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Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, December 12, 1844, Image 1

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The whole art ok Government consists in the art op- being1 honest Jefferson.
VOL 5.
STROUDSBURG. MONROE COUNTY, PA., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1844.
NO;30,
" s - , , :
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
t
To the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States ;
We have continued cause for expressing our
gratitude to the Supreme .lluler of the Universe
for the benefits and blessinps which our coun
try, under his kind Providence, has enjoyed du
ring the past year. Notwithstanding the exci
ting scenes through which we have passed, no
thing has occured to disturb the general peace,
or to derange the harmony of our political sys
tem. The great moral spectacle has been ex
hibited of a nation, approximating in number to
20,000,000 of people, having performed the high
and important unction of electing their Chief
Magistrate for the term of four years, without
the commission of any acts of violence, or the
manifestation of a spirit of insubordination to
the laws. The great and inestimable right of
suffrage, has been exercised by all who were
invested with it, under the laws of the different
States, in, a spirit dictated alpne by a desire, in
the selection of the agent, to advance the inter
ests of'lhe country, and to place beyond jeopar
dy the institutions under which it is our happi
ness to live.
That the deepest interest has been manifest
ed by all our countrymen in the result of the
Election, is not less true, than highly creditable
to them. Vast multitudes have assembled, from
time to time, at various places, for the purpose
of canvassing the merits and pretensions of
those who were presented for their suffrages ;
but no armed soldiery has been necessary to
restrain, within proper limits, the popular zeal,
or to prevent violent outbreaks. A principle
much more controlling was found in the love of
order and obedience to the laws, which, with
mere individual exceptions, every where pos
sesses the American mind, and controls with
an influence far more powerful than hosts of
armed men. We cannot dwell upon this pic
ture without recognizing in it that deep and de
voted attachment on the part of the People, to ;
the institutions under which we live, which pro
claims their perpetuity. The great objection
which has always prevailed against the election,
by the People, of their Chief Executive Officer,
has been the apprehension of tumults and dis
orders, which might involve in ruin the entire
Government. A security against this is found
not only in the fact before alluded to, but in the
additional fact that, we live under a Confedera
cy embracing already twenty-six States ; no one
of which has power to control the Election.
The popular vote in each btate is taken at the
time appointed by the laws, and such vote is !
1 I I :.. U'ln-.-l rll ttntdnuH
u.u.uu."- "J ; . , :
its Electoral Uollege, without
relcrence to tne. oecision or me omer oiaies.
cision of the other States.
The Rifiht of Suffrage, and the mode of con
Cortina the Election, is reaulated bv the laws"
r p " , , . . . '. . r ,
of each State: and the election is distinctly
" ' J ' . , j
erative in all its prominent features.
that, unlike what might be the results under a ;
.r:. :.r i:Zr''" n.00Me ; lne UreS ierntory. 1 bat negotiation is still lard, accompanied by ;a stipulation for the admis- , . ...... tn . .... as well t0 it
.;,UtD,l crctnm rintrnc mnr-BP,)inrr: slifllllrl . ... . .... . ... . . . . .' . . . . ' tore. HOUIU nOl IJC I11UH1C1CIU lu sui.ii
mejr ,ncou, lu u..., : .uw. ... , pen(iing Shoutl it dliring your sesslon be ' sion of raw cotton, free of duty. In exchange " IV t , nntr.- tint a stronT
sincle States, without disturbine to any danger-.f , ia;.i. ,i,. Jn.r. i.:u i.:t.i.. honor ot the countr, that a stron0
..... ,u.nnniii.vf,h0re thP,,rPnt u,"uB"l,u u UC"""4C u uuu lu' '. " ,rau'k."1- ?"tMl. Vl"-V Ju,iJUllu.u "-.u..o. lc- . . .. be made to the Mexic
ua w-. w,ii be promptly communicated to Uon-jress. I . duction of duties, imposed by the laws oi the " ,llo ulIi,;ppt This wa
ovnpr mpnt nf ii nolitiral confederacv each i , , 1 J . A i. ....... ' 1 , . -! ment upon the subject, xnis wa,
r - .r - , wouia, nowever, again can your auenuon 10 me united states on a variety ot articles, most oi , . . - h, tilp roov 0r
.r.orv.lmi- n'hioh ic cutiromo nc tn zt mnttf?rs .-. . . ... .. 1 1 nnp :if? will DB seen u iiiti w 'i
iiitriiiwL.i ui iimti o ouwii. ' v. ... . . , j r, i . . l. .1 : . . i j i ii .j..... . . n .1 n i. n i i j
.iiiriortaininrr to lis Inrnl intftrfiStfS. and lt3 internal , ... ..... i , J .
peace and happiness while by a voluntary tioj tfj tha Territory The establishment of , promise law, and but few of which were pro
compact with others, it confides to the united i miljt ts at suilable points upon lhe ex- duced in the United States, was stipulated for
u iuv.uui.Mii. . .ww. , enfrov rl lfrnr.fi tn nrnTf"T nnfl iaf!Uinif pminrn. I nrt n I nnnmoi.' nnmmnn it rnnicn o tlio I :nm I
power oi an,-me pioiecuon oi lis uni.3, ...
matte'rs' not domestic
.noe nnan crv far r rnwiiMii
with complete success. The world has wit
nessed'its"rapid growth in wealth and popula
tion; and under the 'guide and .direction of a su
perintending Providence, the developements of
the past may be regarded but the shadowing
forth of the mighty future. In the bright pros
pects of that future, we shall find, as patriots
and philanthropists, the highest inducements to
cultivate -and cherish a love of union, and to
frown down every measure or effort which may
be made to alienate the States, orthe People of
the States, in'eutiment and feeling, from each
other. A rigid and close adherence to the terms
of our political compact, and, above all, a sa
cred observance of the guaranties of the Consti
tution, vVill preserve .union on a foundation
which cannot br shaken; while personal liberty
is -jilaced beyond hazard or jeopardy.
' The guarantee of religious freedom, of the
freedom of the press, of the liberty of speech, of
the trial by jury, of the habeas corpus, and of
the domestic institutions ot each ot tne ouues,
leaving the private citizen in the fpll exercise ol .
the high and ennobling attributes ol nis nature, i
and to" each; Stale lhe privilege, which can only
be judiciously exerted by itself, of consulting
the means best calculated to advance its own
happiness; thesie are'-the great and important,
guarantees, of the Constitution, which the lovers
of liberty must cherish, and the advocates of
union must ever cultivate. Preserving these,
and avoiding all interpolations by forced con
struction, under the guise of an imagined expe
diency, upon the Constitution, the influence of
our political system is destined to he as active
ly and as beneficially felt on the distant .shores
of the Pacific, as it is now on tnose ot me
lautic Ocean. The only formidable impedi
ments in the way of its successful expansion
(time and space) are-so-far iu the process of
modification, by the improvements of the age,
as to render no longer speculative the ability of
Representatives from that remote region 10 come
up to the Capitol so that their const ituenis shall
participate)!'! all the benefits of Federal legis
lation. ' Thus it is that, in the progress of time,
the inestimable principles of civil liberty will
be enjoyed byloitHon&yet. unborn,, and the great
benefits of oui system of Government be ex
tended to now distant .and uninhabited regions.
In view o'f .the vast wilderness yet to be re-,
claimed ,-wff may wejl . invite the lover of free-domtof-every
land, to .take .up his abode among
us, and-.a.ssis't'us in thp great work of .advancing,
the standard of civilization, and giving a wider
.srirftat tA. f ho art's rind rpfilvementS,of Cultivated
life. Our pmye'rs should eveiuiore be offered
r . -
up to the Father of the Universe for his wisdom
to direct us in the path of our duty, so as to
enable us to consummate these high purposes.
One of the strongest objections which has
been urged against confederacies, by writers on
Government, is, the liability of the members to
be tampered with by foreign Governments, or
the People of foreign States, either in their lo
cal affairs, or in such as affected the peace of
others, or endangered the safety of the whole
Confederacy. We cannot hope to be entirely
exempt from such attempts on our peace and
safety. The United States are becoming too
important in population and resources not to at
tract the observation of other nations. It, there
fore may, in the progress of time, occur that
opinions entirely abstract in the States in which
they may prevail, and in no degree affecting
their domestic institutions, may be artfully, but
secretly, encouraged with a view to undermine
the Union. Such opinions may become the
foundation of political parlies, until at last, the
conflict of opinion, producing an alienation of
friendly feeling among the People of the differ
ent States, may involve in one general destruc
tion the happy institutions under which we live.
It should ever be borne in mind, that what is
true in regard to individuals, is equally so in
regard to States. An interference of one in the
affairs of another, is the fruitful source of fam
ily dissensions and neighborhood disputes ; and
the same cause affects the peace, happjness and
prosperity of States. It may be most devoutly
hoped that the good sense of the American
People will ever be ready to repel all such at
tempts, should they ever be made.
There has been no material change in our
foreign relations since my last Annual Message
to Congress. With all the powers of Europe
wc continue on the most friendly terms. In
deed it affords me great satisfaction to state,
that at no former period has the peace of that
enlightened and important quarter of the globe
ever been, apparently, more firmly established.
The conviction that peace is the true policy of
nations would seem to be growing and becom-
ing deeper amongst the enlightened every where;
and there is no people who have a stronger in-:
tere3t in cherishing the sentiments, and adopt-
ing the means of preserving and giving it per
manence, than those of the United States. A
mong these, the first and most effective are, no
doubt, the strict observance of justice and the
honest and punctual fulfilment of all engage
ments. But it is not to be forgotten that, in the
present state of the world, it is no less neces
sary to be ready to enforce their observance
' . - lril m nlir nnrt ,n ' t(1 '
nrwi i ti i li i m onr in rmrnrn in mirMivp t inn in '
. ll f 1 it
vrvw .x- n.m .ah ...v,.w w.. l " -0. - I
others.
si th nf 1nt sp-;nn. n nprn. )
Z"l ' ir". "ij " 1 '.l-l V, " !
t,rtirn Itoo honn tVirmallv onluron tltim'i hotn'opn
"""v- J 1 3-
1 we oeuremry 01 oiaie aim aiei jluiuuuhu iu.i-
fed-',.,..., -J.. m . .: i n,.
i H U Itl I S HT I I Mil 1 I II ILtIll I ill V 1 1 1 1 1 1 I'llllllV I.V I
jesly's Minister Plenipotentiary and lMivoy Ex- ;
j -1 J J
. l: . : i ri. l.;.. .
nf "ot,.;,. nat:Mnj ;n aiwi ,tvor
enrrou rT ..-irriif.fi tn nrntpnt nnfl Al f m ii 1 1 n t o pmlnrn.
tended lme of Jand lravd W01Jd enaWe Qur ch
. . . . : .
izens to migrate in comparative safety to the ;
fertile regions below the falls of the Columbia, j
and make the provision of the existing conven-,
tion for the joint occupation of the Territory by i
subjects of Great Britain, and the citizens of.
the United States, more available than
fore to the latter. These posts would constitute
places of rest for the weary emigrant, where he
would be sheltered securelv against the danger,
i 1 LllLi i 1." lil Vyi LI ll i 1 !LfLIL.LiLl t lj IIULlWil-J ll UIIU W ft. i ll.ll LV I.I1E. Jill I I HI llll. till lllUUljliy 11VL UilU , r II . t 7 .l.U-t.nt t jtlttll
. , ci-uiiiiiiciiiiiii.iiniN i:iiiL.iifit;ii ill iiiciuLi intra-' wnii'ii WKrti ;iiiiuiLmfi thh ii iiiiiv uiiuki liic i .
of attack from the Indians, and be enabled to fair inference that the Senate did not intend its
recover from the exhaustion of a long: line of; absolute rejection, gave instructions to our Min
travel. Legislative enactments should also be I ister at Berlin to re-open the negotiation, so far
made which should spread over him the cegis ofj as to obtain an extension of time for the ex
our laws, so as to afford protection to his per- change of ratification. I regret, however, to
son and property.when he shall have reached
his distant home. In this latter respect the
British Government has been much more care
ful of the interests of such of her people as are
to be found in that country, than the United
States. She has made necessary piovision for
their security and protection against the acts of
the viciously disposed and lawless ; and her em
igrant reporses in safely under the panoply of
her laws. Whatever may be the lesult of the
pending negot
pending negotiation, sucn measures are neces
sary. It will afford me the greatest pleasure to
witness a, happy and favorable termination to
the existing negotiation, updn terms compatible
with the public honor; and 'the best efforts of
,-the Government will continue to be directed to
this end.
It would have given me the highest gratifica
tion, in this, my last annual communication to
Congress, to have been able to announce to you
the complete and entire settlement and adjust
ment of other matters in difference between lhe
United Slates and the Government of Her Bri
tannic Majesty, which wi-re adverted to in n
previous message. It is so obviously the inter
est of both countries, in respect to the large and
yaiuablf commerce which -exists between them,
that all causes of complaint, however inconsid
erable, should be, with the greatest promphudc,
removed .that it must be regarded as pause of
regrel. that any unnecessary delays should be
permittee! to intervene. It is true that, in a pe
cuniary point of view, the matters alluded to,
are, altogether, insignificant in anioiint, when
.compared with the ample resources of that great
nature ; but they, nevertheless, more particular
ly that limited class which arise under seizures
anddetensions of American ships on the coast
of Africa, upon the mistaken supposition in
dulged in at the time the wrong was committed,
of rheioheing engaged in the slave trade, deep
lyvaf)ec.i the, sejisjbimies of this Government
j)ier responsibility to repair all such wro.'gs, by
mu reupte. urui uuiiiiu nai icwguw.v.u
her action in other cases, leaves nothing to be
regretted upon the subject, as to all cases prior
to the Treaty of Washington, than the delay in
making suitable reparation in such of them as
plainly within the principle of others which she1
has long since adjusted. The injury inflicted
by delays in the settlement of these claims, falls
with scyerity upon the individual claimants, and
makes a strong appeal to her magnanimity and
sense of justice for a speedy settlement. Other
matters, arising out of the construction of ex
isting treaties, also remain unadjusted, and will
continue to be urged upon her attention.
The labors of the joint commission appointed
by the two Governments to run the dividing
line, established by the Treaty of Washington,
were, unfortunately, much delayed in the com
mencement of the season, by the failure of Con
gress at its last session, to make a timely appro
priation of funds to meet the expenses of the
American party, and by other causes. The
United Stales Commissioner, however, express
es his expectation that by increased diligence
and energy, the patty will be able to make up
for lost time.
We continue to receive assurances of the
most friendly feelings on the part of all the other
European powers; with each, and all of whom
it is so obvious!; our interest to cultivate the
most amicable relations. Nor can 1 anticipate
the occurrence of any event which would be
likely, in any degree, to disturb those relations.
Russia, the great northern power, under the ju
dicious sway of her Err.peror, is constantly ad
vancing in the road of science snd improve
ment ; while France, guided by the councils of
her wise sovereign, pursues a course calculated
to consolidate the general peace. Spain has
obtained a breathing spell of some duration from
the internal convulsions which have, through so
many years, marred her prosperity ; while Aus
tria, the Netherlands, Prussia, Belgium, and
the other powers of Europe, reap a rich harvest
of blessings from the prevailing peace.
1 infprmed the two Houses of Congress in my
message of December last, that instructions had
been given to Mr. Wheaton, our Minister at Ber-;
lin, to negotiate a treaty with the Germanic
Slates composing the Zoll Verein, if it could be
done stipulating, as far as it was practicable
to accomplish it, for a, reduction of the heavy
and enormous duties levied on our tobacco, and
other leading ankles of agricultural production,
and yielding, in return, on our part, a reduction
- . . -. r.i-i
of duties on, such articles the production of their,
industry; -as should not come into competition,
nr hut n limttnrl nno with nrtirlrc flip nrnilnr.t
f i 1 . ft T" A. '
w . j
nr n nr mn iitiiniiir nrr irwiiieTrtr i no I'.vnmii ivp
- ,. S " :nne i':rtu ;t,r '
' ' ' fo ' ' "o " " v. " ' " " "J " " ,
sirucuons, consioereu useu of hostilities, lull of threats, i
jnuformity with the wishes of;. and whic, if carried
enown through several meas- J;usethe attenlion ofaUC
lading in strict con
PArinrp!, n m!JfJ
"o""-J"' "
m roL it-1iii- ir KoH irljit-iturl oil A i sfr nr in llin ao
1. " " ,,tt r. Mt' ....t.' V,r
cuiuuiistimeni 01 mis in uoriani resuu. iue
L.....1.. .,...r... i u:
treaty was, therefore, negotiated; by which es-
" J , ..Q 1 "J
..i i . 1 :.. .u j...:., .
IMLV V .1 - I tlH Tf III rf IiM'JIlI i:ill-?ll IV IV 1111.11 -
, ia;,i i, ,u -y..u
I nnt f f Vnnfa.n iirimmmlir i t ii n ( ' rt m
, on oUr Th- trga communicated to
the Senate at an early day of its last session,
but not acted upon until near its close; when,
for the want, as 1 am bound to presume, of full
time to consider it, it wao laid upon the table,
This procedure had the effect of virtually re-
hereto-Jjecting it, in consequence of a stipulation con
tained in the treaty, that its ratifications should
be exchanged on or before a day which has al
ready passed. The Executive, acting upon the
say thai his efforts in this respect have been un
successful 1 am nevertheless, not without
hope that the great advantages which were in
tended to be secured by the treaty, may yet be
realized.
1 am happy to inform you that Belgium has,
by an 'irreie royale," issued in July last, as
similated the flag of the United States to her
own, so far as the direct trade between the two
countries is concerned. This measure will
prove of great seivice to our shipping interest;
the trade having heretofore been carried on
chiefly in foreign bottoms. I flatter myself that
she will speedily resort to a modification of her
system relating to the tobacco trade, which
would decideuly benefit the agriculture of the
United States and operate to the mutual advan
tage of both countries.
No definitive intelligence has yet been re
ceived from our Minister, of the conclusion of a
treaty with the Chinese Empire; but enough is1
known to induce the strongest hopes that the
mission will be crowned with success.
With Brazil our relations continue on the most
friendly footing. The commercial intercourse
between that growing Kmp.re ah'd the Upited
States, is becoming daily of greater importance
to, both, and it is the interest of both that the
firmest relations of amity and good will should
continue to be cultivated between them,
The Repubjic of Ndw Grenada still with
holds, notwithstanding the most persevering ef
forts have been employed by our Charge d'Af
faires, Mr. Blackford, to produce a different re
sult, indemnity jn the case of the brig uMorris."
And tlie Congress of Venezuela, although an
arrangement has been effected between our Min
ister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of that
Government, for the payment of 18,000, in dis
charge of its liabilities in the same case, has al
together npglected to makp provision for its pay
men?. It if) to be hoped that a sense of justice
willWoort iiidude a settlement of these claims.
Our late Minister to1 Chili, Mr. Pendleton, j
has returned to the United States, without hav
ing effected an adjustment in the second claim
of the, Macedonian,-which 'is delayed on grounds
altogether frivilous and untenable. Mr. Pen
dleton's successor has been directed to urge the
claim in the strongest terms; and, in the event
of a failure to obtain a permanent adjustment,
to report the fact to the Executive at as early a
as day possible; so that the whole matter may
be communicated to Congress.
At your-last ession, I submitted to the atten
tion of Congress, the Convention with the Re
public of Peru, of the 17th of March, 1811, pro
viding for the adjustment of the claims of citi
zens "of the United States against that Republic;
but no definite action was taken upon the sub
ject. I again invite to it your attention and
prompt action.
In my last Annual Message, I felt it to be my
duty to make known to Congress, in terms both
plain and emphatic, my opinion in regard to the
war which has so long existed between Mexico
and Texas: which, since the battle of San Ja
cinto, has consisted altogether of predatory in
cursions, attended by circumstances revolting
to humanity- L repeat now, what I then said,
that, after eight years of feeble and ineffectual
efforts to recover Texas, it was lime that the
war should have ceased. The United States
had a direct interest in the question. The con
tiguity of the two nations to our territory was
but too well calculated to involve our peace.
Unjust suspicions were engendered in the mind
of one or the other of the belligerents against
us; and, as a necessary consequence, American
interests were made to suffer, and our peace be
came daily endangered. In addition to which,
it must, have been obvious to all, that the ex
haustion produced by the war, subjected both
Mexico and Texas to the interference of other
powers; which, without the interposition of this
Government, might eventuate into the most se
rious injury to the United States. This Gov
ernment, from time to time, exerted its friendly
offices to brintr about a termination of hostilities
upon terms honorable alike to Doth tne oeinger-
' o ..I 11,-
ents
Its eltoris in mis ueuau piuvcu uuaiun
I jng Mexico seemed, almost without an object,
j t0 persevere in the war, and no other alternative
was left the Executive but to take advantage of
the well-known dispositions of 1 exas, and to
enter into a treaty for annexing her territory to
that of the United States.
unite ruui moi. oiooj..,
tn thft war. and has either made, or
j tQ makfi formidable preparations for
r " .. r i 1
I inv.irlinor Texas. ane lias issuea uecrccs uiiu
! w . t
I proclamations preparatory w me com., mm
revolting to human-
into effect, would
nhristnndnm. T Ins i
. - . i
new demonstration ot leeiing, mere is 100 mucn
. uiiwo Inc hppn nrot urea in conse
! reason to believe, has Deen. proaucea in tunse
" quence of the negotiation of the late treaty of
) annexation with Texas. The Executive, there-
annexation w;tt:
proceedings;
self as to the
reprcsenta-
an ijovern-
s accordingly
the accora-
panying despatcn irom me oe-icia.jf ui
tn th. llmtprl States Envov at Mexico. Mexico
has no right to jeopard the peace of the world
by urging any longer, a useless and fruitless
contest. Such a condition of things would not
be tolerated on the European continent. Why
should it be on this 1 A war of desolation, sur.h
as is now threatened by Mexico, cannot be
waged without involving our peace and tranquil
tv. It is idle to believe that such a war could
be looked upon with indifference by our own
citizens, inhabiting adjoining Slates; and our
neutrality would be violated, in despite of all ef
forts on the part of the Government to prevent
it. The country is settled by emigrants from
the United States, under invitations held out to
them by Spain and Mexico. Those emigrants
have left behind them friends and relatives
who would not fail to sympathise, with them in
their difficulties, and who would be led by those
sympathies to participate in their struggles,
however energetic the action of Governn.Rnt to.
-
prevent it. Nor would the numerous and lor
midable bands of Indians, the most warlike to
be found in any land, which occupythe cxten-
civn ruirinnu fiui'immil.c; to the states of Arkan
sas ant? Missouri', and who are in possession of
large tracts of country within thelimits-pf lex-
na l,n lit-i v tn remain Passive. i ue inclina
tion of those numerous tribes lead thern invari
ably to war whenever pretexts exist.
Mexico had. no just cround of displeasure
against this government or people for negotiation-
tlin tr..ntv. What interest'bf hers was ef
fected by the treaty t She was despoiled of
nothing, since Texas was fjrever lost to her.
The independence of Texas was recognised by
cfii-ml ni tlio lenriinnr nowers of the earth. She
was free to treat free to adopt her own linepf
policy free to take the course which she oe
lieved was best calculated to secure her happi
ness. Her government and people decided on
annexation to the United States , and tho Exe
cutive saw, iu the acquisition of such a territo
ry, the means of advancitig their, permanent
happiness und glory. Wlut principle ol good
fallh Mien was violated ?t So far as Mexicp
lit-raelf was concerned, the measure should
have bet-n regarded by her as highly bene
ficial. Her iuahiliiy to reconquer Te'xas had
been exhibited, I repeal, by eight now nine
yei-rs of fruitless and ruinuii contest. In ih-'
meantime, Texas has been growing in popu
lation and resources. Emigration has flowed
into her territory, from all parts of the worlds
In a current which cuiiiinue to increase in,
strength. Alexico requires a permanent boun
dary bHUV.ecu filial yourig jepubliund her
sejf, Texas, atj ny.isianuAay, .if .she con
tinues beparaie audjdeiachvAAoni.iJiQ.TJniled
States, will inevitably seek lo consolidate
her strength by adding to her domain thejeon
tiguous provinces of Mexico. The spirit of
revolt from the control of the Central govern
ment has, heretofore, manifested itself in Mumt
of those provinces, and it is fair n infer "thai
the' would he inclined to take iheMirsi fa'riif-
able opportunity to proclaim ilieir independ
ence, und to form close alliances with Texas.
The war would thus be endless, or if-cessa-sions
of hostilities should occur, they would
only endure for a season. The intereits of
Mexico, iherefore, could in nothing be belter
consulted than in a peace with her neighbor-,
which would result in the establishment' of h.
permanent boundary. Upon the ratification
of lhe treaty, the Executive was prepartjd.to
treat wHi her on the most liberal bais.
Hence the boundaries of Texas were left un
defined by the treaty. The Executive pro
posed to settle these upon terms that all (ho
world should have pronounced just ui.d' rea
sonable. No negotiation upon tharfrpoim .
could have been undertaken between the. 1T.
Slates and Mexico, in advance of the ratifi
cation of the treaty. ait
We should have ha'd no right no power
no authority, to have coiiducied-uch a ne
gotiation ; and to have undertaken it, .would
have been an assumption equally revolting, io
the pride of Mexico and Texas, and subject
ing us to lhe charge of arrogance ; whilem
have proposed, in advance of annexation, to
satisfy Mexico for any contingent interest
she might have in Texas, wonld have been
to have treated Texas, not as an independent
power, but as a mere dependency of Mexico.
This assumption could not have been acted
on by the Executive, without setting at defi
ance your own solemn declaration that that
Republic was an independent State. Mexi
co had, ii is true, threatened war against the
United States, in lhe event the Treaty of An
uexaiiuu was ratified. The Executive could
not permit itself to be influenced by this
threat. It represented, in this, the spirit of
our People, who are ready lo sacrifice much
for peace, but nothing to intimidation.
A war, under any circumstances, is great
ly to be deplored, and the United States is
(he last nation lo desire it ; but if, as the con
dition of peace, il be required ol us lo forego
the unquestionable right of treating with an
independent power, ol our own Continent,
upon matters highly interesting lo both, and
that upon a naked und unsiistained pretension
of claim by a third power, to control the free
will of lhe power with whom we treat de
voted as we may be to peace, and anxiou to
cuhivate friendly relations with lhe whoio
world, lhe- Executive does not hesitate tn say
that the People of the United States would
be ready to brave all consequences, sooner
than submit to such condition. But no appre
hension of war was entertained by ilie Exec
utive ; and 1 must express frankly the opinion
thai, had lhe Treaty been ratified by the Sen
ate, it would have been followed by a prompt
settlement, to the entire satisfaction of Mex
tco, of every matter in difference between,
ihe-two countries. Seeing then that new pref
parations for hostile invasion of Texas were
about lo be adopted by Mexico, and that
these were brought about because Texas ha
adopted the suggestions of ihe Execiitivo
upon lhe subject of Annexation, it could not
passively have folded its arms and permitted
a war, threatened to be accompanied by eve
ry act that could mark a barbarous age,- to be
waged against her, because she had done so.
Other considerations of a controlling
characier influenced the course of the Ex
ecutive. The1 treaty which had thus been
negotiated, had failed to receive the rati
fication of the Senate. One of the chief
objections which was urged against it, was
found to consist in the fact, that theques-,
tioi. of annexation had not been submit
ted to the 'ordeal of public opinion in' the
United States. 'However untenable'stich
an objection was esteemed to bo, in view
of the unquestionable power of the Exe
cutive to negotiate Ihe treaty, and theigreat
and lasting interest involved in the, ques
tion, I felt it to be my. duty to submit
whole subject to Congress as the! best
pounders, of popular sentiment. No defi
nite action havine been taken on the.,sub.
-
ject by Congress, lhe question rcfrrrtfd it
self directly to the decision of tlu" ot sites
and the iWple. Thy great popular elcc
which 'has just terminated, afforded the
best ppportuiuty qf, ascertaining .ihtr will
of the States, and lhe. People, upon. ,it.-
pending hnl issue, it becameLlhe .impera
tive? iluty pf the Execujivd to. informal es
.jcb, that. lite, question of annexation, vas
still, before; the American people, and that
until their decision was pronounced any
seripus invasion of Texas wnujd.jie rti
imrded as an attempt, to forestall their
judgment, and qould not be.JyoM;d upon
with indillerence. I tm most, happy
inform you. thaln.q sncb iqyasipjphas jaken
place;, .and tust that ypate,ypjirac
tir

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