Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1848-08-19

resolution to Texas. We understood. in-
deed. lhs. he intended TO submit, the SEN
ale proposition TO tina. Government. bat
without being satisfied that he would do
this, | would not vote for the resolution,
and /, was we'll ascer,ained tina, without
my vote it could not pass. Mr.. Hay
wood, who had voted with me, and was
opposed TO the House resolution, under
took 10 converse with Mr.. Polk OH The
subject, and did so. He afterwards told
me that he was authorized by Mr.. Polk
10 say TO myself and other Senators. that
if we wnud pass the resolution with the
amendment proposed to be made, he would
not use the House resolution, but would
submit the Senate amendment as the sole
proposition 10 Texas upon this assurance
| voted for the amendment moved by
Mr.. Walker, containing the substance of
Mr.. Benlon's bill. and voted for the reso-
luton as it now stands on the statute book
|, is a matter Of history that Mr. Cal
houn did have the g audacity' 10 send
special messenger with the house resoIu-
ion 10 Texas, on The Sd of March, few
minutes before he wen. out Of office and
that Mr.. Polk adopted and confirmed this
aci of Mr.. Calhoun. so admitting Texas
into the Union. and placing the United
States in state Of war with Mexico.
Knowing that my esteemed friend, F.
P. Blair, had taken deep interest in this
subjec. while it was before Congress,
addressed a note to him, requesting a
statement of his reco!eclions Of the way
the question was got through the Senate.
The following is his answer. ! am. sir,
yours. BENJAMIN TAPPAN.
Hon. Benz. Tappan, Steubenvlle. Ohio:
Dear Sir: Your note Of the lst inst,
asks me TO state what know "as to the
way the Texas question was got through
the Senate" ] comply, and Will not en-
cumher The narrative with imma,erial de-
tails.
When the resolution passed by the
House of Representative for the Annexa-
ton of Texas reached the Senate, it was
ascerta!ned tha, it would fail in that body.
Benton, Bagby, Dix, Haywood, and, as
understood, you also, were absolute In
your opposition TO this naked proposition
of Annexation, which necessarily brought
witt ii the war in which Texas was en-
gagged with Mexico. All had determined
10 adhere TO the bill submitted by Col.
Benton fer The appointment, OF a commits
sion 10 arrange the terms of the AnneXa-
ton of Texas, and TO make The attempt to
render lis accession TO our Union as paa.-
able as possible to Mexico before It's con.
summation. 1t was hoped that this might
be effected by giving Gas has been done
in the late Treaty of Peace pecnniary
consideration, fully equivalen, in value,
for the territory desired by the United
States, and TO which Texas could Justly
assert any title. The Senate had been
polled. and it was asceriained that any
two of the Democratic Senators who were
opposed to Browns resolution. which had
passed the House, could defeat 1.-THE
whole Wing party preierring annexation
by negotiation, upon Col. Ben,on's plan
to that of Brown. While The question
was thus pending, me, Mr.. Brown, (Iaie
Senator oil Tennessee, then member of
the House, who suggested that the reso-
luton of the House, and the bill of Col.
Benton, preferred by the Senate. might
be blended. making the latter an alIerna-
tive, and leaving The President elect (who
alone would have time TO consumma,e the
measnre) 10 act under one or the Other, at
his discretion. told Mr.. Brown that
did not believe tina. the Democratic Sena.
tors opposed TO the resolution of the
House, and who had its fate in their hands,
would consent 10 this arrangement, unless
they were satisfied in advance, by Mr..
Polk. lha, the commission and negotiation
contemplated in Col. Benton's plan would
be tried. before that Of direct legislative
annexation was restored TO. He desired
to see Col Benton and the friends of his
proposition submit. the suggestions he had
made, and then confer with Mr.. Polk, TO
know whether he would meet their views
complied, and after several interviews
with Messrs. Hay wood, Dix. Benton, and
others. Mr.. Allen, of OHIO. using his in
fuence IN The same direction finding that
the two plans could be coupled and carfi-
ed. fit were understood that the pacific
project was first to be tried consulted
the President elect upon the subject. In
the conference | had with him he gave
me full assurance that he would appoint a
commission, as contemplated 10 the bill
prepared by Col. Benton, ifpassed in con-
junction with the House resolution, as an
alternative. In the course of my CONVEX
-. l. IL L IL Il.