Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-13
RICHMOND, VA.
Thursday Morning. February 10, 1919
PROSPECTS IN WASHINGTON.


poets Of Texas. The information OF letters from
Washington, by Yesterdays mail, is different
vet none of the correspondents exactly agree IN
opinion about the proposition which is 10 prevail.
All hope-no one despairs. A better leelinS, we
hope, is getting up among the members-as inc
importance OF the acquisition is more fully appre-
ciated-the dangers Of delay better understood
the public sentiment more distinctly expressed.
So little time, too, is allowed for the decision-so
little of the fag end OF the short session remains,
that the very necessity OF immediate action IS
calculated to inspire more conciiatory, COM
promising, and business-like spirit. Ihegoai IS
near al hand, and little time is permitted for me
play of the passions-ior the exertion Of sinister
influences, and for the operation OF any obstacles
which NAV defeat the great work in hand Con-
gress must adjourn on the night of the 3rd OF
March, and within less than three weeks from this
day, which is fixed tor the day OF proceeding IN
the Senate, The contending parties must close
their labors There is, therefore, little time 70
concoct projects. TO expand the debates. A
more business- like spirit will, we hope, iniuse II
self into the procecdings-and with the necessity
Of industry, will return the genius OF concl!alon
concession and action.
The last accounts from Washington do moi 50
much differ about the prospect of success, as
about the means of achieving il. All the
seem TO agree thai something will be done but
not exactly as to how il is TO be effected. One cor
respondent says that Browns resolutions will he
adopted another that Benton's bill will pass ,
third, that combination oflhe two will carry the
day.
An extract OF letter is put into our hands
this "wednesday evening by the days mail, IN
which we are told entire confidence may be
placed. The extract runs thus
at is still probable bill in some form, ior me
annexation Of Texas, will pass both Houses
Benlons bill will certainly be rejected; But per-
haps Browns BILL with portion OF ben1oh's d.
q pforiSo, may be adopted
We have frankly expressed our preference, ior
The House resolutions but are perfectly Wiling
to provide with Benton for authorizing ne"
negotiation with Texas, if the terms IN Inc reso-
lulions are not acceptable 10 her. il we cdhho'
get Browns resolutions, we do NOT hesitate u
saw tha, We will take Benton's scheme. In ms
same shirt. we hope all the friends OF Texas, DC
they Democrats or Wings, be they OF The Senate
or the House, will approach this important, com
plcated and exciting question. we want 10 bu'
nv it as soon as possible-ior, truly does the ON
resolution of The Virginia Legislative Convention
say:
aRcsolrcd, That the question ought 10 be adj
usted as soon as pTacticabe-ihas delay only
breeds danger-that it gives lime 10 Great Bri-
tain 10 carry on her ntrigues against annexation
and obtain sinister influence in Texas-tha
defeat will fan the flame OF agitation in our own
/ country, and kindle new war in the spirit OF the
/ Missouri controversy-that, whilst no patty car
| gain bv procrastinaton il is the duty which all
/ parties owe TO the country to decide this question
at once.
| Having expressed our opinions freely and frank
| " upon this subject is il not better, as we have
NOT all the elements of the calculation before us
not knowing the actual and shifting state OF the
vote al Washington or the circumstances which
operate upon different members 10 leave the
question very much in their hands-to lay some
what on our oars and TO watch with inexpressi-
Bile anxiety, OF course,) and TO wait with some
little eQuanimity) for The denouement OF the dra-
unsupported 10 hail the success OF The great
measure with accamation-to thank its friends
but 10 hold 10 fearful responsibility every man,
who contributes 10 defeat it, and by that defeat,
10 throw flaming firebrand into the midst OF The
community? For our own parts, we care but
little who gains the greatest credit by The achieve
ment Our little barque may carry little OF The
credit-other larger vessels will bear of more
The principal actors at Washington, who most
contribute 10 the victory, will receive more Of the
leaves Of the laurel crown, than oihers-Tyler,
Calhoun, Walker, Benton, (some Of our friends
write from Washington, mat COL y. is as an1-
ious and arden, for annexation, and will now
do and sacrifice as much 10 gain her, as
any one,) and host OF others, will receive
large share of the credit. A laurel leaf shall
be laid upon the tombs Of Upshur and Of Gilmer:
but the man OF the "iron nerve, the Patriot Hero
Of the Hermitage, will stand in this, as he has
done in other things, more eminent in exer,ions,
and pre-emnent in his fame. But whoever may
be most freshly remembered on the occasion Of
our success, lei the great effort be now, who shall
best deserve it-who shall do the most for the
common cause. Let the friend. OF Texas COM
mnne with each other-weish probabililies-slu-
dy only The success of the measure. Let there be
no ehor, TO circumyent each oher-to get The start
to gain any unfair advantage for ones own
bantling prorosilion-,o shuttle each other out OF
the way-butslrike for glorious country-and
an ample area for The extension OF its free nsttu
ttcata4.