Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-08-17
BENJAMIN TAPPAN.
SILVER SpRIyG, July 7, lS4S

Hon. BENZ. TAPPAN, Steubenville, Ohio:
Dear Sir-Your letter of the Is. instant asks
me 10 state what know "as to the way The Tex
as question was got through the Senate" | COM
ply, and will not cucumber the narrative with
lmmalerial details.
When the resolution passed by the House of
Representatives for the annexation of Texas
reached the Senate it was ascertaIned that it
would fail in that body. Benton, Bagby, Dix,
Haywood, and, as | understand, you also, were
absolute IN opposition TO this naked proposition
oil annexation, which necessarily brought with it
the war in which Texas was engaged with Mex
leo. All had determined to adhere to the bill sub
united by Col. Benton, for the appointment of
commission TO arrange the terms of annexation
with Texas, and tn maze the attempt to render its
accession to our Union as palalable as possible to
Mexico, before its contamination. 1t was hoped
that this point might be effected by giving las
has been done in the late treaty of peacel pc
cuniary consideration, fully equivalent in value,
for the territory desired by the United States,
and 10 which Texas could justly assert any title.
The Senate had been polled, and it was ascer-
tanned 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 preferrng annexation by me-
COLLATION., upon Col. Bentou's plan 10 that of
| Brown.
| Mr.. Brown, late Governor of Tennessee, then a
member Of the House,) who suggested that the
resolution of the House and the bill of Colonel
Benton, preferred by the Senate, might be blen-
ded, making The latter an alternative, and leav-
ing the President elect (who alone would have
time 10 consunnate the measure) to act under
one or the other, at his discretion. | told Mr..
Brown that did not believe that the Democratic
Senators opposed to the resolution OF the House,
and who had its fate in their hands, would con-
sent TO this arrangement, unless they were salts
he'd in advance, by Mr. Polk, that the commits
sloE and negotiation contemplated in Col Ben
toms plan would be tried, before that of direct
legislative annexation was resored to. He de-
sired me 10 see Colonel 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. lcompied /;
and after several interviews with Messrs Hay
wood, Dix, Benton, aud others, (Mr. Allen of
OHIO using his Influence in the same directlon,)
finding that the two plans could be coupled and
carried, If 1t were understood that the pacific
project was fist to be tried, consulted the Pres
ident elect on The subject
In the conference had with him, he pnre me
full assurance that he ,oould appoint a commission.
as contemplated in The bill prepared by Col. Ben.
Ton, y passed IN conjunction toiih The House reso-
luton, as an alternative. In the course of nv con-
versalon with Mr.. Folk, told him that the friends
81 THIS plan were sollciious that the commission
should be filled by distinguished men, of both
parties, and that Col. Benton had mentioned TO
me the names of Crlttenden and Wright. as of
the class from which it should be formed. Mr..
Polk responded, by declaring, ,riih an emphasis,
"hdf The first men Of The country should i'll The
commission" Communicated tie result of this
Interview to Messrs. Benton, Dix, Haywood, &c.
The two last met, on appointment, to adapt the
pbraseology Of Benton's bill, to suit as an alter
native for The resolution of the House, and il was
passed, after very general understanding Of the
Course which the measure was to take.
Both .uessrS. Dir and Hayaoooa told me hev
had interviews oih Mr.. Polk on The subject of The
communication had reported TO them from him,
and they ,oere confirmed by his immediate assur-
once in pursuing the course iehich they had resolved
on an consequence Of my representation Of his pur-
pose in regard 10 the point on iohich their action
depended. Alter the law was passed, and Mr..
Polk iuauguratod, he applied to Gen. Dix las |
am Informed by the latter to urge the Senate to
act upon one Of the suspended cabinet appoint
menls, saying that he wished his administration
organized immediately, as he intended The instant
recall of The messenger understood 10 hare been
despatched by M Tyler, and 10 repoke his order,
g,pen in the last moments OF his potper, 10 h.oart
The design OF Congress IN qfording him I'M
Polk The means Of insiituting a negotiation ,c,h
a rieto of bringing Ieras psacabty INTO The Union
Your friend, f.. Z. BLAIR.