mr. woodbury. on the Texas Question.


WASHINGTON, May II, 1874.
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Mr. Woodbury. ON the TeXaS &ales1AOAl


WASHINGTON, May IL, 1874.


Gentlemen: Your letter of the 9th instant ha
inst been received, stating that public meeting
has been held in Prince William county, Virgin
ia. at which resolution was passed to ascertain
nv views in regard to the annexation of Texas
AS this meeting is to convene again on the 18th
instant, YOU request an immediate answer on thai
subject, for the purpose of laying it before those
who may assemble on that occasion.


Accordingly, though sRch an answer must be
very imperfect from want of time, and though my
General impressions in relation this subject were
Communicated to the public in December last, yet
as thestate of the question may appear to some to
have materially altered since, and you desire fur
their explanations, l hasten to give sketch o1
nv views on the case as it now stands before the
community.


By careful examination of facts and princi
nles I have formed conscientious conviction that
the immediate annexation of Texas TO The United
States is proper. The reasons which have had
most weight in bringing me to this conclusion
are as follows: $


Because the Territory of Texas lies so near the
great monarch of the western waters, and espe-
cialy the mouth of the Mississippi on the Gull
of Mexico, and the emporium of western COM
merce at New Orleans, as to be very important,
if not vital to their securityn the event of war.
And its possession by US would atall times con-
tribute essentially to protect exposed frontier
from the torch and seal ping knife of Indian out
rage enabling US much more effectually TO hold
in check the aboriginais near, whether within OF
without our present, boundaries whenever they
may be stirred up under that foreign influence
which has too often heretofore stimulated that fe-
rocous race to drench our borders in blood.


Because the obligation on us thus to procure
security and tranquility TO the industry and Hade
of the whole Mississippi valley, embracingsOver
q million square miles and Rine millions Of peo-
pie, is national and not sectional, and deeply in
wolves the interests as well as the affections and
happiness of their kindred in the East, and every
other portion of our fraternal government. 1t is
an obliga ion stronger and more solemn, if posi-
ble than that was half century ago to procure
their trade through the free navigation of the
Mississippi river-an object which, after our in
dependence was achieved long agitated the anx-
ious councils of the fathers of the revolution apd
considering its momentous importance, not only
then, but in the growing future, was at last cheap
ly purchased at the expense of millions by buy
ing Louisiana, and afterwards cheapiy defended
by the acr,fice Of life and treasure the plains
of New Orleans


Because this annexation would secure the West
and Southwest against other disturbing causes
such as collisions in the navigation Of some of
orr rivers, whose sources are now IN possession
of a foreign power, and the want of large natu-
raj and striking barrier and boundary on the
southwest, between and different governments,
well as different, if not hostile races; and an
noying exposure TO foreign aggressions on the
property and domestic Institutions of the South
and Souhwest-which property and Institutions,
however different from those in other sections, are
such as they came into the Union with, and for
half century have remained with, under its sa-
cred guarantee; and, till changed by themselves,
or the Union is dissolved, are entitled to- and es-
peciaIly, in the authority given by Congress in
1911, for the forcble occupation of Florida, re-
cclVed the same security as the institutions and
property of the North


Because the annexation of Texas, in its inhu-
ence on all the great branches of industry is not
merely western or Southern question, but one
deeply Interesting to every quarter of our COM
mon country-whether it promotes that industry
By opening to agriculture more fertile soils and
genial climates, or by forming a wider home
market for manufactures.aor by furnishing new
articles Of commerce. and new bays and rivers for
the free navigation of western steamers, as well
as coastipg and freighting vessels from the East


And, finally, Because BY the annexation we
should not sonlyTestore to the Union a territory
own treasure-defcnded in 1915 by our own arms
and. though ceded away in 1919, yet its con.
sent was not asked TO the measure, and therefore
it seems still entitled, by theexpress obligation of
the original treaty. to be admitted into the Union,
and to enjoy all its privileges and rights. A ter
ritory which has mover united with any other coun-
try exceptas part OF an independent State in the
confederaey of Mexico and when that confed-
eracy was dissolved by the oppression and usur-
pations of Santa Anna, re-asserted its rights an
independent government, and has since successful
iy maintained those rights, ssWith the lives, the
and, by the common origin of most ofthem with
ourselves, no less than their coEnnaon educa-
ton religion, form of government and social in
sllutions, as well as Saxon blood, beside their
contiguous residence and claims under former
treaties, they are better suited to unite with US
than any other power, For reasons like these,
as they are now desironsSof annexation, which
delays may endanger, if not defeat, through dis