Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-08-27

Now, either Inirfence would 90 lnlus,lle
character. The authorities of Texas had relied
tor years upon a plain and frank proposition ior
annexation, and had hoped 10 be mel by a cor
dial and manly acceptance. They.were disap-
pointed! Texas was treated with GOODNESS, re-
serve or palpable discouragement- In his con-
dilion oil our affairs common sense, without un-
common sagaciiy, suggested The only feasible
plan 10 attain The desired object, and that was, 10
excite jealousy and alarm on The part oil the po-
li,icians and people of The United States, in rela-
lion 10 the future commercial and political con
~nexions OF Texas with European nations. This
was easily accomplished, by treating win ST.
lence all the charges which were made by editors
OF various newspapers in The United States.
The chief magistrate OF Texas was chargea
with "lreason"-selling Texas 10 England-sub-
sidizips her to France.-and, in a Short time "as-
founding disclosures" of all "these transactions
would take placel"-All these charges remained
unconlradicled by The journals OF Texas, and the
effect was all that could be desired! Jealousy To-
ward England and France was awakened
This begat excitement, which originated phan-
tastes and conjured up notions OF lnlTlgues, which
had existence only in imagination.
The facts, as we'll as the diplomatic correspon-
depce OF Texas, in all these matters, will vindI-
Gale those engaged in the administration OF The
government, as well as the representatives OF To-
reign nations.
Mr.. Tyler further says: In reference to The
measure Of annexation :-"Nay, l may go even
further, and declare, before the initiative was
taken, and when the preliminarles were nearly
all arranged, their completion being alone pre-
vented by the death of Mr.. Upshur, and the APP
poinlment of an adjunct commissioner 10 Mr..
Van Zandl, BY Texas" &c. From this IL might
readily be inferred that obstacles have been IN
terposed 10 a conclusion Of The preliminaries, ny
the appointment OF an adjunct commissioner BY
Texas. No Steps were authorised TO be taken ~
any agent on The subject OF the proposition oil Inc
United States by the Executive OF Texas, until
the appointment of commissioner was made I'M
der The proposition. Previous 10 The proposition
by MIR. Upshur through Mr.. Murphy, U. 5.
charge d'Afaires, MIR. Van Zandt had been IN
siructed 10 make known 10 The government o.
the U. S., that the proposition for ANNEXATION ~as
no longer open 10 discussion!
This, no doubt, in connection with the procla-
nation OF armistice between Texas and Mexico,
| corroborated by the Authentic information referred
10 by Mr.. Tyler, caused The direct proposition 10
be made for annexation.
In December, l64l, The Executive OF Texas
found The country surrounded BY, and involved
in. the most intricate and ~peIilous difficulties
To redeem The nation. it was necessary TO accom-
phish one OF three ohjecIs, and he designed his
plans accordingly. His FIRST objec. was 10 OBJ
lain annexation. If in that he did not sue
coed, his next was 10 secure the indepcn-
dence OF Texas, by The recognition oil Mexico,
and If he should isil in these, The third was 10
form a treaty with some power, defensive against
Mexico. In advancing his policy his first move
ment was TO send a minister (Mr. Reilly TO the
u. S. with instructions 10 present TO The Govern
ment at Washington, the subject OF annexation,
-L:,h L,J hin iarmopf for three Years imnP-
dialely preceding that period. These instIuc-
tons were carried ont in The best manner by MIR.
Reilly. but mel by encouragement on part OF the
Government ef The United States. In 1912, Mr..
Reilly resigned, MIR. Van Zandl was sent on in
his stead, when The proposition for annexation was
renewed. The renewal Of The proposition was
heard, and met with habilual apathy About
This time The causes which | have alluded 10 be.
gan TO operate, while there were means used which
infused into them new life. The success Of the
measure OF annexaiion depended upon The inter-
nal political condition OF The Uuiled States. and
not upon any inlfigues OF foreign powers, or oil
Texas.
The Executive OF Texas was moi moved by The
"direcl proposition Tor annexation" bnl By the
pledges given 10 him by Mr.. Murphy, Charge
dAtfaires Of The United States. Before an all.
iunci commissioner was appointed by The Presi
dent. pledges were demanded by him of Mr..
Murphy, based upon Mr.. Upshur's leter, that a
military and naval force ct The Uniied STATES,
sufficient for the defence OF Texas, should be
placed at the disposition Of The President, and
held subject 10 his orders. This was as far as
/ Mr.. Murphy ielt authorized to go in The mailer.
Upon this, The Executive oil Texas waived other
demands. which were, that in the event OF a fail
ure on The part OF The Government Of The u. S.,
10 cunsummaie annexation, after negotiations
were once opencd between the Two Governments,
The u. S. should be bound 10 guarantee The indie
prudence ofTexas, or enIer into a treaty defensive
against Mexico. These demands were waived
Tor the present, with the assurance, that previous
10 opening negotiations al Washington city, these
pledges should he given 10 Texas, through her
Commissioners, or The matter was 10 rest, as no.
thing less than a pertec, guarantee for The secnri-
" OF Texas, would be satisfactory 10 The Presi-
dent.
In November, 1912, the United States, Eng
land and France had all been invoked by Texas,
and requested 10 acl jointly, or severally, in pro-
ducing peace between Texas and Mexico
Texas found these powers all equally well dis.
posed 10 leave her 10 her tale. rather than risk
any thing in her behalf. On the part of Texas,
this looked like fair dealing, though she were mol
dealt fairly with by others. This certainly left
no web of intrigue 10 scatter 10 The winds.
The object OF all men should he TO reprehend in
others, what is wrong in itself; or, IN truth, TO
impute whatever deservesIebuke; but, to charge
either nations o. individuals wfthlaulls or crimes
which do not exist, because il is p~alalable 10 a
morbid taste which may prevail for a lime, is mol
suited 10 lhe intelligence of The age.
IL affords me pleasure $50 far as | was connect
ed with The transactions Of that day. To assert
that | was delighted when MIR. Tyler took the Of
fetal "iniliative" in The measure OF annexation.
/ thought his bold and manly course in assuming
a inst and proper responsibility, was such as
should characterize The head Of a great nation.
Accusations have been so frequently made
against The authorities Of Texas ind,rectlH and
against The representatives Of foreign governments
dlrechu, that | have tell myself imperatively call
ed upon 10 avow 10 all who Ieel an interest in
learning or embracing The truth 10 regard TO Ibis
matter, that there never was any intrigue connec-
led with Texas and other powers, nor was there
ever any foundation for such a charge (lhough
often Ieileraled) only in the teverish excitement
OF heated fancy, or the mischievous designs Of
the wicked.
/ feel constrained lc say thus much in vindica.
lion OF myself and friends who were actors with
me, and who sustained me through the period al.
luded 10, as we'll as The representatives Of other
governments who rendered us kindnesses, with.
oul ever proposing aught which could embarrass
or degrade Texas in The day Of her veriesl tribu-
lations.
So much has been said in relation TO ahneXa-
lion-lhe policy OF the measure-the causes
which produced it-lhose who brought ii about
and those who effected The great result-lhat ]
shall indulge in but one reflection, as | hope it
may not be necessary lor me ever 10 say more on
The subject.
Taking into view The genius OF the Texans
and the people of The United States, their iden-
lily of character, and The proximity oil the TWO
nations, il was most natural that they should be-
come united. For years, neither political party
Of The United States was willing TO rely upon the
measure for political capital. Texas had been
urgent in her opportunities for annexation, but
hey were disresarded! Gen. Jackson's letters
brought the subject before The American people.
They took j, up as a peoples measure, not pre-.
senled TO them by politicians, for it was of loo
great magnitude 10 be welded BY any thing less
than the masses OF The two nations. In their &C
lion, Tie people gave a happy illustration Of lie
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