New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-07-31
secret History of the Means which erected
Annexation.

whereby that measure was secured. after his
violent opposition 10 it, which had even led him.
few months before, 20 violate the solemn Of
fetal confidence Of the Senate. The substance Of
his story is that he had direct assurance from
Polk that, in case the Joint Resolutions passed
Congress he Polk would submit to Texas the
proposition OF Col. Benton which contemplated a
special commission Of high character to adjust all
unsettled questions with Texas and Mexico, so as
% insure that annexation should take place II at
all on terms pacific and generally satisfactory.
This promise was probably made to be broken and
at any rate was never fulfilled. Mr. Tyler, on the
very last day of his reign adopted that alternative
which Mr. Polk had promised to reject and des-
patched messenger to offer it TO Texas, and Mr..
Polk coming in next day, held himself absolved by
this act from his promise, and never undertook TO
fulfil that promise, of course the whole thing was
arranged between them. We do not see that the
exposure Of this cheat fully excuses Messrs. Tap
Dan. Dix. Niles, &c. though it exhibits in little
stronger relief Mr. Folks notions Of good faith and
veracity.
However We place Mr.. Tappans statement on
record, viz: ,.,..,, ,o,,
To the Editor Of he IreHing Post;
Dear r.. Since the adm sson Of Texas into the Union
was have thought with you that my vote on
that measure required explanation. was IN iayor OF re-
cevng that State the Union az soon az could De done
on fair and m,t terms and with the Of MeXco AMI
believed from all could learn. that this might be accom-.
nsbed Al ss expeDs- than II would TO wage war OF
ane wears duration for obtaining it, So disposed not only
voted against Mr. Tler Treaty Of Annexation because y
,,ss e,nfionale in H. terms but 10 violation OF rule OF
the Senate from imperative sense OF pubic duty had
published il and The correspondence win when H"as ac-
rnmnonS becnu So appeared 10 me that the whole affair
T.rdl of "A
arrayng the Free and Slave states gainst each
evidence which considerations entirely paramount 10 al
senatorial formulas reQu red to be Immediately dyuged
The INQUIRY Is very natural onehow men VINO desired
the admission Of Texas and voted against the treaty OF an
House Of Representatives by Mr. Milton Brown which was
eXcepGOnahe IN lie terms than the treaty Now uaI
be INJURED ny answering uls u. 80, 80 ~ =, ,r
ing statement promising that the pubic history OF us an
IL in the Congressional Globe, Vol NV page 1j 70
353. and the Congressional Globe Of February ~, 1911
When the Joint resolution declaring the terms on which
Congress. will admit Texas into the Union as state was
before the Senate, II was soon iound ha nunDs " wv.
Democratic members who were favorable 70 me Hdnssio
of Texas would vote agsnst that resolution was one OF
them In this state of the matter II was proposed ma, m
stead Of rejecting The House resolution, we should amend
by adding as an alternative RroPoson e Ssd
strong Elections 10 this plan for did not see me necessity
prOprey Of passing the House resolution elmer WIN OF
without the proposed amendments; but was urged maj
the close that the measure would be
defeated II substituted Mr. Benons plan for the other
whereas, II made an additional arucleH w9uh i'adly
pass the House In that form. Ths reasoning dd not satisfy
me- but finding that my friends all satisfied with TIE
proposed arrangement, ! acceded 10 n-pfoNheo uh
could have satisfactory that the plan proposed
in such amendment would be the only one used and SUD
Mr. Pok was in the city ID was understood that he was
very anxious that Congress should act on the subject De
fore he came iso Office; y was also unaelsCol .s .1s
MIR Polk II bad been suggested that We dd so amend
the resolution, Mr. Calhoun would SEND on me Ouse re-
solution Texas aud endeavor 10 foresta The aclon
Of Mr. Polk. but Mr. McDuihe, his friend having met ils
suggestion by the declaration that he would not have INC
sudaciy" to do such thing, was no more h@ught 81
One difficulty remained and that The danger of putting
il in the power Of Mr. Polk 10 submit the House resolution
n Texas understood indeed, thai he intended 10 sup
init the Senate proposition to that Government but without
being sslsf that he would do this, would Dot vote io
vote could not pass Mr. Haywood who had voted VIII
me, and opposed 10 ihe House resolution uhdef09h
To converse with Mr. Pok the subject, and did So lie
aflerward told me that he was authorized ny MI T1A -
say to myself and other Senator'S that II we would pas
the resolution with the amendment proposed 10 be maze
he would not use the House resolution bul "Oulo ruo
the Senate amendment the sole proposilOn 10 texas
this assurance voted Tor le sneha On
Mr.. Walker containing the substance oil mr. beilon PHI
and voted for the resolution as now stands on inc statute
iii matter Of history that Mr. Calhoun did have the au
dacty send of special messenger with The House res
ouou TO Texas on the Sd Of March, few minutes before
he went out of office and Mr Polk adopted and con
hmed this of Mr. Calhoun, so admitting Texas mo t
Union and placing the United States In stale oil war W"
! Mexico. ,,.,
Knowing thai my esteemed friend, r. Blair had takel
deep interest this subject while was before congress
addressed a note 10 him. requesting statement VI III
recoectons the way the question was got through IN
Senste The following is his answer: .-.,,
am, Sir, yours, BENJAMIN LAX AN
SILVER SPRING, July
Hon. BENJAMIN TAPPAN, steubenville, Ohio
DEAR SR-YouT letter OF the Isl inst. asks me 10 STAT
what know " as to the way the texas quesuon was
through the Senate" comply and VIII not encumoer III
/ narrative with immalerial details - ,.-
When the resolution passed by the House OF Representa-
lives for the Annex alton OF TeXasreached the Senate wa
ascertaned that would fail in that body Benton bhgoy
Dix Haywood, and, understood, you also, We're aoso
lutte opposition 10 This naked proposNon Oh
which brou ght with II the in which Iexa
was engaged with Mexico All had determined TO adher
TO the bin submitted by Col Benton for the appointment
comnssion 10 arrange the terms of Annexation with Tex
as and make the attempt TO render us accession 20 on
Union as paatae as possible Mexico, before It's consum
nation Ii was hoped that this mig be effected by gyn
las has been done in the late Treaty OF feacel Pecu
desired by the United States and TO which Texas cou
Justly assert any title The Senate had been pohed ana
ascertaned that any two OF The penISranc
who opposed TO Browns resolution when had passe
The House. could defeat 1.-THE whole Wing party prefer
ring alton by negotiation upon Col benons pan,
thai OF Brown. While the question was mus peIulhs,
met Mr. Brown Qaie Senator of Tennessee, then mem
of the House, who suggested that the esouuon OF m
might be blended, making the latter an alternative, an
leaving the President elect lwho alone would nave une
consunmaie the measurel act under one or me oIhe
Al his discretion told Mr. Brown hat did not 0ehev
that the Democratic Senators opposed TO the resouoh
he House and who had lis fate 10 their hands Wolu co,
sent 10 this arrangement unless they were sashed 10 "a
vance by MI Polk, that the commission ana negouhno
contemplated in Col Beuions plan would oe uleo oeiq
that of direct legislative annexation was resored TO- n
desired me TO see Col Benon and the irlehds OF M
proposition. submit the suggestions he had MADE an
then confer with Mr.. Polk, 10 know whether ne wouH
meet their views | complied; and after several IN
ieryews with Messrs Haywood, Dix, Benton an
Others (Mr Allen Of Ohio using his influence 10 the sam
dlreciion finding that the plans could be cOuPea an
earned II IL were understood that the pacihc PROJECT wa
frs TO be tried | consulted The President elect upon IN
subject In The conference had with him. he gave me iI
assurance that he would appoint commission. as eoh
empla 81 IN the bill prepared by Col Benton II passed
conjunction with tho House resolution as an aefnauNe
the OF my conversation Win MI roih, 'on ~; ~
maj the friends OF this plan socous that the commits
sion should be filed by distinguished men OF both psrue
and that Col Benton had mentioned 10 me me names
Crilenden and Wight OF the class ron when snou
be formed Mr. Polk responded, by declaring ~ih IA gu
phass that the first oithe country should M lhe con
| mission communicated the result OF TINS interview
| lo Messrs Benton, Dix, Haywood, &c. Inc Ia
| two met on appointment 10 adapt the ph'aseuioe
| Of Bentop's bill, 10 suit alternative LOT W
resolution OF the House and d passed alter yer
very general OF the course which me ieasu
Was 10 lake Both Mr. Dix and Haywood told me ury ma
interviews with MIR Polk the subject OF the commune
| uon had reported them from him, ana hey Were CO
frmed by his Immediate in pursuing me co'
which they had resolved in consequence ol my Iept
senaon OF his purpose IN regard 10 me point ON =,
their action depended Alter The law was passen anu W
TOR inau1iraed ne applied TO Gen DIX las am iniomt
nv ibe ls5l 10 urge the Senate one OF The snspen
el cabinet appointments saying that he wished nus admin
traon Organized immediately he intended me innee
recall OF the messenger understood 10 nave oeen u
patched by Mr. Tyler aud reroke his orders 9Nen IN
last moments pow hwari the design OF congress
aeordtng him mir POLK the means of instiutng neso
'0' Your friend, s. T. BLAIR.