The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-27

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nous of the Senate, promptly given VI course II
that treaty the of the with Mexico. as the
10 suppose, this body as much the author
and OF the war, as The individual on whom ne ~
now anxious 10 nix II,
! have said il is good treaty. not without due reflec-
ton We acquired much by IT, Ii gave us Florda-an
ACQUISITION only important in ITSELF but also In refer
the whole southwestern frontier There was at
that me four powerful tribes OF Indians, two of whom
the Creeks and the Choctawswere contiguous TO Flor
da and the two others-he Chickasaws and Cherokees
were adjoining They the most numerous and pow
erfu tribes in the United States and, IRON their position,
were exposed TO be acted and excited against us from
Florida 1t important that this state OF things should
terminate, which could only be done by obtaining the
possession of Florida
But there were other and powerful considerations for
the acquisition. We had short time before exngush-
ed the Indian title to large tracts of country in Alabama
Mississippi and Georgia. lying upon streams and rivers
which passed through Florida TO the Gulf--lanis in
great valueless, without the right OF navigating
them their mouths. The acquisition of Florida gave
this right and enabled us to bring INTO successful cn
tivaon great extent OF fertile lands which have added
much to the increased production OF our great slapeco
ton. Another important point was effected by the acqu
ston. II terminated very troublesome dispute win
Spain, growing out OF the capture OF ST. MARX and rem
sacola by General Jackson, in the Seminole war and
whatever right Spain had to that Territory
Such is the treaty on which the senator has avshed
so much of his abuse but there were other reasons TOR
adopting the Sabine the boundary and OF which was
ignorant at the time the treaty formed and to the
knowledge of which have come within the last few
years Mr. Monroe, if am correctly informed, IN adopt
ing that line acted under circumstances which lett hm
little option not at liberty to state them-the IN
formation received conidentally It is sufficient TO
state that he bad asceained that the Senate would not
ratify treaty with boundary farther west II was COM
muncated to him by senators OF first responsibility Their
reason for refusing to ahfy treaty which would eX-
tend the boundary beyond the Sabine do not choose to
go into, although was communicated to me with the IN
formation to which have alluded.
But take out OF the speech OF the senator what he
has stated in relation annexation, and the Florida trea
ty, in which, as have stated he has but repeated old
and stale charges that made not the sg htest impression
on the country at the time what is there lett OF ms
present attack upon me 1t is surprising that man OF
his experience and sagacy should suppose that the Iepe
ton of these thread bare charges regarded as futile
when first made, should make any impression now In
hem after such elaborate PREPARATION as 1t affords the
conclusive proof how exempt my course has been
from any Just censure during the long period OF time IN
which he has attempted to trace IT.
To make good his allegation that am the author OF
annexation and that annexation caused the war ne as
sers that | in favor OF the annexation OF Texas as
far back 1885, Immediately after the battle OF San ia
cinto and the capture OF Santa Anna 10 prove which
he read extract from the speech which delivered on
now Secretary Of the Treasury nsuctng the senators to
obtain immediate recognition OF the independence OF
Texas.
1t is true that | then advocated early recognition
of the independence of Texas, and its admission into this
Union; but | was not alone in that nor did take a
leading part in the discussion the two most prominent
advocates of her cause at that time the senator
from Mississippi and my then colleague Mr. Preston,
but they were seconded by large portion OF tins body
sets bore part the debate and expressed his opinion
in favor of recognition at early period and OF the vast
Importance of the future condition OF Texas TO our country
have not had time to examine the dlscusslon but lind
that among those who advised delay until flrther
information could be obtained and many were for
prompt action; but the senator from Missouri has
thought proper in the face OF these facts to hold me up
as the only individual disposed Tor prompt and imme,
diate action. He has done more He has suppressed
the fact, very important to be known that before the
close of that very session the report of the Committee
Foreign Relahons-recommending that the acknowedg-
ment OF the independence OF Texas as soon as satsiac
tory information could be obtained that had successful
y established governmentwas adopted by the unanl-
vote OF the Senate, including the senator himself
and that at the very next cesson her independence was
recognised
Sir, admit at that early period, saw that the
incorporation OF Texas into this Union would be nds-
pensabe both to her safety and saw that 1t was
impossible that she could stand as an independent power
between and Mexico, without becoming the scene OF
intrigue of foreign powers alike destructive OF the peace
and security of both Texas and ourselves. saw more
| the bearing OF the slave question at that early
stage, and that il would become an instrument IN the
hands OF foreign power OF striking blow az US, aha
not co-exst without one being welded to the destruc-
ton OF the other The senator is right What ! then
said was intended to shadow forth the future that future
which actually came when was called, by the uaanl-
voice OF the country, to take charge OF the olae
Department, in reference to these very events saw,
with General Jackson, that the golden opportunity hai
occurred when annexation must take place IN order to
avoid inermnable difficulties and great disasters and,
seeing it did not hesitate to undertake the duty which
had been assigned me, Notwithstanding the dlfhcuies,
from the weakness OF the administration at thai PERIOD
succeeded in despite of Them and that too without war
and all the elaborate efforts of the senator from Missouri
never deprive of the credit to which am entitled,
in reference to the great question OF annexation.
On review of the whole, my course, may say, eX-
hibts not only foresight in reference to IT. but also
powers of averting the dangers, and securing the
end which desired
Every measure towards the accomplishment of annex
alton had been consummaed before the present admins
tration into power No war followed although the
act of annexation had been completed more than year
before the rupture between and Mexico took place,
nor would have followed at all had we acted with
ordinary prudence That Mexico chaed chagrined
that she threatened much and clustered much talked
about and even the existence OF hosles-are aii
true Il was, however, but talk The strong should al
ways permit the weak and aggrieved TO talk to buster
and scod without taking ofence and, II we had SO act
ed and exercised proper skill IN the management OF our
affairs Mexico and ourselves would by this Tune, nave
quietly and peaceably settled all difficulties, and been
good friends We have chosen to pursue the opposite
course, and are IN war.
Every senator knows that ! was opposed 10 the war
but none knows but myself the depth OF that opposition
With my conceptions of its character and consequences 1t
was impossible for me to vote for IT. When according,
Ily, deserted by every friend on this slde OF
the house. including my then honorable colleague,
among the rest, [Mr McDutiie,l was not shaken IN
the least degree in reference to my course. On the
passage of the recognising the war; SAID to many OF
nv friends that deed had been done from which the
country would not be able for long time, II
ever and added has dropped curtain between the
present and the future which to me Is impeneabe and
for the first time since have been public life, am
unable to the future also added that II has closed
the first volume of political history under the consul
tuon and opened the second and that no mortal could
tell what would be written in It. These deep impress
l