The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-03-26

gotten that peace only can make us both great and
free
With few remarks relating to myself person.
ally, shall conclude. have been charged with
being more strongly inclined TO secure the annexa
ton of Texas, than our rights 10 Oregon. |, has
been attributed 10 my greater partoty tn the
South than TO tho West But am vet TO learn
why Texas should be considered as belonuinu IN
the South rather 10 the West. ALWAYS THOUGHT
II formed part, and not unimportant part of
the valley OF the Mississippi and on that account,
as well as for giving security TO the south
ern portion of the valley the West desired its an
nexation Besides, have yet to learn that Tex
as is confined 10 southern latitude had sun
posed that IL extended far north and west, I'M to
the latitude of 420 in the neighborood of the great
pass of the Rocky mountains, on which the value
OF oregon TO us so much depends. | had supposed
that what are called the southern States had nat
SO direct and deep an interest in its annexation as
the West; hut it would seem, from languaOe
held on the occasion, that in all this was mista
Ken, and that the annexation of Texas was purely
a southern question, and only supported by the
west under the expectation of obtaining in return
the support of the South TO the whole of OREGON
up to So 40 and, if necessary, at the certain
hazard Of war.
But passing by all this, and assuming tha,
Texas was purely southern, and Oregon a
western question, repel the charge of partiality
and shall now proceed 10 show, that if n different
line of policy was pursued by me in reference TO
ihe Two, II was because it was right and proper
IL should DC. l treated both questions in the
manner best calculated to effect the object in
view, and indeed the only one by which boIh
could be secured The circumstances of the two
cases were entirely different. In the case of
ieNas, Time was agalnt us in that of OREGON
time was with us; and hence the difference in
my course Of policy in reference to them To
understand the difference it is necessary TO pre-
mise, that Texas had reached that period in her
history when it was clear that she would be COM
PEELED TO form intimate and dependent relations
either with us or England. If she continued in
dependent But it manifest if left alone
without any movement on our part, that her con-
nexion must be with England and not with ne
She could extend to Texas commercial ADVANTAGES
lar greater than we possibly could, and afford her
greater facilities IN obtaining means relieve her
from her great pecuniary embarrassments. Eng
land saw this, and had actually commenced her
movements 10 avail hesself of its advantages.
we, too, perceived it and also that annexation
Afforded the only means of counteractinr her
movements, and preventing Texas from being
placed exclusively under her control In this
emergency, | was called TO the State DEPART
nent, with view of taking charge of the pend
ing negotiation for annexation. | saw that the
time had arrived when immediate and decided
action was required that time was against rs
and that to resist the consequence holiness and
decision were indispensable. | acted accordingly.
and success proved the soundness of my policy.
IL was not a case for mastery inactivity Not so
the case Of Oregon, where time was with rs and
hence the different line of policy which | adopted
IN reference TO it, and which would have secured
the whole, had my advice been followed, as has
been explained.
la one particular my policy was the same in
both cases | aimed in each TO avoid war and
preserve peace. | clearly perceived that in an
neXing Texas there was danger of war with
England, if managed judiciously. She was an
independent state, and had been so acknowledged
by England, France, and other powers She had
right, as such, TO dispose of herself, and to
unite her destInies with ours, if she saw proper
without any right on the part Of England to re-
sIsl 1t, or ground or pretext to make war in con-
sequence. also perceived, that there were no
Just grounds to apprehend Mexican war in con-
sequence. She was not in condition TO make
war, without the aid of England, and there was
no reason to apprehend that she would be aided
or conntcnanced in it by the latter: unless, in
deeu, Tie Oregon question should terminate i'm a
war between us and her, in which event | re-
gaTded a Mexican war as inevitable, as has been
stated. mus Tar my antclpations have been
reaIized- eXas annexed, and peace preserved.
by the policy which pursued A different line
OF pollcy-one which would have permitted Emo
land TO obtain the ascendency over Texas, which
she would have acquired without annexation.
would have inevitably led TO a state of thinos
involving us and England finally in war. II
would have been impossible TO prevent feelings of
jealousy and enmity from growing up between US
and Texas. The very similarity ofour character
and pursuits, and the rivalry which they would
give birth 10, would necessarily lead to that re-.
suit; while the long and ill-defined boundary bo.
tween The two countries, extending for more than
thousand miles through forests, prairies, and
navIgabIe rivers, without natural boundary in
any part, would produce frequent collision be-
tween our people and those of Texas Contro-
yerSies and conflicts would have been the result
lexas, as the weaker power, would throw her
self upon Great Britain for support ; and wars
frequent and bloody wars between us and her
would have followed. Annexation has fortunate
~ removed those causes ofwar Should the Ore.
gon controversy terminate in peace, every canse
OF war between the two countries would be re-
moved, leaving the prospect of lasting peace be-
tween them.
CASE OF DR. HoLLIcK The Grand Jurv
on Wednesday, made special presenlment TO the
Court Of Quarter Sessions, complaining of DIR.
tiolIIck book and lectures. In conformity with
a Of ict I,ir