The Madisonian. [volume], October 12, 1837, Image 4

About The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845

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A.UiXATlO!l OF TK * All TO THE t XIIT.IJ
MTATKH.
Mtuajfr from thr Prmdrnt of 'he I'nitrd Statu, in
eomptuiiue irtlh a mot "lion of tiu /Iinise oj Rct re
untxuutj of U' UIM ultimo, r\.feting an Aim xa
tton of Tttui to La; L ntted States.
To the Home of Keprtsenlatiers if J he United Statu:
In compliance with the resolution ol t'.ie H :ac of
lUpresenutive* of iho 13th instant, r?*i>.??'c?inj^ an an
lieition of Texaa to lb* I'liiu-tl S'aies, 1 transmit a re
purl from the .>ecreury of "wlo, and liic documents by
which it wa? accompanied.
M VAX Bl'KEN.
WASH1XUTON, Stpteinler 30, Id37.
To Ike PrestJtn/ of the Uni'cd States :
The Secretarx of S'ate, to wlwni wus referred a re
?oluiion of the House of Ilieprvaeutativea, dutod the I3ih
instant, requesting "tin* President of the Ui?:'< J States
to communicate to that House, if m his opinion it
should Uicompatable wiili tin: public Aiterc*t. whether
an) pro|>osiiion baa been uisde on the |?irl of ihe rcpub
lic of 'lcias to the Government of the United Stales
for like annexation of itie t-ai.l republic of Texas to ibis
Union ; and, if auch proposition lew been nude, what
answer ha* been relumed, and al! correspondence which
h is taken place relating thereto," has tbo honor to lav
before the President copies of all the correspondence
which has taken place between this Government and
that of Texas, on ihe.subject of the resolution referred,
and to represent that thp inquiry made in thai resolution
is answered by the documents i.uw respectfully sub
milted.
JOHN FORSYTH.
IIkfartmicm- or State,
Washington, September, 30, 1837.
LIST
General Hunt to Mr. Forsyth, 4th August, 1837.
Mr. Forsvth to General Hunt, 2.Vh " "
General Hunt to Mr. Forsyth, 12ih September, 1837
General Hunt to Mr. Forsyth.
Tkxia.n Legation,
Washington Cihj, Augu.it 4, 1837.
Sir : The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and
minister plenipotentiary of 'lhe republic of Texas, in
conformity with instructions from his Government, asks
the consideration of the honorable John Forsyth, Sec
retary of Slate of the United State*, on the subject of a
proposition for the annexation of Texas to iho United
Stales, and which proposition he has now the honor
moat respectfully to submit.
In presenting the question through iho honorable the
Secretary of State of the United States lo this Govern
ment, the undersigned solicits, in advance, the greatest
indulgence for the latitude which it will be necessary
to take in opening this negotiation. The subject is one
of so much magnitude thai it is impossible, in a single
paper, to exhibit even its general outlines, and the un
dersigned will |>erhaps have sufficiently trespassed upon
the attention of the honorable the Secretary of State,
when he shall have, in the first place, briefly set forth a
comparative history of Texas and Mexico, which has
been so much misrepresented l?y the recenl envoy of
Mexico to this Government, and when, in the second
place, he shall have stated the main ground upon which
the union of the two republics ia proposed bv Texas, and
shall have concluded by suggesting some few of the
great advantages, t?olh national and social, which would
result to the two contracting parties from the proposed
amalgamation of their respoctive sovereignties.
With the exception of ihc first presidency under the
federal constitution, that of Victoria, Mexico has ex
hibited a series of revolutions, attended with the most
disastrous civil wars, [turbide, who was chosen and
proclaimed by a licentious soldiery, was dethroned
and put to death, after a short reign, too turbujent to be
regarded, even during that brief period, as a govern
ment. The rights of property were nftt respected, and
foreign merchants as well as native were cxposed to Ins
rapacity. Witness the seizure of money at Perote.
After the downfall of Ilurhidc, and the adoption of
the constitution of 1824, which is a transcript of that
of the United States, a Hairs were, for some lime, con
ducted peaceably, and were only interrupted bv the epi
sode of the revolt of General Bravo, the Viec President.
Yet, during that period, the laws of nations were repeat
edly violated, and the property of foreign merchants
preyed iipon by the corrupt and venal agents of the
Government. (See the history of the claims of Ameri
can citizcna.)
The termination of Victoria's presidency was dis
graced by the quarrel between the rival candidates for
the succession, which, after a bloody contest, terminat
ed by elevating to the presidency the unsuccessful can
didate, General Guerrero, and the banishment of Pe
drazo, his competitor. A short year, marked with dis
order and misrule, terminated the career of this revolu
tionaiy hero.- The struggle cost him his power and Iiis
life, and the whole country was convulsed by this civil
strife. The Vice President, Huslainente, succeeded
Guerrero, but the war continued in different parts of
Mexico, rendering life and pro|?erty insecure. After a
short period of convulsions, Dustamente was banished
and Santa Anna succeeded to power. He was elevated
by the joint efforts of the aristocracy and the priesthood,
who made use of the successful soldier of fortune to
overthrow the free institutions of the country. His
reign of misrv.lc and career of blood w ill be presently
noticed. He is now at Mango de Clavo, the tiger in
hia lair, ready to go forth seeking whom he may devour.
It is true Dustamcntc is again in power, but it is notori
ous that the people have been juggled out of their liber
ties, and arc dissatisfied. The Government which was
their choice has been overthrown, and centralism forced
upon them by the sword ; this change sanctioned l>v
mock acta of a spurious legislature, and tbo States re-,
duced to submission by force.
With this brief vie .v of the factious struggles of Mex
ico, the undersigned approaches the exposition of the
history of Texas, which he conceives to he an impor
tant preliminary to the due consideration of the subject
of annexation.
Until the settlement of Austin's first colony in 1821,
Texas, for the most part, was an unexplored wilderness.
The' Spaniards had endeavored, in vain, to rescue it
from the wild liibes of the forest. So early as the year
1698, the old Spanish town of Bexar was founded ; m
1710, J,n Bahia, afterwards Goliad ; Nacogdoches in
1732; Victoria at a later period. But these old Span
ish settlements continued to be surrounded by prowling
parties of savage Indiana, and, up to the year 1821,
i exian civilization was only to be found within the nar
row precincts of their respective jurisdictions.
On the 17th of January 1821, Moses Austin obtained
permission from the Supreme Government of the eas
tern internal provinces of New Spain, at Monterey, to
settle a colony of emigrants in Texas, and in the month
of December following, his son, Stephen F. Austin,
who had undertaken the enterprise in obedience to the
testamentary request of bis father, appeared upon the
river Brazos with the first Anglo American settlers."
From that period may be dated the Anglo American his
tory of a country which has grown into notice with un
exampled rapidity, and already presents itself as another
monument of the indomitable energy of the extraordina
ry race by which it was populated.
In the mean time, Mexico had shaken off the Spanish
yoke, and .established herself as a sovereign and inde
pendent Government. Anxious, however, to increase
her political influence and resources by every means ni
her jiower, and prompted by a desire to repress the In
dians on her northern frontiers, observing, too, the bene
ficial effects resulting from the liberal system of natural
ization adopted iu the United Slates, she. determined
to pursue a similar course of policy iu relation to aliens.
Accordingly, on the 4th of January, 1823, a national
colonization law was adopted by the Mexican < 'nngrcis,
and approved by the Emperor, Don August in I turbide,
and on the I8ih of February a decree was issued, au
thorizing Austin to proceed with Ins Colony ; which dc
cree, after the Blnhcatioii of Iturbide, and the change of
government consequent thereon, was confirmed by alio
first Executive Council, in accordance with a spccial
order of the Mexican Congress,
On the 2d of February, 1824, the Federal constitu
tion of Mexico, based upon that of the United .States,
was proclaimed as the established policy of the land ;
and, by a decree of the 7th of May, of the same year]
the provinces of Texas and Coahuila were provisionally
united, to form one of the constituent and sovereign
States of the Mexican confederacy.
On the 18th of August another general colonization
law was passed and ratified, by the Supreme Govern
ment at the city of Mexico, arid foreigners emigrating
to the coun'ry, and complying with the terms of the
said law, were guarantied in the protection of their per
ilous and properly, and all the riirhls, liberties, and im
munitiet of Mexican citizcns. Morcovtr, bv the Stato
colonization law of Coahuila and Texas, of the 24th of
March, 1826, they were specifically mvited to come
and settle within the limits of thai especial state juris
diction. 1
Under these various enactments, but particularly after
the adoption of the federal constitution, tho current of
emigration continued to flow in and apread itself with
accelerated rapidity over the fertile domain of the then
province of Icxas The forest gave way to the axe of
the pioneer j the wild prairie to the ploughshare of the
husbandman. Plantations were opened Villageasprung
up on the hunting-ground of the s.ivage. New colonies I
were introduced, planted, fostered, and matured; and J
in 'he brief |*riod of nine yesrs from the nettlement
under Atlie cn'erpri?e vf t'le AnKto-AmwKH
sealer had explored the whole southern mou.lv 6( ??
province, redeemed it fiom lln> wilderness ol lln *il4
heart and the suvage, covered it with s limdy Hid in
dustrious population, and intermixed bia labor with ila
nioit valuable aoila.
True, in emigrating to Texas the enterprising co!o.
niat h'<l expatriated hiin?elf, ami foregmie the vvell
tr.td institutions of lu? ino.her-land, but llu ItHliliitioiM
he now lived under were modelled upon those he had
reluctantly abandoned Hia spirit, and h:a habits, and
Ilia inbred and uncompromising republicanism continued
liie some, and lie was a? rosdv lo resist Hie invssion ol
Ina chartered ritflita under the Mexican constitution of
'21 a* be would liavo luen lo have liirovvn himself into
the breat h in Itehslf ol that sacred iiialrumeiit under
which he br.il been Itorn and educated.
I'p lo the ye:ir 1830, the pooplu ol Te*aa had luVen
but III lie concern in the scries of |>oiitical con*Hl?i"ua
which hail no closely followed one another in lho iute
lior ol Mexico. So long ua thev were left ounioleated
in the enjoyment of their ow ti nphf*, their natural dispo
sition for pcaee realraiurd lliein from participating in liie
internal commotions of Ihe other State*, liut their ra
pidly growing strength, and steady adherence to repuli
iican principle*, lirj.Mii now to attract the notice and ex
cite the jealousy ol the Supreme Government. I hi*
wai (jlau.lv evinced bv the passage of the arbitral* law
of lhe 6th of April. PJJO, by which the further intro
duction or emigration of American settlers lo'.o 1 e\as
was rtpnoly and totally prohibited for the future. Mih
j t irv posts were established over the province ; Ihe civil
authorities were trampled under loot, and ihe people ol
Texas, fur a time, were subjected to the capricious ty
ranny of unre?lraiiHui military misrule.
In 1832, Bustauiente had established himself njion
the ruins of the federal eonatitution. 1 he colonials
now flew to arms. On the 2(l'b of June, with greatly
j inferior number*, they besieged and took ihe fort at V a
I lasco. They then attacked the gairu>on at Anahuac,
and reduced that also. This achievement was ?liorlly
' followed iiv the reduction of the garrison at Nacogdo
j chei, and, in December of the same year, U|>oti I tie sus
pension of hostilities between General* Santa Anna and
I Bustaincnte, the colonists found themaelvea once more
in the quiet enjoyment of the right* guarantied to them
by tRe eonatitution and the law a under which they con
sented lo tiecoine Mexican citizens.
1833. Texas, now conscious of her integral alrenglh,
and anxious lo be leveled into a separate Slate, in con
formity with the decree of the 7th ol May, 1824, which
had promised and seemed to her a separate eonatitution,
so soon aa sho was in |M>sscsi>:on of the necessary ele
ments of self-government, assembled a general conven
tion at San Felipe, for thepur|K)se of drafting an inatiu
iiient suited to the wants and peculiar character and
habits of her people. Accordingly, in the spring of the
same year, Stephen F. Austin, was commissioned to
present the constitution agreed upon, with a petition lor
tho fulfilment of the said decree of the 7th ot May.
The respectful petition of the people of I ex.is was
treated with disdain, and their commissioner incarcerat
ed in a dungeon.
183.Y Affairs were now verging to an important
crisis. General Antonio Lopez do Santa Anna, had
openly declared in favor of centralism, which, however
s|>ccious in us pretences, was really based upon the
downfall of the State Governments, and tho consolida
tion of all power, civil and military, in the hands of a
single individual. Many of tho State* had recourse to
arms, in sujijwrt of their sovereignty, and Santa Anna
look the field against them. Tho blood-stained march
of the usurper was invariably attended with the most
triumphant success. One by one, the States toppled
and fell. The Legislature of Coahuila and Texas was
dissolved at the |>ouil of the bayonet. The noble State
of Zacatccas, batiliog to tho last for her liberties, and'
weltering in the life-blood of her butchered citliens,
was forced to yield to ihe relontless terms of the dicta
tor Mexican liberty fled, and found her only place of
refuge among tho Anglo-Americans of Tcxa*.
Corresponding committee* of safety and vigilance
were iio.v formed in all the municipalities of the pro
vince. With a single voice, they declared for the sup
port of Ihe constitution, and an immediate appeal to
arms. There was no alternative left them, and the
people of Texas plunged into the contest for the protec
tion of their liberties. On the 28th of September, 1835,
they defeated a detachment of Mexicans at Gonzales.
On the- tfih of October, they stormed and loo!; the strong
fortress of Goliad. In the same month, they invested
the city of San Antonio de Bexar. On the 29lh, they
fought the hatile of Conception, and with ninety-two
men obtained a signal viclorv over four hundred Mexi
can regulars. On the 3d of November, they captured
the garrison at Sepautillan. Shortly after, thev defeated
the enemy at Sin Patricio. On tho 8th, tho Mexicans
were again discomfited, in the vicinity of San Vmonin
On lliu sntn, ilioy were once more routed, with very
considerable l,.ss. On the 5th of December, the town
of San Antonio was stormed by three hundred Ameri
cans, under the gallant Milam, and. after live days' in
cessant lighting, General Cos was forced to capitulate,
and thirteen hundred Mexicans were net at iilierly, on
I heir parole of honor "that they would not, iri any way,
(thereafter,) oppose the re-establishment of the federal
constitution of 18:11." Thus ended the first campaign,
and the Irv-colored flag of the constitution still contin
ued lo wave in Texas?but of all Mexico, in Texas
alone.
November 3, 1835. In the mean time, the delegates
of the people h:*l assembled in " general consultation"
ai San Felipe do Austin. Their deliberations resulted
in a solemn declaration that they had taken up arms in
defence of the republican principles of the federal con
stitution of 1824; that they would continue faithful to
the Mexican confederacy, so long as it should be govern
ed bv the constitution and laws that were framed for the
protection of theit-f ilitical rights; that they were no
longer morally or civilly bound by the compact of union,
but that, stimulated by the generosity and sympathy
common to a free people, they offered their support and
assistance to such Of the members of the confcdcracv. as
would take up anni against military despotism. This
declaration met with no response from the interior, and
Texas was left alone and single-handed to'carry o:i the
war against the forces of the dictator.
Before the dissolution of the "consultation," a pro
visional government was organized, and the 1st of
March, 1830, appointed for the meeting of 4 new con
vention.
In tho mouth of February, 1835, General Santa An
na apjiearcd on tho river San Antonio, in Texas, at the
head of a well-appointed army of eight thousand men.
On the 21st he entered the town of San Antonio de
Bexar, and the Toxian garrison, one hundred and fifty
in number, retired within the walls of the Alamo. On
the 6ih of March, after an incessant bombardment of
several days, the Alamo was taken bv assault, and Tra
vis, Bowie, and Crockett, with their little band of heroes,
were al! put to tho sword. The Mcaican lo.s before
this fort, in killed and wounded, amounted to near fif
teen hundred. On the 1 Stli of March, near Goliad, the
Texians under Fannin were surrounded and attacked by
a much imperior force of Mexicans under Urrca, in the
middle ol an open prairie. The enemy were at first
beaten oil', hut tho next morning receiving a strong re
inforcement with artillery from Goliad, the Tcxiati
troops, being completely hemmed in, and cut off entire
ly from water, surrendered o:i condition of being releas
ed on parole, and transported to the United Stales. The'
terms of tho capitulation were shamefully violated, and
Fannin and his comrades were treacherously massacred
in cold blood.
Notwithstanding the near approach of the Mexican
forces, rocking as thoy were from their recent victories
in the interior, and headed by a leader whom they be
lieved to be invincible, the newly-elected convention
met at \\ ashmgton at the appointed time, and, in con
formity with tlibir instructions, on the 2d day of March,
1830, made a formal and absolute declaration of inde
pendence. They then proceeded to frame a constitu
tion, to be submitted to the people of independent Texas
for adoption; and, after organizing a Government ad
interim, composed of a President, Vice President, and
Cabinet, they adjourned in time for many of their num
ber to join the patriot armv under General Houston be
fore his meeting with tho enemy. On the 21st of
April I exian independence was sealed and consecrated
by the blood of Us enemies on the field of San Jacinto.
1 lie Mexican General anil Presi lent was there met hv
General Houston, the division he commanded in person
totally annihilated, lie himself was made prisoner, and
became a suppliant for the poor boon of his forfeited
life, at the hands of a magnanimous victor. On the
2iihof April, Ihe shattered remnant of the Mexican ar
my, amounting in oil to only four thousand w orn out and
dispirited wretches, commenced their retreat in the
most miserable condition, and weic permit tod iu icatc I
the country with all possible celerity, in accord ince with
the terms of the armistice agreed upon with their cap
tive leader and his next in command.
rtis thus that I exian independence has been achieved.
I hr justice of this Government has proclaimed to the
world its acknowlcgdemont of lhat independence, and
its recognition of Texas as one of the sovereignties of
the earth. The undersigned feels emboldened bv these
high reflections, and approaches, with an anxious soli
citude, but a just confidence, the proposition to unite the
two people under one and the same government.
Numerous examples of the amalgamation of sove
reignties inav be found in ihe history of nations, but
force, and not a mutual affection and interest, has been
lite general inducement to the for/nation of such liouiids,
and it is, perhaps, impossible to find m the annals
of snt IM a eomptaw pwreJml of the ensoow
iii.ilt i mMM**' T???? ?*'** ?*? ameaed,
tn ?t m< ,h* ** Jj?
UmJ ?t:b tho feoj* of the Lmtr.1 BWci- 1
?1 he l.ialor, of thw rouul* ? ?*? b.?lonr bhe ?W*
hmuM l? the kiwlred l? of ?*"*>. hnewr.
institutions; bv ? eownon origin. by ? eoniwon RMiory,
anil I9 . common freedom Her g*M? --
upon >..r -I. end **?
<!oha?(. Han Antonis. Conception. awl *?" '" f;
attested tiM legMnnsey of Ibrtr Anglo-Am?-r?-.#, blond;
ami, ?<^H>?kii|f to vwionea in ?!?? csuae M liberty, they
?ok if ihe k-i'irie MrrfTciH w worthy lobe added
to the brilliant clnsfc* oil their wother flag
In the clkirt period o( i *?? xesrs Toms h?* revolted,
formed a itrovtaional pMrtimiwit, dw liifl hrr inde
?ei.dcnce, achieved il t>* "?'*? ?word. fanned mm! adopt
ed a civil constitution, e,ubli.l.?d a pennsnei* gown
mmit, and obtained at the han-U of one ?f ihn mo-t |>o*
rriul govern m nl. m lb- world an ?clwls?led;{?meol of
her u.depn.dsneo She Its. a letrlorv estimated ai wear
tvto hundred thousand spare ? W'laiiw "?
one Iuindrod thousand. ea|?We?f | ro i.ptlv throwing ?"?'> <?
the ft. Id an army of eight thousand atronf : a.J such i?
the fertility nl In r sod. and ihe industry of her pen}"''.
th,it, besides lite productions nrre???ry for the *i-|i|?'rt
t.f her population, her exports of cotton Mil pftteMy
thia vcar atno inl to tiflv thousand ?>?'< a I i dentic.
? rism" furn i.nimata a id la* ., nod. r a la>v of the lsie
Ciwv'rcss, without iefcrenen to the H*?#r ae. run.J
I Iron"tho -ales of the poWic lUnai*. ha* been estimated
,1 h ill'a million ol dollars The great extent o< h.Tpub
lie domain. capable of sustaining a papula'MM of I. n
millions. rmbrai iwf f*cry vamlV of ?ml. and l.lca c.l
w it It ? climate mh>?. prop.imua fur p"r?ntt?.
,?#t.rte? the amertioir that ")>??* ia, lor her poimlaUon.
H nation of equal rcaouicea with an* other on tin VMh
The undermined, tltercfore. b-. la ro..Ment tl.at H?o
honornble ihe Secretary of Stale will at oivc prr.-?i*o
that th* people of Tcta?, in u*?f*muj tU-ir alUctni<i
for the ,?eople of tlie I'nn.-d Slate, aa their
reason fordeairing annetaiio-.i. are amplv ^o%i.led with
all the raaourcea to lieconie ol thtmaeU" a a |io?i rlul
nation. . ,
I'hoa, then. It ia that 'I ? *a?. m ae. kntff to ptarc l ? r
M'lf among the State, of the I num. ta pro ?1'l?il malm*
bv a filial revi rrncc for the cunalHultiMt ?i ?! the people
ol the United Slat. a. She haa no eM*-clalion of an ill
vtsion, much lea. of a ri fonqm at, at the handaol Mex
ico 'J-he humiliating il^at and future o <?ner.l
Sinta Anna at San Jacinto i* too frt ?l? t|?on tl.e memo
ilea of her aoldterv to inaiifv the indulgence ol any aurh
amtrelienaioiia. Nor does she set k ai.neiatton as a ah ? d
of protection ngainnt the interference til Eurojx *? mon
archies Since the recognition of hi. independence ?*
the Government of thia i oluitry. ahe haa too nmt hi. li
ant e uiHjn the wiadom and the justice ol
France to atinpoae that either ol tlie erownt d lu ads of
those two mtiona tvill occupy any other than j >?ittout
of the most dectdi'd neutrality with ref. retn e to im
di?Cttltiea lietween Mexico and herself; and ?.io ,ld
this proiKWi-ion of annexation not be acccedrd to '?*
tliM Government, ahc coiifidantly ex|icets at in wtn s
of every civilucd notion of Kiiropo the honors ?fa re
cognition aa a preliminary atep to the forination >> irtu
ties of amity and commerce.
In reviewing the iiitereata of tho two wpnbhca, in
volved iti thia queation of annexation, tho undersign* tl
cannot concede that the United. Siatea encounters an
equal sacrifice with the people of 1 eiaa I exaa ""iiija
to this negotiation not only Ihe resources already rei t
pitulated, but her sovereignty. She brinfis too, that
which in the eves of tho naval powers of Luropc, nil!
constitute the material ground for the formation of the
most liberal commercial treaties, vix : her immense lor.
ots or live oak. according to the estimate of I . ' .i.lci.t
Houston, in ins message of the 6ili ?' May, 1
?? fonr-fiftha of all that species of timber now in the
world." She brings too, a market for ? I the various
manufactures, snd tor all the agricultural products ol
the United Slates, excepting those ol cotton and sugar,
snd these ahe will contribute from her own soil to swell
the already colossal amount of the exerts of tli:a na
tion. The territory, and with il the enterprise of the
country will be extended ; her political power wil be
increased, and the undersigned trusts that he will not be
considered intrusive in expressing his deep conviction
that the Union of these Slates will bis strengthened i.y
the annexation of a people, whose proudest nnpuUcs
are for its continuance and glory. '
What advantage'the United States brines to this n -
CO'ialioti, the undersigned will not presume to suggest.
Her immense resources, her splendid lleets. her |>o.\er
to raise armies, her magnificent government, her un
exampled career of prosperity, her incomparable admin
istration of justice! and finally. ?H her atmbutea of
,,rvalues*, are sources of as much congratulation to the
people of Texas as they can possibly be to herself
What Texas wishes at the hands of the C.ovcrnincul of
this Union is simply annexation, an amalgamation ol flags;
and the undersigned assures the honorable the been u
ry of State ihat this is the aolitary advantage winch he
seeks to gain in this negotiation, but which, he begs
leave to sav, he hopes lo accomplish upon the high
principle of a atrct adlterenci, to the just rights and itig
mtv of the sovereignty of the 'IVxiaii nation.
The undersigned will not conceal from the honorahlo
the Secretary of Slate, his apprehensions that any de
lay in the contusion of the treaty of annexation may be
fatal to its ullimato accomplishment. Diplomatic
I ions with foreign Powers are now in the progress oI
heme established, and the result of these interchanges
will be commercial ticalies, involving difliciilties winch
may be insurmountable in any subsequent arrangement
of the question, and, therefore, the undersigned is espe
cially instructed to urge, w ith as tittle delay as possible,
the immediate discussion and negotiation ol a treaty ol
annexation. Texas is not disposed to yield to any fo
reign nation the privileges of her coast, involving I 10
command of the ( iulf of Mexico, nor can site concede
them to the United S.ates, unless ma tieaty ol Union.
As an independent power, her interests would conflict
with those of the United States, and without annexa
tion, her struggle in the formation of commercial.trea
ties would moat naturally be directed to the establish
ment of the principle of a preference ol her cotton and
other products in foreign markets over thoseof the l.lilt
ed States, and such relations when once established,
would, it will be at onco perceived, very much embar
rass if not render totally impracticable, a treaty of an
nexation. t
It is a mMtcr not to be disguised, that 1 exas must
chiefly people litr extensive domain from the U States.
With a soil better adapted to the cultivation o cotton
and sugar than that of this country, and with all the be
nefits of commercial treaties concentrated upon the ad
vancement of these two interests, she would present
herself as a po.verfnl rival to the agriculture of this
Union. With the sHtne political institutions, a cheaper
soil, and superior advantages to the cotton and sugar
planter, she would drain this country of much ol its
most valuable labor and population, but whether to such
an extent as seriously to atlect the interest of the Unlt
f J States, the undersigned will not presume to suggest.
Texas, ton, as an independent nation, mnst, in liie regn
latiou of her land system, present, in the cheapness of
her prices, the highest inducements to emigration ; and
will, no doubt, soon claim the attention of that trans
Atlantic enterprise and capital which now flow into the
Untied Stales.
The undersigned begs leave most respectfully to sug
gest to the honorable tlie Secretary of State, that in the
even', of Texas remaining in the attitude of an inde
pendent Power, there will arise, from the very strict rc
semblancc of the people and the institutions of the two
countries, many questions of conflicting interest, the
adjustment of which will be most difficult and liainful.
(t would be impossible for tho people of Texas to re
gard those of the United States in the character of fo
reigners and separated Iro n one another by only an im
aginary line. It may fiirly be predicted that tlie local
authorities of the two Powers would come into frequent
and violent collision. The administration of the law
would lie interrupted or its penalties evaded; anl, in
the general entanglement" of jurisdictions u|h>ii the fron
tier," it is feared that public justice would not be well
sustained. It would bo impracticable for either IVvver
to enforce its revenue system, and should the tariffs of
the two countries differ essentially, as must he Ihe cise,
nothing but the enforcement of ihe mo<t cruel and un
popular law* could possibly secure the just collfctioi of
custom house duties.
The undersigned, in discussing this question, bcgi to
call the attention of tho honorable the Secretary of
Stale to the fact, that tilt; annexation of Texas would
ensure to tlie United Stales the complete command of
the fiulf of Mexico. There is no point on the whole
coast of lh*t mngt.Viccnt sea more admirably suited to
tho p.:iposes of a naval depot than Galveston, and, situ
ated as il is, in the midst of interminable groves of live
oak, ships of war might be built and equip)>ed for sea,
as it were within sight of the very forests out of which
they were constructed. This country having alreadr a
vast interest to protect on tho shores of the Gulf of
Mexico, the concentrated trade of the West, <i' New
Orleans, of Alabama, at Mobile, and of tie Florida
cities, would find, iti ihe possession of Texas the means
of occupying a position of decided supremacy over the
waters of the Gulf; and it is questioned whether even
ihe po?*i ssion of Cuba would bring with it those facili
ties of controlling and keeping in check the pretensions
of a rival Power, which would accrue from the exten
sion of the limits of the United States to the line of tho
llio del Norte.
It is most respectfully suggested whether tho annex
stion of Texas would not contribute to ensure the
peace of the ludiin frontier of the two countries, and
thai extent! lo '1m farthest southwest the boundaries of
Civilisation mid tin- protection ?ad privilege* of tinier
?n<i good government.. By Iter ?d nisaioii into lite
Union, tlx* present MHith western itllii could bo easily
protected from the iiumcruua tribes of llie Oiminr'iiri
and oilier savages now accumulated on their frontier,
*nJ ill* questioned whether any thing would m* impress
the minds of the Indian warrior* with a aenae of o<ir
power aa the union of two people, who n, even divided
?ltd anigle-tiaiided, they found lo lie mv noble in arms
Tlie undrraigned 1110*1 respectfully represents to the
honorable the Secretary of State, that in tlna pap< r lie
doe* not presume to have presented all the indiicrnienta
toilic union of the two republic*. He ha* not thought
it rrapeciful to tre*paa* u|ioii the attention of th' hnuor
abl? the Secretary ol Suite, cither by an extended de
tail of llie resources of Texas, or of lb' mutual benefit*
involved in ? treaty of annexation. The ooiwrnl wealth
of the country, comprising valuable mitica of silver and
lead, im:n?ii*?) strata of iron ami coal, and a ilt-spriie.??
in great a'l.md ince, In* not been pro;* rly appi eciated
Nor ha* the undersigned thought it necesauy to allude
lo ihe iuiuieiii<e fur trade wh'oh woild lie thrown i'lto
I he I in of the enterprise of the United Slat-'* liy tlto
annexation of Tun*. The great aid and facili ie*
which Texas, a* un integral part of tliia Union, might
render to the advcn'uro.ia trader*. w!io, in caravan*, po
i etraje fr<> n Mi*touri to Santa Fe, and hi jjencral to the
ndiud trade of the United State*, wiili tlin cOMiitriea
I(ordering on the Pacific, hate nil been left unexplained ;
and the undersigned throws himself upon the conrteay
i?! Die honorable the Secretary of State in desirintr him
to Urln-vo that, aa lie ha* not entered into any of the
details of auc'i a treaty of annexation as Texas nnijlit
pMjMKi1, li it confined himself lo the suhinissiofi of the
promotion itself, ho he ha* not th.io^ht fit lo discuss
seyi rally all tho vario is interests involved, hut nirri ly
Ins subjected litem to a general, uud, In trust*, a can
did review.
Ill closing this fwper, the undersigned op|ieaU to the
ho ioiaUle tin Secretary of Slate, und rcferin-f him to
the det*ils of tin history of the Texian revolution here
I in set forth, ask* in the name ot naljynal honor, tiuma
I ni y, and justice, if a nation whose career has been
] marked, like that of Mexico, by ,1 constant violation of
th* m ist solemn treaty obligation*, by araeiiea of tlio
11. >??' !:?"? iiito i* revolutions, by u most shameful prosti
tution of ihu livei, the liberties, and the property of her
people, and, in ?hort. by every act of perfidy and cruel
ty r. corded in Ihu history of barbarian*, ha* not thereby
torfei'cd all claim* to the respect of tho Governments
ni civil,/ J nations ' Look to her continued luterrup
iio is ol ifie jieaee i'ilu citizen* of TeXM, industriously
t ugaifed in tin iniprotcmeiita of their estate* and 111 (lie
a :tusi ag,'rand xi uieut of the Mexican empire; to her
druedit on by military force of tliocoiiatitutiori of 18^1 ;
to In r bloody war of extermination under I'resident
Santa Anna ; to her butchery of thote gallant Tciiana
wl?o surrendered their arms under th* sacred flag of a
capitulation ill which tlieir lives were guarantied ; and
pronoun-'!-, if the enomntv of her misdeed* entitles her
to be any longer considered, the undersigned will not say
a nation of rea;ioii?ibilily, but even of humanity. The
undersigned, however, forbear* to continue tin* appeal,
so irrelevant, and |M-rhap* so unnecessary, to the duo
cou*h1< ration of th* subject under discussion. The
world w ill do ample justice to llie magnanimity of Tex
' ma hi forlieanug lo visit iijioii tiie heads of the recreant
tyrant and his raptured host that retaliation which their
olleiices against the laws of nations and the rights of
mankind so sign illy descried.
In conclusion, the undersigned most respectfully lieg*
leave to congratulate the Hon. Secretary of State upon
the s,'K-ctac!e exhibited in this discussion, and which is
so honorable a commentary upon the excellency of the
Government of this country, viz: a sovereign, free, and
warlike people, fresh from the field of their own victo
ries and glory, seeking to surrender their nationality a*
tiie price of a place among the United States, to be
come participant* of the wisdom of ita laws, and tho
renown of its arms.
1 he undersigned, minister ph nqiotc'itiary and envoy
extraordinary of the republic of Texas, apologize* to
the Hon. Secretary of State of the United State3, for
the great length of this note, and begs to tender to the
honorable the Secretaiv of State reuc.ved assurances of
his most distinguished consideration.
MKMIJCAN HUNT
To the Hon. Joiix Fobkytii.
Secretary of Stale of the V S.
To Gen. Mkmpc.** Hi st, Ate :
The undersigned, Secretary of State of the United
States, ha* had the honor to receive the note of Ins ex
cellency General 11 mil. envoy extraordinary and millili
ter plenipotentiary of Texas, dated the 4th lost, ftropos
ing a negotiation for the purjiose of annexing that coun
try lo die United Slates
Tlwt communication I,,, (,t.Pn j#Mi |H.forn t|,p preM.
dent, who has considered it with just sensibility. In
giving to the undersigned instructions to present^ in re
ply. a prompt and decisive indication of the course it
baa been deemed necessary lo adopt, the President in
dulges the confident expectation that no unfriendly
spirit towards the Government or ihr |>eople of Texaa
will or can bo imputed to the United State*
Neither the duties nor the settled |?ilicv of the United
-Suite* permit thein lo enter into an examination of the
accuracy of the historical facta related by Gen Hunt,
nor to allow them, if even admitted lo tie correct, lo
control the decision of the question presented by bin.
1 he United States were foremost in acknowledging tin*
independence of Mexico, and have uniformly desired
and endeavored to cultivate relatione of friendship with
tint lower Having altvaya, since the formation of
their Government, been exempt from civil wars, they
have learni the value of internal quiet, and have conse
quently been anxious yet passive spectator* of the fcuda
with which their neighbor ha* been afflicted Although
in the controversy between Texas and Mexico, circum
stances have existed, and events have occurred, pecu
liarly calculated to enlist the sympathies of our people,
tho effort of the Government has been to look upon
that dispute also, with the same rigid impartiality with
which it ha* regarded all oilier Mexican commotion*.
In determining with respcct to the independence of
other countries, the United States have never taken the
question of right between the contending parties into
consideration. They have deemed it a dictate of duty
and policy to decidu upon the question a* one of fact
merely. 1 his was the course pursued with respcct to
Mexico herself. It was adhered to when analogous
events rendered it proper to investigate the question of
I cxian independence. That inquiry was made with
due circumspection, and the result xvas not arrived at
Until its probable consequences had been accurately
weighed. The possibility of a collision of interests,
arising, among other cause*, from the alleged superior
aptitude of the climate anil soil of lexa* for the growth
of some of the staples of the United States, was not
overlooked. A sense of duty and a reverence for con
sistency, however, it was considered, left this Govern
ment no alternative, and it therefore led the way in re
cognising Texas. A hope was certainly entertained
|hiit this act, ami the motives that conduced to it, even
if no other considerations were to have influence, would
point out to tho Government of Texas the propriety not
only of cherishing intimate and amicable relatione with
this country, but of abstaining from other connections
abroad which might he detrimental to the United Slates.
Apart from this, however, it wa* presumed that Govern
ment would enter upon the execution of the intentions
intimated by its envoy extraordinary, wi'h respect to
connections with foreign powow, with a full understand
ing of the just and liberal commercial stipulations exist
ing between the United Slates and other nations. A
pervading principle of those compacts is impartial treat
ment of the citizens, vessels, and productions of the
parties in their respective territories. As it wa* not to
be believed that the commercial allies of the United
?States would swerve from tlieir engagements, no ai>
prehension- was felt that the interests of this country
would suffer from the arrangements which Texas mMit
enter into with them.
riie question of the annexation of a foreign inde
pendent State to the United States'lias nover before
been presented to this Government. Since the adop
tion ol iheir constitution, two large addition* ha?e been
made to tin- domain originally claimed by the United
States In acquiring them ibis Government was not
actuated by a mere thirst for sway over a broader snaco.
Paramount interests of many members of the confed
eracy, and the permanent well being of all, imperatively
urged upon this Government the necessity of an exten
sion of its jurisdiction over I,o<ti*iana and Florida. Aa
peace, however, wa* our cherished policy, net er to be
departed from unless honor should be perilled by ad
hering to it, we patiently endured for a 'ime serious in
conveniences and privations, and sought a transfer of
those region# by negotiations and not by conquest.
1 ho issue of those negotiations wa* a conditional
cession of these countries to the United State*. Tho
circumstance, however, of their being colonial possea
8C3*:on? of I'ranee and Spain, and therefore dependent
on the metropolitan Governments, renders those trans
actions materially different from that which would be
presented by the question of the annexation of Texas.
I lie latter is a Slate with an independent government,
acknowledged a* <uch by the United States, ami claim
ing a territory beyond, though bordering on the region
Tg , b\ *??*. ,ln ,lMS treaty of the 30th of April,
'? "bother the constitution of the United Slates
contemplated the annexation of such a Siatc. and if *o,
in what manner that object i? to be e(beted, are quos
uaM, in Ik* spim? ef ttm Piarfwu. * ^
u?kf rw4l.il ? ?f*??
(? *I.?H irmam M wa*. wbtte the
u iii ?.-r ?*>? h? yi'""
pr.,?r.nlun of lbs Tex ml*-ft p?r*w '"'Ify
R^ariiy inv dv-< th- .?*??? ?hh ?**?
ndversaiy The |JnJM * aiesaia k*"f
bv a treaty "f antniy a?4 ?" ?r*^ ? w'"
scrupulously ? b w-J <? rtwif ????.??** ?? "f**
I,- I Li. I ,'"12
,t.i u, ana i??pe rt?t*? uirVi *"? 1 h* 1 V ??
8 Hex wl*H?]'i"ilr1. ..pre rd f a dlwr-ard -f th*
frieudljr purpose ol i e ? **?-?<', ll '
I G -ncral li'int ue.e to b c> n <?? ?|^?<* 1 '*'*
consideration. as this ? .ukl d'1"7' ' A **
our part t.. e-o-JM the ..unrirl ..1 t J* ?
|Mi , dispose! -? \ holly ai varied* *? ? "?' "I ""
ot iha treaty, wi'b the 'Uiil*?r 1 P^T l** 1
ou? welfare of lit;- L'nieit Stale*.
The lnd<K-eiu -u lu-n'i ttl by |, 'nl ;'f
the Unked tt itei?t'Mi??l Tr*4?tu h**'
are duly ?npr?dm.M, bit ?-ow??W : ??* **?{. ") '?
IStii, tSy are they laitHt ? tea ^?
aeale of rj i> n, to tre..ty obli**Hnt*t sad .?'*
tlijt Ir. ?tfrlty of character by *^rH* .. -e
Bates havo sv.glit t? illatinguisi 'h?? ' . '.
II.e establishment.?! Ui -ir right lo claim ? f ? *n
the gr?.t family of nations. I. t^ rr".';'''' W
over, that th- in l ives bv wbieb *<"? '? " n.
g .ivrned in miking this orerime, ?'? J*'"?.
f;rcc in impel ling her to prc-crw, as ?i lwp.?
i- nt Power, ihe Li lib'ral r .?timer.-.:: reh -m,
with the Uui:ed States Huch a
i-heerfully met in a corrc po?dlnj{ .?piri' *>\ tin
ven.ment K the rnswer trhi. h .he
T) -en dire: ed to Kive to the Pr'i^,l!',n o' ? j
llnni should unfortunately work stirh a en. n?c in
the sentiments of that Government gMto
a teuj'.'t to extend eouimcreial relations eUewnere,
up't 'terms prejudicial to the United States, this
cT,!".n i.l-n- will be eJMoled by a .onseiou^es* ?
the reetliude of it* inteutionf, and a ceriamt) il ..t
although the haxard of trnneient losses m '? ?
curie I by a riKid adherence to josi l,r,r'c'P ^'1';'
lasting prosperity can b; secured when ih?y are Uis
^Theundersiped avails himself of the ^.asionto
otter General Hunt renewed assurances of his vetj
distinguished consideration, poRSYTH>
Department or State,
y\'a;ki?gt?n, August '25, H3/.
Omcrul ll-uni lo -We. l orsylh.
Tm.iii Lki;ation.
Washington city, Gcptmdsr 1*2, 1*37.
S.tr The undewlfnod, envoy cxtraordinanr and
minister plenipotentiary of the republic ol Texas
his the honor to acknowledge the ueeipt of th< no e
of the honorable Mr. Forsyth, Secretary ot S:ate of
the United States, of the ?Sth of August, in rep y to
the proiKjsitlon which he had the honor to submit on
the ItU of the same month, to ne-^oiiate a treaty tor
the annexation of Texas to the United States.
The undersigned was aware that, in recognising
the independence of Texas, the question of right
was not taken into consideration by th ? Government
of the United Sates. It was with a proper under
standing of the settled policy ol this Government in
similar cases, that the claim of Tcxiis to the justice
of a recognition was placed by his collegue and hun
selt upon her actual existence as an independent
Power, and the impossibility of a rcconqiiest at ihe
hands of Mavico. Although bv the issue: oI that
negotiation, the question ol fact was salluf^!rl|y
datennined, il was deemed inappropriate, after the
inisrepre.ieniaiions of the late eavoy ixlruoidirir.ry
and minister plenipotentiary ol Mexico, to preface
the proposition for the annexation of Texas to the
United States, with a plain statement of the causes
which led to, and the events which grew out or, her
separation from Mexico, so conclusively showing
ih'it they can never b_' reunited; and for an addi
tion:! re-won, which he will presently show;, the
undersigned adhere., to the opinion that the simple
narrative of facts which the honorable Secretary or
S ate declines examining into, cannot b ' regarded
as irrelevant in a proposition for the annexation ol
Texas to the United States.
The venerable ex-President General Jackson was
! so strongly impressed with a bilicf, at one time
1 during his administration, that the negotiation then
i p >nding for the acquisition of Texas would be
hi ei''ht to a spcedv and favorable issue, that he ten
1 dered the othVe of Governor of the Terrijorv of
Texas to the late Governor H. G. Burton, of North
> Carolina, to bi* en'ercd upon as soon as the treaty of
1 cession should h? completed. See a publication on
i the subject of Governor Burion's appointment. Ihe
! sani" principles, it appears to the tmdersigned, were
! involved in the negotiation for the acquisition ol
Texas from Mexico, previously to the recognition ot
the indeiKTidcnce of the hitter by Spain, whicji are
now presented bv the question of the annexation of
i Texas to the United States previously to the recog
i nilion of krr independence by Mexico; and had his
excellency the President of the United States, en
i (crtained any inclination to negotiate a treaty lor
the annexation of Texas, a hope which had been
loudly cherished, ns he had expressed a determina
tion to carry out the measures and conform to the
general policy of his venc.rnble predecessor, it does
appear to the undersigned, but with distinguished
deflerence to the honorable Mr. Forsyth's opinions
to the contrary, that neither a sense of duty nor the
settled policy of the Government, during the admin
istration of ihe venerable ex-President, would have
prevented an examination into jhe his'orical facts
accompanying the proposition. That brief compen
dium, which is b'iievcd to bj corroct, will show
thai there is as little prospect of the recovery of
Texas by Mexico at this time as there Mas of the
rcconqiiest of Mexico by Spain, at the time that
General Jackson believed that the charge d'atl'aires
(Mr. Butler) of this Governmeht had succeeded in
negotiating the acquisition of Texas. If Ihe act of
the annexation of Texas would involve the Uniied
S'ates in a war with Mexico at this time, the under
signed is at a loss to perceive why a similar result
w.is not anticipated with Spain in event of a cession
of Texas bv Mexico. Texas asked nothing more
of the United States, in proposing to negotiate for
her annexation, than the United States had previous
ly desired of Mexsco, when General Jackson was at
the head of this Government; for Mexico was then
as much at war wiih Spain as Texas now is with
Mexico; and it is b dicvcd that as friendly treaty and
commercial relations existed between Spain and the
United S ales at that time as are maintained between
the United Slates and Mexico.
In addition to the Ud that this Government, when
administered l>y the sage of the Hermitage, proposed
the acquisition of i'oxm by purchase from Mexico, many
years before tho recognition of lier independance by
?Spain, the undersigned most respectfully invites the at
tention of the honorable the Secretory of State lo the
report of the House of Representatives of the State of
Mississippi, contained in a newspaper which he here
with presents. Tho report, which is said to have been
aJopicd unanimously, alludes in strong terms to the
subject of the right of this Government to admit Texas
into its confederacy ; and the undersigned refers to it
thus particularly, tint he mav l?e snstsined !>v high au
thority. when he assures the Secretary of State of the
United States, tint, in submitting the proposition of sn
neiatioii. it wa* far from his intention to ask the Go
vernment of ihe United Slates to accede to ? measure
which Mr. Forsyth was instructed to say was believed
fo involve unjust principles. The undersigned assures
tlic Secretary of State of the United States, that ho
could not knowingly conscnt lo be the medium of pre
senting any proposition asking of the United States a
disregard of just principles.
The honorable Mr l'orsyth will paidon tho under
signed for expressing ihe opinion which appears to him
undeniable-?that a sovereign Power h is as jierfcct a
nghl to di?|>ose of tile whole of itself, and a second
Power lo acquire that part only ; and that tho acquisi
tion of the whole territory of a sovereign Power could
not more be objected lo on the ground of constitutional
right, th.iu the acquisition ofa part of that territory only.
The iiMteri'd ditl'i rence alluded to bv Mr. Forsyth, bo
tweeu the annexation of iii<b-|K-ndent Texaa, by herown
voluntary act, and the acquisition of the collonial pro
vinces of l?omsMita and Florida, by the act of their re
spective governments, is acknowledged. But the dif
ference is conceived to be altogether in favor ol the
former, for the reason lhat lite annexation of lexas
would be an act ol free will and choice ot* the nart of
the Government ami people, who omi? and actually oc?
eii|?v the verv territory proposed lo Ik) transferred, while
the latter would seem lo hsve liecn the result of an arbi
trary right on the psrt of the metropolitan Governments,
to dispose of the territorial possessions ceded by ihem,
without regard to the wishes of the inhabitants residing
thereon.
After the assurance of the honorable Mr. Forsyth,
that a aenseof duty ami a revcrcncc for consistency left
his Govcrnmi nt no alternative in leading tho way in
rero^uising the independence of Texas, the undersigned
confesses somo surprise at the intimation of Mr. Tor
?> th, that the circumstance of her having been finl rc
cognised by thn United States, should in nnv manner
influence the foreign intercourse of Texas. However
much the Government of Texas may lie disposed to en
courage the most friendly relations with the Govern
ment of the United States, the undersigned assures
the honorable Seen tary of State, thai ihe Govern*
mcnt of Texas docs not consider that any parti*
cnUr foreign policy was implied or made binding
uyon her by the circumstauec of her independ
mm fwi trtl rwopiKd by the Government of
the I r.nrd Nbtri Tue rrpicwatatirca of Texas, m
lUrtr MMMrhMges with foreign Powrri, will not acc'cpt
?Kr r*a ognifnn of her independence, unless it i. uneon
<4iiuntil tti tins respect. lit ?ll ihtir involution* and
ur?t ?? wstU foreign Power*, the l?-st interests of the ir
?*B <J.*ert?o??wt and people will doubtless be cousmIi
| aid nswat indicate lite policy which they will be <Ji.
?*' ?*!?'}>? With even lfu? ?ameperm-inentpol; -y
- ? mrM i itrrrltangea with the United ?,
? h?h Mr **iat with the moat favored nation, the on'.
?ii*<n|nr4 ra itMN piirtntf for hia Govrramcnl that any
eeeantagea accrue ilifrtfrorn to the manufacturing uite
rests o'<>ie I mud States, for it is under?tood that that
Utrrrat le m.tel. Mlatamed in the I'nitid Stl
by I(m poHtriion afforded by liijjh duties against the
eftiwtler interna a in foreign nationw, where
j tifonr and the facilities for manufacturing are un>;<
j aisiUide. a'id at cheaper rate* Snrh being the ?a?e,
I H ia apparent that, MM should no detriment accrue tu
the maiiwfartorinij intcrots of the United Statca from
| the \ it mil* of Texas aa an independent nation, cer
ilaii lt no advantages affecting that itilereti can Le anti
(ipaM
TIm a ppr< liens inn of tlie honorable Mr Fonyth, th.it
ill# refiivil of tin* t iovcrnment to negotiate for a treaty
of annex ition. thereby declining the commercial and
other ad? iotages which would l>e aeenred by that una.
?ore, iniv induce an attempt oil the part ofuhc Govern
m> it of Te\u? to extend it* commercial ri%ii6ii* 11?.
where on term* moat favorable to its own welfire and
prosperity ia perfectly natural ; but the undersigned a?
aurea Mr Forayth that inch endeavors will not proce?<l
from any unkind feclinir* to the <Iovcrnment and pen; -V
of the I'niied Statea; and he would take thia occasion
to reiterate the friendly dis|io?itioti of the Government
and |ieo|?le ot Tela* toward* the Government and peo
pie of tlie United Ststea, which he had the honor tn
communicate in his note of the 4th of August. Should,
however, the foreign, commercial and other relation" < t
the republic of Texan neceaaarily become anch a* sen
oti*ly to affect the interests of" the United Slates. or
any other fiortieii thereof, the undersigned concent i
tliat it would lie unreasonable for the Government and
people wIkj had liceri freelv proffered all ahc could lie
stow and yet d?-clined the offer, to complain of Iter on
the ground of looki-^ to her own intercut primarily ?
Tcxaa haa generously offered to merge her national
sovereignty into a domestic one, and to become a cm
stituent psrt of this great confederacy. The refusal of
this Government to accept the overture must fun v
er screen her from the imputation of wilfully in
juring the great interests of the United Slates, should
such a result accrue from any commercial or other rrU
tions which she may find u necessary or expedient to
enter into with foreign nationa.
Should it be found necessary or expedient hereof:i r,
for the pro|ier promotion of the interest# of her own e:t:
tens, to lay high duties upon the cotton-lw^oino mi < x
tensively manufactured in the wrateru state*, and upon
the pork and tiecf and bread-stuffs, so abundantly pro
duced in that region, such as would amount to an al
most total prohibition of the introduction of those un
cles into the country, much as her Government and tiie
people would regret the necessity of the adoption of
such a policy, ahe would lie exculpated from the ?light
est imputation of blame for taking care of ber own \??1 -
faro and prosperity after having been refused admission
into this Union.
The efforts which the Government of the mult r
sigiied is making to open a commercial interci'tjtv.
with Great Britain and France, it is bvlleved, u ill
succeed. Apart from the disposition of those two
Powers to avail themselves of the ?r?tit bavdntfi?e?
which must result to every nation with which Tex
as may form intimate commercial relations, it i>. b
licved that they, as well as the United States, eheri>h
a liberal sympathy for a people who have encoun
tered the most cruel treatment at the hands of Mevi
co?a nation which hassolittle regarded the law - uf
civilized countries, in prosecutins: a savage war .1
extermination against the citizens of the Govern
m?nt of the undersigned, and that too, against a peo
ple who proudly claim the nabob of Britain an.I
Frauce as the homes of their ancestry. And tli?
undersigned expresses a belief that the crowned
heads of England and France, and their niajo'ieV
ministers, will not be without some feelings of gra
tification when they tveome apprized of the suce<"<N
ful civil and miHtarj' career, although on a liinstrvl
scale it is true, of the descendants of British an I
and French progenitors in Texas. General Hous
ton, the President of the republic, is a native" of Un
united States, but descended from English and Iri-I?
parentage. Fie commanded at San Jacinlo, in one
of the li?st battles, it is snpjHised, which have beeti
fought since the introduction of fire arms. The va
liant General Mirabca Lamar, Vice President i t
Texas, who commanded the cavalry in the sanm
light, is likewise a native of the United States, bin
claims his descent with pride front the French ?
And the undersigned again avows his persuasion
that the crowned heads of England nnd !? ranee, and
their majesties' ministers, will not be altogether in
sensible to feelings of sympathy and regatd fin a
people whose Government is headed by individual
boasting their descent from the distinguished r?< ^
over which their majesties preside.
Reason would teem to indicate that the foreign
policy of Texas will be dissimilar to that of tin
United States. Texas is now, and, His believed,
will continue to be, an almost purely agricultural
country. The agricultural interest will claim the
almost exclusive attention of the Government IV
siblv, from the circumstance of her climate and soil
being so well adapted to the growth of hemp, and
the great demand for rope pnd bigging in a cotton
growing country, the manufactures of these solitary
articles may be encouraged at an early period, biit
with these single exceptions, it is not apprehended
that the capital and labjr of the country can be >o
profitably employed in any other species of industry
as in the planting interest. On the other hand, tin
interests of the Uunited States are nam roits and
greatly diversified; nnd it is presumed that it w.i
found necessary to establish sucn a foreign policy ;i
would best reconcile them and redound to the ad
vantage of each. -
With the most rigid adherence to whatever
jnst and right, the Government of Texas will natu
rally pursue such a course of policy, lbrcign and do
mestie, as will best conducc to the increase of tier
wealth and population, and thereby her national
power nnd consideration. In its intercourse abroad
it will endeavor to find those markets where her
agricultural products, cotton, sugar, rice, tobiceo,
&c., will obtain the highest prices, and where such
articles as may be needed for her home consump
tion may be procured at the lowest rates. If these
advantages are presented in n commercial inter
course with the U. Slates, the undersigned need not'
say that the warm predilection of the Government
and people of Texas for the Government nnd people
of the United States would render such nn inter
course as agreeable to the former as it would doub'.
less be advantageous to both.
The undersigned most respectfully assures tin
honorable Mr. Forsyth, nnd through liim his excel
lency the President of the United States, that tin
prompt and decisive rejection of the proposition l"i
the annexation of Texas to the United States will
not be imputed to an unfriendly spirit to the Govern
ment and people of Texas.
The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and mini
'er plenipotentiary of the republic of Texn-, with
the greatest satisfaction, renews to (he honorable
Mr. Forsyih, Secretary of State of the United Stun
the a ssurances of his most distinguished considera
tion and regard.
MEMUCAN HUNT
To the Honorable John Forsyth,
Secretary of State of the United Slates.
W'
INKS, 6cr.?J. B. MORGAN & CO. are now
. . cciving from the Robert Gordon nnd President. ?>
fine assortment of wines, 6lc., partly as follows :
Wmr* of Ihr Rhtnf?Hoc.Uicunc-r, vintages IM3I, IS'.'T,
1H-25 ; UudeslieimerCabinet, 1834 ; Johanneslierger, lh-".
IH;ll; Marcobruner, 1827, 1H3J; Steinwein, 1834 ;.t>tein
bcrger, 1H27. With a numlier of low-priced llock win"
Chnmpagnti?Of the Cabinet, (this is said to be tin
best brand of Champagnes imported,) Anchor,
Bacchus, nnd Heart, brands.
('orHinl$?Marischino, Curaeoa, Abseynthe, Slonrai ti
flitter, and other Cordials.
Shtmrt?Pale and Brown, very superior
MurlrirnM?From Blackburn At Howard, March &i Co
Olurd's Pale Brandy, very superior.
London Porter, Brown Stout, nnd Scotch Ale.
Sardines, trulllcs, anchovy paste, French mu?tiir!
pickles, (ic. 20,000 superior Havana Segars.
We have about 30,000 liotllcs of old w inea, Mad< mi"
and Sliernea, most of them very old ; with every variet)
of wines and liquors in wo<k1.
All orders from abroad punctually attended to, and i?>
charge for packing.
sept IM1?Gt J- Dl MORtiAN & t n
NOTICE.
THE New Vork nnd Boston Illinois I?nd Oorrpsnv
will offer at public auction at their office in the. io?n
of Quiney, Adams County, Illinois, on Monday the if"th
day of November next, 100,000 acres of their Lands si'11
ated in (he Military Tract in said State.
Lists of the lands may Ik- had at the office of said Com
pany in Quiney and at 11 Wall Street, New- York.
A minimum price will be affixed to each lot at ihc tine
it is offered.
JOHN TILLSON.Jr
Agent for the N. V. ^ B. ill. L Co.
Aug. 25, 183T.
lawtNov?9