The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-19

NAL admission into the Union, will, in the opinion
| OF the Presldent, have become in fact one Of our
Stafcs at least in such degree to render il obi
satory on him TO defend her against foreign inva-
| sion. fg
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedent ser
want,
JAMES BUCHANAN.
A. DoNEIson, esq, &c, &c.
Mr.. Buchanan 10 Mr.. Doneison
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
Washington, June 3, 1916.
SrR; Your dispatches to No. 25, inclusive, have
been received.
In answer to your request for leave of absence
after the Congress- of Texas shall have accepted the
propositions of the United States for annexation, I
am instructed by the President to say, that although
he feels the strongest desire to crafty your wishes
he cannot grant you this permission. Public con-
slderations OF paramount importance, require in his
opinion, that you should remain in Texas at least
until the final adjournment of the convention. The
public interests at stake in the proceedings of that
body are so vast that nothing ought to be left TO
c'denG and your presence may be necessary to pre-
vent or remove difficulties which may suddenly
arise, and cannot now be anticipated Your conduct
throughout your negotiations has received his cor
dial appreciation and he is unwilling that the
try should be deprived Of your services in Texas
until the question of annexation shall have been
finally settled.
II Is unnecessary for me TO address you on the
subject Of the note Of Mr. Allen to yourself under
date Of the 18th Of May, your answer to it Of the
24th, as my despatch to you of the 23d ultimo
ers the whole ground.
The President entirely concurs in opinion with
you, that the United States should avoid the least
appearance of interference with the free action of the
people of Texas the question of annexation.
This Is necessary TO give its full effect 10 of the
grandest moral spectacles which has been pre-
scented to mankind and to convince the world that
we would not il we could influence their decision,
except by fair argument. We desire that our con-
duct shall be in perfect contrast TO that pursued by
the British charge dafares to Texas in reference to
the question Of annexation.
, The same feeling actuates the President in rea-
ton TO Mexico This government will studouslyre
fran from all acts of hostility towards that republic,
unless these should become absolutely necessary IN
self.defence Orders have been transmitted to Cap
tain Stockton in accordance with this declaration,
And may we not hope that the people of Texas,
whose history has been 30 brief but yet so distn-
gushed, will conduct all their proceedings in such
peaceful and orderly manner, as to add am enduring
civic to the military wreath which they have
achieved and TO convince all mankind that free
and enlightened people are the best and wsest arbl
tcrs of their own destiny
| am, sir, very respectfully, your obcdient SER
want,
A. J. DoNELsoN, esq, &C., &C., &c.
Mr.. Buchanan to Mr.. Doneisoa.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, June Is, lSi5
SIs: Your dispatches Nos. % and 81 have been
received. II appears from them that Mexico has
already seven thousand troops on the Rio Grande,
that Captain Elliott has declared to many Of the cit
liens of Texas "that rejection Of the proposals
offered by him for the independence of Texas will
| be followed Immediately by an invasion from Next
CO.." and "that as soon as he is informed that nc
cannot defeat annexation, he will be apt to find
1 ,ooll he,
mander Of the Mexican troops on the Rio Grandc,
who il is reasonable to conclude, will be prepared
at once to resume the war upon Texas" You also
express the opinion that "a war with Mexico is in
evitable" i
| Under these circumstances, you very properly
ask the question, ''Should Mexico take possession
Of the country between the Nueces and the Rio
Grande, or come still further east within the
Texan territory, before convention can express
the requisite ratification of proposals, are the
United States to stand still and the country thus
invaded without interpreting protection r.
| In answer to this important question, shal! pro-
coed 70 present to you the views Of IT,. President
upon the subject.
There are many reasons why it is preferable that
| Texas herself should drive the ntruders from her
territory, until after the convention shall have
i cepted the terms of our joint resolution. OF her
ability and her viii TO perform this service,
acquainted with her history can doubt. Her citi-
zens are brave; they can endure the climate at this
their glory to ask aid in defending her territory
until this duty shall clearly devove upon the United
States. Besides, il is impossible that our troops
now reach the scene Of action in time to render her
any assistance in expellng the nruders before the
fourth of July, the day of the meeting of the
vention. The expenses of such an expedition must
eventually be borne by the United States. If at
tempt should be made to dismember the territory of
Texas as it existed when the joint resolution for
annexation passed Congress, at the moment when
LA.
proposals, most certainly the strongest obligation
would be imposed on the American Congress TO In
demnify her for the charges of repeling the inva-
sion. In performing this duty she will be acting
for the benefit of our whole country and preserv-
ing her territory IN the condition il was when
we offered to receive her into the American Union.
The President cannot doubt for moment but that,
after annexation the troops employed in this ser
vice will be placed upon precisely the same footing
as troops would be who had been regularly called
outunder the authority Of the act of Congress TO
| pei an invasion Of any Of the existing States.
| Should the Congress Of Texas consent to the
terms of annexation and the convention be prevent
ed from holding its session on the fourth Of Juy or
be afterwards disturbed in its peaceful deliberations
by an actual invasion Of their territory by Mexico.
in either event the President would feel himself
bound at once to rcpel such an invasion. unanl-
nous, or nearly unanimous vote OF her Congress
in favor Of annexation would afford conclusive EVIL
dence that the people Of Texas are anxious for the
reunion of the two republics. Under such circum-
stances, it would degrade the character of the
United States to suffer this great measure to be de-
| feated against the will of the people Of both coun
| tries by the Vaccinations Of foreign governments
and the control they exercise over Mexico. The
moment that the convention Of Texas shall ratify
the terms of annexation, the substantial engage
ments Of both parties will then have been compile
| ted, and nothing would remain TO be done but her
mere formal admission State into the Union, in
obedience to these solemn engagements. Now, If
the will Of the people of Texas should be rendered
manifest by the vote Of her Congress, and Mexi-
can INVASION instgated by foreign nations for the
express purpose Of defeating annexation, should
prevent the convention from assembling OF the day
appointed, or disturb it afterwards in IFS peaceful
| dali hav mn dffrutu