty better.
In all mn ofietal conduct, have acted under in
sl:uctions from his Excellency The President.
A different course would have rendered me liable
10 impeachment.
"My general silence in April last on ann xa-
ton, NAV have given rse 10 an honest misappre-
henson Of my opinion on this subject. hal
then Jus, signed The articles of arrangement with
Mexico. Ii is clear that had The Texas Secrc-
iary gone about making public declarations in
favor of annexation, the Mexican Government
would have refused 10 sign these articles, not
wilhslandns the assurances previously made. a
discreet silence seemed The proper cours, for me
10 pursue. Blu; 10 avoid future misapprehenson
| then wrote explicitly my opinion on this subject
10 General Elonslon, 10 General NJ. Baker, 10 Co
lionel Barnard f. Bee; expressed the same OPT
n on. in unoqni"ocal language 10 Colonel Ihrus-
ton. Mr.. J. Temple boswell, Mr. Henry F. Gil
lc!t' Doctor Bowers, Dr. kellum Colonel NJ. b.
Menard, General Charles Fenion Mercer, and
some other gentlemen in Texas; ard ! had de-
clarcd The same opinion TO the Hon. J. G. Cal
huun. the Hon. Alcec Labranchc, Nj. {. OF Loui-
siana. the Hon. T. II. Seymour, Nj. c. of Con-
nec,icur, General Il. NJ. Saunders, NJ. c. of North
Carolina. and numerous Other gentlemen in The
United States | now autllorz' The publication
OF the above letters, AMI Of all other letters writ
ten by me- however confidential, wherein allusion
is made 10 annexation. They will not be found
10 contain one adverse or dscrcranl word. Were
oppo ed 10 annexation, should ayow II lear
cssly.'