Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-23
JUSTICE TO PRESIDENT TYLER.
He, Instead of Polk, Fought for the
Admission Of Texas.
Virglnlan Writes La Post 81 follow

A Virginian writes the Post as follows:
In your issue Of May 10th l observe a
notice Of the fourth volume of the Mes
sages and Papers Of the Presidents.
You quote from the preface to the
volume in reference TO the Tyler Admin
stration: The treaty of annexation be-
tween the United States and the republic
OF Texas was negotiated, but was re-
iectcd.' Immediately succeeding occurs
the sentence. During the administra-
ton Of President Polk Texas was finally
annexed to the United States Texas
Iowa, and Wisconsin were admitted into
the Union &c. Making all the allowance
necessary for the nativity Of Hon. james
D. Richardson, Of Tennessee, the COM
piler of these interesting volumes. as a
Nirginian. l am not disposed TO accord
to Mr.. Polk or Tennessee the credit which
properly belongs TO another President
and another State II IS true that the
treaty for annexing Texas was rejected
by the Senate in 1871. but the then Presi-
dent. John Tyler. brought the matter
before Congress. and that body. as is
we'll known, before hrs term was out,
passed joint resolutions for the anneXa-
ton Of Texas Mr.. Polk was only called
upon to approve certain forms, and had
absolutely nothing TO do with the mea-
sure. which originated with a Virginia
president and was a Virginia measure.
Tyler made the proposition at the be-
ginning of his term, and. though roundly
abused for IL. carried II through. When
the Texas senators took their seats in
Congress. IL was in pursuance of the
terms Of the joint resolutions passed
March l. 1915, four days before Polk
came in. ] entirely agree with Mr..
Richardson in his appreciation Of the
annexation Of Texas. which. In its re-
suits. advanced the United States 10 a
continental Power of assured strength
and boundess promise ! think, how
ever. that If this be so, II is well to as
cribe the credit to the proper person.
THE following hitherto unpublished
letter from President Tyler himself
places the case before the historian pretty
strongly:
TO General Thomas J. Green:
Sherwood Forest. February. %. 1856.
Dear General,-I take occasion now
10 thank you for your kind reference
10 me in your remarks at the Richmond
dinner. 1t would be. indeed, strange.
If my enemies could deprive me of the
credit Of having annexed Texas to the
Union. l presented the question: urged
IL first in form OF a treaty TO the Senate
met the rejection or that treaty by n
prompt and immediate appeal TO the
House Of Representatives: fought the
battle before the people. and conqueres
its two formidable adversarles QIenry
CLAW ana Martin Van Buren,. with their
trained bands. and two days before my
term expired. adopted and enforced the
alternate resolutions under which Texas
took her place amid the fraternity OF
States. My successor did nothing but
confirm what / had done
g Nor is that all. Texas drew after
II California. So I may well claim, that
IN regards 10 that whole subject, Mr..
Polk was my administrator de bonis non.
True. l would not have negotiated
treaty Of peace without settling the slave
question In that treaty-the omission to
do which was a great blunder. OF this |
l will talk to you when l see you. Ac.
cept tho assurances of my constant es- |
teem JOHN TYLER.