The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1847-03-06

silinn of the Independence Of Texas and its ad
Inission into this Uniun hut | was not alone in
that. nor did take a leading par, in the discus
sion. the Two most prominent dvocates other
at tha, time were the SENATOR from Mississippi and
my then colleague, Mr.. Preston. bu, they were
seconded by large portion Of this body at the
time. The distinguished senator from Massachu
scts bore part In the debate, and expressed his
dpinon in favor of recognition at an early periud
and at the vast Importance of the future condition
of Texas 10 our country. I have not had time 10
examine the discussion hut find that was amono
those who bad advised delay until further intor
nation cootd be obtained. and many were for
promp, action; but the senator from Missouri has
thought proper. IN the face Of these facts TO hold
me upas the only individual disposed Cor promp,
and immediate action. lie has done more He
has suppressed tho fact, very important, TO be
known, that behre the cluse Of that very session
the report of the Committee On Foreign Relations
Recommending that the acknowledged of the
independence of Texas as soon as satisfactory in
formation could be obtained that it had successful.
ly established government--was adopted by the
unanimous vote of the Senate including the sena.
tor himself; and that at the very next session her
Independence was recognised.
Sir, admit, even ut that early period saw
that the incorporation of Texas into this Union
would be Indispensable both to her safety and
ours. saw that 1t was impossible that she could
stand as an independent power between us and
Mexico, with out becoming the scene of intrigue
ot foreIgp pnwers alike destructive of the peace
and security of both Texas and ourselves. I saw
more; saw the bearing nf the slave question at
that early stage, and that il would become an in.
sirument IN the hands of nIeign power of strik.
ing blow at us, and that two conterninnus
slaveh0ldng communities could not coexist with
out one being welded To the destruction of the
other The senator is right. What then said
was intended to shadow forth the future, that
E,tn hInho H.
by the unanimous voice of the country, TO take
charge of the State Department in reference to
these very events. ] saw. with General Jackson
that me golden opportunity had occurred when
annexation must take place in order to avoid in.
terminable difficulties and great disasters and.
seeing It. did not hesitate To undertake the duty
which had been assigned me. Notwithstanding
the difficulties. from the weakness of the admin
istration at that period | succeeded, in spite of
them, and that, ton, without war; and all the
elaborate efforts of the senator from Missouri
never can deprive me Of the credit to which an
entitled, in reference 10 the great question of an
nexation.
On review of the whole, my course, may
say, exhibits hseOnly some foresight in reference
to It, but also some power of averting the dangers
and securing the end which desired
Every measure towards the accomplishment of
annexation had been consummated before the pre-
sent administration came into power M war
followed, although the act of annexation had been
completed more than year before the rupture
between us and Mexico took place, nor would
war have followed all had we acted with ordi
nary prudence. That Mexico was chafed. cha
grined; that she threatened much and clustered
much; talked about war and even the existence
OF hosilllties-are all true. 1t was, however, but
talk. The strong should always permit the weak
and aggrieved TO talk, TO buster and scod, with
out taking offence and, if we had so acted and
rcl.l in la e
affairs, Mexico and ourselves would, by this time
have quietly and peaceably settled all diff
culties. and been good friends We have chosen
TO pursue the opposite conrse. and are in war
Every senator knows that was opposed to the
war, but none knows but myself the depth of tina /
opposition. With my conceptions of its charac
ter and consequences, il was impossible for me TO
vote for it. When. accordingly. was deserted
by every friend on this side of the house, incud
ing my then honorable colleague, among the rest ,
Mr.. McDnfie, | was not shaken in the least
degree IN reference TO my course. On the passage
OF the act recognizing the war, said To many of
my friends that deed had been done from which
the country would not be able to recover for a
long time, if ever; and added, il has dropped a
curtain between the present and the future which
TO me Is impenetrable |; and for the first time since
l have been in public life, am unable to see the
future also added. that il has closed the first
volume OF our political history under The consttn-
bou, d"u openeu the second, and that mortal
could tell what would be written in it, These
deep impressions were made upon MY mind, be-
cause saw, from the circumstances under which
The war was made, total departure from that
course OF policy which had governed the country
from the commencement of our government until
mat tline; and that, too, under circumsta noes
calculated to lead to most disastrous consequences
oince then, less than year has elapsed but in
mat short period enough has already been devel-
oped to make what was then said Look like
prophecy.
But the senator charges. entertaining as did
these impressions, that | did not take a stand and
arrest the march of Gen. Taylor to the Rio del
Norte, have already stated the reasons on an
other occasion why did not, and however un
satisfactory they may be to The senator, they are
satisfactory to myself. and doubt not they will
De to the community at large. He also minated
mat onght TO have communicated my views to
The President. | was guilty Of no neglec: in that
respect did not fail to state in the proper quarter
explicitly what | thought would result from the
order given to Gen. Taylor, but found very diff
ierent views from mine entertained there
ihose In power were quite as confident, that
the march of Gen. Taylor to the Del Norte would
not IN It's consequences involve war, as they were
that notice without compromise in reference To-
the joint occupancy Of Oregon would not involve
war with England.
ITO be concluded in our next.J