Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-04-01

gles with Butler and Clay and Mckee and Yell and other
noble sons Of the South.
Thss indeed strong appeal the generosity and mag
nanimty OF all TO do wrong any section and fully
realizing the extent Of the appeal think justified in say
ing that II all the territory acquire remains free still the
South will be benefited by the result of this war than the
North.
II this war had been commenced and prosecuted solely
the acquisition Of territory the appeal that has been thus pau
sby made would be entitled grave and serious consdera
ton, especially if it proposed settle the territory
wholly by citizens OF the free States.
In order to view this question fairly it is proper that
should inquire into the circumstances which led 10 The
nenceenf and prosecution of the This country became
involved IN this for the Texas and quiet
title to the territory Of Texas which was disputed by
Mexico The extracts from the documents shall read will
prove this assertion beyond the cay of any We
ed Texas Gas think had right do) in spite of the
threats OF Mexico TO make upon US.
few extracts from the diplomatic correspondence with the
Mexican government will show the of those threats
In August 3D. is43 Mr. Bocanegra Minister of Foreign Rea-
tons Of Mexico addressed note 10 the Hon. Waddy Thomp
son, which contains the following extract
stThe Mexican Government will consider equivalent
declaration Of against the Mexican republic the
Of act Tor the incorporation of Texas with the territory OF
the United States the certainty Of the fact being sufficient tor
the immediate proclamation Of war"
In November 3d. ls43, General Almone addressed note
to the Secretary Of State Of the United States in which he
declared, by express order Of his Government that sane
ton being given by the Executive of the Union the ncor
his mission ended seeing that the Secretary of State will
have learned, the, Mexican Government resolved to
declare it receives information of such
In addition to this Mr. Bocanegra, in May 1884, addressed
official circular to the French Spanish English, and Rus
Minister'S informing them that if Texas annexed
his Government would consider the act declaration of
between the two nations.
In of these threats and other indications on the
part Of Mexico Texas became appehensve that she might
be attacked by the Mexcan and expressed those apprehen-
sions Government prior to her the Joint
resolutions of the United her admission into the
Union State. now proceed give the language of
Government concerning the apprehended hosilities.
On the Odd May, 1885, Mr. Buchanan Secretary of State
replied to Mr. Donesons dispatches dated the 9th of the
| same month, as follows
You the the note of the Secretary 81
1eras 10 be earnest of the wish of the Govern
of Texas that their given the
contained in the Joint resolutions for their admission State
the troops OF the United States may be marched
able point the western frontier for the purpose Of guarding
the inhabitants against Mexican Indian ineurson and Of
being employed within the Territory OF Texas this purpose
should require instructed by the President
inform you that the existing Government and the
Convention OF Texas shall have accepted the propoed
the sections of the Joint resolution Texas
the United States he viii then conceive be both his
right and his duty employ the army in defending that State
against the attacks OF any foreign Power
In another letter of Mr. Buchanan Mr. Donelson, dated
June 18th, 1885, he says a-
Ihe moment that the Convention of Texas shall have sc-
cepted and ratified the of annexation proposed by
American Congress, the President for the purpose OF defence
You therefore, hereby authorized that forthwith
to send express to our commanding officer the Sabine
communicating him the information and he will be directed
such points yourself and the authorities Of Texas
shall deem expedient Captain Stockton will be order
ed with the fleet under his command land other vessels
OF will be attached TO it, to repair to the mouth of the
Sabine for the purpose OF transporting the American troops
the positions where they shall in your opinion and of
these authorities be required Similar orders will be
issued, both commanding officer the Sabine and
Captain Stockton to be executed in the Convention shall
be prevented from assembling, be disturbed in its peaceful
deliberations By q .UeIscdn HuGSOR," &c.
will only add an extract from the Presidents message de-
livered December2, ls45 ........
Both the Congress and Convention of the people of Texas
invited this Government to send into that territory
Protect and defend them against the menased attacks of the
Mexicans. The moment the terms OF annexation offered by
the United States accepted by Texas the latter became
so far part OF our country to make it duty a
ford such protection ard defence therefore deemed proper
precautionary measure order strong squadron the
coasts OF Mexico, and TO concentrate efficient military force
the western frontier of Texas Our army was ordered TO
take position the country between the Nueces and the Del
Nor and to repe invasion which be attempted by
the Mexican forces"
Mr.. Chairman army took position agreeaby TO the
ORDER Of Government, and while in the quiet occupa
ton of the territory of Texas attacked by the Mexican
forces, and became Immediately involved war;
apprehended by Texas and our own authorities.
Is there then any thing in these circumstances which
the conclusion that for the acquisition
of territory We became involved in this TO defend
Texas and 10 quiet title 10 her territory. After the
commenced however, did aege the ncn-payment of the
claims Of citizens by way Of aggravation, and adj
tiona justification Of the part. But acquisition
Of territory the object intended be gained by the
that incident growing out of the Let
then whose benefit the greatest result Of the war,
the security Of Tras nures. The blood the North equal
y with that of the South has wateed the soil of Texas
obtain for security. The of the North well
that Of the South has been poured out for the object
The whole nation has thrown its protection around Texas
and prosecuted her against invasion but that
territory will never be desirable field Of labor for the free
white man Of the North who his bread by the sweat
Of his brow The of the North have poured their
blood and spent their treasure but they cannot dig that
soil Ly the side Of a slave.
Nearly 400 900 square miles of the best soil in the world
inures to section Of the Unon while is defended and
its integrity secured by the blood and treasure Of both
sections I that it may be said to- defend Texas
only constitutional duty, and nothing particularly
rtorious but let be remembered that Texas annexed
in the face Of he threats Of rco to make upon for
the act large portion Of the North, my State among
others, for annexation with knowledge Of these threats
and before Texas had any constitutional right TO call upon
defend her We have stood by Texas before AID after
nexaton checruy generously, and yet its peculiar nsttu
ton barrier the settlement of it by free laborers
Our acquisition will amount probably to some Co., 900
square miles Of land
word as TO its comparative value traveller who has
lately written description OF California expresses the opin-
ion that about twohrds Of that territory susceptible of cu
tvaon Suppose oae-a Of the whole acquisition is such
be cultivated that would give for cultivation about three
hundred thousand square miles Of SOIL What then, is its
comparative value when considered with Texas Sir do
not wish dspaage this probable acquisition. think il is
a. IL. hpNI