Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-09-09
Secret Texas History.

LETTERS OF MESSRS. TAPPAN
AND BLAIR.
To the Editor of the N. Y. Evening Post:
STBUBENvILLE, July 81, lS4s.
DEAR SIR: Since the admission of Texas
into the Union was consumated, l have
thought with you that my vote on that
measure required explanation. l was in
favor of receiving that State into the Union
as soon as it could be done on fair and just
terms, and with the consent of Mexico: and
believed, from all could learn. that this
might be accomplished at less expense than
it would cost to wage war of one years du-
ration for obtainingit. So disposed, l had
not only voted against Mr.. Tyler's treaty
of annexation because it was exceptonable
in its terms, but in violation ola rule of the
Senate, from an imperative sense of public
duty, had published il and the correspon-
dence with which it was accompanied. be-
cause it appeared TO me that the whole af-
fair afforded evidence of daring conspir-
acv to divide the Union by arraying the
free and slave States against each other
evidence, which considerations entirely
paramount 10 all senatorial formula, requir-
ed to be Immediately divulged.
The inquiry is a very natural one-how
men who desired the admission of Texas
and voted against the treaty of annexation
could afterwards vote for the resolution
brought into the House Of Representatives
by Mr.. Milton Brown, which was more ex-
ceptionable in its terms than the treaty.
Now that the war with Mexico is ended.
and The public interest cannot be injured
by answering this inquiry, give you the
following statement promising that the pub
lie history of this transaction is in the Con.
gressonal Globe, Vol. 18th, page 35s, TO
363, and the Congressional Globe of Feb.
Oath lS47.
When the "joint resolution declaring the
terms on which Congress will amt Texas
into the Union as State" was before the
Senate, it was soon found that number OF
the Democratic members who were favor
able to the admission of Texas would vote
against that resolution. Twas one of them.
In this state of the matter it was proposed
that instead of rejecting the House resolu-
ton we should amend il by adding, as an
alternative proposition, the substance OF
Mr.. Benton's bill to obtain Texas by nego'
tiation. l had strong objections to this plan
for did not see the necessity or proprlety
of passing the House resolution either witt
or without the proposed amendments, bu
il was urged that the session was so neal
its close that the measure would be defea
ted if we substituted Mr.. Benton's plan fo
the other, whereas if we made it an add
tional article it would readily pass the house
in that form. This reasoning did not satisfy
me. but, finding that my friends were al
satisfied with such proposed arrangement
| acceded to it-provided that could hav'
satisfactory assurance that the plan proPos
ed in such amendment would be the onl.
one used and submitted to Texas.
Mr.. Polk was in the city; it was under
stood that he was very anxious tsi'.' On
gress should act on the subject before h
came into office; it was also understood tina
the proposition to amend the House resou
ltion originated with Mr.. Polk. 1t had bee
suggested that if we did SO amend the rel
olution, Mr.. Calhoun would send Oft tn
House resolution to Texas, and so endeavc
to forestall the action of Mr.. Polk, but NJ
McDuffie his friend, having met this sugge
|, ton by the declaration that he would M
v have the "audacity" to do such thing,
: was no more thought Of One difficulty r
NAMED and that was the danger OF pu'tiT