Wnh high respect ,

Your obedient servant,


]. THOMPSON.
Commodore CHARLES STEWART,


Bordentowu, New Jersey

HILL OF HEALTH,
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DStN0'bS"S as ANS'E eSlSSJ
i HILL OF HEALTH,


Near Bordentown, IN. J.) May 2, 1914.


SIR:-l have had the honor to receive
your letter OF the 29th of last month
intimating that have "been spoken oI
as candidate for the Office Of President
ofthe United States;" remarking, also
that "an intelligent people, exercising
the right of selecting their own chieI
magistrate, are entitled 10 know the op-
iRions Of those whom they may select as
their candidates, upon the leading guess
tions that agitate the public mind;" and
concluding with asking mine on "the
questions Of the annexation Of Texas TO
this Union,n as one which, "from the
necessity OF immediate action upon it, is
the most prominent and interesting mea-
sure now before the people" And you
also add, that "being delegate to the
Baltimore Convention, which assemblies
on the 9Th of May, it will be your de
sire TO make my views on this subject
public"


am profoundly sensible OF your good
and patriotic views in making this inqul-
ry, under existing circumstances, and
shall proceed 10 reply, in all frankness
and sincerity, 10 your inquiry,


Iassume that there exists no constitu.
iional objection 10 Texas being incorpo,
rated with our Union.-T That question
appears to be set at rest since our &C
QUESTION of Louisiana and Florida, and
the abundant, and, as have supposed,
satisfactory discussion of it, to which all.
have access. will at least venture to
say that they have satisfied my mind.


Passing, then, to the general question
the reasons are so numerous, cogent,
powerful, and urgent, both on the score
Of policy and humanity, for making Tex
as part Of the Union, and have so strong
a bearing upon our national industry,
revenues, prosperity, and power, that
have not been able to refuse the assent
of my judgment to them.


have considered, on the other hand
the views alleged against the measure
and, greatly as the sources whence they
emanatc are entitled to, and havo my re-
spect, they have not proved, on the
calmest reflection, sufficient, with me to
outweigh the strong reasons that exist
in lis favor. That step Of so much
magnitude. present and fuiure, should
meet with opposition in the FIRST in,
stance, it is to be expected. This was
the case when we acquired Louisiana
and Florida, the objections ID which are
now forgotten in the unspeakabIe ad.
vanlages flowing from it, and to flow
throughout ages 10 come, Such, it ap-
pears to me, would decidedly attend the
annexation Of Texas. Millions unborn,
and ages in the future, may be expected
70 reap the advantages Of its incorpora-
ton with our Union fong after the OBJ.
jeclions of the day are forgotten.


This important acquisition, which can
now be obtained with honor and adyan.
tage TO all parties, interested, bringing
with i the consent and affections Of isl
inhabitants, will, perhaps, when future
necessity makes lis acquisition inpera-
tive be acquired only through desoIa-
Ting war, sanguinary contests, and the
loss Of those affections Of the Texan in,
habitants 50 essential TO happiness in q
united and republican people. But i
would not be for gaining those adyan1
iages, however franscendent and lasting
| believe they would be for our country
at the expense Of justice.


The main question, therefore. i
would "annexation" give Mexico insl
ground Of complaint2-f Or course. no
other foreign country has anything to
Do With the question. Nov, / have pot