The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-02-01
Hoa Ne Ne Y. Morning .Mp,.
r ON ANNEXATION


LETTER ON ANNEXATION,
Addressed 10 The Committee Of arrangements
for The Meeting at 1amntany Hal, on FRI
day epeniag, The 24h INST.
WAsHsoroE, January %, isi5.
GEsrLEaKsi have delayed answering until this
late hour, your letter Of the 18th inst, inviting
To attend general meeting Of the Democratic
Republican Electors OF the City and County of New
York, 10 be held at Tammany Hall, on Friday eve
ming, January 2ith, for the purpose oil obtaining an
expression Of public sentiment, and taking action
with view TO promote the immediate annexation Of
the territory Of Texas to the United States" IN the
hope Of being able 10 cooperate IN person with my
fellow citizens be interesting and Important ocga
sion which will assemble them together.
Finding myself denied this qualification from the
resolution Of the House Of Representatives To take
action this subject upon the 18th inst, am com
PEELED g. adopt the least acceptable Of alternatives,
enoned by your invitation, 10 hssty and imperfect
expression OF my views.
The question Of the annexation Of Texas is nation
al and not sectional Il involves PRINCIPLES rights,
| and interests, pertaining to the whole Union, and
dem snds the enlightened and careful investigation OF
the patriot, the stat smsn and the philanhropist-
| Afler having bestowed some reflection upon the
| subject there Is no aspect IN which have been
abe TO view IT, that my mind has not been impress
sed with the solemn conviction that It Is one soon
destined TO oyerriIe AL party distinctions, and 10
assume the high and commanding elevation Of q
question wholly and absolutely American 10 ITS cha
racer.
| regard the acquisition OF this territory as but The
resumption OF title improperly alienaled as cal
cuIsted to promote the interests and cement the sta
bility Of our Union; necessary TO our protection
from the aggression Of power, whose dominion on
| this continent already covers an area OF 500 90
| square more than the United States, and Texas
added important to the restoration Of our ancient
boundaries, and required in order To secure an un
| limited control Of The vast valley watercj by the
Mississippi and its tributaries, liked and uDdouoted
possession of our Gibraltar, the Florida Pass, and
| The positive command Of the Mexican Gulf
| These are objects paramount with me, as they
must be with all who contemplate hightr and great
er destiny for our Government who regard IN a
proper hight the adventurous and enerprsing spirit
Of the people who watch the operations OF that
Jealous and ambitious rival whose red cross floats
over the lines Of our North Eastern boundary
through the accommodating agency OF Anglo Anne
ricsn diplomacy, and whose standard even now de-
socrates the soil OF American possessions in OREGON
While as a matter Of expedency and state policy
the annexation Of Texas has been justly considered
and admitted by all as Of the utmost consequence
not only In the accruing advantages Of trade inter-
course, and security TO The Union, but likewise
for the establishment Of those original bounda-
RES which enjoying into and connecting with
the waters Of the West, clasp rs with a natu-
raj band, that immense and valuable territory
stretching from New York to Louisiana, and
thence round Texas; there are those well disposed
towards It's acquisition, who are inclined t. question
the constitutional power 10 re-unite our own terrific
~, or acquire new States by alliance with an indie
pendent Republican Government, and who are equal
y skeptical to the authority OF Congress 10 annex
Texas to this Union by bill or joint resolution. lie
me $ rive 10 meet some Of these objections by the
arguments that have satisfied all the DOUBTS Of
my own mind, and settled It's convictions in this re
spect to the grants Of power delegated in express
| tern nv he IL
be proper 10 refer to the early condition and hsto
ry Of Texas in connection with Mexico, and 10 in
quire how and when she became enrolled IN the cata
logue OF nations.
} lexas was surrendered TO Spain by the treaty Of
1879 when we acquired the territory of Florida the
possession of the latter being esteemed by some o
the eminent of that day decidedly preferable
I, to the former. On the other hand, distinguish et
statesmen prouou need the surrender Of Texas H.
legal alienation of our rights 1t is not pretended
that The United States ever made a cessit of Ttxt,
by treaty otherwise. 1t was by successful
luton the expulsion Of Spanish authority, and the
recognition Of her Independence by this and othe
nations, and not by the mother government Of Sp in
that Mexico acquired any title TO Texas. Hei
whole right to this territory proceeded Immediately
and exc usIvey from revolution After the adoption
of the Federal Constitution, in 1924, by Mexico ant
under Its Inducements and assurances, Texas became
settled by an enterPrlsng emigration That compact
between Mexico and the people of Texas, which wa
| WIN nOnOr ana BoOu Ialtn on int1i part
was violated and destroyed by the usurpaton of Sa n
Ia Anna, and Mexico, after arduous and doubtful
struggle was eventually subdued by hireng sol
diery. The States existing under the Constitution
we've annihated and a military despotism was estab
lished, with mercenary dictator at its head. TIL,
civil authorities of Mexico and Texas we've sup
pressed by the bayonet, the citizens disarmed by de
cree and an army Of outlaws complete he work o
desolaon by indiscriminate slaughter of the veal
or resisting.
; The Texans, composed chiefly Of the descendant.
Of those whose blood wrote the undying record o
their patriotism in our Revolution, and imbued ilt
the love of liberty length determined fall glor
ousy upon the field to vindicate their privileges
as freemen by the overthrow of their oppressors.-
The civilized world which watched for the result o
contest in which handful of half armed and un
provided men, stimulated by the cause of freedom
marched against the hosts of a wel-organlzed army
knows how valiantly they fought and how nobl,
they cohquered-how the Mexican soldiery were dri
ven and defeated and the sanguInary ,yrant himse
hurled from command, and forced into capvity--tht
} prisoner at war OF people whom by injustice an,
oppression, he had impelled into revolution, an,
whose country from dependent colony wa,
thence formed into a Republican Government
AT er acknowledging the independence of Texas by
solemn stipuations, Santa Anna was released, ant
flom the memorable battle of San Jacinto to thi.
time, Mexico has not only been unable to re.suhju
gate Texas, but she has failed TO keep up even The
semblance of war; unless predatory excursions, lei
on ny some brigand chief, or outrages rerpetratet
with Indian alliance are to be regarded such by
the enlightened sentiment of mankind
Texas having continued TO maintain her position
England, France, and Holland subsequently recog
, Missed her independence, and she now exercises all
the rights OF sovereignty her people and terrific
ry, as fully and perfectly any other nation of the
world. Thus It will have been observed that as
Mexico gained her independence and territory by one
revolution, 50 did Texas gain hers by ano her-tha
the ca es are appostey analogous, and the applca.
ton of the law OF nations precisely identical These
principles have been long recognised by Mexico and
our own country and an exception cannot now be
demanded in the settled policy OF the code of nations
in reference to the annexation Of Texas.
1 hat sovereignty may cede the whole or part
ofits eitory is an admitted principle among nations
unless there be some restraining constitutional inter