The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-05
DAILY NATIONAL WING.
From the Washington Globe,l
OF TEX As.


question Of annexation. regret that my
time will not allow me to go as fully into an
examination Of the subject as would be de-
sira5le, where so much OF interest to both
countries is involved 10 the measure. The
overture is now made by the United States
to Texas, and, by an act Of the Congress oil
the former, conditions are proposed by which
the latter may be admitted as part OF the
Union. will not discuss the policy OF the
measure, but allude only TO the manner OF its
consummation.
| am in favor OF annexation If il can take
place on terms mutually beneficial to both
countries. have on all occasions evinced
the most anxious solicitude touching the mat
ter, and have withheld no means in my power
towards its completion. As il now stands,
/ regard our relation to il in this light:
We are to merge our national existence in
that Of the United States whenever the mea-
sure may take place Then it seems to me
that we should have something to say as to
the terms Of the union By Mr.. Browns
resolutions the terms are dictated and the
conditions absolute They are of charac-
ter not to have been expected by any one
who regarded annexation as compact be-
tween two nations, where each had substan-
tial and acknowledged sovereignty and inde-
pendence Texas is required to surrender
her sovereignty and merge her independence
In the surrender Of her rights, or any portion
Of them, she should have the privilege Of as
sistng in the adjustment Of the conditions,
and they should be so defined and under
stood as that no discomfort OF misapprehen-
sion could thereafter arise as to her true stu
alton To arrive al point so desirable It
appears TO me that negotiations, conducted
by commissioners on the part OF each Gov
eminent, should take place To me the ne
cessity is most obvious, for the reason that
Texas may, in after times, when she recurs
TO the circumstances and consequences OF the
measure, be satisfied that the terms on which
she had been received were in part at least
Of her own devisng, and that she, from some
strong Impulse, had not acted without due
deliberation and full discussion of the terms
by persons whose minds had been called to
act upon the subject under the most calm
and considerate motives.
Commissioners appointed by the two Gov
ernments could accomplish all this, and de-
fine and settle by negotiation and agreement
what might hereafter arise calculated to dis
turb the future harmony Of the United States,
and perhaps injure Texas.
The amendments to Mr. Browns resolu-
tons appear to me to afford the only means
to2obviate the objections to their provisions.
Their terms seem TO me, to say the least Of
them, to be rigid because they require O
us to pay tribute, or bonus, to the United
States, for leave to surrender our sovereignty
and national independence and this, too
In most summary manner We are re.
quired to "ceden to the United State.
=" all public edifces, Qualifications, barracks
ports, harJors, and nary, and nary-yards,
docks, magazines, arms, ornaments, and
other property and means pertaining 10 the
public defence, belonging TO the said Re
public of Ieras" 1t ought to have been
considered that these enumerated means and
property have occasioned large portion Of
our national debt, and remain 10 be paid
for By Texas. They have probably cost
this nation not less than one million Of dol
lars and to admit that they are now worth
only half that sum, would fix their value at
half million, which would be Of great ser
vice in organizing a new government or
governments, and in clearing out rivers and
improving our facilities for transporting pro-
duce to market by means Of roads
II Texas shall be required TO surrender
her property, without receiving any remu-
neration for the same, il can only be regard
ed in the light Of payment or tribute fol
our admission into the Union. II the reso-
lutions Of Mr. Brown are to form the basis
Of our admission, this objection cannot b.
removed, but must remain as rebuke t
US, in future days, for our hasty and incon
siderate action.
BY assuming the amendment Of a basis
many objections can be obviated and b,
negotiation terms less exceptionable may b
adopted II the President Of the Unite
States should appoint commissioners, an
they should be met by corresponding com
missioners on the part Of Texas, they coul
come to an agreement upon such terms a
would be honorable and Just 10 both partie.
The terms thus agreed urnn could then b
submitted to the people II Texas in the
popular capacity, and their votes take
thereupon at the September election fc
members of our Congress Ii they wer
approved by their voice, then our Congress
could act upon the expression given by tn
people, and wait for the action OF the Gov
eminent Of the United States. If that Gov
eminent should accord in the action Of this
then Texas could more safely proceed t
frame a constitution adapted to her circum
stances. The reasons Tor this course, TO m
mind, are important, and, | may add, indis
pensable, in our present condition.
The conditions prescribed in Mr. Brown
resolutions leave US no alternative, and az
satisfied would not have been adopted b
the Congress Of the United States apart iror
the amendment BY the amendment III
President OF the United States was Above
IN alternative as to the mode of presenting
the subject to the Government and peopl
Of Texas for their consideration and actor