Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-03-24

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why Texas should be considered as belonging 10
the South rather than 10 the VESTS always
thought hal il formed part and mol an uniunP
liant par, Of the valley of the Mississippi anu oa
thai account as well as for giving greater seGuli
~ 10 The Southern portion Of the valley, The West
desired its annexation. Besides, have yel 10
learn that Texas is confined 10 Sonliiern iali-
tude. had supposed that il extended lar worm
and Wes,, up 10 The latitude OF AZ degrees IN the
neishhoIhuod Of The great pass OF Inc hocAy
mountains on " hich Inc value OF oregon ~ Us
SO much depends. had supposed that Wha' are
called the Southern States had not 50 dlfec! ana
deem an interest in It's annexation as The West
but il would seem, from language held on inc oc-
casion thati in all this was mistaken ana that
the annexation OF Texas was purely Soulhern
question: arl only supported by the West un"e!
lac expectation OF obtaining in return Inc support
OF The South 10 the whole of Oregon up 10 81 ue
erees 40 minutes, and, Unnecessary, alt CERTAIN
hazard OF a war
Blu, passing BY all this, and assuming that
| Texas was purely southern, and Oregon Yves,
tern question: repcl The chareeot paHlalily, ana
/ shall now proceed 10 show that II different iine
Of policy was pursued BY me in reference 10 Inc
two, il was because il was right and proper II
should be. Treated both questions 10 the manner
best calculated TO effect The object in view, and
cured. The circumstances Of The Two cases
were entirely different. In Inc case OF Texas,
lime was against u.s. in lhatof Oregon, time was
with Us; and hence The difference in my course OF
policy in reference 10 them. TO understand the
difference il is necessary 10 premise, that Texas
had reached that period in her history when II
was clear that she would be compelled 10 form
intimate and dependent relations either with US or
England, if she continued independent. But ii
was manifest, il left alone, without any move
ment on our part, that her connexion must be
with England and not with u.s. She could extend
10 Texas commercial advantages Tar grealerhan
We possibly could and afford her greater facilities
in obia ming means 10 relieve hci from her great
pccuniary cmbarrassmenls England saw this,
and had actually commenced her movements 10
avail hers If of It's advantages. We, too, per-
ccived il: and also that annexation afforded the
only means oi couneraclDg her movements,
and preventing Texas from being placed eyclu-
siyeiy under her control. In this emergency,
was called 10 the State Department, with view
OF taking charge Of the pending negotiation for
annexation. saw that The time had arrived
when immediate and decided action was required;
that time was aeains, US, and that 10 resist the
consequence boldness and decision were indis.
pensable. acted accordingly, and success
proved the sonndness of my policy. It was MOI,
OF Oregon, where time was with US, and hence
The dilferen, lire Of policy which adopted in
reference 10 it, and which would have secured
The whole, had my advice been followed as has
been explained.
In one particular my policy was The same in
both cases aimed il each to avoid war and
preserve peace clearly perceived, that in an
nexins Texas there was no danger OF war with
England, If managed judicously. She was an
nIependent State, and had been so acknowledged
by England, France and other powers. She had
rishi, as such, 10 dispose OF herself, and 10
unite her destinies with ours, il she saw proper,
wllhou. any right, On The part OF England, 10
resist it, or ground or pretext 10 make war in
consequence. also perceived, that there were
no Just grounds TO apprehend Mexican war
IL consequence. Size was not in condition
10 make war, without The aid Of England and
there was no reason 10 apprehend that she
would be aided coun.enancedi in by the later;
unless, indeed, The Oregon question should Ter
.,linal. in war between us and her, in which
even, rcga rded Mexican war as inevitable, as
has been stated. Thus Tar my anticipaiions have
been reaizcd-Texas annexed, and peace pre-
served, ~ the policy which pursued. A differ
en-, line of policy one which would have per-
mirled England 10 obtain The ascendcncv over
Texas, which she would have acquired without
annexation, WouIu nave inevitably ieo 10 Stale
OF things involving US and England finally in
war. Il would have been impossible 10 prevent
feelings OF jealousy and enmily from growing
up between Us and Texas. The very similarity
OF our character and pursuits, and The rivalry
which they would give biTh 10, would neccssari-
Il lead 10 that result; while the long and Hide
fined boundary between tLc.wo countries, extend
ins 10, more imam a thousand miles through for
esis, praircs and navgable rivers, without
natural boundary in any part would produce ire
ouen! collisions between our people and those Of
of Texas Controversies and conflicts would
have been HE result. Texas, as he weaker
powcr, would lhrow herself upon Great Britain
for support; and waTs-l'equent and bloody wars
between US and her you'd have followed. An
nexalion has fortunately removed these causes OF
war Should the Oregon controversy terminate
in peace. every cause Of war between the Two
tries would BIZ removed, leaving the prospect Of
lasting peace between Them