Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-12-05
nj E S S A G E
OF THE
p.esidcnt of the u. States,
!. y,,.Cti.ens of tie Senate

.nDlSl "
,;rs The aid of their combined wisdom in the
lmnisration of public affairs. In performing,
! ~ he FIRST time, the duty imposed on me by the
4 Constitution, Of giving TO you information OF Inc
.,,s oil the Union, and recommending to your
Il ,s;ieratiou such measures as 10 my judgment
- necessary and expedient, am happy that |
=, conoratula,e YOU on the continued proSperl-
~ onr country. Under the blessings OF Di-
80 providence. and The benign influence of our
INSTITUTIONS it stands before the world aspec-
,,c,r ), national happiness.
w ;,b our unexalupled advancement in all the
,,,,.n,s ci national greatness, the affection OF
nsone is confirmed for the union OF the States,
os a ,r he doctrines Of popular liberty, which lie
s,sb. foundation OF our government.
1 !, heromes Us, 10 humility, 10 make our devout
acknowledgements 10 the Supreme Ruler of The
Ta;yerse for the ineStmable civil and religious
! ssssines with which we are favored.
I, calling the attention of Congress to our
.s,;ens with foreign Powers, am gratihed TO
- able 10 state, that though with some OF them
,,arc have existed since your last session serious
,,nses Of irritation and misunderstanding, yet
- actual hostlities have taken place. Adopt
nc N. MAJ kim in the conduct OF our foreign
.aairs 10 task nothing that is no, right and
s,Snil 10 nothing that is wrong it has been
me anxious desire TO preserve peace with all ma
mons, but, at the sans time, 10 be prepared TO
rss;,, aggression, and 10 maintain all our JUS.
l .ign's
In pursuance Of the joint resolution Of Con-
cress "ior annexins Texas TO the United States"
mr. PREDECESSOR on the third day OF March,
,s.5 elected 10 submit the frs, and second Sec
n,Ds Of that resolution TO the Republic OF Texas
!, an overture, ON the par, OF the United Slales,
,or her admission as State into our Union
This election | approved, and accordingly the
Charge d'Affairs OF the United States in Texas,
under instructions OF the tenth of March, 1915,
n.ssep,ed these sections of he resolution for the
acceptance Of that Republic. The executive
Government, the Congress, and the people OF
Texas in Convention, have successfully ccm
pied with all the terms and conditions OF the
ON, resolution. A Constitution for the Govern
msnl OF he State Of Texas, formed by Conven-
ion OF Deputies is herewith laid before Con-
gess Il is we'll known, also, that the people
Of Texas at the polls have accepted the terms OF
annexation, and ratified the Constitution.
communicate TO Congress the correspondence
.sween The Secretary OF State and our Charge
Atiaires in Texas; and also the correspond
snce Of The latter, with The authorities oil Texas;
together with the official documents transmitted
\ by him 10 his own Government.
The terms OF annexation which were offered
bv The United States, having been accepted by
Texas the public faith OF both parties is solemn
y pledged to the compact Of their Union. No
hing remains 10 consummate the event, bnt Inc
passage of an act by Congress to admit the slate
d Texas into the Union, upon an equal footing
viii the original States. Strong reasons exist
vnY this should be done al an early period OF the
session.. 1t will be observed that. BY The Consul
a,On OF Texas, the existing Government IS only
c9ninued temporarily I'LL Congress can act and
aa, the third Monday OF the present month Is
he day appointed for holding the first general
election On that dav Governor, Lieutenant
Governor, and both branches Of the Legislature,
vii be chosen BY the people. The President OF
Texas is required, Immediately after the receipt
\; official Information that the new Stale has
zen admitted into our Union by Congress TO con-
gsre the Legislature; and, upon its meeting, the
sii.iins Government will be superseded, and The
SAFE Government organized. Questions deeply
interesting to Texas in common with the other
Safes: The extension of our revenue laws and Iu-
tcial system over her people and territory, as
well as measures OF local character, VIII claim
he early attention Of Congress; and, therefore,
upon every principle Of Republican Government,
she ought 10 be represented in that BODY without
unnecessary delay. | cannot 100 earnestly re-
commend prompt action on this important sub
st
As soon as the act 10 admit Texas as State
shall be passed, the union of the two Republics
viii be consummated by their own voluntary
CONSENT
This accession to our territory has been
| tiooiless achievement. No arm OF force has
Teen raised 10 produce the result. The sword has
lad no part in the victory. We have not sought
10 extend onr territorial possessions by conquest,
o. our Republican Institutions over reluctant
people. Ii was the deliberate homage OF each
irople 10 the grea, principle OF our iederalive
nnion
live consider the extent of territory involved
IA The annexation-its prospective influence on
Amerca-the means by which it has been &C
eomplished springing purely from the choice OF
ih- people themselves 10 share the blessings oil our
union-lhe history of the world may be challeng-
g 10 furnish parallel.
The jurisdiction OF The United States, which at
,ht formation OF The Federal Constitution was
bounded by the St. Mary's on the Atlantic, has
passed he Capes of Florida, and been peacefully
extended 10 the Del Nole. In contemplating me
grandeur olhs event, it is MOTTO be iorsoueh, lna'
the result was achieved in despite OF the d'Pio-
matte interference of European monarchies.-
Even FraDce-,he country which had been our
ancient ally-,he country which has common
Interest with US in maintaining the freedom OF
liz seas-lhe country which, BY the cession OIL
louisiana, first opened 10 US access TO Inc Gull
q Mexico-lhe country with which We have
zen every year drawing more and more closely
,e bonds Of successful commerce-m most unex-
ec.eily, and TO our unteigned regret took part 10
an effort TO proven, annexation, and 10 impose on
Texas, as condition of the recognition OF her
dependence BY Mexico, that sh. would never
l.n herself to The United States. We may re-
loice that the tranquil and pefyading influence
.. lie American principle of sclEgovernment,
vas sufficient 10 defeat the purposes OF British
and French Interference, and that the ALMOST
unanimous voice of the people of Texas has
e'en;o ha, interference 4 peaceful and effective
ieouse. From this example, European govern
.asnss may learn how vain diplomatic arts and
afsaes mos, ever prove upon this continent,
against that system OF self-sovernment which
seems natural 10 our soil, and which will ever
iesls foreign interference.
Towards Texas, | do moi doubt that liberal
ana generous spirit will actpa,e Congress in all
'aa' concerns her Interests aud prosperity, and
sae VIII never have cause 10 regret that she has
lion.
~ regret 10 inform you, that our relations with
Mexico, since your last session, have not been of
ue amieaoie character which il is our desire to
ssuuVste WIN all foreign nations On the sixth
aav Of March last, The Mexican Envoy Extraor-
Mnsry and Minister Plenipo,enliary to the Unit.
81 e1a'es, made formal protest, in The name Of
~ X soSsrnmenl against The joint resolution pass
g congress, "ior The annexation cf Texas to
NC ouileo States, which no chose 10 regard as
violation Of the rights OF Mexico, and, in conse-
S"eses O i, he demanded his passports. Hew
informed that the government OF the U. States did
NV consider this Joint resolution as violation of
any OF tie rights OF Mexico, or ,ha! ii Afforded
aay Iasl cause oil offence 10 his GovernmentI that
&c republic OF Texas was an independent, pow
lowing no allegiance 10 Mexico, and consiilul-
s no part OF her territory or rig6tul sovereign.
'and jurisdiction. He was also assured, ,ha,
was the sincere desire Of ihis government 10
maintain with that OF Mexico relations of peace
aat good understanding. That iunc,ionary.
-oSever, Notwithstanding these representations
sad assurances, abruptly Terminated his mission.
and shortly afterwards lef; the country. Oar En-.
'oy Extraordinary snd Minister Plenipo,en,iary
. Mexico was refused all Official intercourse
VIM Tia, government, and. after remaining seye-
al months, BY the permission Of his own severn
aent he returned to the United States. Thus, by
ae acts OF Mexico, all diplomatic intercourse be
"een The two countries was suspended.
No.,