Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-01-14

A feversh impotence now pervaded the
southern States for the acknowledgement O
Texas as an independent power, Still poicyre
= quired that this measure should be cautiously
managed, lest the North should become alarmed
at this scheme for vesting the whole political
power Of the Union in the hands of the slave
holders, and the northern members of Congress
be found for once refractory
Congress met in December, 1886, and on
The 22d Of the same month, President Jackson
sent them a special message in relation to Tex
as. He remarked :--"Prudence seems to die.
tate that we should still stand aool, and maintain
our present attitude, if not till Mexico, or one Of
the great foreign powers shall recognize the
independence Of the new Government, at least
until the lapse Of time, or the course Of events
shall have proved beyond all cay or dispute the
ability of that country to maintain their separate
sovereignty, and to uphold the Government con-
stituted by them"
This message dissipated all apprehensions on
the part of friends of freedom, of speedy
acknowledgement, and relieved Congress from
the remonstrances and petitions with which their
tables would otherwise have been loaded
1t was Obvious however, that if we could
contrive to become embroiled in a war with
Mexico, we might then seize upon Texas, and
hold it by right of conquest, without any viola
ton of our neutral obligations; and that by this
process, the annexation might be effected with
even more facility than by compact with Texas
as an independent power. Accordingly, about
two weeks after the late message the Presiden'
sent another to Congress on our grievances
against McXco-gricv ances about which the
people at large knew and cared nothing. This
message recommended the passage of law
anthorlslng the President to employ naval
force against Mexico ifshe refused 'to come to
an am!cable adjustment ofthe matters in contro-
versy between us, upon another demand thereof,
made from on board one of our vessels of war
on the coast of mexico" This proposition
was coIdly received, neither Congress nor the
nation seeming to approve Of such novel and
summary way of declaring war; no one having
the slightest desire fer war, except those who
were anxious for the annexation. 1t being found
that a war could not be had, another game was
to close on the Sd of March. The strongest
opposition to Texas was to be apprehended in
the Lower House. -Four days before the ter
made to add a clause to the appropriation bill
making provision for the salary of diplomatic
agent to Texas. There was no time for long
speeches. and the motion was adopted with the
amendment 'to be sent by the President whenev
er he shall receive satisfactory evidence tina
Texas is an independent power and shall SEE
fit to open diplomatic intercourse with her. -
The late message proved that the President hat
not yet received the satisfactory evidence, ant
anticipated it only from the action of the grea
foreign power, or the lapse of time" Little
hesitation, therefore, was felt in leaving tht
subject under the control Of the Executive
The House of Representatives, in which there
was majority Of northern members, having
been thus managed, and salary secured for
j minister to Texas; the veil was thrown aside il
the Senate and two days before the end of til,
session, it was Resolved that the State Of Texas
Ihaying established and maintained an indepcn
dent government capable oil performing thos
duties, foreign and domestic, which appertail
/ to independent governments, and it appearin!
that there is no longer any reasonable prospec
of the successful termination of the war by Mex
leo against said State, il is eXpedent and proper
and in conformity with the laws of nations an'
the plecedents of this Government in like cases
that the independent political existence of sait
State, be acknowledged by the Government O
the U. States
As the whole tenor of this resolution wss il
direct opposition to the message Of the 22t
December and as nothing had occurred since
that date to weaken the positions assumed il
message, one Of the Senators in opposing th
resolution, very naturally alluded to The view
entertained by the President On this Nj
Walker, a Senator from NJ ssissippi, rose in hi
place and declared, that 'he had it from tn
Presidents own lips, that if he were Senator
he would vote for this resolution !"
At eleven o'clock of the night Of the Sd
March, an hour before his term ofofIce expire
and just as the Senate was about Albumin
the President sent them the nomination of
t Minister to Texas !!
Remainder ns1t w.ek)
1870 ..--'s...1 e---a--