The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-19
CONGRESS SIONAL.
DOCUMENTS ACCOMPANYING THE PRES
DENTS MESSAGE.

| DOCUMENTS ACCOMPANYING THE PRES
DENTS MESSAGE.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH TAxAs ON THE SUB,
jet OF ANNEXATION.
Mr.. Calhoun TO Mr.. Donelson.
DEPARTMEsr OF STATE,
Washington, March 3, l645.
SiRi herewith transmit TO you copy of the joint
resolutions adopted by Congress for the annexation
of Texas to the United States.
You will perceive that they consist of two distinct
parts: the one, embraced in the first and second
lions, being the original resolution as it passed
the House Of Representatives; the other, included
IN the third and last, being the amendment made by
the Senate, and subsequently, adopted by the House
The former contains certain specific propositions
for the admission of Texas into Union; the lat
ter gives discretionary power TO the PRESIDENT !!
he should deem it advisable, to enter into negota-
lions with the republic as prescribed in the section
itself, instead of submitting to is acceptance or re-
lection the proposals contained IN the former.
| The President has deliberately considered the
subject, and is of opinion that it would not be ad
vsabe to enter into the negotiations authorized by
the amendment of the Senate; and you are, accord
ingly, instructed TO present to the government Of
Texas as the basis of its admission, the proposals
contained in the resolution as it came from the
House of Representatives
II is not deemed necessary to state at large the
sufficient to state, briefly that the provisions Of the
resolution, as it came from the House, are more
simple IN their character may be more readily, and
with less difficulty and expense, carried into effect
and that the great object contemplated by them is
much less exposed to the hazard Of ultimate dc.
feat.
| That they are more simple in their character, a
very few remarks will suffice to show. Accord.
ing TO the resolution, as it came from the House,
nothing more is necessary than that the Congress
| Of Texas should be called together its consent
given to the provisions contained in it, and the
adoption of constitution by the people in con-
vention, to be submitted to the Congress of the
United States for its approval, in the same manner
as when one of our own Territories is admitted as
State. On the contrary, according to the pro-
visions of the Senate's amendment, the Congress
Of Texas must, in like manner, be convened
1t must then go through the slow and troublesome
process of carving State out of part of its terri
tory; afterwards 1t must appoint agents commits
sioners to meet similar agents commissioners to
be appointed on our part, to discuss and agree on
the terms and conditions on which the State shall
be admitted, and on the cession of the remaining ter.
ritory to the United States and after all this, and
not BEFORE the people of the said State must call
convention, frame constitution, and then present il
to the Congress of the United Sates for its approval
but which cannot be acted on until the terms agreed
upon by the negotators, and which constitute the
conditions on which the State is to be admitted sha
have been ratified. AH
That they may be more readily and with less diff:
fculty and expense, carried into effect is plain from
the fact that the details fewer and less complex
1t is obvious that the numerous and complicated
provisions contained in the amendment Of the Sen.
ate must involve much time and difficulty in their
execution; while, as to the expense, the appropria
ton Of 100000 provided for by it is clear add
tonal cost and above that attendant on the ex
| ecution of the resolution of the House.
| But the decisive objection to the amendment Of
the Senate is, that it would endanger the ultimate
success of the measure. 1t proposes to fix, by ne.
gotation between the governments Of the United
States and Texas, the terms ard conditionso on which
the State shall be admitted into our Union, and the
| cession of the remaining territory to the United
States. Now, by whatever name the agents con.
Quoting the negotiation may be known-whethel
they be called commissioners ministers, or by any
other title--the compact agreed on by them in be.
half Of their respective governments would be
treaty, whether go called or designated by some 9TH
er name. The very meaning of treaty is com.
pact between independent States founded on negot-
alton. And If treaty, Gas 1t clearly would be- il
must be submitted to the Senate for it's approval
and run the hazard of receiving the votes Of two
thirds Of the members present; which could hardly
be expected, if we to Judge from recent expert
ence. This, of ITSELF is considered by the President
as conclusive reason for proposing the resolution
of the House, instead of the amendment of the SEN
ate, the basis of annexation.
House prescrbes no means Of rendering its provi-
sions acceptable to the government and people Of
Texas, in case they should prove unsatisfactory
The objection, however, is more apparent than real
for although none are expressly provided, it cannot
be doubted that the Congress Of Texas may pro.
pose whatever amendments it may think essential
and transmit them to the government of the United
States for its consideration and agreement; and, il
adopted, to be binding on both parties-a far more
satisfactory mode, in all probability, Of obtaining
the mutual consent of boh than that of negotiating
through commissioners or other agents; while il ID
exempt from the decisive objections to which this is
liable.
But it is deemed by the President of great import
ance that the resolution should be adopted by the
government of Texas without amendment, so as to
avoid the hazards and contingencies incident to de-
lay and you are accordingly instructed to use your
best exertions 70 effect this object. Should you fai
in this, you will next endeavor to induce the Con
gress of Texas to substitute, in place of amend
ments, separate md distinct propositions, expires
sive of their views of what the provisions Of the res
olution ought to be, accompanied by strong adj
dress setting forth their reasons at length and ex
pressing their reliance on the justice of the govern
ment of the United States for their adoption. Il
both fail, it will then remain for the Congress OF
Texas to amend the resolution as above suggested.
| The President also directs me to instruct you to
proceed, with as little delay possible to the
of the government of Texas and to urge speedy and
prompt action on the subject Time is important
and not day ought to be lost. The last hope or
the part Of any foreign power which may feel dis
posed to defeat annexation, viii be to act upon tn,
government Of Texas; and it can scarcely be doubt
ed, from the deep feelings expressed on the part o.
one Of the leading European powers against tn,
measure, that effort will be spared to induce Tex
to reject the proposals contained in the resolution
Your presence, intelligence, activity, and influence
confidently relied on to counteract the attempt
| ! have the honor TO be, with high respect, sir
your obedient servant,
]. G. CALHOUN.
A. ]. DoNELsoN, esq, &c, &c. &c.
| Mr.. Buchanan TO Mr.. Donelson.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, March 10,l645.
| SIR You will have received, ere this can reach
you, the despatch Of Mr. Calhoun, the late Secretary
State of the third instant nstructing you ito pre-