Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-09-22
MONDAY, SEPT, %, 1855.
Judge Catron and Gen. jackson.

Juuge OF the supreme court OF the
United States, in order to extricate Mr.
Buchanan from the difficulties which sur
round him, canDot expect to escape the
criticism necessary to proper analysis Of
his statements. He says in substance that
Gen jackson stated in 1874, that Mr. Van
Buren, ought not to be nominated by the
Democratic party, and that Mr.. Buchanan
was at that time his preference
We think that the public will not give
credence to this statement of the Judge,
when they perceive that it is at variance
with authenticated facts which tell more
plainly than verbal remarks, what were the
opinions of Gen. Jackson in regard to the
actions Of the Baltimore Convention in
1874.
After a full consultation with his friends
just as the delegates to the Baltimore Con-
vention were setting out from Nashville,
Gen. jackson caused TO be published the
following note to the editor of the Union:
HERMITAGE, May Is, 1874.
To the Elder ofhe Union
SIR AIN induced TO address you this letter, be.
cause have within few days past, received let,
tiers from many of my friends who have expressed
q desire TO know whether my views ia relation to
the policy Of snneKing Texas to the United States
have been changed by the light which the subject
has received from the recent letters of Mr. Van Blu
rem, and other prominent citizens; and because it
seems to be necessary that should answer or be
misunderstood.
Having TO connection with the question e1cep:
the interest which, in common with other citizens
take in all that concerns my country, what have
heretofore said upon it dictated by desire TO
be a prominent actor. IL was certainly far from my
expectation that there should be an effort in any
quarter TO make the question mere party one.
Hence, when it was brought TO my notice some
twelve months ago, by the honorable Mr.. Brown OF
this ,late, answered his inquiries with promptness
ana fraukness.
had not forgotten the principles by which my
administration had been guided when attempting to
obtain Texas By negotiation with Mexico, nor the
care which was taken to convince Mexico, after
wards, that this government had agency, direct.
y or indirectly in the steps resorted to by the peo
pie OF Texas TO establish for themselves an inde-
pendent government. In the reference which Mr..
Van Buren, has made TO nv conduct President in
these respects, he has stated what is entirely true
and has delineated with the ability and pcrspCui.
~ which SO eminenuy distinguish him. the general
principles VIII oh characterize the course Of our gov
eminent in it's intercourse with foreign powers. But
Just and accurate he is and subscribing most full
ly as do, to all that he alleges applicable 20 the
question it stood 10 NV administration, and rs i;
did under his Own, think that the circumstances
are so far altered as TO give a aspect TO she
whole question, and to authorize a corresponding
change in the discretion With which our govern
ment may act upon il.
At the present period it cannot be doubted that
Texas il able 10 maintain her Independence Of
Mexico, if each State is Left to its own resources
unnluenced aud unslded by any foreign power.
Eight years have elapsed since the memorable bat
tie Of San JAcinto, and there has been no serious
attempt on the part OF MeIco 20 occupy the coun
try, aud it 10 cert in none can be made with any
prospect OF success. In this state Of Affairs &C
knowiedged by ourselves aud the principal powers
Of the world independent nation, and treated
rs such, Texas renews TO US the almost unanimous
wish Of her citiI ns TO be annexed TO the United
States telling rs, substantially, that if now repu
sed she must form such alliances elsewhere as will
best enable her to improve her aud repair
the disasters which she has suffered from protract
ed quasi wa. She is sensible that her happiness
will be best secured by incorporation into Union
that The disposition and pursuits of her people,
being homogeneous with those OF the United States,
can receive no adequate protection from any other
quarter We admit the truth of these assertions,
and feel that they constitute n powerful motive for
action, independent of the considerations which are
gu .gested by prudent regard for the stability of
own Institutions
In reference to Mexico, | would use the follow
ing language We have carefully shstaaed from
all Interference with your relations 10 Texas except
20 acknowledge her independence, in the manner
deAnd uoon the same principles that did your inc
re ade CO hen on separate from Spain. WehaVe
~.
for, without consulting respecting the feelings
Of the latter power, our government did not hes-
tate TO open a negotiation with you for she retroces
sion OF Texas and that, too, long before your indie
peudence was acknowledged by Spain. But the
time has now come when We feel that this delicacy
ought no longer 10 restrain US from a treaty with
Texas particularly as We know that our failure TO
do so viii produce results that may endAnger the
safety our own confederaey.
cannot think there is discrepancy between
the views and those avoWed b. nv administration
when proper allowance is made tor the change OF
circumstances, that they contain any well found
ed cause for complaint on the part Of Mexico.
Il may nov be stated as fact, on which We may
rely With the create confidence, that G Texas be
not speedy admitted into our cOniederacy, she
must and will be inevitably driven into alliances and
commercial regulations with the European powers,
of character highly Injurious ami probably hostile
20 this country. What would then be our condi
tout New Orleans and the whole valley Of the
Mississippi would would be endangered The num-
n,rds OF ssvages within the limits Of TEXAS,
and on her borders. would be easily excited TO
make war upon our defenceless frontier.
] DO not deem il necessary 90 be more explicit
here In the enumeration OF the reasons which JUS
tiiy 70 nv mind, the speedy sneIAiion Of Texas 10
he United States. Ny aim is 10 give 20 this coun
try the strength 10 resist foreign Interference.
Without Texas, we shall not have this strength.
She is the kew 70 our safety in the souIhwest and
west She offers ths key 20 US on fair and houora-
bic terms Let take 10 and lock the SOor against
future danger. We can do it without giving jqst
offence to MsIico Indeed may say thai the
measure l. called for by tie Interests Of MEXICO
less than OF our own; Cor without Il. she have
no relisble guarantee against future Invasion.
As 10 the TORN Of annexation, ! DO not thiHk Il
me- or 81 whether Il be by treaty or upon the spp-
cation OfIsKts by az act or joint resolution Of Con-
rrsss.
o,nnot close these remarks without saving that
nv regard Tor Mr.. Van Buren, is 90 great, and u,
eonss ,nce 10 his love Of country Is strengthened
By J., long and intimate an acquaintance, that DO
difference on this sabject can cAange my opinion Of
his character. lie has evidently prepared hGs letter
from knowledge only OF the circumstances bear
ing on the subject as they existed at the close Of
HE administration without view OF the disclosures
since made, and which manifest the probability Of
a dangerous interference with the affairs Of Texas
By foreign power.
sm respectfully,
Your servant
ANDREW JACKSON.
.