Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-08-17
A Chapter Of Secret History.

- From the New York Evening Post.
The two letters which are subjoined, form an
important passage in the secret history of the
Annexation Of Texas. Our readers arc aware
that several democratic members Of the United
States Senate strove 10 induce Congress to adopt
such method of anneAing Texas rs would avoid
the danger OF war with Mexico, and satisfy
every part of the Union. The plan of Mr.. Ben
ton, proposing 10 arronge by negotiation the
terms on which Texas should be admitted into
the Union had these objects in view. If IL had
been adopted, tCe should hare acquired Ttras
Withom ,odr, bloodShed, or a national DEBT. The
democratic Senators who supported it had it in
their power to compel Congress to adopt their
method or none. How they were induced to
consent to a measure which put it in the power
of the President to annex Texas and the war at
once liz related in the letters. They cere brtray-
ed INTO The step, ii seems, By an act Of The grossest
po1ny.
The whole history of the annexation of Tex
IS, so far as our own government is concerned,
is series OF acts, Which make that page of his
tory record of our disgrace. The clandestine
in'rigues OF Tyler to negotiate an annexation
the motives OF those ntrlgues, distinctly avow ed
by his Secretary of State 70 be the protection
and extension of slavery the silly alarm felt or
pretended 10 be felt that Texas was about to
ake herself n colony OF Great Britain; the trea-
~ negotiated by Tyler with the Government of
Texas, SO Objectionable that the Senate rejected
1t with scorn; the Shameless briberes by which
advocates Of the immediate annexation of Texas
were raised up in almost every part of the
country; the sending OF messenger to Texas
by Tyler in the last hour OF his administration
with view to anticipate his successor ard to
prevent HIM from selecting the wise and better
alternative left 10 his discretion; all these are
worthy parts OF tic same shameless transaction.
The most Infamous portion ho,ctuer, of The phoie
AGAR, rs that trhich is disclosed in The letters of
Mr.. 1oppdn and .Nr. BAR, uhich tre publish 10
day.
We think for our part, that this fraud should
have been disclosed the moment it was consuni-
mated-thc moment that Mr. Polk, after his SOL
enn promises ;-after dll his pretences OF haste
To REGAL Mr.. TyIer's clandestlne messenger, and
to revoke the offer Of which he was The bearer, The
declared III his annual message that he had rati-
he'd Mr.. IyleI's proceedings, and confirmed his
offer 10 annex Texas and the war. regard Ia
their own reputation, it seems to US, should have
led them 10 make frank and full disclosure OF
} the ,reachery and duplcuy b. which they were
made voluntary acconplces in the guilt OF
precipitatlng tie country into war They
seem ON their part, 10 have thought otherwise.
The only important point, however, is the truth
of the narrative. Mr.. Tappan and Mr. Bail
agree in It's circumstances, and if more testimo
ny were needed, there are other Senators, who
If they ever speak on the subject will tell the
same story. We are sorry for the pre-emnencc
IN trlckery which it gives Mr.. Polk over Mr.. Ty-
er In all future histories of the annexation Of
Texas, this story of promise soemnly given
and deliberately violated will form part
1t Is fraud, we must admit, worihily crowned
, by the kindred fraud Of the compromise bill
. which yesterday morning passed the Senate
The representatives OF The people where cheated
H. 1915; in 1913, the game is to cheat the PEG
; Pile themselves
LETTERS OF MESSRS. TAPPAN ANI